Advice on car issues

[FstStig]

If you really think a "badge" name is really going to make him pay, you seriously have another thing coming. Its not like he said its a 2009 HSV Clubsport and you got a 1989 Ford Laser. I knew you would get jacked up about the rip in a seat part.... In theory yes, not the same as whats happen, but the principle remains the same. How do you know he knew about the bent K-Frame? That is part You need to prove. The judge will just laugh and say you have wasted your time and money if you try and take him over a misleading badge. It was still a VT, It was still the same year, Same colour, Same K's, Same rego plate. It had just been dressed up as an SS, and I must say could very easily pass as one, besides the Compliance Plate.

Also your job title does not by any means show how much knowledge you have with cars. I was also and still am in the IT sector, but I have played around with cars and when I was in the Industry I had a few mechanics asking me for my opinion and help on cars. No I was never fully qualified either.

[Freshjivin]

How does showing you the difference between two different arguements imply that i'm "jacked up"? It doesn't matter what type of car it is, the principle stays the same, If you get told your'e buying something, you want it to be what you've told it to be, correct? Or would you be happy to walk into Holden to pick up your VE SS and be handed the keys to the Berlina and be told "No no sir the paint is the same, the colour's the same, the K's are the same and so are the rego plates"?

And when I state that I work in I.T i'm mererly pointing out that I don't mess with cars all that much, congrats for working in I.T and giving out opinions on cars but I leave the major mechanic stuff to the mechanics, on the other hand, if you need the wiper blades changed them im the hero for the job! I had a look at the car and it "looked" fine to me at the time but obviously without having much knowledge I was wrong and luckily I got the mechanic to check it out.

[VS_Pete_1]

Mate I`m no mechanic and some people on here that ask questains shouldn`t even look under the bonnet.
Some people are good at somethings and some not.
I`m glad you asked advice on here we have some very knowable people on here which I have used and giving back info.
I think you need to go to your solicitor and have a good talk.
Don`t worry I have been conned along time ago too.
Good Luck Peter.

[Freshjivin]

Mate I`m no mechanic and some people on here that ask questains shouldn`t even look under the bonnet.
Some people are good at somethings and some not.
I`m glad you asked advice on here we have some very knowable people on here which I have used and giving back info.
I thing you need to go to your solicitor and have a good talk.
Don`t worry I have been conned along time ago too.
Good Luck Peter.

Cheers mate, appreciate the words and advice.

[calais24/7]

Also had a look on his threads, From what i can see its a 179kw motor, with a 195 cover. according to the threads, i may be wrong, but if im right he new that as well. Did you think that maybe the damage was from a previous owner? its possible. anyways im sure youve learnt you lesson

[Reaper]

If you really think a "badge" name is really going to make him pay, you seriously have another thing coming.

Actually it's probably the only thing that might get the sale reversed. From what has been posted it was advertised as an SS only to find it's another model then it's pretty cut and dried. Especially when it can be very easily shown and demonstrated that the seller knew this was the case.

The seller is very much obligated to advertise the car as what it actually is. To knowingly advertise it as being different will find them in trouble legally.

Reaper

[FstStig]

Actually it's probably the only thing that might get the sale reversed. From what has been posted it was advertised as an SS only to find it's another model then it's pretty cut and dried. Especially when it can be very easily shown and demonstrated that the seller knew this was the case.

The seller is very much obligated to advertise the car as what it actually is. To knowingly advertise it as being different will find them in trouble legally.

Reaper

Fair point Reaper. I also guess the resale value of a SS and a Berlina would have a fair bit of difference as well.

[Freshjivin]

That was my point from the beginning but as I was reluctant to show the posts at first it most likely made it sound a bit shady so sorry for the confusion.

[ClairBear]

Now this time around I did everything possible

No you didn't. You didn't do the most sensible thing - have a mechanic check it over before you handed over the money

and not being all that good with engines (I work in IT)

Even more reason to get a mechanic.

but when the guy tells me <delete pointless bit>that it only needed to be raised to pass the RWC

At this point I would have made a mental note that the car had not passed a roadworthy and set off alarm bells

and the mechanic down the road who performed the RWC tells me that only a handful of things need to be fixd, wouldn't you be be inclined to believe both a licenced tester/mechanic

Hell no I wouldn't believe him, for all you know they are related/mate and did a favour. Rule one: don't trust anyone especially strangers. I would have the RAA come and do a test as they are the only ones I would trust.

So with little car knowledge but checking everything possible that I had checked, how else do you think I need to learn?

