Bought a car off a mate, but of a dilemma
Discussion
Recently sold my mint 2008 BMW 525d E61 Manual as need a car with space for 3 small kids in some form of car seat or other. Also needed to free up some cash for impending arrival of number 3 anod wife going on maternity. So I've gone from 5 year old Bavarian masterpiece to a lesser model, which is a bit of a comedown but hey ho.
So, it just so happened that a mate had just bought a new car and was selling a Toyota Corolla Verso. It's a 1.6 VVTi Manual and he's had a it a good 3-4 years and assured me it was perfectly sound. So I went round with the family in tow, paid him and my Mrs drove it home. When I get home she tells me there are some "funny noises" so I take it for a spin and notice the following problems with it.
1. Air con is shot - with AC on and engine speed >4.2k the compressor lets out a tremendous screeching sound.
2. Excessive wind noise from drivers door - needs a new seal - easy job.
3. Clutch bite point is very high and it slips when trying to set of anything other than sedately.
4. There is a slightly intrusive top end type rattle from the engine. Engine sounds fine from the engine bay and I'm not too fussed by it, I think it's just a characteristic of the VVTi engine. I can live with it, Wife not impressed.
5. Bodywork not brilliant - average for age - not fussed myself but would affect a WBAC valuation.
So firstly you might say, why didn't you test it out first and you are correct, I should have but I was assured by a trusted mate that it was sound. My mate is not mechanically minded at all though, and never used the air con, ever! He also doesn't seem to recognize a worn clutch!
So we've had a chat anyway and he's agreed to take it back for a refund less the cost to get a new V5 issued, but I feel bad doing this as he intends to WBAC it and they are going to pick up on the above faults and bid him naff all for it I reckon.
So my options are to give it back and upset my pal then try my luck finding something similar for sub £3k or keep the car and spend some money on getting it right (bear in mind I'm going to need this to be a reliable family car for a couple of years at least), we have discussed him funding part of whatever needs doing and he's open to that too.
I've no idea what a new clutch costs though, never had to replace one before, can't be that expensive on such a mass produced engine like this can it? Air con might need a good service, might need a new compressor? Door seal can't be more than £50 I'd have thought?
To summarise the car is a 2005 1.6 Corolla Verso Petrol, manual, 69k miles. I paid £3000 for it with 2 months MOT left and 12 months tax (£215), got a full service history too so had regular oil changes.
Fook knows, what do you lot think?
So, it just so happened that a mate had just bought a new car and was selling a Toyota Corolla Verso. It's a 1.6 VVTi Manual and he's had a it a good 3-4 years and assured me it was perfectly sound. So I went round with the family in tow, paid him and my Mrs drove it home. When I get home she tells me there are some "funny noises" so I take it for a spin and notice the following problems with it.
1. Air con is shot - with AC on and engine speed >4.2k the compressor lets out a tremendous screeching sound.
2. Excessive wind noise from drivers door - needs a new seal - easy job.
3. Clutch bite point is very high and it slips when trying to set of anything other than sedately.
4. There is a slightly intrusive top end type rattle from the engine. Engine sounds fine from the engine bay and I'm not too fussed by it, I think it's just a characteristic of the VVTi engine. I can live with it, Wife not impressed.
5. Bodywork not brilliant - average for age - not fussed myself but would affect a WBAC valuation.
So firstly you might say, why didn't you test it out first and you are correct, I should have but I was assured by a trusted mate that it was sound. My mate is not mechanically minded at all though, and never used the air con, ever! He also doesn't seem to recognize a worn clutch!
So we've had a chat anyway and he's agreed to take it back for a refund less the cost to get a new V5 issued, but I feel bad doing this as he intends to WBAC it and they are going to pick up on the above faults and bid him naff all for it I reckon.
So my options are to give it back and upset my pal then try my luck finding something similar for sub £3k or keep the car and spend some money on getting it right (bear in mind I'm going to need this to be a reliable family car for a couple of years at least), we have discussed him funding part of whatever needs doing and he's open to that too.
I've no idea what a new clutch costs though, never had to replace one before, can't be that expensive on such a mass produced engine like this can it? Air con might need a good service, might need a new compressor? Door seal can't be more than £50 I'd have thought?
To summarise the car is a 2005 1.6 Corolla Verso Petrol, manual, 69k miles. I paid £3000 for it with 2 months MOT left and 12 months tax (£215), got a full service history too so had regular oil changes.
Fook knows, what do you lot think?
Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 31st March 18:53
Jimbo. said:
You purchased a car without giving it a going over first. Bad.
You purchased a car from a friend. Even worse. Never, EVER do this. It'll only end in tears.
Sold as seen, buyer beware and all of that. If he's a good friend, return/refund, never mention it again.
It's worth saying, he is a good friend, very good in fact. He's my gym/cycle/drinking buddy, I'd never want to fall out over a car.You purchased a car from a friend. Even worse. Never, EVER do this. It'll only end in tears.
