We are not responsible for your lemons

[Argabarga]

I'm mechanically inclined enough that I pay cash for second-hand cars that need about $1500 in repairs *in parts, not labor, which is why they're usually getting junked* So, for $500 to buy the car, and factoring in the refurb, I end up paying about $2000 cash for a car that will last me between 5 and 7 years, and if it should somehow blow up in the interum, I can just walk away with it "paid for".

Takes a LOT of hassle off my mind knowing I don't have to factor car financing into my budget

[manybellsdown]

I had a POS car that had pretty much everything break on it until I gave up and had it towed, but it never occurred to me to argue with the lender about it.

I did try to argue with the dealership when my radiator blew out a few months after I bought it. Their mechanic said the amount of damage would have taken years to develop, and asked where I'd bought it.

Me: From you guys.
Him: Oh ... uh. Well, this dealership changed owners and uh ... can I put you on hold? *CLICK*

[csquared]

Unless you tear down the engine and transmission, completely, there is no way to know what is going on inside. Even if you do, you may cause damage in the reassembly.

Even if you buy a car from an honest dealer, there is still an unknown. There is still a risk. Even with a new car. That is why they have warranties.

I don't suppose they bought GAP insurance? I can see the fit they would have thrown when the insurance company pays them $8,000 and they still owe $9,500.

[Rainman]

You always have to be wary if the words "As-Is" is anywhere in the ad or contract. Generally speaking those words are only in there is the seller feels they need to protect themselves against an issue they know about the product. At least thats how it seems to me.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I do know this one. It depends on which state you're in! I can think of a handful of states off-hand where the lemon laws apply to all car sales, and can't think of any off the top of my head where it only applies to new cars.

From what I googled just now, North Carolina's lemon law applies to only new vehicles.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

From what I googled just now, North Carolina's lemon law applies to only new vehicles.

...and this is why I always qualify my statements if I am not sure!

[Zoom]

Why didn't the sucky customer in question go to the dealer and rant and scream and tantrum? They do this so often, it ought to work here.

[Antares]

This one was from a dealer. Problem is, it's past 30 days, if only just. Dealers in this area will fix anything that breaks within 30 days, but after that, you're SOL. Probably a good indication that 30-days might be my state's limit on the lemon laws?

30 day/1000 mile is pretty much standard for the industry if a car is out of warranty and doesn't have have too many miles on it or is too old.

Let me give you a scenario:

Buyer: I want the car checked first!
Seller: Sure! *proceeds to make sure the car runs perfectly.*
Mechanic: You're good.
Buyer: Sweet!
Seller: *Meanwhile is replacing the good parts with junk parts that will run just long enough to get the guy away from him.*
Buyer: Let's do it!

People have done this, one of the reasons the lemon laws have come around.

Unlikely. The cost of replacing the bad parts with good parts and then swapping them back wouldn't be worth the cost. Getting the car checked by a trusted mechanic is a good idea.


I believe that Lemon Laws only apply to new cars. There is a guy on another forum I'm active on who has had his car in the shop of over a month. The part is on back order and they're not sure when a new part will be available. It is being replaced by the manufacturer.

[MoonCat]

I always go to a dealer. Ive purchased my last three vehicles from them and they have all been excellent.
No way am I going to one of those corner markets, those are the people who buy the lemons at the auction.

Dealers go to the auctions, too. I used to fill in taking the auto ads at the auto contract desk. Certain days of the week we couldn't call to get the ads for that weekend because the sales guy wasn't in...he was at the local auto auction, buying.

Some of these were long-time dealers that had huge car lots. Not all the used cars on their lots are taken in trade...lots of them are bought at auction.

[bainsidhe]

I got my car from Hertz, so it was a prior rental. It was only a year old and they were willing to show me the maintenance records, but I still had it checked out with my mechanic. I've had it for 7 years and counting.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Unlikely. The cost of replacing the bad parts with good parts and then swapping them back wouldn't be worth the cost. Getting the car checked by a trusted mechanic is a good idea.

