What to do...

[sebringR/T]

Ok so here's my conundrum, I bought this Forest Green 97 Eddie Bauer off of eBay as a DD so I could put may other car up. The ad read great and all that jazz. Seller posted that everything worked, blah blah blah, needless to say he lied. Got the truck home and the trans. was going out of it. The guy new this was happening, but he tried to play it off. So after dropping another $600 on a transmission I had to drop another $200 in parts and labor for the transmission because the parts for "park" in the trans. were not there after getting the transmission in the truck.

Next we tried to fix the heat. We had the issue of the "Click of Death". Pulled the dash out and re-installed the actuator and the heat still doesn't work. When we got the truck we also realized there was rust along the windshield and along the rain channels. Come to find out the roof is leaking into the cab. There are water rings all around the headliner and its been leaking long enough that the visor mounts are starting to corrode for the water.

I'm at a lose on what to do right now. In order to fix the heat the dash is going to have to be pulled back out and the heater core is going to have to be replaced. The roof is a whole nother story. I don't have the money to fix anymore of the stuff. I, myself, have dropped another $1,000 into not counting the $300 my parents and grandparents have helped me out with. I'm already losing money as it is if I try and sell it. The motor only has about 60K on it and the trans has 45K on it. I could sell both the engine and trans together and make damn near what the truck is worth.

What do you guys think? I'm to the point I want to just light a match to it and watch it burn.

 

[jremington59]

Did you just buy the vehicle blind or did you go and look at it first?

 

[sebringR/T]

Did you just buy the vehicle blind or did you go and look at it first?

Unfortunately we bought the vehicle blind. We took his word for it and I got had. We called the guy after we found out about the transmission and he said he was going to get it fixed. Last time I heard from the guy he said he had a Explorer in the driveway that he had to drop the transmission out of and that was that. We were jackasses and fixed out feedback before he fixed it.

 

[deernet]

I bought a vehicle blind on ebay when I was 16. It was an old cop car, with around 150,000 on it. It lasted me about 15,000 miles after I got it and blew up. I wasn't really that pissed because I'd just gave a little over a grand for it.

Six years later though, I don't think I would buy another vehicle sight unseen. You're obviously stuck with what you've got. If it was me, I think I would probably try to sell it, since its pretty low milage. Even with what it's got wrong with it you should be able to get close to what you've got in it I would hope.

 

[Mirge]

Unfortunately we bought the vehicle blind. We took his word for it and I got had. We called the guy after we found out about the transmission and he said he was going to get it fixed. Last time I heard from the guy he said he had a Explorer in the driveway that he had to drop the transmission out of and that was that. We were jackasses and fixed out feedback before he fixed it.

If he said the car was 100% working, etc... get a hold of an attorney FAST... you have a limited timeframe to take action... find out what your options are legally ASAP.

 

[sebringR/T]

If he said the car was 100% working, etc... get a hold of an attorney FAST... you have a limited timeframe to take action... find out what your options are legally ASAP.

Its been way to long for that. I wouldn't get anywhere with it.

 

[sebringR/T]

I bought a vehicle blind on ebay when I was 16. It was an old cop car, with around 150,000 on it. It lasted me about 15,000 miles after I got it and blew up. I wasn't really that pissed because I'd just gave a little over a grand for it.

Six years later though, I don't think I would buy another vehicle sight unseen. You're obviously stuck with what you've got. If it was me, I think I would probably try to sell it, since its pretty low milage. Even with what it's got wrong with it you should be able to get close to what you've got in it I would hope.

I seriously doubt I will be about to get $3,000 out of it with no heat and a rusty roof.

 

[Mirge]

Well, figure out all of the flaws it has.. fix what you can within reason (budget)... clean it all up and sell it off if you want.

Or you can fix the problems & keep it... but you may run into more gremlins down the road.

 

[Glen4X4]

That's a tough decision, the one option is try selling it the way it sits but kind of have my doubts out getting $1300.00 out of it with its leakage and heat issues, you could part it out since the motor and trans are low mileage, you could record a video of them both functioning before pulling them and then part the rest of it out make close to what you've put into it because the shell and frame can be taken to the scrap yard and get money for it.

 

[manaen]

Unfortunately there are people out there that cannot be trusted, it is really sad that the guy pulled one over on you like that. At this point you need to chalk this up as a lesson learned. It sounds like your in this thing too far to totally abandon all hope of repair. Unless there are other major issues check the following...
1) engine for odd noises, make sure the oil does not have signs of water or fuel
2) rear axle noise when driving
3) major frame/suspension rust


Take a step back, and approach each problem individually.

Short term the roof can be patched to stop the leak, ultimately you should strip it, clean the rust off, patch the holes, and repaint it. I need to treat mine this year for the same problem. However I just have surface rust and will be putting bedliner coating on it to protect the roof more when I use the rack.

as far as the heat, did you check the heater core bypass valve. It is a vacuum actuated valve located on the heater core water lines under the hood. When the heat is in the cool position it turns off the flow of water through the core. Also make sure your water level is high enough.



you need to fully investigate everything about a vehicle before you commit to purchase it. All cars, even good ones are money pits the only exception are certain collectibles that can return you a profit.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you get everything straightened out..

 

[sebringR/T]

That's a tough decision, the one option is try selling it the way it sits but kind of have my doubts out getting $1300.00 out of it with its leakage and heat issues, you could part it out since the motor and trans are low mileage, you could record a video of them both functioning before pulling them and then part the rest of it out make close to what you've put into it because the shell and frame can be taken to the scrap yard and get money for it.

This was what I was think about doing. I don't have the money for another donor vehicle and its hard enough to find a decent one around here.

 

[sebringR/T]

Found out the issue with the heat is a vacuum problem. For some reason when the unit inside the truck is on heat is not causing vacuum. I just plugged the line for now. Any ideas on how to fix that?

Also I have the 4WD and 4WD Low lights flashing on my cluster. Explain please.

 

[manaen]

if it's the vacuum line to the bypass valve I would just block it open for now, at least until you have time to trace and fix it properly

 

[jremington59]

Its been way to long for that. I wouldn't get anywhere with it.

In most states you have up to three years to take someone to small claims court. Is he in the same state as you?

 

[sebringR/T]

if it's the vacuum line to the bypass valve I would just block it open for now, at least until you have time to trace and fix it properly

Right now I have the vacuum line plugged with a finishing nail. My main worry now is the 4WD lights blinking.

 

[Electrohacker]

1 get ebay on his ass
2 lemon law
3 small claims 3 year thingy...

I wouldnt stand for this misrepresentation... get him to fix it or pay you back every dime you have in on it

 

[Mirge]

1 get ebay on his ass
2 lemon law
3 small claims 3 year thingy...

I wouldnt stand for this misrepresentation... get him to fix it or pay you back every dime you have in on it

3 year thingy... think you're referring to statute of limitations... I agree, I'd get a lawyer involved and take care of business..... but to each his own I guess. Good luck again either way

 

[Paraphoe]

Sue the pants off the pr!ck.

 

[sebringR/T]

Ya know I thought about doing it, but we bought the truck AS IS. I wouldn't get anywhere with it. Plus I don't have to money screw around with it.

 

[sport97]

To your problem with the blinking 4x4 lights, check the wires on the back side of the 4x4 knob on the dash they have have just unplugged, i know they blink if the plug is unhooked.