Hi, so my adventure began a few weeks ago after I got my tax return. I had been offered this car at 1000 down and 1000 in payments. (I only considered this car due to the fact the owner drove it as a personal vehicle while he had many others at his disposal and I had worked at his brothers restaurant for the past 8 years) Not trying to write a biography just hoping yall wont think i'm a complete idiot. I ended up buying it flat out for 1500.
My main concern initially was the repair cost if anything went wrong, assurances were given that it was in superb shape and an affordable mechanic was readily available. Within the first week I found out that normal places do not stock these windshield wipers and luckily found a dealer that not only replaced mine for 22.50 but also helped me fix the radio. (evid the code had been entered to many times and i even learned where the heck that fuse box was and did all i could find online but i didn't fix it. while taking out the back seat to find the fuse box saw tons of broken glass btw)
So a week after I started feeling something different. One day when dropping my son off at work I got out and looked at the front and it looked like metal almost touching the ground.
Took it straight back to the one place that helped with wiper and they couldn't get it on a lift for a week. they suggested another place-lo and behold they only inspect them but don't work on them. was recommended to another who instantly went to my right front tire and not even my initial concern.
they were awesome didn't charge for the inspection told me about a place tht cld help w radiatior because they didn't do that work. Mechanic from that place actually drove over there and did a temp fix on the radiatior.....
Anyway, evid ball joints-shocks-a clamp on muffler and at least a 200 fix on the thing that holds radiator in place is needed. totally at least 2200
the guy that sold it to me and his brother that i work for keep telling me that the mechanics are lying and the car is safe. I trust the mechanics!
Im so disgusted with these two right now that they want to protect their ...whatever over my saftey that it is just ....
soooo, is this car a serious death trap? as one person told me when i lent it to my roommate -maybe she went over a pothole and caused that (I doubt it) is it worth fixing? if i sell it there is no way i could do it without letting anyone know the danger......
oh n it has tons of outer body damage and rust...... but legit it looks decent. any advice please.

it legit bothers me that they say the car is fine im getting ripped off. the windshield wiper was just replace and it runs just great. i was like, ok i could not see when it rained, the freaking radiator was almost on the ground....so now im scared to death to drive and have the tire fall off cuz i know i can't believe a word

 

You bought a 18 year old car for $1500 and you're surprised it needs lots of work? I don't think your situation is remarkable at all. Every cheap old car needs lots of work to make it perfect. A German car is just more expensive to repair compared to a Japanese vehicle.

 

What he said.

 

Yes they probably lied and you bought their lie and the car. Now you learned, before you buy a car Pay someone to check it out. A rust bucket is a rust bucket. You should have a pro look at it, you migh go broke keeping it going