Around the first of the year I got into negotiations on a loaded C6 convert. Although it was quite some distance from me, due to the conversations between the owner plus many pictures we struck a deal.

While trying to work out the logistics of paying for and picking up the car I did some more investigating and then I found out that the car was a "Buy back" by GM. Although it has a relatively trouble free history since an early motor replacement I felt there should be some $$$ adjustment due to it's imperfect past.

I would still consider buying the car but now the seller refuses to answer my phone calls or emails. Was I out of line to expect to revalue the deal based on the stigma attached to a Lemon Law automobile ?

Thanks, Bob

 

So, you "made a deal" and then tried to change it? Yes, IMO, you were out of line. The time to get a discount for past problems is before you make the deal, not after.

 

Nope. I looked at a 2009 loaded vert at a dealer, then did a carfax on it. It was a lemon law buy back. That turned me off right there. There are too many nice used Corvettes for sale (or will be soon enough) to settle for a Vette with a documented past problem. Good luck with your search! BTW, for not much more than the dealer asked for the 2009 with 35k miles, I ended up trading for a 2010 GS vert with 12k miles at another dealership. Patience Pays!

 

kinda have to agree to an extent, you should have done your homework prior to making your offer, although I also feel the seller should have disclosed that it was a buy back vehicle to potential buyers. Obviously he knew and didn't disclose

 

research best be complete before you make an offer.

 

Why in the world would you want to purchase a problem car?

 

The buyer should have disclosed that there was an engine swap up front. I don't think you did anything wrong. It doesn't surprise me that he won't call you back now...you caught him in a cover up. In a perfect world you would have found this info up front, but you did find it in time, that's the important part. Next time, I bet you will look harder before talking numbers.

 

100%

Better you found out now then later!

 

I'm guessing you mean the seller, not the buyer. In any case the seller may not know about the car's history. Even if he does there is no requirement for him to disclose it, and it's not a "cover up" if he knows and doesn't say anything unless he's asked about it and lies.

This one's tough for me. I can understand not wanting to pay as much for it due to the history, but once a deal is made I don't think either side should back out of it.

 

I agree

This time last year My son was going to trade his 03 Eclipse Spyder vert on a new Toyota truck and his car had motor replaced at factory at 14K miles(had 75 on it when we trade and never a minutes problem) but dealership was honest about trading. They were all excited to have his car on their lot(immaculate, nice wheels, stereo and all the goodies) but when they came across the "buy back" on the carfax they were up front and said they would have to low ball trade value at that time because their companies would not finance it. I called client/friend of mine (his son and mine are great friends) and he offered us what dealership was going to originally pay for it. He say he would have no issues selling car or for someone to get financing but he knew a new car dealer would.
In all honestly I knew it was on the carfax but totally forgot about it since it was not a big deal to us.

I do feel the seller should have informed you up front so no I do not blame you for getting cold feet. Probably not a huge deal UNTIL you ever go to sell/trade

 

It sounds like you didn't actually buy the car so there is no harm done. Buy back vehicles are lemons and I can tell you that it is a pain to get GM to buy back a vehicle. For me it was an 06 Envoy with a radio that buzzed that varied with engine speeds. They never did find out what was wrong with it but it took around 6-7k miles for them to decide to buy it back. Actually, someone from GMC called me and asked what I thought of my new vehicle apparently not knowing about my current battle with GMC. Well she seemed to be somewhat important because within a week I was flying up to Wyoming and picking up my new 06 Envoy. GMC then only charged me for wear and tear for the first 2500 miles or so instead of around 9500 when I turned it in. They probably resold it and who knows what the new owner thought about the radio issue, maybe their hearing is not as good. The problem was not mine though.

Always research ANY big purchase thoroughly. It is your money that you'll waste. Remember the saying "caveat emptor". Depending on his state laws he might not have to disclose anything and you almost fell for his trap. Who knows he may have fell for it already.

And yes I would expect a big discount with a buy back / lemon vehicle if I would even consider it buying alone. I'm not talking about a few $k off either.

 

I would have gone back to the dealer and asked for a lower price as well. IMO dealers should be required to disclose what they know. If new information was uncovered you were not negotiating with all the facts and that is cause to ask for a lower price. If they are not calling you back, you are better off passing. The dealer is dishonest. Too many other choices out there to mess with a bad apple.

 

Yes, sorry, I did mean "seller". Is that really how you see it, even if he knows, he doesn't have to disclose unless asked? That may be (I don't know) the law, but that would be pretty underhanded to me. If he's not disclosing (and he does know), you can count on there being issues with the car.

 

You did nothing wrong and I'm betting the sell did know about the engine swap and buy back. save your money a find another one.. there are plenty out there....

 

I don't think you did anything wrong, if something turns up at any point in any deal, be it a car a house a motorcycle , the deal is subject to re- negotiation or walking away , until the cash changes hands no deal is done.

 

A dealer is always held to a higher standard than an individual owner because he is a professional in the business. A dealer can reasonably be expected to know the history of a car...not so for an individual.

 

That is true, Chris, about dealers being held to a higher standard because it's their biz and they're expected to know more than the average customer. However, I do think that there are many things dealers don't know and don't even try to know about used cars they buy at auction, and maybe even from individuals.

I'm thinking specifically of a C6 that one owner talked about not knowing there was a warranty block put on it until he had an issue, and the car was sold to him as CPO. Someone didn't bother to check at the dealer BEFORE selling it.

In the case above, I'd have to say it depends on what side of the table you're sitting on: the seller's or the buyer's. If nothing is signed, or if it is not a material difference in the product, then "new info" is just new info and not a cause for renegotiating the deal. But, that's not what happened here. Yes, your word is your bond, and you should have to stick to it, do your homework before you make an offer, etc. Again, tho, Joe Average can't always readily and easily find out things that have been done unless they know where to look.

Several people have been telling people on CF looking at used C6s to do a free IVH check on the car in question using GM's own computer system. Would this have been in there? Yes. They bought it back. Do most people know to ask for this free report? Absolutely not. Not even 5% of buyers, maybe not even 1%.

It's a problem. In this case, I think the buyer is acting within reason. I think the seller knows it, and is looking for another pigeon. And will most likely find it. I would not be happy being that pigeon and I'd bet no one on this thread would either.

 

I didn't read the other posts, so if it was said before i apologize but: Should you have looked up the history before you agreed, yes, BUT he knew damn well the history of the car and purposefully held back that info knowing most people would expect more money off. Therefore HE tried to screw you, but got screwed in return. The heck with him and move on to a better corvette in your near future. Good luck

 

Swapping the motor isn't a big deal, it's not like it had multiple problems that couldn't be fixed.

 

It is not clear from your post that a deposit was involved. If not, no deal was really made. In all situations circumstances change, like a notice that the little lady is pg, for example. That would change your needs. In that case back out. If you feel something, it is remorse, not guilt.