I recently became in need of a cheap car after my roommate wrecked my previous vehicle. Bought a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE yesterday, and after I got it home, it hasn't started since. I was assured there were no mechanical issues with the vehicle and it had passed inspection in August. I informed the seller within 8 hours of the purchase and was told she would not accept a return of the vehicle, that she ha never had this issue, and takes no responsibility.
Am I taking it up the ass on this one, or do I have any course of action I can pursue legally? I would really appreciate any advice I can get, I do not make a lot of money and I spent my entire savings on this vehicle. Thanks in advance.
How much did you pay? I'm presuming it is a personal sale.
Com'on, he has no grounds if the car doesn't even start from day one?
Even if he is in one of those states it won't help. The law only applies to dealers, not private sales.
Unless you know the personal history of the car when buying used you really need to get a car looked at from a mechanic. Especial when it is a private sale. Classic buyer beware.
The good thing is it very well may be something simple and inexpensive.
Ever hear buyer beware?
I know how to turn a wrench and wouldn't buy a 16 year old vehicle without figuring it needed to be rebuilt.
If you don't know enough about cars, you have to have a mechanic do a check to see what condition it's in, and whether it's worth the asking price.
Good luck, hopefully you get it checked out and it doesn't turn out to be too expensive to make roadworthy.
There were service records with the vehicle, but I didn't look close enough and none of them are more recent then 2013 other than the inspection sticker which was performed last August. The seller stated that she got all her maintenance done on the vehicle at a specific repair shop, but when I contacted them for the vehicle history they said she only ever got the car inspected, she had brought in in for diagnostics a few times but never got the work done because it was too expensive. Which would make sense if you believe her story that she got the car as a gift, so why invest anything into repairs I guess.
I'm just extremely depressed and angry over the whole situation, I already have issues getting around and the only VA hospital in the area is an hour away so I have to have a car to get there. I feel like I was taken advantage of and someone was able to pass their problem along to me, except I can't afford to get the car working. Even if I want to take them to small claims court, from what everyone is saying it doesn't seem like I have much of a chance, which was expected, I guess I was just hoping for some angle I could take.
I'm no mechanic, but it sounds to me like your culprit could simply be a bad (or tricky) fuel pump, since one that's on it's way out can go outright bad as temps drop. A fuel pump for a Maxima shouldn't run you more than $100 parts, another $100 in labor at most, and is a DIY if you're so inclined (sounds like it's outside your ability level though).
If you can't have it towed to your mechanic, call someone in to see if they can pull codes from the engine to see what might be wrong and go from there. Autozone might even lend out code readers, which you can use to start the troubleshooting process.
How about gas in the tank? (sometimes gauges go bad) Did you put gas in after you bought it or are you using the gas that was already in the tank.
I'm no mechanic, but it sounds to me like your culprit could simply be a bad (or tricky) fuel pump, since one that's on it's way out can go outright bad as temps drop. A fuel pump for a Maxima shouldn't run you more than $100 parts, another $100 in labor at most, and is a DIY if you're so inclined (sounds like it's outside your ability level though).
If you can't have it towed to your mechanic, call someone in to see if they can pull codes from the engine to see what might be wrong and go from there. Autozone might even lend out code readers, which you can use to start the troubleshooting process.
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How about gas in the tank? (sometimes gauges go bad) Did you put gas in after you bought it or are you using the gas that was already in the tank.
Yup - should try to separate into three - air intake, fuel intake, electrical.
Easy to check to see if fuel is getting there - try starting her up, and then pull one of the spark plugs to see if there's any fuel on it. If they're dry, fuel delivery problem (although could also be electrical in some systems). If there's gas, then on to the electrical checkout. Not familiar with the Maxima, but I know a lot of the electronic ignitions can be problematic from the ignition switch itself on to position sensors (cam and/or crankshaft).
Don't be quick to assume that your starter is good just because it's turning, sometimes a starter is on it's last legs and again, with a little drop in temp could go from just kicking over to no start.
The upside? It doesn't sound like you have a serious drivetrain issue on your hand, so you can likely be up and running without too much cost, just aggravation. And let's face it, even with a good used car, at 17 years old you're in for a little of both.
Don't get mad - get even. Take a wrench to it and make it go.
