Overhaulin'

What should I do about a car I bought and then blew up?

On July 28th, at 2:30pm I paid off a 1991 Subaru Legacy from a private seller. (Not a dealer.) They had no title for it because they were waiting for the auction house to give it to them. So a bill of sell was printed out and signed. But about an hour later when my boyfriend was driving the car home it started smoking. He got out and tried to check the hood but it wouldn’t open. Thinking it might be burning oil he decided he would check it when he got home. But about 5 minutes from my house the engine stalled and he had to pull over. He checked the back of the car because it was smoking and the rear axle was on fire. Within 30 seconds the entire car was engulfed in fire. I was a couple minutes behind him and saw that my recently purchased car was totaled. I called the people who sold me the car and they said they would not give me my money back. So after the police come and fire department put out the fire the towing people tow the car to their lot, since I don't want a burnt car sitting in my yard. So now I am out $1,400 dollars and have a $300 towing bill. What would I do? Is there a lemon law for private sellers? The car didn't have insurance on it. Was going to put it on as soon as the car got into the parking lot. The car's rear axle was 'supposedly' fixed by Firestone and now they are doing a claim/investigation. The bill of sale had the car is being sold as is, so not sure if I'm completely out of luck. Any other questions feel free to ask! I was told the title was at the auction house. Don't even know if that part is true. It shouldn't take a month for them to get the title.

Public Comments

1. Never buy a car without a title. Never buy a crappy car like that. Your young and surely dont know nothing about engines and car parts so thats what happens when you make a mistake.
2. Yes I am afraid so. This very same thing happened to my husband's younger son. He bought a car from a private owner and on the way home it caught fire and was destroyed. Talk about bad luck. So sorry.
3. There are 2 words on your bill of sale that says it all...........AS IS meaning the minute you paid for it all problems good and bad became yours. So it yours to deal with now.....................&&&
4. There is no lemon law that covers a 20 year old used Subaru. The car was purchased "as is", and you have no recourse against the seller. Sorry you wasted your money.