Bought a used car... should I just fix the exhaust or return it?



If the warranty is real, just take it back for exhaust repair. If it still gives trouble, try hitting it with a rubber mallet and the leaks should get worse.

Wylie said:
If the warranty is real, just take it back for exhaust repair. If it still gives trouble, try hitting it with a rubber mallet and the leaks should get worse.

That’s the plan, just need to get it there. I’ll probably need to call a tow truck.

@Larkin
Nah, you can drive it.

Kade said:
@Larkin
Nah, you can drive it.

Wouldn’t I be breathing in carbon monoxide though?

Larkin said:

Kade said:
@Larkin
Nah, you can drive it.

Wouldn’t I be breathing in carbon monoxide though?

STAY HOME! Seal all doors and windows with duct tape and buy a home air filtration system.

Larkin said:

Kade said:
@Larkin
Nah, you can drive it.

Wouldn’t I be breathing in carbon monoxide though?

Yeah, if you’re stuck in traffic with the windows open, then it’s risky.

Larkin said:

Kade said:
@Larkin
Nah, you can drive it.

Wouldn’t I be breathing in carbon monoxide though?

Lol

@Larkin
Is it insured and roadworthy? If not, just drive it. An exhaust leak isn’t a huge issue. Just roll the windows down if you’re concerned.

Kieran said:
@Larkin
Is it insured and roadworthy? If not, just drive it. An exhaust leak isn’t a huge issue. Just roll the windows down if you’re concerned.

I spent all my money buying the car. It’s like $500 to get it registered, so I need to tow it there.

@Larkin
How long ago did you buy the car? You might be okay for a few days with a ‘grace period’, especially if you’re taking it back to the dealer for repairs under warranty.

They don’t have to tell you everything. If you think that’s true, you’re either new to buying cars or didn’t do any research. The mechanic should have pointed out issues during a pre-purchase inspection. I highly doubt you’ll get a refund. You’ll probably have to fix this yourself.

@Vail
The car has a warranty, so I’ll take it to the shop to replace the part.

Larkin said:
@Vail
The car has a warranty, so I’ll take it to the shop to replace the part.

Be careful with this. Check the warranty length (60 days? 3000 miles?). Don’t put too many miles on it. Research your state’s laws and maybe contact the local DMV for advice. If you know a mechanic, ask them for a favor or a discount. If not, don’t listen to the people telling you to just drive it. You could get into trouble.

I’d get it fixed. That’s not a terrible deal, especially with under 100k miles. I had 220k on my Accord before I crashed it.

Drive it. A lot of us are driving cars with no emissions equipment. You drove it home; you can drive it back. You’ll be fine.

How bad is the exhaust leak?

What did your mechanic’s pre-purchase inspection say about the car?

Shai said:
What did your mechanic’s pre-purchase inspection say about the car?

This is my first time buying a car. I didn’t know I should hire a mechanic before buying it. My dad came with me, and we checked everything else. The exhaust near the catalytic converter is rotted, but the seller said nothing was wrong, and now I feel like I was misled.

Shai said:
What did your mechanic’s pre-purchase inspection say about the car?

Not everyone gets a pre-purchase inspection, especially for cars under $10k. People saying you should always get one are not being realistic.