Again, get the RAA or equivalent in your State to check vehicles prior to purchase.

[Jebadayah]

Going by his post he has also advertised it as having a 195kw HSV engine, which is obviously false, (and the earlier thread about the VIN number shows he was aware of this) so I would say yeah, he has been deliberately misleading. Guess it's a matter of proving that though. Good luck

[Drewie]

Would it be worth geting a second opinion from another mechanic to see if all the repairs are actually warranted?

[STEEV888]

Y U NO GET MECHANICS CERTIFICATE.

[FstStig]

Didn't get it looked over by a Pedders Suspension place did you LOL?

[ToMMMaY]

I knew that car looked too good to be true

[Freshjivin]

Yes I got it checked by another mechanic and as soon as it was up on the hoist he went through a list of things and also said that the whole air bag system would need to be replaced which off the top of his head he said was $600-800. (I'm guessing that's brand new?)

[Freshjivin]

Also no idea if the damage was done by a previous owner. But i'll post up the details of what needs to be done etc when I get it in writing.

[ucwepn]

I feel for you mate and he was wrong to advertise it as an ss perhaps theres a chance you could get a judgment in your favour for the market value difference but it wont be much maybe $1000 or so, have you thought about the possibility that your mechanic is trying it on and wants extra work? Its been known to happen in workshops all over the country, definately get a 3rd opinion on repairs but be prepared for different things to be picked on/not picked on, there are allot of shady mechanics out there thats why when you find a good trustworthy one stay with them.

If the seller wrote on the receipt something like "sold as is" then your case for getting any money back from repairs is slim to nil, afraid its a case of buyer beware.

[Freshjivin]

I feel for you mate and he was wrong to advertise it as an ss perhaps theres a chance you could get a judgment in your favour for the market value difference but it wont be much maybe $1000 or so, have you thought about the possibility that your mechanic is trying it on and wants extra work? Its been known to happen in workshops all over the country, definately get a 3rd opinion on repairs but be prepared for different things to be picked on/not picked on, there are allot of shady mechanics out there thats why when you find a good trustworthy one stay with them.

If the seller wrote on the receipt something like "sold as is" then your case for getting any money back from repairs is slim to nil, afraid its a case of buyer beware.

Nothing on the receipt saying "sold as is" so speaking with a mate today who is a lawyer to see what avenues I can take to at least get re imbursed for some of the cost.
As for the mechanic i've taken my car's there for years now and that's why I trust him, he showed me the damage briefly this morning and my 4yr old son could do better welds! I did get it checked out JUST to be safe by another mechanic who gave me a higher quote than my mechanic but did state the same repairs as my guy but just a little more pricey.

[monkeys437]

I do feel for you, but I've come across so many cars which are advertised as one thing, but seem to be another. I've come across so many cars that just dont seem right when looking to buy because I try and be as cynical as possible when checking out a car.

I just looked at the for sale thread of the car you bought and the first thing I noticed was Its a VT SS with VX SS badges and tail lights. That would make me instantly very very skeptical at to what its origins are so I would check for any signs of engine conversions, accident repairs, Check the VIN number to make sure it all checks out and have someone more knowledgeable come with me. Most importantly ask a lot of questions about history and repairs and if the seller stumbles or is inconsistent with their answers just walk away mid conversation.

Good luck getting this mess sorted and I hope it turns out ok for you

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Just a question about the engine, have you had the engine number checked against the rego papers? Is it the original engine? Just because the VIN says it's not a 195 HSV engine doesn't mean it hasn't been changed at some point.

Just saying.

A lot of the time a buyer will blame the seller when certain things are discovered to be not up to scratch on a car, but (and I'm not saying this is the case) the seller sometimes doesn't know this so they are selling the car in good faith. Although after seeing there is some history on the forum about the car the seller knew full well what he was selling.

A mechanic is in business to make money, some are more thorough and will pick a lot more than others. It is in a mechanics best interest to pick as much as he can to repair to make money. A lot of the repairs pointed out may not make the car unroadworthy, but still need repairing. You can't put all that on the seller. As said, it is up to the buyer to get the car inspected before the sale so he is aware of as much as possible before he parts with his money. The only thing you may have recourse on is the fact that he advertised the car as something it was not. Not the fact that you bought it as an SS, that is your problem for not checking it, legally, the issue is what he advertised it as. He may be able to be charged with an offence for that, but I don't think you can claim any compensation from him as you weren't really out of pocket by the fact that it isn't an SS. By all accounts, a Berlina is spec'd higher than an SS anyway, so you actually got a better car model wise.