irritating problems and issues on a used car for sale

[brages]

It's really dumb how the mods edit the title to a thread so that it's less descriptive.

It's not just that the problem is irritating - it's that it's baffling that the previous owner has been driving obliviously, apparently unaware of it for a substantial period of time.

 

[dbias]

I test drive a used car and the owner told me upfront the ac hadn’t worked for over a year. On the test drive I took it to a local mechanic I know and use just for ac and transmission work, only things I don’t mess with, and he came out looked at it for a bit and went back in to his shop and came out with a shoe box full of relays he harvested from his junk yard trips and popped one in and the ac worked perfectly. He refused any money so I sent several pizzas to the shop for him and the guys for lunch delivery. Went back and bargained the car for a reasonable price and drove it for years.
For some people they know that something is not working and afraid to even have it looked at because it’s perceived to be big money. As I always say it never hurts to ask lol.

 

[Urshurak776]

My brother-in-law can't even assemble an IKEA desk. My sister attempted it and I had to come over to finish it for them. He's a public speaker (conferences and stuff.) Very talented, but doesn't know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

We all have our strengths.

 

[cptbarkey]

It's really dumb how the mods edit the title to a thread so that it's less descriptive.

It's not just that the problem is irritating - it's that it's baffling that the previous owner has been driving obliviously, apparently unaware of it for a substantial period of time.

Hm, i'd say its a combination of prioritizing and ignorance. What is that wobbling noise when I'm on the highway? I dont know. Then it becomes normal and background noise. No longer an issue in their mind.

 

[brages]

Hm, i'd say its a combination of prioritizing and ignorance. What is that wobbling noise when I'm on the highway? I dont know. Then it becomes normal and background noise. No longer an issue in their mind.

Right, that seems like the case with a bad wheel bearing. The owner was probably just thinking, "I guess cars get loud when they are old."

But the headlights on the Prius were just ridiculously bad. I was very uncomfortable driving the car home. I was flipping it into high beams all the time just to see where I was going. How can you put up with that?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Right, that seems like the case with a bad wheel bearing. The owner was probably just thinking, "I guess cars get loud when they are old."

But the headlights on the Prius were just ridiculously bad. I was very uncomfortable driving the car home. I was flipping it into high beams all the time just to see where I was going. How can you put up with that?

If you don't leave the city you may never notice?

 

[raaizin]

It’s a 7-15 year old car. To think that nothing needs to be addressed is naive

 

[brages]

If you don't leave the city you may never notice?

They lived over an hour away from the city! And it was a white knuckle 90 minutes getting it home.

 

[brages]

It’s a 7-15 year old car. To think that nothing needs to be addressed is naive

Of course. There are always things to fix. Some are major, difficult repairs. Some are easy fixes for minor annoyances. But some things are a minor repair for an issue that makes the car miserable or dangerous and make me think, "How do you put up with THAT for so long?"

 

[AZjeff]

None of these repairs are $100 or less for someone that can't DIY. I know this is shocking, but not everyone can do their own car repairs (or replace a toilet fill/flush valve or replace an electric outlet). This has to stop being the standard.

It's the standard for people responding to this thread and it was acknowledged not everyone can DIY. Relax.

Back on topic we bought a 2020 Equinox from a dealer a year ago and surprisingly it didn't need anything. I did replace fluids but that's a given and installed a start/stop defeat gizmo.

 

[ecotourist]

Some people can't fix things and won't pay someone to fix it for them. They just ignore the problem.

The door on the main bathroom at my sister and BIL's didn't latch. It was that way for years. Brought my tools on my next visit and fixed it in a few minutes.

When my niece was a teenager she put a hole in the linen closet door in her parent's house. [Teenagers!] It stayed that way for at least 20 years. I took my tools and simply reversed the door. Not perfect but much better. They installed new flooring and the baseboards didn't fit in a couple of places so they just left them off. Made a few modifications and put them back on. Looked much better.

I suspect we all do this to some degree. By the time I get a house "perfect" it's often time to move.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I USED to have that opinion. I work with a lot of Phd researchers that would ask me to change their lawn mower spark plug. Really?????

They would get back to their work analyzing stats and high level projects (something I cannot do) at double/triple my salary.

I stopped judging them. But yes, being self reliant is a valuable skill.

It is true. Not really judging or even blaming them. It is just sad that so many have so little opportunities to learn even off the job (if they work) from folks we were lucky enough to get certain hands on DIY knowledge from so many men when I was growing up. Many do not have access to that for a host of reasons these days.

I take some of that back. I do judge the ones who I know of who choose to live NOT working anyplace because every single business I walk into has HELP WANTED signs on the doors. Auto parts store have signs offering bonuses for simple small truck and van delivery drivers / part runners with nearly no prior training / no CDL required yet they can not even fill those jobs. And of course the list goes on about many other unfilled jobs.

 

[SeaJay]

Like has been said, not everyone has the skills, tools. desire or free time to DIY or even get the vehicle to a shop to fix minor things that can be lived with. Cost does matter to many.

Running, driving and getting where you are going is what is most important to some - been there and done that plenty enough.

 

[panthermike]

Understand the frustration and also know that MANY people see cars as appliances and nothing more. I have several family members and friends who are this way. Many folks are just ignorant to things they think are normal.

Recently purchased an '03 Matrix that the owner said ran great and doesn't need much. 5 minutes with the car and I knew it needed tires; brakes, motor mount(s), all fluids changed, front struts and a few other odds and ends. Very different definition in my eyes of a car that doesn't need "much". However, the price was good and I do the work myself. But for those who don't know what to look for, they may be in for a few surprises.

 

[Hall]

But the headlights on the Prius were just ridiculously bad.

Maybe they really don't drive after dark. There are people who don't, whether it's that they simply stay home, never had a need to, and don't like to....

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I USED to have that opinion. I work with a lot of Phd researchers that would ask me to change their lawn mower spark plug. Really?????

They would get back to their work analyzing stats and high level projects (something I cannot do) at double/triple my salary.

I stopped judging them. But yes, being self reliant is a valuable skill.

I recall the day I got sent to the employees parking lot during a work day to change a flat tire for one of the newer mechanical engineers who was just promoted to our Mechanical Superintendent. While it felt strange and funny to do... I was happy he trusted me and glad to do it for him.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have tried to teach my daughters to fix things - appliances, household, basic auto maintenance. My youngest has shown more interest and has helped with beyond basic. Has lead to funny stories from them - basically everyone they know including their various adult managers are incapable of fixing anything. Makes no sense to me either, but I imagine some people don't even own a screwdriver.

 

[andrew_j]

My wife fought me tooth and nail on daughters then recently purchased 10 year old Acura ILX with weak AC calling it an old car. I took it to an inexpensive but competent independent who topped Freon for $75.

 

[earthbound]

I mean "used", "as-is no-warranty", "buyer beware", "caveat emptor" means nothing to you or what...

 

[ecotourist]

Maybe they really don't drive after dark. There are people who don't, whether it's that they simply stay home, never had a need to, and don't like to....

You could be right about the "don't drive after dark".

Happened to me. I drive after dark frequently but I hadn't driven my Honda after dark in maybe 10 years and when I left a friend's house after dark I could hardly see the road. The headlights were ridiculously dim.

I replaced them with LEDs. Made quite a difference!