Ohh jezzz check out my disastorous purchase of a civic,dying for advice frm you guys!
11-Dec-2009, 05:53 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 20
Ohh jezzz check out my disastorous purchase of a civic,dying for advice frm you guys!
Hey guys MAD help n advice needed here...dun really kno where to start so just bare wit me coz i am an amateur here...k here goes...
I finally bought a 2000 Civic SIR (wit MODS..huge mistake it seems now) just over a month ago...e-tested & certified and now I'm in such a frickn mess wit it, it's totally breaking my heart (and bank!!)
Everyone keeps telling me the dude screwed me over n that it should have NEVER passed being safetied & that I have the right to fight it (but I know that could be a really messy long drawn-out situation too). I've already inquired in to MOT...been to a couple diff garages...everyone's telling me diff tings...I'm so stumped on what to even do now or who's telling the truth....
> K so it's been lowered, and first time I even saw/test drove car it was a BUMPY *** ride...he convinced me it's on adjustable suspension so he'll just raise it n all should b well (yes I'm a total amateur to this n believed him..i kno brutal brutal of me). There's a whole other story n reasons why I had to do such a "quick buy" but won't bore u guys wit details so jus plz try not to judge hehe..I'm already payin the price big-time anywayz!
> So deal was he'd raise it 3 inches (for winter plus to help smooth out ride, or at least I thought??) n put my new snows on it I just purchased from him too.
> When I went to p/u it up n pay remaining balance, my bro also test-drove it, it was still bumpy but for some crazy reason I still bought it, tinkin positive that it couldn't be that bad n perhaps it's jus a lowering kit ting n I'll jus hafta live wit it bein a bumpy ride....pffft way to be naive yezur iiii kno
> K so few weeks pass, I start having drivers side door issues, the door/lock seizes up,i had to do the whole crawling in/out of it for lil while, while friends jus tried to fix it w/o me paying big bucks..no luck, we all had to give up so had to take it to shop and $340 later my door finally opens,closes n locks..zing to that. UNTIL they tell me it needs an alignment done in front coz I'm tearing off my precious new tread on snows.
> Go to another friends of a friends garage, get alignment done, then they tell me a whole hell of a lota **** news bout it...they said they couldn't fully align it properly b/c of the type of springs on front??! but they tried still n for now it's atleast not rubbn off so much of my tread on the inside they said.
> THEN they tell me allll the **** that's wrong underneath it and that it should of NEVER passed the Safety...they said the rear struts/shocks and sway bar at back are/is broken...the rear bushings are all cracked, the fuel lines/brakes line are all rusted out, the 2 front lower control arms are mis-matched and it's missing the front sway-bar (is it ok to be missing??!). So far the quote is almost 2 grand to fix it all n I'm beyond devastated to say the least!
Like I just need whatever opinions/advice you guys have...whether it's regarding parts underneath that do or don't need to be fixed...or should I just no even try to have a case against the garage who passed it b/c I'll never get compensated for it?? I mean I can't exactly wait around too long for MOT to do their ting b/c I NEED to have a safe/running vehicle on the road to keep my job!!! But they said def don't go fixing it yet until an MOT licensed mechanic n case officer comes to investigate how bad it is too...so i totally get that but not sure what the average person would do in this case???! I mean do I just suck it up put all the $ in to it and accept that he screwed me over n is jus laughing all the way to the bank wit my hard-earned $ now or ??? I mean I know ppl can be very very dishonest when selling privately and so I guess I was asking for it, but man jezzz what a shame for him to especially take advantage of a younger female like that. Like I'm completely screwed now...esp jus before X-mas... :-(
OH and also within last 48 hrs I now have an exhaust manifold leak of some sort they tell me???! Allz I know is it's leaking alota gas fumes and strange ticking noise from underneath, esp when I REV it...it has MODS to the engine (cold-air intake and DC headers)...b/c of that should I be taking it to a performace shop instead to see further what the issue is?? I mean is it really serious or can it wait until I pay out the rest of the $ for everything else underneath wrong with it??! But damn man when I idle I'm def inhaling a hella lota fumes it seems to the point where I'm getting headaches.
