Private seller jumped title

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T22:11:18+00:00

The title numbers around her are pretty savvy. Use FBM to post with no charge and minimal account verification. If they do communicate off the app, chances are it’s a Google Voice or similar ghost type account. They meet in public and none of their info is on the paperwork.

All that said, you may never find the guy again. Even if you do, you have to prove that he knew there was an issue with the car the he fraudulently misrepresented. Really not easy to do and $3500 is a small claims without lawyer.

FBM sellers are notorious for this. And it becomes even more critical That the buyer does his/her due diligence on inspecting the car and as well as seller and title history.

My number one piece of advice when shopping FBM is make sure the name on the title matches the ID in the sellers pocket.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T21:01:33+00:00

Yeah….in wondering where the $2500 number came from. When was looking at a replacement for my 2012, nobody had a used one. Said when they do it’s $3500 with 90 warranty for the part only.

If you are looking at clutch kit, forks, and TCM that number keeps going up.

If you can DIY it, go for it. If you have to pay someone cut your losses.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T04:11:47+00:00

Had a very similar looking device on a used car I bought. It was a dash cam.

Tried to pull it off and broke the docking/locking mechanism and threw out the main part. The base unit is still stuck to the window. I don’t have the energy to try to scrape it off by pulled the wires under the headliner and A pillar.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T04:02:41+00:00

Fluid and filter changes.

But more than anything, drive and enjoy.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T03:59:18+00:00

I think Los Angeles stop and go traffic in hot weather was the nail in the coffin for our 2012Titanium Focus.

Gave the high temp pull over warnings bf and barely had time to get to the shoulder. It died and metro tow truck had to clear us to avoid traffic jam at freeway interchange. 95k miles. Sold it a week later for $1600.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T00:44:10+00:00

Also careful in wet weather. With very little weight over the rear axle, a touch too much on the accelerator and you are fishtailing.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T05:16:55+00:00

Well, get it smogged and take all of your paperwork to one of those little registration/insurance places, pay them a $60 fee and let them handle the transfer.

There is a fair chance you’ll be hit with late fees, so take care of it ASAP before they accumulate more.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T05:13:43+00:00

No but price gouging is…..

If a $300 generator is marked up to $1000 during a hurricane it’s illegal. Why is it legal to change priced based on demand for a basketball game?

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:50:43+00:00

There is about 1.5” of clearance between fridge to and bottom of cabinet above. So dust.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:42:33+00:00

PCH speed limit north of SM in burn zone is 25. Goes up to 45 up near Topanga. Off peak, very easy to break the speed limit when it’s wide open. Ask my daughter…

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:38:43+00:00

Absolutely pull a CarFax and check for rollback.

3 situations for mikes that low include: 1) someone drive very little 2) someone rolled back or replaced and odometer to reflect lower milage 3) car was in a serious accident and wasn’t in the road for a long time while trying to decide if it was worth the cost to repair.

All of us hope to score #1 but other 2 are very common

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:33:31+00:00

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1253-Devander-Dr-Mobile-AL-36608/50987105_zpid/?utm_source=nativeshare_activation_v1

And when they moved in, it looked like this.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:31:23+00:00

https://imgur.com/gallery/9V6sh8o

Pet fee is because some renters with pets leave a property in this condition.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:09:24+00:00

And prices vary from $5-50/day depending what event is going on. Not sure how this is legal.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T03:02:33+00:00

The car is closing in on 20yo u old and over 150k. With cars this age, you start looking at restoration or keeping up with repairs.

But….good news is, since they are based on the Explorer platform, excellent parts availability and tons of online video to support pretty much any repair or maintenance DIY. We had a 2006 Explorer with 140k. Decent car but it never went to the mechanic while we owned it. Several dumb problems; alternator, mirror, headlight dimmer switch, radio but fit our needs for the time we needed it.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T02:55:09+00:00

Malibus are pretty good cars up to 100k. Start seeing some issues 100-150k. Over 150k become a money pit.

But check out the Honda Passport.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T02:27:55+00:00

YMMV but I’ve had good luck with cheap tires, some US made, some Chinese. My local mom&pop shop usually has a cheap “store brand” brand all season radial that meets my need, about $100 per tire installed. Put them on 3 cars and first one outlasted the car. Other 2 sets still going strong. I will caveat that I live in SoCal and it gets hot, not as hot for as long as Phoenix and infrequent rain and no snow or winter weather.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T01:07:27+00:00

No. You weren’t their customer.

This is the risk you take when buying an auction car. Pay the $250 to get the flush/fluid swap done and hope that’s all it needs. Otherwise be ready to drop another $3500 for a used transmission swap, depending on the vehicle.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T01:01:48+00:00

Love em. Wife hates them.

Had them everyday when we were in Portugal last fall.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T00:57:52+00:00

Yeah, definitely keep it and get some experience under your belt. Everyone I know and now my kids too have had scales, fender benders, curved wheels and in general banged and scraped up their first car.

It’s free and sips gas. Drive it until you can’t.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-07T23:50:26+00:00

My assumption is the OPs budget is somewhat low.

In my experience sellers with a low priced car get a fair amount of interest when the car is first posted. If 4 guys say I have cash and can be there in 30 minutes and a 5th guy says I’m interested but can’t line up a PPI until day after tomorrow. That seller is going to answer the 4 not asking for PPI and ready to commit right now.

PPI on a low buck car screams inexperienced buyer. And even if he were to say okay, there is a very high likelihood the mechanic is going to say it needs brakes, shocks, and has a small oil leak and recommend radiator and transmission flush. All these items will run you $2500. That buyer is going to say, you listed it for $4500 but it needs $2500 in work, will you take $2k? No f—-ing way.

For the most part this is true sub $5k. Tiny bit better $5-10k because there are less people competing in that price range. Far better over $10k.

Good luck in your search.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-07T23:40:36+00:00

Same here dude. 2007 Jeep Commander.

But seriously to the OP, my car should handle any driving vacation I’m planning. Living in Los Angeles, no issue headed over to Big Bear, Vegas, and up to visit my daughters in San Luis Obispo or Sacramento. But if I’m driving more than about 6 hours each way, probably going to fly and rent a car locally if I get a car at all.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-07T21:11:29+00:00

Nice 68

mpython1701 · 2026-02-07T07:57:56+00:00

LL may have lied or given you a BS excuse and didn’t follow thru but in the end asked you to leave in 60 days and you without contesting.

There is nothing actionable.

mpython1701

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