If the car had good parts already then swapping them out to be able to peddle off for more money isn't that hard.

Or if the seller is any kind of mechanically inclined, he can do it all himself. Wouldn't cost him any money, just some elbow grease and an oil rag.

I believe that Lemon Laws only apply to new cars.

Incorrect - that depends on which state you are in. There are some in which they apply to new only, and some in which they are applied to new and used. There are even some in which the lemon laws apply to "as-is" cars, depending on if the seller disclosed all defects/everything wrong with the car or did not.

For example; California applies to new and used, and can void an "as-is" sale if the seller did not disclose all information prior to the purchase of the vehicle.

[Antares]

I got my current car from Carmax in early 2006. It was one year old and had 13,000 miles. I didn't get it inspected because it had a clean title and was still under the 3/36 warranty. Today it has over 168K. I've put money into it, most recently tires and a battery, but it runs great and still looks good, although it blends in with every other midsize sedan.

[Antares]

If the car had good parts already then swapping them out to be able to peddle off for more money isn't that hard.

Or if the seller is any kind of mechanically inclined, he can do it all himself. Wouldn't cost him any money, just some elbow grease and an oil rag.



Incorrect - that depends on which state you are in. There are some in which they apply to new only, and some in which they are applied to new and used. There are even some in which the lemon laws apply to "as-is" cars, depending on if the seller disclosed all defects/everything wrong with the car or did not.

For example; California applies to new and used, and can void an "as-is" sale if the seller did not disclose all information prior to the purchase of the vehicle.

I suppose, and though I still find it unlikely, I'm sure it has happened before. I guess it would depend on what the seller 'fixed' on it. When I purchased a car back in 2000, I'd driven from SE Michigan to Baltimore, MD. My girlfriend at the time called around to find a place to have it inspected while a friend and I were on the way to look at it. Once that was done, I took it back to the seller and did the deal right then.


Good to know there are some protections out there for used car buyers. I've always purchased used and have had good success with all but the second car I owned. Of course, I was much younger and dumber then.

[AccountingDrone]

I got my current car from Carmax in early 2006. It was one year old and had 13,000 miles. I didn't get it inspected because it had a clean title and was still under the 3/36 warranty. Today it has over 168K. I've put money into it, most recently tires and a battery, but it runs great and still looks good, although it blends in with every other midsize sedan.

I have an 06 Jetta I picked up at Carmax 3 years ago with 60ishK miles on it, today it has around 145ishK miles. We have only had to do the routine maintenance on it and it runs beautifully. I would really recommend Carmax to anybody looking for a car that is fresh off lease. [Well of course tires as they wear out but you know what I mean]

Though I will admit freely to buying from private owners, auction lots and on one occasion one of the slightly disreputable corner lots where you put half down and $50 a week for however long. All depending on our money state of the time

We are in the market for a minivan right now - and there are a couple auction lots that seem to have some great ones in, hopefully they will have just as nice a selection when we get Robs back pay check. We were thinking of a small pickup but holy batcrap, $20K for an almost 10 year old p'up?! We are looking at 2003-2005 and they are running under $5K, so do the maths!

[mhkohne]

this reminds of a conversation I had one time with a friend. who I swear lives under a rock! Way back when, one car manufacturer had no money down, no payments for a year. Which on paper looks great, but.....factoring in the dropping value of cars, really had the potential to suck. Say you bought your car for 20K, and put nothing down, and made no payments for 12 months. at the end of that time, your car may only be worth, say 13-14K ,but you still OWE 20K. so if something happens, unless you bought gap insurance, you were SOL. She couldn't grasp that concept; she thought if something happened to your car, insurance would pay what you owed, not what it was worth.

Well, you can purchase that sort of auto insurance, but it costs significantly more than a policy that just pays the value of the car.