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by crickyann

Last Post 147 days, 14 hours Ago


Used Car Buyer's Beware
Sep 12, 2007 | 11:21 AM
Category: Traffic
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Recently learned a lesson the hard way.  Throwing common sense out of the window, we purchased a '93 Mazda MX3 for $1,500 "as is".  Our neighbor (who is a certified mechanic) sold us his car, claiming all it needed was a new battery and said the car had 79,000 miles on it (Turned out to be 179,000)  Well, my boyfriend put the pressure on and I gave in, since he already fell in love with it, although I wanted to have my own mechanic give it a going-over first.  We didn't do that and have spent over an additional $1,500 (so far).  Had to replace the radiator, brakes, valve cover gaskets, timing belt, and also needs fixing several not- as important things, such as the motorized shoulder restraints, electric sunroof,  paint job and new tires all around (Future projects).  This week, everything was fixed, (at least to legal specifications), passed inspection, purchased the auto insurance and plates.  We had already bought a new battery, but it was defective, so exchanged it for a new one yesterday.  After installing it, guess what? No juice. So now just had the car towed back to the shop (another $50) to have another look at it -may be the wiring?... and we're back at square one. If you EVER, EVER buy a used car, HAVE A TRUSTED MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT FIRST, even if you're buying it from a relative or "friend".
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Member Comments Total Comments: 16
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crickyann read my blog
Sep 12, 2007 | 1:26 PM

***update*** The shop just called and the reason the new battery did not work was because it was installed backwards! Not only may it fry the mechanic working on it, but there's a probability the alternator is shorted out, too!...so also BE CAREFUL whenever you install a new battery-p.s. I didn't do it!
superjaybrd read my blog view my photos
Sep 12, 2007 | 7:09 PM

Geez, crickyann, that sounds like a LEMON! Sorry you've had such an ordeal.

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crickyann read my blog
Sep 12, 2007 | 10:10 PM

Semi-good news to end the evening. The alternator didn't completely blow out, only the main fuse-so it was "just" another $138.00, and have the car back home. whew!
miamiman read my blog
Sep 14, 2007 | 3:49 PM

hey crickann,
i work on those mazda cars both of them a festiva and a mazda 323. we joke on the furum that a mazda with 150000 miles on it is just being broke in.
rosie read my blog view my photos
Sep 14, 2007 | 8:12 PM

do ya talk to your neighbor yet.....
snoopydad24 read my blog view my photos
Sep 14, 2007 | 9:20 PM

Why is it we much rather get our teeth pulled than go to a car mechanic?

My parents experience the same thing with one of their cars. I guess that is why I try to do most of the maintenance and repairs myself. I have bought several reference books over the years. Now I have a brother-in-law who completed his training a couple of years ago and help me with my truck problems. Has taught me how to do repair several things I didn’t think I could do.
becker read my blog
Sep 16, 2007 | 7:27 AM

Nice to have a neighbor that lied to you, and sold you a lemon. sorry you had to go through that,
irwinwilliamson read my blog
Sep 16, 2007 | 3:14 PM

D.T.A. (Don't Trust Anybody). I don't and I'm a better person for being that way, not to mention that I don't get screwed over like I used to.
Sophia121 read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2007 | 11:50 AM

that was just wrong!
crickyann read my blog
Sep 17, 2007 | 12:35 PM

Unfortunately the neighbor moved and left no forwarding address. At this point, just trying to make the best of the situation. Miamiman, sorry for my late comment, but you've given me some new hope-Thanks!
pamrich read my blog
Sep 18, 2007 | 3:27 PM

I did the same thing for my son a couple of years ago so he didn't have to put a bunch of miles on his "nice" car delivering in it. Bought it from Little Louie (the crook) in O'Fallon. Car ran for two days and then started overheating. Long story short, block was cracked. Come to find out, the car should NEVER have passed inspection, so I have some questions for the Highway Patrol about how it got passed, but our name's not Renaud, you know. . . WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN -- lucky it was about $1,800.00 and not more. I now only go to ONE dealership and ONE sales person. I pay more than I should for a car since it's German, but there's someone who will listen to me when I need something fixed. LEARNED MY LESSON, TOO.
miamiman read my blog
Sep 18, 2007 | 5:57 PM

crickyann,
if you need help with it just look me up in my other posts and leave a question.
HappyMommy
Sep 19, 2007 | 6:17 AM

Well Pamrich you bought a car from screwie louie and I bought one from his brother down the road(now Dave Behlmanns place). O'Fallon didnt give a care when we tried to talk to them about it. This guy had complaints up the rear on him. I learned then. Never buy a VW from a guy that doesn't speak english also. I stick to a great dealership and my favorite salesman now.
crickyann read my blog
Sep 21, 2007 | 8:04 PM

miamiman, thanks, I'll keep this in mind. It's running pretty good now, but ????
Speedy62269 read my blog
Sep 24, 2007 | 11:57 AM

Get a new neighbor! If you buy a used car get one at a dealership with no more than 30,000 miles and no more than 3 years old.

Saving a few dollars on a car that's $4,000 instead of $12,000 will create lots of repairs. Even though you are going into debt - you have an extended warranty and also a much newer car. Drive safely...and please stay out of the left lane.
grandma1
Sep 30, 2007 | 1:59 PM

HWY 61N is without a doubt the worst stretch of highway I have ever driven and I have lived in some pretty seriously populated states. My husband and I both drive this hwy. daily and here is our observation.
The people that travel and have lived in that area for years, still think that it is country living with no rules! And have no respect for posted speed limits or warning signs. After all of those children were killed on hwy U and 61 we had hoped to see drives use more common since, but alas I belive they lost even more. The posted speeds are now 60 and I see very few following the speed limits. They tail gate they pass on the shoulder, they do everything excpet obey the law out there.
I see the police have some cars pulled over but apparently a ticket means nothing to people anymore. How about revoking drivers licenses instead for law breakers in that area. We feel like we are going to loose our lives on that road or our children or grandchildren or all of us just because of those idiots who refuse to slow down and follow the law.
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crickyann

Have a typical, active teenage daughter who I adore. Enjoy my various pets, nearly all types of music, sports, trivia, cooking, art, classic cars and a good book.

Member Since: 2/16/2007


 

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