Legal then fix or fix while getting legal?

you knew it couldn't run at time of purchase?! look, you bought a piece of junk and knew it - it happens when people are not careful- you bought a bad car- as in horse trading, people learn to be more careful- like, DON"T BUY A DEAD HORSE- chalk it up to a lesson learned, sell the thing for parts and get another car- and be CAREFUL this time- it will be a lot easier than lawyering up-

How and what happened was when he said the engine would need to be replaced was like this: He would work for free and we would just need to buy the parts he would be putting in. The engine he did find was used but was said to run. But keep in mind during all this, our conversations were over the phone or when he would come by for money to get this, get that. By that, I mean we both decided a full engine replacement, hoses, sparkplugs, etc. But how do I know that he's lying? When I had to tow my vehicle back after finally waiting long enough with still no working engine. (At this point he started to ignore my phone calls and any other way of contact) And when I popped the hood and had a licensed mechanic look at everything. We both noticed that bolts at not been touched, they looked perfect, the places where an engine hoist would have its chains to pull it out, looked untouched. And to seal the deal, the mechanic looked at the engine number and compared it to the engine number that would be original to my vin, they both matched perfectly. So we know that he is indeed lying, and he's not any closer to giving us back money that he didn't use to fix my car.

And jamnblues, not everyone is perfect so don't go busting my chops on a first car purchase. All I knew at face value was a timing belt and battery. I wouldn't exactly call that a dead horse, more so a sickly horse that needed to get better. And add to it a half-shyster mechanic that didn't notice the oil leak while he was putting in my timing belt. So make it a sickly horse and a shitty doctor alongside some bad luck.

To slide in at this late date. I would look at the amount to money you gave the guy, compare that to the cost of going to court and lawyer (if needed) and I would imagine the amount of possible recovery would not be truly worth it, You decide. Now EVEN if you are totally in the right; it still may not be worth the total expense and hassle to go through. Also should you win the case- if this is in small clams court YOU are responsible to collect the money. If this is in a civil court, the judge may require a return of your money but that may take longer than you would wish. Shady people know the law and how skirt it or play it. So to recap; as you now have the car, you had another mechanic look at it, you seem to trust his information, then look at "cutting your losses"- hire this mechanic -or some one else you trust - have the repairs done. Then move on; sadder( in the pocket book) but wiser. Not the best or most pleasing outcome but a practical one. You have a lot of future ahead and don't need this anchor to hold you back. Good Luck on what ever you decide.