Cars from the USA

[babu2001]

I've just posted another thread about my reverse switch not working. I'm amazed. Here in Quebec, the car sellers must repair all safety devices before selling a used car. Must be road worthy and safe unless explicitly specified (such as for parts). My car was brought back from Florida but bought at a regular seller who advertised his cars. I'm not complaining about the price neither I'm telling my car is a lemon. But I never thought that the left flasher won't be working, a brake light was burned, reverses lights don't work, horns and their switch aren't working, turn signal doesn't switch off when turning back the wheel and the light don't light up when opening a door. Did I missed one? Yes, one wiper arm was broken (passenger side). Even one mirror was missing and they put one from a X1/9... It was like that when I got it. OK, you know my point. First time I see such things. It's my first used car from the USA too, tell me it's not like that everywhere in Uncle Sam territory.

[courtenay]

Ever hear of the term "buyer beware"?? One of the big things that one would normally do before buying a car is to drive the thing at least around the block, using the turn signals etc to figure out whether that stuff works.
Be assured, Babu, this kind of thing happens in Canada - and yes, even in Quebec.

[maytag]

Here we have only slightly less governmental intrusion. But thankfully, we are still allowed to sell real property (like a car) "as is".
At last everywhere except in the people's republic of California.

[So Cal Mark]

haha, we can sell "as is" in Calif too and since we don't have safety inspections you have the ability to purchase a car that isn't even safe enough to park in a garage

[babu2001]

I know what "AS IS" means. Nothing stipulates that on the paper and on the sell label. Don't forget I bought it by the web, never drove it before. I would of course but making the trip to Florida and back is quite expensive from here. My contact checked for mechanical and rust problem. My point is that anybody else could have bought it in that state and drove it right away in Florida. Anyway, at least it's a bunch of small problems.

[maytag]

haha, we can sell "as is" in Calif too and since we don't have safety inspections you have the ability to purchase a car that isn't even safe enough to park in a garage

So, I believe you, but what's all this crap then about California cars that can't be sold in California because it won't pass smog / CARB?
I picked-up a pretty sweet deal on a '66 Mustang 15 years ago because of this issue, and I hear about it regularly.

[maytag]

I know what "AS IS" means. Nothing stipulates that on the paper and on the sell label. Don't forget I bought it by the web, never drove it before. I would of course but making the trip to Florida and back is quite expensive from here. My contact checked for mechanical and rust problem. My point is that anybody else could have bought it in that state and drove it right away in Florida. Anyway, at least it's a bunch of small problems.

Babu, from other canuck posters, I wonder how different things really are?

I can't imagine a scenario where you could buy a 30 yr old car and NOT think the sale was "as-is".
Unless it was that $25k spider from another thread.... in which case I'd be looking for someone to fix that foggy clock RIGHT NOW!

[courtenay]

I don't think things are much different at all. Here in BC, major dealers - i.e. those aligned with manufacturers are very good and most advertise that their cars have been safety checked. And some even offer 30 day used car warranties.
However, there are an awful lot of small lots where the warranty period is '30 feet or 30 seconds', which is usually the time it takes to drive the heap off the lot.
Anyway - as Maytag points out, buying a 30+ year old car through the internet, sight unseen, is a bit of a recipe for disaster.
Note to others here contemplating doing the same - there are members of this forum all over the US and Canada who would no doubt be willing to check cars out for other members. All you have to do is ask.

[So Cal Mark]

cars that can't/don't pass smog checks are sold all of the time. The car can't be re-registered until it passes the smog test but that doesn't stop owners from driving them until the registration expires.

[RRoller123]

...and then selling a lot of them out of state I would expect?

[maytag]

cars that can't/don't pass smog checks are sold all of the time. The car can't be re-registered until it passes the smog test but that doesn't stop owners from driving them until the registration expires.

But if the registration is already expired, can the car be sold in CA without passing CARB/ smog?

[124cso]

This guy is just trying out his "stand-up comic routine" material isn't he ? The last one they made is now 27 years old and he's moaning about a few dud bulbs & switches ?????????????????????

[cbrown1469]

I know what "AS IS" means. Nothing stipulates that on the paper and on the sell label. Don't forget I bought it by the web, never drove it before. I would of course but making the trip to Florida and back is quite expensive from here. My contact checked for mechanical and rust problem. My point is that anybody else could have bought it in that state and drove it right away in Florida. Anyway, at least it's a bunch of small problems.

Here in the UK we would be covered by the terms and conditions of the 'distance selling" laws. If he is a bona fide retailer of cars then this would be classed as such.

However, I'd agree with the rest of the guys here that its buyer beware/sold as seen and all that!

Only my opinion buddy, hope you get her the way you want her and enjoy her for many years to come though.

C

[124cso]

I've just read thru some of "babu"s other postings and this thread again. Can't decide if he is just lacking mechanical aptitude or something else ?

Certainly sounds like he shouldn't be buying 30+ yr old cars, site unseen, off the net, from a vendor over 1000 miles away, coz they don't come in a box with a new car smell !

[dom]

In Ontario Canada unless you are buying a vehicle which is certified word worthy nothing has to work. I doubt it is any different in Quebec or anywhere in Canada. So your comparison of US vs Can is wrong. The dealer has to mention that the car is sold as is but that is about it.