[nique26]

I just bought my first car from a small dealer; I had the car for four days and it stopped running. :eek: I had the car towed to a car shop to find out I need a new motor. I bought the car as-is but was told the car was in good condition and was running fine. The sales lady that sold it said she even wanted to keep the car for herself. I felt like I had a good running car I understand with used car there's a chance something might be wrong but I never though nothing to this magnitude. I was headed to Tampa and was stranded for a day. I was told by the dealer he was going to tow the car to his dealing place and give me another car; I didn't like this, but felt better knowing I didn't completely lose out. Then the next day the story changed to him wanted me to give him a 1,000 dollars plus the car that doesn't run; I told him I wasn't able to pay more money time is very hard. Today is the fifth day and the car is still at the shop because it doesn't run and the dealer called me once again just to tell me his position has changed and he will only tow me the car; my husband said okay and still no tow, no car, only false promises and hopes is there any law against this I can barely eat I am very worried and the more he tell me he is going to help me and don't makes me feel depressed and deeply sad.

[Fr_Chuck]

No, basically he does not have to do anything at all, You were responsible to take the car to a mechanic BEFORE you bought it and have it checked out.

You need to go in and see him, no phone calls and see if there is any deal they will work out.

** next time they tell you they want to keep the car, run for sure

[ebaines]

If you bought the car from a dealer (not from a private party) then the FTC requires that there be a window sticker that explicitly states whether the car is being sold "as is" or "with all faults." Did your car have that sticker? If not, then the dealer is in violation of FTC rules and implied warranties may apply. Further, there are some states that prohibit "as is" sales of used cars by dealers - these include CT, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MI, NY, RI, VT, WV and DC. Here's a site with more info that you may find helpful:

Buying a Used Car | DoItYourself.com

[ScottGem]

As ebaines noted the key here will be how the car was indicated to be As-Is. If the dealer did not comply with the law, then he may be required to repair the car. Also lemon laws may apply.

On the other hand, if the dealer complied with the law then you are out of luck.

[this8384]

As all the others have noted, buying a car "as is" means just that; you're getting what you see. In Wisconsin, dealers are required to fill out a Buyer's Guide and put a copy in the window; this guide is a checklist of the components(engine, transmission, exhaust, etc.) and dealers are required to disclose if something is wrong. The hard part is going to be proving that the dealer knew there was something wrong when he sold you the car.

What year, make & model is the vehicle? Another thing to consider is what exactly made your engine go bad. Theoretically speaking, let's say your water pump failed and you continued to drive the vehicle while it overheated and eventually you blew the motor; that doesn't make the dealer liable. Also theoretically speaking, let's say your timing belt broke and your vehicle has an interference motor; this also doesn't make him liable.