Bad investigation on used car - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Damn I am pissed. I bought a used car (09 Jetta Sportwagen, lots of HP and nice ride, great shifter) and it wasn't running quite right (go ahead start laughing). Well I figured it was no big deal since it was a 2009 and still has some warranty miles. After I get it back from a rather reputable VW tuning shop, they said it sounded OK and ran right after new plugs/coils/oil ch/tire balance. Well not a mile down the road I can feel it hesitating again. Out of some odd sense that maybe this wasn't the best idea, I took it over to my local Honda dealer and drove a 5sp Fit, and had them look over my car, mostly curious on what trade was. Well they come back with a super low ball number and say it looks like a flood car!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif) There was 3 inches of water in the spare tire area, which was not there when I got the car because I did look there and it didn't have anything noticeable. They also pointed out some other things like super rusty brake disc centers, rear brake caliper pitting, overabundance of car-be-freshener.
Man I feel like such a douche that I could not see some of that stuff for myself, or walked on the first sign of not being perfect. But I figured with used cars sometimes they won't be 100%. Well this was way worse. I think I am going to do what I should have done, get a new Fit (Honda = reliable) and try to not dwell on my huge loss.

SuperMacGuy View Member Profile	Feb 7 2013, 05:33 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,019 Joined: 18-September 04 From: State College, PA Member No.: 462	Damn I am pissed. I bought a used car (09 Jetta Sportwagen, lots of HP and nice ride, great shifter) and it wasn't running quite right (go ahead start laughing). Well I figured it was no big deal since it was a 2009 and still has some warranty miles. After I get it back from a rather reputable VW tuning shop, they said it sounded OK and ran right after new plugs/coils/oil ch/tire balance. Well not a mile down the road I can feel it hesitating again. Out of some odd sense that maybe this wasn't the best idea, I took it over to my local Honda dealer and drove a 5sp Fit, and had them look over my car, mostly curious on what trade was. Well they come back with a super low ball number and say it looks like a flood car!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif) There was 3 inches of water in the spare tire area, which was not there when I got the car because I did look there and it didn't have anything noticeable. They also pointed out some other things like super rusty brake disc centers, rear brake caliper pitting, overabundance of car-be-freshener. Man I feel like such a douche that I could not see some of that stuff for myself, or walked on the first sign of not being perfect. But I figured with used cars sometimes they won't be 100%. Well this was way worse. I think I am going to do what I should have done, get a new Fit (Honda = reliable) and try to not dwell on my huge loss.

slowTA View Member Profile	Feb 7 2013, 10:44 PM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,289 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331	A guy from my region had a fit for a few years. He always complained that it was under powered and noisy, noisier than his miata with the top down on the highway. He didn't own it very long and to be honest I don't think it had power windows so it my have been the stripped down version. However, there was some funny comment he made about how configurable the rear seat was.