Writing down the sequence of events:
1. Saw an ad. for Toyoto Sienna 2001, 108000 miles, by a private dealer from North Carolina, in one of the web site.
2. Contacted the dealer and negotiated the price
3. Went for a test drive for 0.5 miles with another collegue of mine.
4. Liked the vehicle and paid $6125, dealer got my signature in all the required document including the one that stated I have verified the vehicle and is free of any defects (Vehicle was sold with 'AS IT IS' condition and no warranty'. The vehicle was formally sold to me and dealer handed over the title and temporary license tag
5. I started the van and drove towards my home.
6. After driving for 1 mile the oil indicator light came on, but I kept on driving thinking van required an oil change.
7. After driving another 7 miles, suddenly the 'check engine' light came on, AC went of, engine speed increased, van slowed down and loud noise started coming from the engine.
8. Got down the nearest exit and drove slowly and brought the van to the nearest autorepair shop.
9. Mechanic verified the van and broke the worst news, the engine had 'blew off'
10. I immediately called the dealer and informed him, but to my dismay he simply put the blame on me and said I blew off the engine, because of my operational error. When I asked to return my money he simply said he won't because he had handed the vehicle in good condition to me and I had acknowledged that by puttting my signature in the documents.
11. This all happenned within 1.5 hrs. of purchasing the van
12. I left the van in the auto repair shop and came home.
13. The mechanic called me next day and informed me that there was sludge built up in the engine that caused the piston and other accessories inside the engine to fail. He said it will happen if the oil change was not done every 3000 miles. Mechanic says fixing an old engine will cost me at least $3000
14. When I informed this to the dealer he kept on saying the van was in excellent condition under his possesion, and it was my fault that I did not buy the warranty, he cannot open the engine and see what was going in the engine.
Please advise how and what should I do now, I at least want the repair charges that I am going to incurr now, from the dealer. For no fault of mine I am going through this pain. Any help is appreciated.
1. Saw an ad. for Toyoto Sienna 2001, 108000 miles, by a private dealer from North Carolina, in one of the web site.
2. Contacted the dealer and negotiated the price
3. Went for a test drive for 0.5 miles with another collegue of mine.
4. Liked the vehicle and paid $6125, dealer got my signature in all the required document including the one that stated I have verified the vehicle and is free of any defects (Vehicle was sold with 'AS IT IS' condition and no warranty'. The vehicle was formally sold to me and dealer handed over the title and temporary license tag
5. I started the van and drove towards my home.
6. After driving for 1 mile the oil indicator light came on, but I kept on driving thinking van required an oil change.
7. After driving another 7 miles, suddenly the 'check engine' light came on, AC went of, engine speed increased, van slowed down and loud noise started coming from the engine.
8. Got down the nearest exit and drove slowly and brought the van to the nearest autorepair shop.
9. Mechanic verified the van and broke the worst news, the engine had 'blew off'
10. I immediately called the dealer and informed him, but to my dismay he simply put the blame on me and said I blew off the engine, because of my operational error. When I asked to return my money he simply said he won't because he had handed the vehicle in good condition to me and I had acknowledged that by puttting my signature in the documents.
11. This all happenned within 1.5 hrs. of purchasing the van
12. I left the van in the auto repair shop and came home.
13. The mechanic called me next day and informed me that there was sludge built up in the engine that caused the piston and other accessories inside the engine to fail. He said it will happen if the oil change was not done every 3000 miles. Mechanic says fixing an old engine will cost me at least $3000
14. When I informed this to the dealer he kept on saying the van was in excellent condition under his possesion, and it was my fault that I did not buy the warranty, he cannot open the engine and see what was going in the engine.
Please advise how and what should I do now, I at least want the repair charges that I am going to incurr now, from the dealer. For no fault of mine I am going through this pain. Any help is appreciated.
