Car blew a head gasket day after I sold it?
 

So I sold my Camry yesterday to a guy, and he drove it to work today (all the way down to L.A, that's about a 120ish mile drive) and the radiator blew and the head gasket went. The car ran just fine yesterday, I drove it, my dad and my little brother drove it... I had no knowledge of any problems with the car, as it ran fine and I did put over 150 miles on it since the accident. He test drove the car and he loved it, which is why he bought it. The repairs come to $1700, and he expects me to either pay for half the repairs or he is threatening to sue me. I haven't responded to any of his texts, as I don't want to incriminate myself. I signed NOTHING agreeing to help with any repairs or anything, and I even told him to go have it checked out before he does anything with it. Does he have grounds to sue me? I had them fill out and sign the release of liability and title, but that was it, no bill of sale, nothing else (bill of sale isn't required in CA anymore).

Any help would be appreciated. From what I have been reading online, he has no grounds to sue me, but would like some secondary feedback.

Oh also, the mechanic they took it to said the head gasket has been damaged for a while now, that doesn't make any sense, if the head gasket was blown/and or going out, wouldn't I have noticed obvious signs? Isn't there warning signs to head gaskets going out?

I would tell him the car was fine when you sold it, and anything after that is his responsibility.

Yes, I think he probably can sue. Though he cannot assume he'll win. He'll have to prove you knew the car was defective when he sold it. Btw, what evidence, other than his texts, do you have that the car actually broke down for him or that the mechanic he refers to actually exits? He could be bluffing you, hoping to get cash from you.

There isn't any. He hasn't texted me for a couple hours so idk. Even if he sues I'm not sure what he would be trying to get. The title says I sold it to him for $250.00.
Anyway, I honestly had no idea there was anything wrong with the car. I feel bad it happened but, I told him to go to a mechanic and I don't even have that money, I used it to pay my rent and buy new rotors/brakes for the green goblin.

Is this the same car that had been running hot?
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mps-28489.html
Story seems plausible, the engine might very well have had a problem, but being driven by anyone here could have reduced the symptoms. Driven by a lead footed or just average driver, the issue might have come to a head quickly

No it was determined that the Aftermarket gauge was broken because after I got the rad system flushed the temps went back to normal, then went back up after a week. The mechanic friend of my dad's had been watching the system carefully for leaks and nothing seemed wrong. I later replaced the gauge and temps were where they were supposed to be.

I had they exact same thing happen once to me. He has no ground. Lemon law only applies to dealers. When you sell a car private party you are giving up liability. If the car broke in half 3 miles down the road he would own both halfs. Thats why they call it release of liability. Now if you want to be nice to him and pay for some or something thats up to you. It sucks to be in his position, i have also been there, but you are not liable. Yes he can sue you but he most likely will not (anyone can sue anyone but as far as I know he has no ground pertaining to the law.) As a private party sale it is the buyers responsibility to have it inspected. It is the sellers responsibility to smog it. You are in the clear.

I was supposed to get it smogged? I didn't know that... They said they would take care of it so idk. Anyway thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate the feedback.

So, do I have this right ?

He wants you to kick in $850 towards a repair bill of $1700 on a $250 car...??? :confused:

Yeah right. Tell him to go pound sand.

Tell him you would have gotten more had you scrapped it, 10-12 cents a pound.

He can scrap it now and reap a profit.

He has no grounds for a legal case. It's "Buyer Beware".

However, should he try to sue you.

Request that the case be tried on the TV show "Peoples Court".

That way, we can all watch Judge Judy ***** slap this guy. ;)

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I agree with the judge Judy idea :)