Overhaulin'

Do I sell the used car I just purchased and is it ethically correct?

I just bought a 99 Lexus RX 300 (private sale) and I am now very concerned if I have made a good decision. The car has 100,000 mi on it but it runs great and is in near perfect condition. It was inspected and given a clean bill of health and has a clean carfax. Since I bought it however I have been reading about a chronic transmission failure in these vehicle to the tune of 5k and engine sludge problems as well ( another 5k if the engine goes). I dont have any indications of these problems with this car but I am seriously reconsidering my decision to buy. If I were to get hit with a big bill for service I dont think I could pay it so am I better off preemtivley selling the car on the chance that it will have the same problems so many others have had. Additionally is it unethical to attempt to sell the car without disclosing the potential problems even thought this one does not currently, but in all liklleyhood will will develope at least one of these problems in the next few years.

Public Comments

1. If you are worried about it then just resell it. As long as it does not have a problem now...it is not up to you to tell potential buyers about problems it COULD have. Thats where buyer beware comes from!
2. You don't KNOW whether it will develop these problems, and you don't need to expose your fears. The next person takes the same chance (but NOT certainty) you took. Anyone buying a used car better be aware that they may be buying someone elses problems, and if they are not, it isn't your obligation to point that out to them.
3. You can sell it. As to telling potential buyers of the problems the car could have up the road, that's your own moral choice. Most people look at ratings and reports before they purchase a make/model and if they want to take the chance, then it's their choice. As long as the car isn't exhibiting any problems now then you are in the clear on disclosure.
4. hi you have just bought a car. these problems don't come to every car. so just use it for some time and sell it when you get a good offer. you might be lucky that northing happens. it also depends on how you drive etc. my sane advice "" don't believe all that you read""
5. You put the wagon before the horse. Sure its ok to sell it. And no, you do not have to disclose others opinions an d possible problems. A cars transmision is going to fail, and the motor is going to stop working, eventually. This is a fact of any Machine. Ethicall? You bought it as is, sell it as is. Are these problems going to occur? they could. A meteor could hit the ocean and cause a tidal wave that would kill everything on the coast of alaska,and break that car. Do I know this is going to happen. Of course not. But it could happen. Should I warn everybody that owns that car. That is like yelling fire in a theatre full of people.