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tucsonazinusa · May 4, 2007, 09:10 PM

I purchased a 1998 Ford Ranger on April 16th for $5,000 cash. The only did not have a clear title at the time and had to pay off a loan on the vehicle. He did not tell me this before I drove the 50 miles to see it. I liked the truck and told him the next day I would buy it if I could talk to the bank holding the veh. I also asked the seller to sign a letter that he would take the truck in to the mechanic if there are any engine or clutch problems since they were replaced 8 months earlier and he agreed. Otherwise there would be a charge of $500.00 to transfer the warranty to me (is that even legal? A warranty should be a warranty).
I was given the title on May 1st and unfortunately I signed the title 20 minutes before I went to the emissions station, where the veh failed for two reasons (P0171 & P031, lean fuel detected and cyl 1 is misfiring). The seller assured me multiple times that it would definitely pass emissions (my last car failed so I wanted to be very certain of this). I unfortunately did not get that part in writing since the truck was running well then and even now. I had called the seller on April 18th, two days after getting the veh and told him I just noticed the check engine light was on. He assured me that it was just a bad señor and ignore it, the engine is fine. I again asked him if it was cause problems at emissions and he said no. I believed him because the engine was only a few months old and my father's old toyoto and his current 98 ford ranger also has the check engine light on all the time.
The seller has been extremely cordial up until I signed the title which I was very patient with. About 20 min after signing the title I went back to his job but he said he couldn't talk. After several calls I was able to reach him and he said "Well you better go get it fixed". Obviously the seller had reset the sensor by unhooking the battery for a few min. That shuts the warning light off for the next 50 miles. The seller told me to disconnect the battery before I go to emissions and the light will be off. However, how will that fix anything when they are checking the emissions? I have a manual transmission and they do not put it in drive and hit the gas like automatic trannys. I know I can sue this guy but do I have a good chance of winning. I paid 5,000 for a truck, it should at least pass emissions and never told me about the warning light, and then lied when I asked him about it. (I will try to fix it myself if it is a plug or plug wires, but if it is something else I think he should fix it since he lied to me at the point of sale).:mad:

I would appreciate any advice from you guys, thanks. :confused:

Karen

hvacservicetech_07 · May 4, 2007, 09:15 PM

I think you probably have a good chance, but it will be your word against his as I'm sure he will lie. Were you able to have the warranty switched?

hvacservicetech_07 · May 4, 2007, 09:16 PM

I'm sure the warranty from the mechanic is probably only valid until he sells the car, most of the time that is the way it goes.

hvacservicetech_07 · May 4, 2007, 09:19 PM

If you feel uncomfortable with the deal, You should offer him the chance to give your money back, if he says no, I'd take him to court asap, it's worth a shot. I think you baught a lemon.

Fr_Chuck · May 4, 2007, 09:20 PM

Often if this was a aftermarket warranty that was purchased, then there is a charge to transfer the warranty, but most likely with all of the other lies,

You have a fair case, if you canprove his lies, but he will most likely go to the written contract, which I will bet states you are buying as is, and that no warranty was stated or implied.
At this point about all you can do is sue for damages

tucsonazinusa · May 5, 2007, 02:09 AM

Well I had a two week warranty with the truck... which is what I asked him for. I don't think I bought a lemon... it runs fine which is more confusing. I had called the mechanic the day I bought the truck but before I actually paid him. They told me it was 500.00 to transfer the warranty. I then got a call back a few minutes later from the guy who said if the original owner brings it in they won't charge for parts (just labor). He was cool to call me back and say that... I wish more people people would just open their mouth and tell you how it is... instead of being scared of what the higher-ups always think. That is why I put that in writing. I had no idea at all that it would not pass emissions... it runs fine. Last Monday I drove from tucson, az to carefree, az which is about 150 miles... the way I drove it anyway... and it was perfect. Im hoping it is something which I can detect. I really don't want to go to court but if he is going to be a jerk then its not my fault. I had gone to court in 1991 and I was prepared to give my side... but I never got the chance. The judge said I got what I was asking for and it was over. Im open to any and all suggestions. Im tired of people who try to rip others off.

TxGreaseMonkey · May 5, 2007, 07:08 AM

I don't think you have a major problem. What engine do you have? What's the mileage? I would start by:

. Cleaning the MAF Sensor and making sure you are not using an oil impregnated air filter.
. Ensuring there are no vacuum leaks downstream of the MAF Sensor.
. Replacing spark plugs (only use the exact Motorcraft plugs that originally came in the truck) and coil. Try replacing the spark plugs first and see if it solves the problem. AutoZone should be able to test the coil for free.