Yeeeeeeah I kno guys you can def jus say NICE BUY and move on hehehe...or if anyone truly has advice I could reeeeeally use it on what my next step should be...I mean eitherway unfortunately once it's all been fixed I may hafta just sell it (lose out on at least a grand or 2 on it tho) and not take a chance wit anytin else that's modded to go wrong wit it....so far this is NOT how i envisioned my first Honda experience to go, I was sooooo pumped bout this car n now ekkkk now not so much
I finally bought a 2000 Civic SIR (wit MODS..huge mistake it seems now) just over a month ago...e-tested & certified and now I'm in such a frickn mess wit it, it's totally breaking my heart (and bank!!)
Everyone keeps telling me the dude screwed me over n that it should have NEVER passed being safetied & that I have the right to fight it (but I know that could be a really messy long drawn-out situation too). I've already inquired in to MOT...been to a couple diff garages...everyone's telling me diff tings...I'm so stumped on what to even do now or who's telling the truth....
> K so it's been lowered, and first time I even saw/test drove car it was a BUMPY *** ride...he convinced me it's on adjustable suspension so he'll just raise it n all should b well (yes I'm a total amateur to this n believed him..i kno brutal brutal of me). There's a whole other story n reasons why I had to do such a "quick buy" but won't bore u guys wit details so jus plz try not to judge hehe..I'm already payin the price big-time anywayz!
> So deal was he'd raise it 3 inches (for winter plus to help smooth out ride, or at least I thought??) n put my new snows on it I just purchased from him too.
> When I went to p/u it up n pay remaining balance, my bro also test-drove it, it was still bumpy but for some crazy reason I still bought it, tinkin positive that it couldn't be that bad n perhaps it's jus a lowering kit ting n I'll jus hafta live wit it bein a bumpy ride....pffft way to be naive yezur iiii kno
> K so few weeks pass, I start having drivers side door issues, the door/lock seizes up,i had to do the whole crawling in/out of it for lil while, while friends jus tried to fix it w/o me paying big bucks..no luck, we all had to give up so had to take it to shop and $340 later my door finally opens,closes n locks..zing to that. UNTIL they tell me it needs an alignment done in front coz I'm tearing off my precious new tread on snows.
> Go to another friends of a friends garage, get alignment done, then they tell me a whole hell of a lota **** news bout it...they said they couldn't fully align it properly b/c of the type of springs on front??! but they tried still n for now it's atleast not rubbn off so much of my tread on the inside they said.
> THEN they tell me allll the **** that's wrong underneath it and that it should of NEVER passed the Safety...they said the rear struts/shocks and sway bar at back are/is broken...the rear bushings are all cracked, the fuel lines/brakes line are all rusted out, the 2 front lower control arms are mis-matched and it's missing the front sway-bar (is it ok to be missing??!). So far the quote is almost 2 grand to fix it all n I'm beyond devastated to say the least!
Like I just need whatever opinions/advice you guys have...whether it's regarding parts underneath that do or don't need to be fixed...or should I just no even try to have a case against the garage who passed it b/c I'll never get compensated for it?? I mean I can't exactly wait around too long for MOT to do their ting b/c I NEED to have a safe/running vehicle on the road to keep my job!!! But they said def don't go fixing it yet until an MOT licensed mechanic n case officer comes to investigate how bad it is too...so i totally get that but not sure what the average person would do in this case???! I mean do I just suck it up put all the $ in to it and accept that he screwed me over n is jus laughing all the way to the bank wit my hard-earned $ now or ??? I mean I know ppl can be very very dishonest when selling privately and so I guess I was asking for it, but man jezzz what a shame for him to especially take advantage of a younger female like that. Like I'm completely screwed now...esp jus before X-mas... :-(
OH and also within last 48 hrs I now have an exhaust manifold leak of some sort they tell me???! Allz I know is it's leaking alota gas fumes and strange ticking noise from underneath, esp when I REV it...it has MODS to the engine (cold-air intake and DC headers)...b/c of that should I be taking it to a performace shop instead to see further what the issue is?? I mean is it really serious or can it wait until I pay out the rest of the $ for everything else underneath wrong with it??! But damn man when I idle I'm def inhaling a hella lota fumes it seems to the point where I'm getting headaches.
