Used Car - Reported as a Lemon - Stay Away?

[StepUp]

So as title states, I ran a carfax on a car I'm interested in and it was reported as a lemon by the CA DMV @ roughly 13,000 miles. The car now has ~33,000 miles. The previous owner had the vehicle for almost 3 years, and there are no reported issues other than the original manufacture buyback.

Would you avoid a vehicle reported as a lemon entirely? Have it independantly inspected? It's a Pontiac GTO, and I've owned one previously. There were several persistent issues that can be addressed with aftermarket parts, but I'm just not sure what it was lemoned for yet.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Yes, hell yes.

What was the issue that labeled it a lemon?

 

[StageLeft]

Without knowing about that issue I would stay away unless it's a sweet deal. Since somebody has since put 20k on it perhaps the issue has been solved, though, which I think is why you're still considering it.

 

[Vette73]

Only if...

1. You find out what the orignal problem is, and can see that it it 100% fixed.

2. The price is MUCH lowwer then the same car without the lemon badge on it. If you try and sell it later then others will ask the same question or worse you get into an accident and the insurance compnay sees it and does not offer you much.

 

[StepUp]

Yea Carfax doesn't say what the issue is. It is a very nice price (Black on Black, 6 spd 33K miles for 16K) which is why I am considering it. I think I may pay $100 or so and have a local Chevy dealership take a look at it. This is whats reported on the carfax.

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
07/25/2006 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. New owner reported
MANUFACTURER BUYBACK
OR LEMON REPORTED
07/25/2006 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title or registration issued
to manufacturer
08/23/2006 Dealer Inventory
Westmont, IL Vehicle offered for sale
08/23/2006 13,538 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pacific Region
Listed as
a manufacturer vehicle
09/15/2006 Ogden Chevrolet
Westmont, IL
630-986-8000
www.ogdenchevy.com Front brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
11/09/2006 Ogden Chevrolet
Westmont, IL
630-986-8000
www.ogdenchevy.com Vehicle serviced



Owner 4
Purchased: 2006
Type: Personal
Where: Illinois
Est. miles/year: 5,840/yr
Est. length owned: 11/28/06 - 11/16/09
(2 yrs. 11 mo.)


Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
11/28/2006 13,600 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Evergreen Park, IL
Title #X6332693302 Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
02/28/2007 16,144 Ogden Chevrolet
Westmont, IL
630-986-8000
www.ogdenchevy.com Drive belt(s) replaced
Rear compartment carpet replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Drive belts replaced
06/04/2008 Community Pontiac GMC
Oak Forest, IL
708-687-0400
www.communitypontiac.com
ww.communitypontiac
.com Computer checked
11/16/2009 31,668 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Midwest Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle
12/07/2009 31,677 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Texas
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
12/11/2009 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

 

[Vette73]

Take the VIN Number to a dealer and see if they can help. Talk to a service rep as they should be able to look it up. they can see what it was brought in for.

 

[StageLeft]

Take the VIN Number to a dealer and see if they can help. Talk to a service rep as they should be able to look it up. they can see what it was brought in for.

yep. Otherwise just a generic inspection won't possibly show up the lemon source.