[MetroMPG]

I had a similar experience shopping for a used car in Ottawa years ago. Same shady circumstances from "private sellers" (cars not as described; obvious recent bodywork; wrong name on the ownership ... "it's my brother's/friend's"; car not here today, can get it for you tomorrow). Common ethnic background (not Russian) in more than a few cases. It made me wonder if it was some kind of widespread racket (probably was -- "curbsider" illegal dealers were just coming under scrutiny).

I ended up buying a trade-in off the back of a dealer's lot instead of trying to save money (theoretically) in a private sale.