Any advice about what to do next about this car problem?

Ok here's the story. My ex husband(friend and father of my children) still owed $600 on his car but it was on it's way out and had a possible cracked head so he decided to just buy another cheap car to get him to his new job. He saw ad and went and bought a $500 Holden Barina. The next day (today) it wouldn't start. Raa( roadside assistance) said it has cracked head or head gasket and timing belt problems maybe more. It needed to be towed. Anyway, he's broke and stranded. What does anyone reccomend to do from here. He can't afford much at all. Does the guy that sold it to him just get away with selling a lemon?Any advice about what to do next about this car problem?
Geez! the nit wits on here are unbelievable.





You placed your question on Australian Answers, quite correctly and told everyone that you live in SA and you get all these Americans telling you how to fix your problem.





I am an auto technician/lecturer/examiner in Perth WA.





There is no warranty on this car except in common law and it would cost you a lot more than $500.00 to get your money back. You can approach the seller and ask them for assistance with repairs on the grounds of good ethics and good will but if they refuse I'm afraid there isn't much you can do about it. Get legal advice, some firms give you the 1st consultation free.





The car was very cheap, even for a Barina and this could be interpreted as full disclosure of a faulty vehicle. In WA it is an offence to KNOWINGLY sell an unroadworthy or defective vehicle, I don't know about SA.





Older Barinas (Opels) are very poor cars too, built in Spain with a myriad of problems. However they have a very basic engine and cylinder head and timing belts are fairly easily fixed but it will cost you at least another $500 with no guarantee something else won't go wrong.





Good LuckAny advice about what to do next about this car problem?
Depends. Where do you live? Dallas, TX. USA, we have lemon laws that would make the seller either fixi or return the money. However, I'm not degrading you or him, but there was a reasonhe was selling it for only $500.00
you cant sell a car with a crack in the block.. his money and expenses because of this have to be refunded.. a charge of fraud also can be filed against the seller ok.
No he dose not get away with it take it back or call him you may have to take him to court to get the money back. there is a law that is set up and yes its called the lemon law look into it


but tell the person who you got it from that the car broke down and that you dont know whats wrong with it but some one told you it will coast more to fix it than what you paid for it .


walter


Lemon Law America


Features statutes for all 50 states.


www.lemonlawamerica.com -
yes he will ..u have no recourse on the seller..... the buyer should have the car inspected before the purchase..... that's the law...or that's what u will hear in court if u try and take it that far.....u will need to prove deliberate fraud...almost impossible in a court of law unless u have some promises in writing...cost to repair will be far more than the cost of the car..in the states anywhere from 500-to 1500...would be better to fix the other car