Hello,
My 1999 Ford F-150 blew the head gaskets and overheated on the way home from the hospital about two weeks ago. I just had surgery(my brother was driving me home) and I was in need of a vehicle to drive to upcoming appointments and physical therapy. Locally there wasn’t much either private party or dealership within my price range. I ended up buying a 2007 Buick Rendezvous 3.5 CXL. The exterior is clean, minor dings and almost no rust for a Indiana vehicle. Interior is clean and everything works. During the test drive and looking at it at the dealership it ran and sounded great. I bought it outright for 4500 bucks. I drove it home parked it. I waited for my daughter to get off school and took her for a ride that same day. Ten minutes into that ride it started making a horrendous ticking/tapping sound that I believe is a bad lifter. All in all I know I over paid for this vehicle, I was in need of transportation as my daughter and I did not have anything running to get around. My question is, should I fix the valve lifters or cut my losses and find something else? I’m currently on a fixed income and can not afford monthly payments on anything newer with less mileage. Just looking for another’s opinion on this matter. I believe I can do the work myself as best I can given my current health situation.
Thank You,
Don
First find out if you can return the car to the dealer or have them to fix it. If it is not possible, I would say get rid of the car and buy yourself an older Toyota or Honda.
If you can't return it, sell it.
Those are terrible vehicles. A friend bought one brand new around the time yours was built and it started falling apart in short order. (They got rid of it and bought a used "cream puff" one-owner Mercedes Benz - out of the frying pan and into the fire, but that's another story.)
It is going to be a money pit. The noise could well be the onset of serious and fatal internal engine problems. Your best bet will be to return or get rid of it and buy an older Toyota or Honda to replace it, avoiding problem models and being sure to have a mechanic check out any prospects first.
Return it or sell it. But long term, this vehicle will cause you to dump many thousands ($$$) more into it and you will have wished you never bought it in the first place.
bought as is no warranty
I understand this but as I mentioned, do a little research, in some states, the dealers are obligated to provide drivetrain warranty for sometime. In that case, you have a chance to fix your car for free.
I appreciate your alls feedback. I do 100% regret buying this thing. Guess in desperation of needing wheels, I went for it. They had done an oil change when they got it. Wonder if they added some sort of additive to quiet things down. Like I mentioned ran and sounded great for a couple of hours anyway. Unfortunately, bought as is no warranty and won’t take it back. Really put myself into a bit of a pickle here. Both financially and lack of transportation once again. Thank you all again for your opinions.
They could well have put in some STP or similar product to temporarily quiet bad lifters and other worn engine parts, or maybe put in a heavy oil like 20w50. Sounds like it may be from a BHPH lot or other low-end used car joint and that would be typical for such outfits. As yaser says, check laws in your state to see if they have legal obligations despite the as-is sale.
I know it's a tough situation but if you keep that Buick it's a disaster that's not even waiting to happen, it's already started down that road. It will eat you out of house and home.