Can I return a car bought 10 days ago if the radiator is cracked and it won't pass smog due to modified headers? I was verbally assured that the radiator was good and no leaks. Also verbally assured that it will pass smog with no problem. It was a private party sale. Its going to cost more than $450 to fix radiator alone that doesn't include changing headers back to stock exhaust manifold. What can I do? Just wanted a reliable car for my family and he assured me that this car was. I only make $900 a month and can't afford to fix this car. Can I legally do anything?

What does the paper work that you signed say, does it say "as is"

Why did you not have it inspected before you bought it, not after.

Chick is right. Unless your bill of sale says otherwise then you bought an "as is" car. You could not return such a car 10 minutes later. Let us know if the bill says anything about a limited warranty or time to return, doubt it will

There was no bill of sale just transfer of title. And I took it to a mechanic just to tell me why its overheating all of a sudden. Just 5 days after I bought it. I didn't know you can take to a mechanic to check it before you buy. Its my first time buying a car from a private party and I only have myself and 4 kids, not like I had a male figure to ask for advice. I was unaware, I guess, I checked under hood and thought I asked all the right questions. I just didn't expect to be lied to. That's what I get for being too trustworthy. I can't believe that people can sell lemons like that and the buyer has no rights what so ever. I guess this is a very expensive life lesson. It just sucks because all my money went into buying this car that I drove for an entire 5 days and have no money to fix it

Buyers do have rights, to have the car inspected by a certified mechanic before they buy, to ask for a 3 or 10 or even 30 day warranty, the seller may not, but you can refuse to buy it without it .

You gave up all of your rights when you bought the car without any proper and normal paper work.

Also if you bought it from a dealer, unless they inform you in writing, they are suppose to pass the test in California,
So buy from a dealer with warranty.

Lesson learned. First he may have lied, or it may have just started, I sold a car once, drove it every day, not a single problem, the guy who bought it, had the transmission go out on the way home with it, it most likely things I cheated him, ** he never got his money back either)

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Originally Posted by mizzvalarie

... not like i had a male figure to ask for advice. ...

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Now there's a sexist comment. So only males have any sense when it comes to the "manly" art of buying cars? :rolleyes:

Sorry Chuck, fat fingers and the I is right next to the u. You were correct no matter what I named you