IDIOT GOT SCAMMED! Please help!

[antx227]

That idiot is me... I found a 1999 Chevy Tahoe LS for sale for $1700 online with only 67k miles. The truck is really clean inside and out. He tells me the car belonged to his grandfather and now it is his, but the car is just too big for him since he drives a small hybrid. He told me the car ran perfectly, but just one day the car just wouldn't start. Me being naive thought it was probably just a dead battery or the alternator needed to be replaced and took his word that nothing was wrong with it. I didn't want to try myself because he told me if I can get it started he wouldn't even want to sell it for so cheap (I am a complete idiot). We take care of the paperwork and I pay him cash. He doesn't even ask for my information to complete the top section of the pink slip and leaves.

I take my jumpers out and start it up and it makes a really loud knocking noise coming from the motor. I call the guy and he tells me all sales are final and thats it no response. He doesn't pick up so I look up the guys info online and call him on a different number. The real owner picks up and tells me he sold the car for $300 a few days ago. I tow the car to the mechanic to find out the rod is what is knocking. I know I'm an idiot and trust me I feel like a huge one. In California sellers have to smog the car before selling, but I don't want to go after a guy that had nothing to do with me being scammed. Mechanic told me my best bet is to junk the car as it will cost 3-4k to buy a motor and with that money I can buy another whole car online. Any suggestions? I'm such an idiot...

 

[NathanJax]

Sorry you got taken, but it was a valuable lesson.


Junk it. Unless you are able to get a motor cheap and do all the work yourself.

 

[corvette744]

So you have a mint 99 tahoe with 67k on it and you paid 1700 and it needs a lower end.I cant see you spending more than a grand to find a short block even if used-How many 99 tahoes are left on earth with 67k on them.Is it 4wd if so i might be interested in it no problem.Yes you got screwed over but fix it and get your cash back-were can you buy a full size suv with less than 70 k for under 5000 these days.Any pics of the tahoe

 

[iamdub]

If it's condition other than the motor is as nice as it should be for 67K miles and the paperwork is legit and it can be titled (no salvage or odometer discrepancies), then I'd find the lowest mileage used motor I could find and swap it in. The motor may not have 67K miles on it, but if it was taken care of, it'll last 300K+ easy. They can be swapped out in a day so it would just be labor and fluids. You just have to find an honest and dedicated mechanic.

 

[Urbs1391]

I have a 99' 2-Door 4X4 that I'm restoring for my son, I live in Corpus Christi, Tejas. I have dealt with City Motor Supply in San Antonio and Dallas for all my Short/Long blocks. Two weeks ago I picked up a 5.7 Premium Long Block - Short Block, Heads, Lifters, Push rods, rocker arms, Premium full gasket kit, and New Oil Pump - ALL Internals are NEW. After returning the core I was 1100 deep. Truck just hit 600 miles, and WOW is all I can say. The rest of the truck will get new parts as it needs it but for the most part I am very happy I went that route. Just my .02.

 

[dkknaebel]

I got a GM crate motor for my 1995 for $1600 on ebay. Drop shipped it to the husband's work and 3 year 100k mile warranty on it.

 

[WestPalm83]

I got a long block from Karl Chevy dropped shipped for $2100. it was a quick swap. I say go for it

 

[jays99]

It looks like its a 4dr..., if it were a 2dr I'd be all over it. If anyone is interested, found it relisted on CL for sale

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/d/very-clean-low-miles-1999/6322700509.html

 

[corvette744]

It looks like its a 4dr..., if it were a 2dr I'd be all over it. If anyone is interested, found it relisted on CL for sale

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/d/very-clean-low-miles-1999/6322700509.html

If it wasnt 1000's of miles away-shipping charges i would take it.I dont like the fact that the mileage looks a little sketchy in the pic numbers dont line up-plus R&R a new bumper starting to add up.Still worth it for someone that lives close and would not have to ship it to fix it.I would give 3500 all day if it was fixed including bumper so i could drive it home.

 

[igell]

you can actually take the guy to small claims court if you can prove that he knew that the motor was shot..

 

[Steve A]

you can actually take the guy to small claims court if you can prove that he knew that the motor was shot..

I wouldn't think proving he knew would be too hard, you have the "real owner's name and number" so all you need is an affidavit probably that he sold it to the flipper and that the flipper knew the motor was bad.

 

[Gmc lovin75]

So you have a mint 99 tahoe with 67k on it and you paid 1700 and it needs a lower end.I cant see you spending more than a grand to find a short block even if used-How many 99 tahoes are left on earth with 67k on them.Is it 4wd if so i might be interested in it no problem.Yes you got screwed over but fix it and get your cash back-were can you buy a full size suv with less than 70 k for under 5000 these days.Any pics of the tahoe

Exactly what I would do... Never let a shop give you a quote on anything because that price is going to be 90% worth of labor alone. You can find a good used motor for under a grand and get a buddy that knows what he's doing to help you swap it out one weekend. All is not lost if you just take our advice.

 

[bunchz71]

So you have a mint 99 tahoe with 67k on it and you paid 1700 and it needs a lower end.I cant see you spending more than a grand to find a short block even if used-How many 99 tahoes are left on earth with 67k on them.Is it 4wd if so i might be interested in it no problem.Yes you got screwed over but fix it and get your cash back-were can you buy a full size suv with less than 70 k for under 5000 these days.Any pics of the tahoe

That sucks you got scammed, but a huge red flag is written here. I would be very skeptical of a 99 tahoe that has 67K. I have not personally done this, but know it is possible, but on these model trucks, you can unplug the odometer, and the speedo still works. I would be very very cautious to anyone who finds these "bargains on these vehicles with low miles. When I was looking to buy my Hoe, I would not buy anything that had 80 or 90 K on in because it was too good to be true. This design was a major flaw on GM's part and should have never been built the way it was. It makes these rides hold their value cuz of the low miles, but when guys like us want to buy a vehicle, we are paying the value of a ride based on the mileage of 67K, and for all we know the mileage is 167K.

My 2 Cents.

 

[04SS99Denali]

IF and i say IF the body / interior / mileage is true, and its really that clean. you really didnt get taken that bad. just drop in a rebuild and use the truck. for a running truck with 67k original in a "mint state" would value at like 4-5k. let it be a lesson learned that you never ever take the sellers word on a car. always do a thorough inspection.

i bought one of my old beater trucks it was a 99 denali for a steal. truck had been sitting for 2 years un touched. before buying it i started it up to discover a knocking noise but noticed the oil was empty. figured it was sitting so it got drained before letting it sit. figured the noise would go away with some oil. wrong, it never did not even with 20-50 lol. but lucky for me the motor ran for 2 years like 30k miles making 5 psi at idle. traded it in before it got worse.

 

[97WhiteYukon]

I agree if it is in mint condition it doesn't sound so bad, the body and interior, if complete could be worth 1700 alone.

 

[1999hoe]

I say toss it on ebay if its in nie overall condition other than the motor there is absolutely someone who will buy it start at 1000 no reserve would be shocked if it dodnt go for more than 2k