So here's the story, (somewhat long) around July of 2006 i picked up a local auto trader and was interested in buying a Scion tC. I found a listing for a tc '06 with only 2500 miles on it for 16.5k. I contacted the seller and asked if he would do 16k cash and he agreed. This car was in Palm Desert, so i called my dad, who lives out there, and asked him to go check out the car for me. He said it looked good. It was a BSP with the oem kit, spoiler and fogs.

The guy took my dad for a ride in the car and that was pretty much that. i couldnt find a better deal. The seller was pushing me to buy it Fast because he had a lot of people calling him for it. He represented to me that he was the orginal owner and was selling it because his son was moving to Hawaii and needed a jeep. So two days later i got all the funds. I took out 8k in cash, sold my civic for 6k and borrowed 2k from my mom.

So i drove down to the desert to buy my tc. At this point i shoulda seen the signs, even my dad told me why i dont just buy a new car and only have to finance a couple grand. I was trying to avoid the dealership taxes. Plus this guy wanted all cash.
So we finally met up and i inspected the car, couldnt drive it because he was in a hurry and had things to do. I asked again if the car was in an accident because the passanger side dash was smoothed out. He said no.He took the money, signed the transfer form with the pick slip behind it and took off pretty fast.

At this point, things didnt seem right, i drove the car and noticed the airbag light was on, the horn didnt work, the car didnt pull right, and later found it started to overheat and the tranmission had been jb welded. Im like WTF, got to my dads house and checked out the paper work. The pink said "salvaged." oh and i was furious, i was just scammed.i called the guy and wanted my $ back because a salvage is not even worth 16k. He ignored all my calls.

Finally i filed a Civil suit against him and wanted my money back. Since this car was pretty much undrivable, i had to buy another car. This time i went to the dealer and picked up a SW tC and had to do what i wanted to avoid the whole time, finance.
So i hired an attorney, another 5k out of my pocket

This case kept getting continued and his arguement was i knew it was salvaged. I found pics of this car after the accident and i looked like it hit a tree or something.
Finally Today was the day of trial (yes two years, 21k and another car later) i finally got to see the day of trial. The judge sided with me but the old man didnt want to pay. After his attorney advised him to settle he finally came up with a deal rather than go to trial. If we went forward and if i won, he would have to pay 16k, i would give the car back, and he would pay punitive damages.

The problem was, he is retired, so it probably would have taken who knows how long to get the money if he wouldnt pay, i would have to put a lien on his house, find his bank info etc, etc. He finally came up to 12k and the judge said i should consider it becaue it was part my fault for jumping into this without researching the history of the car. So i figured, take 12k cash now or wait another 2-3 years for the 16k. My attorney advised i take it, thought it through and decided to.

So come Tuesday, im giving the car back and he gives me 12k. Still doesnt seem fair because this crook still wins since he already made a profit on the car but at least its all said and done with. So the lesson i learned, Always check the car fax, and dont rush into things without researching. I life lesson learned

 

OUCH!

 

ok, so how the hell did your dad not notice anything was wrong when he drove with him in the car? you said it is practically undriveable. That guy must have been a professional driver to pass that off with a passenger inside as "fine."

 

oh well, you live and learn.
better luck next time.

 

Normally, I would flame you. But I think you've learned your lesson.

Let this be a lesson to everyone else. Rushing someone to get TO the closing process is a normal part of sales. Rushing THE actual closing steps of a deal is ALWAYS a bad sign, no matter what you are buying; it's a sign of serious shadyness.

1st question to ask when buying a car: is the title clear or salvaged?
2nd question: any accidents?

Always get a carfax and check the title on the registration.

 

It didnt start having problem till i drove it more than 40 miles out. Driving around the block didnt produce any problems.