That may be illegal
JD would lose in court if he did that. When you buy a used vehicle from a private seller like that, the responsibility to have it fully checked out is on the buyer. JD could have had her go over to a place like Midas to have them plug the car in to the computer. Maybe they would charge $50 to do that. I appreciate (as does JD I am sure) all of the advice on what is truly wrong with the car. However, back to the theme of his original post...he does not have a leg to stand on and this is not a lemon.
Is it trying to turn over? My car had the same problem & a coworker suggested the battery, but the lights & radio came on do I knew it wasn't that. Typed the symptoms into Google & found out it was the fuel pump pretty quickly.
This. I'll bet the cunt is an Eagles or Skins fan too.
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If you paid with a check call your bank and put a stop payment on it.
JD would lose in court if he did that. When you buy a used vehicle from a private seller like that, the responsibility to have it fully checked out is on the buyer. JD could have had her go over to a place like Midas to have them plug the car in to the computer. Maybe they would charge $50 to do that. I appreciate (as does JD I am sure) all of the advice on what is truly wrong with the car. However, back to the theme of his original post...he does not have a leg to stand on and this is not a lemon.
He might lose in court. At least it would be a pain for her to have to take him to court.
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In comment 12813129 tangled up in blue said:
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If you paid with a check call your bank and put a stop payment on it.
JD would lose in court if he did that. When you buy a used vehicle from a private seller like that, the responsibility to have it fully checked out is on the buyer. JD could have had her go over to a place like Midas to have them plug the car in to the computer. Maybe they would charge $50 to do that. I appreciate (as does JD I am sure) all of the advice on what is truly wrong with the car. However, back to the theme of his original post...he does not have a leg to stand on and this is not a lemon.
He might lose in court. At least it would be a pain for her to have to take him to court.
And it wouldn't be a pain for him?
Plus what does he do. wait to fix the car until after he losses in court when he finds himself right back to square one?
And he may find himself in legal trouble canceling a check after having purchased, signed, and transferred the title to his name.
It also could be your key fob needs reprogramming. The car will turn over but not start due to the security system
More likely spark or fuel.....
Pick up a can of carb cleaner.....have someone crank the car while you spray the carb cleaner into the throttle body....don't have to open it, just spray it on the plate.....if the car starts and runs as long as you spray, it's a fuel issue.....either no fuel pressure, or the injectors are not firing(Security problem)....
If it doesn't start, then check for spark.....
Lesson to be learned here: When buying a used vehicle from a dealer, make sure it has a minimum 30 day warranty....
From a private party? You take the vehicle to the dealership that sells your car.....pay one hour's inspection fee.....in that time they can road test it to check engine/transmission performance, alignment, suspension over bumps, the brakes, and various options(like cruise control, HVAC, etc.)..... attach a scan tool to observe data, and check for any codes in the vehicle.....then put the vehicle on a lift, and check exhaust, check for leaks, any damage, check front end, check tires, and potential problems(like rusted brake lines, rusted fuel lines, etc.)......and since they work on these vehicles all the time, they can also tell you the potential problems of the vehicle that may not have reared it's ugly head, yet.....they can also run your VIN number, to see if there are any open campaigns on the vehicle.....this can all be done in an hour.....that hour can save you a lot of money down the road.....it can also reduce the price of the vehicle if you show potential problems that you will have to fix, like brakes, exhaust, etc.
Cranks all day but wont start =( - ( New Window )
Set up a Fund me now account let people know what happened and for a vet like yourself I am sure people will donate.
Is it trying to turn over? My car had the same problem & a coworker suggested the battery, but the lights & radio came on do I knew it wasn't that. Typed the symptoms into Google & found out it was the fuel pump pretty quickly.
Any mechanic that quoted you anything $500 or over for a fuel pump for that car needs to have a couple of fingers thrown in his direction, I'll let you choose which.
Very nice of you to offer that..
I've actually been to that guitar center a few times and i was just talking to my girl about stopping in there tomorrow after we eat at the outback down the road. I have a funny feeling we've met before because i've been in that guitar center a few times with my giants gear on and was talking to an employee there who was a big giants fan.
Sounds like a plan. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate the help. I didn't think I was going to get out of this without having to take the car to a mechanic I don't know and possibly get raked over the coals for the repairs, and really have no choice but to pay it off somehow.
What are the odds of this situation? Seriously?