Sold as seen, buyer beware and all of that. If he's a good friend, return/refund, never mention it again.
If it was a sale from an unknown person I'd have been all over it like a rash, and probably not bought it!!
I've bought and sold over 20 odd cars so far...I should have the bleeding hang of it by now.
you'd be surprised how much a clutch and compressor will set you back especially if you're not mechanically minded and have to get a spanner monkey to do it.
This has tears written all over it, so hand it back and let him WBAC it and never speak of it again.
If you keep it, you'll always be thinking in the back of your mind that your mate sold you a pup.
This has tears written all over it, so hand it back and let him WBAC it and never speak of it again.
If you keep it, you'll always be thinking in the back of your mind that your mate sold you a pup.
clockworks said:
Is there really more space inside a Verso than an E61?
How about a compromise on the price. He gets a quote from WBAC (in person, not just from the website), and you do a deal?
Amazingly yes, you can't fit a child seat/booster in the middle....anyway, it's gone now.How about a compromise on the price. He gets a quote from WBAC (in person, not just from the website), and you do a deal?
I'm thinking the best bet is going to be as suggested, just hand it back and say no more.
Anyone know if you can siphon petrol out of the bloody things, I just filled it up!!
Life goes on. Don't fall out with a good friend over some metal and glass and rubber and plastic. Have a beer and work out any costs incurred on both sides, and split the difference if necessary. It's only a car. Personally I'd not ask for friend to pay anything and just forget it ASAP but I realise everyone's in a different situation.
But next time if you're going to buy a car, plz check it out for yourself
Good luck bud.A friend had a clutch supplied and fitted for £180 into a 53 reg Corolla 1.6. Cheap and cheerful place but it's still fine 3 years on.
Do you need or want AC? You could just remove the belt. Perfectly plausible he has never taken the engine over 4,200. Most A-B people will never get near that.
Do you need or want AC? You could just remove the belt. Perfectly plausible he has never taken the engine over 4,200. Most A-B people will never get near that.
Thanks for the input chaps.
I've had a think and this is what I'm going to do and my reasons for it.
I'm going to keep the car then find out what the cost of a new clutch and air con fix is going to be and split the difference with my mate.
The reason being that, yes, I could give it back and get my money back but I'm then in the situation of needing a 7 seater MPV type thing for £3k. And my mate then has to shift a car with faults so will struggle and come off worse than splitting the difference with me. You can't get anything decent for that sort of money so I'll need to spend another £500-1000 for a similarly unknown vehicle, the net result being it's costing me hundreds and I have a car that may have issues. Apart from the clutch it really drives spot on, the wind noise is a pain but a seal will sort it out. Air con isn't desperate at the moment but I do really like/need aircon so it needs to be fixed.
Does anyone know the rough cost of a clutch on one of these? The clutch kit is only £65 from ECP and I'd imagine only a couple of hours to fit so maybe £200-250 total?? Then a second hand compressor will be about £80. I can fit that + degas/regas for say £75. Door seal maybe £50-75 (No idea??).
So if we round up to a "safe" £500 I should get it sorted, £250 from him £250 from me - hopefully less if it costs less but no more. I make sure I tell him that's the end of it, once the works done I'm banned from ever talking about the car going wrong ever again
I've had a think and this is what I'm going to do and my reasons for it.
I'm going to keep the car then find out what the cost of a new clutch and air con fix is going to be and split the difference with my mate.
The reason being that, yes, I could give it back and get my money back but I'm then in the situation of needing a 7 seater MPV type thing for £3k. And my mate then has to shift a car with faults so will struggle and come off worse than splitting the difference with me. You can't get anything decent for that sort of money so I'll need to spend another £500-1000 for a similarly unknown vehicle, the net result being it's costing me hundreds and I have a car that may have issues. Apart from the clutch it really drives spot on, the wind noise is a pain but a seal will sort it out. Air con isn't desperate at the moment but I do really like/need aircon so it needs to be fixed.
Does anyone know the rough cost of a clutch on one of these? The clutch kit is only £65 from ECP and I'd imagine only a couple of hours to fit so maybe £200-250 total?? Then a second hand compressor will be about £80. I can fit that + degas/regas for say £75. Door seal maybe £50-75 (No idea??).
So if we round up to a "safe" £500 I should get it sorted, £250 from him £250 from me - hopefully less if it costs less but no more. I make sure I tell him that's the end of it, once the works done I'm banned from ever talking about the car going wrong ever again
d, IMO there is no one other than yourself who should foot the bill, friend or no friend you should have checked it firstPersonally I wouldn't have even mentioned the issues, especially as you said yourself your mate isn't mechanically minded. He didn't force you to buy the car and you should have checked it yourself before buying.
The whole scenario seems ridiculous to me but at least you've had a result in your own eyes.
The whole scenario seems ridiculous to me but at least you've had a result in your own eyes.
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