the side of the road

I AM familiar with the saying “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is”… but I also try to live my life along the lines of believing people are as honest as I am. I should know better.
So… the BMW… soooo excited about it in the beginning and now I just feel dirty. I bought the car from a guy on base for £200 (about $300)… First off, I know what you are all thinking… how much car can a person reasonably expect for £200? Well, in answer, at a base like this (in a foreign country with a very small American community) it is common for cars to be passed along from person to person over the years as they come and go. Some of these cars go for cheap, some for the same price every time (like the one I bought for £200, was bought for £200, was bought for £200 before that, etc, etc), and some are just handed down for free.
When I started the process of purchasing this car, there were a few things I noticed right off the bat… the Tax Disc was expired (kindof like the registration in the states), the tires looked a little worn, and the ‘check engine’ and ‘oil service’ lights were on. None of this bothered me, as the tax and tires I could take care of relatively easily and for little expense… as far as the service lights, the previous owner ASSURED me that those lights were ‘always on, and had been so since he got the car’. I asked about the oil, he said he had just had it serviced… “Okay,” I say, “Sounds good, but I want to get it checked out to make sure”. I don’t mind putting a little money into the car, as I bought it for so cheap in the first place.
Long story short, it took a couple of weeks to get an appointment at a reputable garage… I gave him the £200 as ‘good faith’ money, since I would be driving it until then and we did NOT sign the title over since I told him I wanted it fully checked out before I officially bought the car. I’m sure this will come as no surprise to anyone but me… the car needs about £1100 ($1600) worth of work… the rear brakes, rear tires, cam belt, fuel lines, gaskets, brake fluid, etc… AND, when they went to drain the oil so they could change it… there was none to drain. GREAT.
I read the laundry list of problems to the guy and told him I was no longer interested in the car and I wanted my £200 back. I didn’t use profanity, accuse him of anything… I didn’t even curse his unborn children for the despicable lies the told me to my face:
“It’s in great condition”
“I’ve never had a single problem with it”
“I just got it checked out, but if you want to I’ll pay to have whatever it needs fixed, fixed before you buy it”
Nope, just told him I wanted my money back and he could have the keys…(even though I’d already paid the £50 for the MOT and another £100ish for the oil change and inspection)… to which he replied “Oh, that’s not my responsibility. I’m not giving you back your money, it’s your car and your problem now.”
Now, if I was really going to be a bitch, I would leave the car at the garage… it is still registered in HIS name thus not, financially, my responsibility to pay the bill and pick it up. But I’m not a bitch (though at times like this I wish I was)… and I’m not so back-handed to consider driving the thing around and getting a dozen or so speeding tickets from the speed cameras (that would be sent to his house, as he is the registered owner).
The problem escalated… other people in the ‘office’ got involved… to the point that I’m sitting down with the senior-most Army guy (his boss) and the senior-most Navy guy (my boss) discussing my options. HE won’t even come down to discuss the situation with me… when I had tried to sit down with him and ask him what he proposed as a resolution he said “I don’t have to have a plan, ‘cause it isn’t my problem, and I’m keeping the money.”
Yes… this took all day.
Ultimately I’ve decided to just keep the car and just drive it until the wheels fall off (or the cam belt snaps, or the rear tires deflate, or the…). I’ve already sunk about £200 into it, so even IF he gives me back my original £200 I’m still in the hole. Plus, with his attitude, I’m not sure exactly WHAT could be done to pressure him into giving me back my money.
At this point I’m only in about £400 ($600), so if I get a month or two out of it I’ll consider that breaking even (and lesson learned)… and around here I rarely even go as fast as 40mph, so if it does die on me I’ll just leave it on the side of the road and call someone to junk it… maybe I’ll get £50 from a scrap yard. Besides, if I never spend another second trying to have a reasonable discussion with ‘the seller’ it’ll be too soon… I don’t want to have to deal with him for another minute.
The whole situation still makes me feel used and left on the side of the proverbial road… kindof like my BMW.