Yeeeeeeah I kno guys you can def jus say NICE BUY and move on hehehe...or if anyone truly has advice I could reeeeeally use it on what my next step should be...I mean eitherway unfortunately once it's all been fixed I may hafta just sell it (lose out on at least a grand or 2 on it tho) and not take a chance wit anytin else that's modded to go wrong wit it....so far this is NOT how i envisioned my first Honda experience to go, I was sooooo pumped bout this car n now ekkkk now not so much
11-Dec-2009, 06:57 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 40
Ok, well if it hasn't been a month, contact the MTO with your estimate from the garage and tell them the garage who had safited the car didn't do it legally and they will have to fix it + be fined, if not have their business closed.
11-Dec-2009, 07:28 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 20
And I've also been hearing that the garage will just deny the strut/sway bar issues n that it musta happened after I took it offa their lot...the dude totally knew how bumpy it was tho (even from the first time I test-drove it he admitted how bumpy of a ride it was when we were both out in it) but of course he'll deny it too.
ALSO ever since I bought it I've had HEADLIGHT issues where when I turn them on at night the "brights" light on my dash comes on...yet they're only on the normal night-time setting but faaaaaarrr too DIM...I mean I have to actually PUT my BRIGHTS ON for most of the time. Would this not count as a safety issue too???!?!
11-Dec-2009, 08:29 PM
#6
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 95
Swaybars are not a safety issue.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
11-Dec-2009, 09:02 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Parry Sound
Posts: 1,986
Swaybars are not a safety issue.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
Springs and struts are part of safety.
Along with the handles and door locks.
After 36 days the safety certification no longer applies.
11-Dec-2009, 10:20 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 20
Swaybars are not a safety issue.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
Faulty shocks/struts are allowed to pass a safety.
TORN suspension bushings... I'm not sure if they are a safety issue... I'm leaning towards yes. CRACKING bushings pass safety, because that is normal wear and tear.
Exhaust leak is not a safety issue, but shouldn't have passed the emissions test if it was leaking during the test. If it started leaking after you bought it, you have to eat that cost.
Alignment... if the car was pulling heavily that could be considered a safety issue... but if the car only requires an alignment to fix this then I suppose you have to eat that cost and is somewhat your fault for not noticing during the test drive. Tires wearing poorly due to alignment is not a safety issue. Tires wear can be extremely poor even though the car is travelling straight, depends on what the specs are.
Driver's door lock... if it was working at the time of the safety then it passes... if it stops working after you buy it then tough luck for you.
If the brake lines aren't leaking fluid it passes... even if they are rusted/rotted and are about to leak, but aren't leaking yet.
Basically, someone took advantage of you because you didn't know enough about what you were buying. It's going to hurt to hear this, but that is mainly your fault because you didn't take the precautions to protect yourself by being more informed.
The car sounds SAFE, but sounds like it is not in the best shape.
Sorry for your poor purchase experience... hope you can get your money back or atleast be reimbursed for repairs that are necessary.
As far as response to brake/fuel lines etc I appreciate your feedback...that's what I was mainly looking for, to see where I stand and what "counts" as passing safety at the time...b/c I know fighting it could be a huge hassle and is it even worth it...esp now that I'm over 36 days I guess I hardly have a case.
And yes, I am a very understanding and open person as to when I'm at fault. I would of added all this in with my original thread but I felt bad it was already becoming too long of a story for anyone to read hehe, but as I did mention in it, for me buying used and the pressure & position I unfortunately was in, I def was asking for it and the chance of a poor purchase occurring was quite high...I took a chance with my lack of knowledge yes. All of the other civics I looked in to (just prior to this purchase) I always had a guy with me to check it out, this particular time I didn't, I jumped at the car before anyone else could and the jig was on me I suppose!
Anyways thanks again to everyone's feedback and advice, it's greatly appreciated in this time of need (oh and of course also for even reading my long-*** story, you guys are champs hehe)
13-Dec-2009, 11:30 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Burlington
Posts: 734
What's the mileage on the car? The tick you are talking about could just mean it's due for a valve adjustment, which isin't a big deal. If you end up having to pay for all those things, it still might not be that bad, since it's mostly suspension, after the repairs thw car will handle very nicely. At this point it might not be a bad idea to have the motor looked over, get a tune up, new plugs wires......new fuel filter. Yo ma want to consider a compresion test and leak down test, then you will have a good ide of what you are dealing with. Hope all works out for you.
28-May-2010, 12:16 PM
#19
eh... even if it happened 2 years ago the guy still deserves an elbow to the face.... if i was around back then i woulda said hit up a junkyard for the parts n find a good shop but at this point all i can do is wonder if there are any updates?
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