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.

00 SS View Member Profile	Feb 8 2013, 05:14 PM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,197 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Hudson, Colorado Member No.: 197	I had a Honda car once...once. I will never own another. I put 7 engines in that car and a couple of those blew head gaskets which I repaired but still ended up replacing after a while. They all burned massive amounts of oil and one threw a rod through the block. I also had to replace the 5 speed transmission once. I don't think I ever got more than about 30K miles out of an engine. I was a broke college kid, so all I could do was fix it. I couldn't afford a decent car. My wife had a 1998 Acura Integra when we got married. It broke the timing belt at 60k miles and we dumped it as soon as it was fixed. My 1988 Honda Shadow 1100 motorcycle on the other hand was flawless. I know lot's of people have had better luck than me with Hondas, but I have been turned off of them for life.