[verticalflight]

I bought a car recently for my 16 year old son. It was from this forum, and the seller seemed quite respectable (I researched his online persona, he does interesting and respectable work, etc.) I had the PPI done at a shop of his suggestion, and I researched that the shop is actually an avid Porsche community enthusiast, and really well regarded. The PPI came back very positive, so I bought the car.

I made it clear to the PPI shop that I had no additional budget to work on the car, and this was not a project car. It was a complete car purchase for my 16 year old son and we wanted dependability, reliability, and safety as top concerns.

It arrived yesterday (shipped, delivered to my mechanic's shop) and the mechanic did a review of the car and it's like a different car was delivered (not the case, the VIN matches). There are countless problems... the front clip has been welded on, ABS doesn't work, major oil leaks, major issues in the interior and trunk, rust, no fender lining or any underbody pieces, ill fitting rubber, many parts are just thrown together, etc.

The car doesn't match the PPI. I offered to ship it back to the seller immediately and pay shipping both ways, and he said its sold and now my problem.

I spoke with the shop that did the PPI and the owner was also shocked because he knew a lot about the car and thought it had all been communicated to me. I believe its possible the mechanic was involved in helping the seller sell the car, and I mentioned this to the shop owner and he is looking into it.

None of the issues are on the PPI, in fact the PPI is all green except for license plate lights missing, windshield wiper fluid not operating, and a few extras.

What should I do? File suit against the seller? Work out something with the PPI shop? I don't want the car. The PPI shop owner is trying to connect with the seller to convince him to take the car back with my terms (I pay shipping both ways) but not sure if the seller will respect that offer as he is clearly trying to wash his hands of it.

I don't want to yet post the seller and the shop, as I am hopeful this will work out. If you saw the ad (and how its represented so positively) you would be shocked about the actual car being delivered.

Kind of bummed,
Kris