Sister's "New" Truck toast, what to do...

So last week, my big sister bought a 96 Ford Ranger, V6 5-speed. She bought it from a "mechanic" that works a few miles from my house. Well the other day (some of you may have seen my post in the live thread) One of the back wheels came off due to the lugs not being tightened by the guy when he inspected it. Stripped the threads on the studs, destroyed the shoes and springs, etc. I had to leave work and go rescue her and take her to school for her midterm exam. Told the mechanic she bought it from what happened. He made good on that, and fixed it free of charge. Even said he would fix the non working speedometer at a later date.

Well yesterday, my sister was driving down the interstate, coming back from my house, when she saw a ZIP TIE pop off the clutch pedal. Somehow, the whole shifter came up from the floor and the truck began to pitch and shake, sending her into the ditch on the side of the interstate. She called me while I was driving to Portsmouth to see my brother, who is in the hospital, and told me. She said the wrecker was coming for the truck, but wanted to know if I could scoop her up. So I did, and we went to the hospital to visit Jacob.
Today she calls me, after having her boyfriend's mechanic friend look at the truck to figure out exactly what happened. He says that the whole transmission is screwed because of shards of something or another getting in it. I'm not entirely sure of everything at this point, because I have yet to see it all myself, but here are the two messages Iva sent me regarding it:
Yesterday
" Broke again.. On the interstate.. Noticed a zip tie pop off the clutch pedal, then the shifter started literally bucking and wouldnt go in any gear. Waiting on towing now. I fucking give up."
Today
"Catastrophic transmission failure. Cost as much to replace as i bought the piece of shit for."
"Apparently when the zip tie he put on the clutch went, it caused it to break and send shards into the transmission."

Unfortunately, as far as I know, Virginia is an "as-is" state when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle from an individual seller. So there is no return policy or anything like that. She paid nearly two grand for the piece of shit truck, and the guy spent most of that money to get rid of the lien that was on the truck when they went to DMV together. I'm trying to figure out the best course of action without just flying off the handle. Has anyone had an experience like this? Any suggestion as to the actions we should take? I'm furious to the point of being dumbfounded. I'm so mad that... well, I'm mad as dirt, we'll leave it at that.

 

Dude that sucks, if its As-is there really isnt much you can do about it. Unfortunately Fix Or Repair Daily is a true statement for her. You maybe able to get something due to knowingly selling an unsafe vehicle but its probably a long shot.

 

Bought a shitter car to drive to work. Drove the thing twice and all the gaskets went in the motor, onto of electrical system going to hell. What looked like a good purchase turned out the worse way possible. Sent the car to the scrap yard. Nothing you can do other than fix it.

 

If it's got a clear title now, put it on Craigslist full disclosure. Someone may want it. Gt as much as you can and have her buy something else. $2k won't buy a truck of any kind worth driving. If she has limited funds she is much better off buying a cheap car. Just my opinion.

 

Bummer. This 'mechanic' sounds like a classic quick shine huckster. Does he have a real shop, or work out of his house? If he has a shop, I'd trash talk him online advising people not to do business with him.

 

I would never buy a used car unless I could drive it and look it over extremely well.

 

Well the situation is bad, I won't lie. There is some good though, there is a surplus of parts and wreccked rangers on craigslist. I know this because I owned a 97

Good luck bud.

 

I can't figure out how a zip tie on the clutch pedal would destroy a transmission.

 

^^

 

I would say parting it out you might be able to make most of that 2k back. Specially if the body is in good shape

 

My guess is the transmission was already FUBAR'd and the zip tie was a band aid. Probably held the clutch pedal down to keep pressure off the clutch, frying the clutch but not putting full torque to the transmission. I'm sure there was something shady going on there.


OP, I would see if you can dig up some willful endagerment laws if the 'mechanic' won't stand behind this truck. Someone knew full well what they were doing and basically sabotaged the truck and if he sold the truck as 'mechanic owned', that might bring his license into the equation and you might have a case. If you can find something like that to slap the mechanic with, that might make him at least give you your money back.

 

It is too late now but next time have an objective mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchasing. It always surprises me that people don't do this. Many shops will inspect it free in hopes of gaining your business. Such as Big O.

 

This is the only thing I can think of as well. She said that all of the shaking, grinding, bucking, hauling, etc happened as soon as the zip tie flew off. She hadn't noticed the zip tie before then, so the exact location is unknown. I will be going to actually look at the truck as soon as I get a chance. Hopefully that would enable me to piece together an actual idea of what happened.

 

That sucks Fenwick. I hope you get it figured out for her.

 

Well Iva said she called the guy. Here's the message she sent me:
"Yep.. And first he said it wasnt his fault.. Now he said he MAY be able to give me two HUNDRED on the 1st.. paid 50 shy of 2k for that POS"

 

Sounds like a typical Ford. I don't see what all the hype is about.

 

20 year old truck is a 'typical' Ford. No telling how the previous owner(s) treated it.

 

Ha ha, y'all are both right. But it's more of a thing about this guy knowingly and willingly rigging and selling a potential deathtrap .

 

Ok, rather than take the time to write it out, (phone won't let me copy and paste) I screenshotted my sister's post pertaining to the truck. I have still yet to look at the truck myself, but this is her understanding of what her mechanic friend said:

 

Your mom seems sweet. Nice to see a family that tight.