Bad luck or no luck at all....
 

Hi all,

I guess I just feel like whining for a minute:Sob: I hope you don't mind. My sixteen year old son was driving my car yesterday while his car was being fixed. (He had only driven his car a couple of times before the engine blew up and cost about 2,000 to have fixed and the the drive shaft is cracked) It was definitely a lemon:mad: Anyway, my car was a 1997 Buick LeSabre, nothing fancy but it only had 56,000 miles on it because it had belonged to my mother before she passed away and I only had liability on it because it was paid for (soooo stupid) my son hit another car and caused about 5,000 worth of damage to my Buick. Thank God nobody was hurt and I know that is the most important thing but now we don't have a car and I have absolute no way of replacing it or repairing it at the moment. To add insult to injury he wrecked my 1997 toyota back in November (that one wasn't his fault entirely) after I had just paid it off. Oh, and I had just put in about 2,000 worth of work into Buick before he wrecked it and ditto the Camry! I know it's only material possession and like I said I'm thankful nobody was injured but it just seems like I can't catch a break!:thud: Like I said, just felt like whining for a minute, thanks for listening, jen

Time to get your son a bicycle - just kidding!!! :D Keep smiling and remember your son should now be your life time slave. I have 3 more years till mine drives - yikes.....oooohhhh don't think about that.

I feel ya!
 

One of my sons blew through 3 cars and a pick up truck, but when he wrecked the last one..................was wonderin if I should hug him............or kill him LOL.

thanks....
 

Thanks for the laughs, I needed them! :hug: jen

i agree with the bike girl! my van is in the shop, too with major work being done. don't feel bad.

:hug:
ang

I've never been to a car auction but it sounds great! Only problem is I woudn't have a clue what to look for as far as being a decent auto....you must have the midas touch whereas I tend to have the touch that turns everything to s**t!:D might be something I look into and thanks for the advice. Oh, and 62.50 a year is definitely doable, :hug: jen

This sounds like what happened to me. When I drove to Ohio for the pain program from MI I got hit by a car and did major damage. So having to deal with the pain,treatment,and this was not fun. Then I get home get it fixed and someone hits in the parking lot where I was and didn't leave a note. On top of this the person who hit me in OH is suing for back issues. They didn't even wait for the police to come and drove off but I got there info and now suing me. What can you do. What doesn't break us makes us stronger I guess. I have never been to an auction but I would say bring someone who knows about cars. Have you looked on craigslist? I think they have a car area. I have had luck with not car but other things on that site. Good luck and remember health is number 1.

ouch...
 

Daniella,

That definitely takes the cake!!!! Hope everything has worked out or will work out for you:) Thanks for the post, jen

Jen, you mentioned your son only drove his car a couple of times?? ever hear of the "Lemon law".. could be they owe you money for the lemon you mentioned on your son's car!! anyway, I am so very sorry to hear about all the darn troubles your having sweetie and my heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your son too!! Love, Desi

lemon law
 

Hey Desi,

Yes, I have heard of the lemon law and checked into almost immediately after we purchased his car. Unfortunately in Illinois there is no lemon law for used cars.:mad: It was an as is purchase and it was my own fault for being so stupid! See, I called the dealer before I bought it and told him I would need for my mechanic to look at it before I purchased it and he said "no problem"! So, I get to the car lot and he decides he wants to come with me to have car checked out. Well, we got to the mechanics garage and he wasn't there and I was REALLY suffering at the time. It was right after I was first diagnosed and I didn't know if I was going to be able to drive anybody anywhere anymore. anyway, we waited a while but the mechanic didn't come back when he was supposed to and I figured (sooo stupid) that if the dealer actually came with, than the car must be o.k. but it definitely was a piece of s**t:eek:! I mean it needed a new radiator, engine, drive shaft and brakes!!!! The dealer told me I could bring it back and use it for a trade-in but that he wouldn't be able to give me as much as what I paid for it becuase of all the problems with the car:mfr_wha:! So, anyway, Desi if nothing else I learned a very expensive lesson. If that car would have been a decent car my son would have been driving it instead of my car, oh the irony:D Thanks, though for trying to help, you are alway so thoughtful, so thanks again for your post, :hug: jenny

Buying a Car
 

Jen,

I have been in the car business for over 35 years. 22 as a car/heavy truck/construction equipment mechanic and now for 15 years in management for a large fleet of vehicles.

It sounds like you have the right idea. All used cars should be looked over by a trusted mechanic before you buy. That is the drawback to an auction. They are always "as is - where is" with little or no chance to check anything.

The other thing I have always told people who have asked is: Do not spend your entire budget on a car. If, for example, you have $4,000 to spend, find a car that costs $2,500 to $3,000 maximum. EVERY used vehicle will need some work like tires, radiator, battery, etc. You will now have $1,000 - $1,500 left to spend on repairs and still not be immediately over your budget.

Also, go for an "ugly" car. Desirability will always drive up the price. Don't buy a convertible on a beautiful sunny day - buy it in winter, etc. :cool:

Good luck on your search.

Mike