Suing Mechanic I bought Car from

[littlenicky152]

A week and a half ago I paid 1600 for a Pontiac Grand Am that overheated and needed to have the header fixed. I gave him the money for it before it was fixed (mistake, I know) and it took him 7 days longer than he told me to fix it because he kept running into other problems. So finally he called me and said that the car was done. So I came in and took it for a test drive and it was overheating, ac didnt work, exhaust had a hole in it and the transmission wouldnt shift out of 2nd gear until about 60 mph.

I asked him for my money back and he refused and said he would fix all the problems. So I had him sign a piece of paper that said he would fix the transmission, A/C, exhaust, cooling fan, and the door panel by 10 oclock PM yesterday. When I went there it still wasnt fixed and he still refused to give me my money back. I am going to take him to small claims court and wondering what I have to do to prove it. I am taking it to a mechanic on Friday so he can document that it wasnt all repaired and I have multiple copies of the deal we both signed in writing. I was wondering what else, if anything, more is needed for me to win the case. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF !

I'm not certain on your states legalities but if you goto court and he's still offering to make it right or fix it then you may not get all or any of your money back.
But if he has taken more than a week to replace, you said header so I assume you mean head(s), then he's taking way to much time.

Since you didnt mention the engine, the v6 usualy take 8-10 hrs, mitchell says 12-16hrs. The 4 cyl takes 5-6 hrs, book says around 8.

Also just getting the work done it is not uncommon for it to get hot or over heat if the air in the system wasnt purged completely, it is a PITA sometimes with these motors.
If the exhaust was removed then its possible he didnt get something back together correctly. Same with the trans shifting funny, could just be the IAT or some other important sensor unplugged.

But it sounds like you have the paper work and thats probly the most important of all.

And Good Luck !