Your thoughts

[turtlevette]

Some states have very good consumer protection and have strict laws on auto emissions and the transfer of vehicle ownership.

This is what's going to happen. The new owner is going to take it for inspection within 7 days. Its going to fail. The new owner has some options in most states. He can return the vehicle for a refund or make the seller pay for the emission repair.

This is why we get more and more laws on everything everyday. Too many d-bags out there. And that includes the d-bags in large corporations trying to rip the public off.

 

[Kira]

Hello, Darn good response uc50ic4more! I am all those things. I wanted to be assuaged by you all. Thanks for hardening me up. I have told the father and the son that I don't think what went down was honorable. I am not going to go seek out the buyer to rat out the son. That is way beyond my tangential involvement.

I did enjoy having the option to be taunted into defending myself against a charge of cowardice. I think clearly registering my disappointment with their actions was enough.
But I do agree that the world is on a course of "Paranoid Isolation caused by 24/7 Defensiveness aggravated by half truths and other dishonesty." It's not a good way to live.

The existence of consumer laws didn't cross my mind. I'd assume any "As is" sale of an X year old vehicle would have been weeded out at the legislation's drafting process if only to reduce clutter in whatever court.

I needed my fellow BITOGers to help sharpen my message to both my friend and his son. All of you helped me to make my point to them. Cheers, Kira

 

[Dave Hess]

Kira,

You should have stayed out of it and not get involved.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Kira,

You should have stayed out of it and not get involved.


Bingo. Your neighbors are shady.

 

[The_Jeff]

A buyer if they cared could have brought a scan tool and seen the I/M monitor not complete.

There are a few ways a used car sale could play out:

-- seller is honest, knows car's condition
-- seller is dishonest, knows car's condition
-- seller is honest, but doesn't know car's condition. Honestly believes it to be great.

As a buyer, one has to look out for the third. As such they have to do a thorough vehicle inspection or bring it somewhere for that.

I've had prospective buyers try to check me out as a person... and they're barking up the wrong tree! I may not know anything, and they're going to buy the average-ist car from the nicest person.

In short, let it settle out.

 

[supton]

Seems shady. But it's a used car. Not every bad purchase comes from a bad seller. I'd leave it be. But I'd never buy from your neighbors though.

Have to say, I still feel guilty years after trading in a car with bad ac. After letting myself get talked into the paint protection package I've never felt as bad as I think I ought. But since then I try to "keep it real" whenever I try and sell my Jetta, to the point that I doubt the junk man would take it.

 

[The_Jeff]

Also when one sells a used car they have to expect the buyer to be the "bigger expert" than the seller. Sure, the seller may know more about the specific condition of the car being presented. But the buyer has to step up and be responsible for repairs and maintenance on a car getting older by the day that the seller is unable or unwilling to perform.

 

[Rick in PA]

Ah, they covered it.

I guess a scan tool is good to take when investigate purchasing a used car, to look for buried codes.

 

[Kruse]

It's true that it's a high mileage car and the CEL fix might only be a $10 gas cap. But to anybody here defending the owner's actions of lying about the CEL, one must ask yourself this: If you were the buyer of this car (or any car for that matter), and the CEL came on right after you purchased it, would you be happy about it? Especially the fact that you live 60 miles away from the seller...

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Some states have very good consumer protection and have strict laws on auto emissions and the transfer of vehicle ownership.

This is what's going to happen. The new owner is going to take it for inspection within 7 days. Its going to fail. The new owner has some options in most states. He can return the vehicle for a refund or make the seller pay for the emission repair.

This is why we get more and more laws on everything everyday. Too many d-bags out there. And that includes the d-bags in large corporations trying to rip the public off.



That is mostly MA concentric. Not sure if many other states follow this.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
It's true that it's a high mileage car and the CEL fix might only be a $10 gas cap. But to anybody here defending the owner's actions of lying about the CEL, one must ask yourself this: If you were the buyer of this car (or any car for that matter), and the CEL came on right after you purchased it, would you be happy about it? Especially the fact that you live 60 miles away from the seller...


Not really happy at all, but I understand a 14yr old anything is quite a risk and maybe worth $100 or so to get a mechanic check I would be kicking myself not doing it. The code would likely be sitting in history. If I asked if any recent issues and the person said no, that is wrong. A buyer needs to ask questions. I have sold a few high mileage cars albeit in great condition. I offered no information except service history and nothing about how well it ran or not. I gave no prediction of future said you can have a mechanic check it and suggested a few local reputable places I knew of so they did not think I was going to my shop.

I found a wonderful condition(to eye) upper mileage prospect once, Acura TL-S 6mt. A mechanic check revealed sticking caliper, worn brakes, bent suspension issues(accident where seller who lied none admitted to hitting curb on ice) and recent CEL the seller lied about and fessed to. I moved on and happy about spending $100 to not have to spend a few thousand repairing vehicle.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
It's true that it's a high mileage car and the CEL fix might only be a $10 gas cap. But to anybody here defending the owner's actions of lying about the CEL, one must ask yourself this: If you were the buyer of this car (or any car for that matter), and the CEL came on right after you purchased it, would you be happy about it? Especially the fact that you live 60 miles away from the seller...


No I wouldn't be happy. But what does 60 miles have to do with anything? Once you buy it, it's yours. Used comes with no warranty. Unless if you find a body in the trunk I wouldn't call the seller back; if post-purchase something is found then you know you've been had.