I'm wanting to trade my 06 ralliart in for a 2010 one and I test drove one yesterday but the retarded sales guy put 87 octane in it before I drove and it was sputtering the whole time and it seemed like it had a hard time trying to get moving. Also once it was moving the rpm was never steady even while holding speed at 80mph. The cel came on after he put the gas in and he said he was going to have the shop take a look at it. My question is does anyone think the problem could be something other than the 87 octane? It does have some mods (injen intercooler pipe, exhaust not sure what brand, and a intake which I'm not sure what brand it is either.) other than those parts I'm not sure if the original owner did anything else. It only has 11984 miles on it so warranty is still good. So would I be safe on getting this? What's everyones thoughts?

 

If you are already having problems test driving it then no...
Even with a warranty. IMO I would look for a diff one.
BTW The 87 Octane would be the a reason for the sputtering &
if that dealership doesn't know enough to put higher octane gas
in the Ralliart then I wouldnt do buisness with that place...
just my 2cents

 

Not meaning to hijack your thread and make this about me, but rather than start a new thread, I thought I would chime in here. I bought a fully loaded 09 Sportback from a dealership with less than 150 total miles on it. I will be the first owner and it was sold as a "new" vehicle. I found it in another Province and never saw or drove it (I will get it in about a week). So am I an idiot for buying a car that I have not driven or seen (only saw pics)? I'm a pretty conservative guy and am worried now haha.

So 2 questions...

1) Am I an idiot?
2) What are the recommendations for breaking in the engine?

God I wish I had the manual so I could start reading. Regardless, this place is super helpful...so thanks to all of you.

 

Ok thanks man

 

I would say, if you have already seen the lancer your looking for in person, (Not necessarily the car at the dealer) but the lancer your looking for anywhere and the one your buying is the one you want, I see no issues with you going to purchase it as long as your getting what you had agreed on over the phone. I wouldn't ever "officially" agree to do anything over the phone though. I would go to the dealer to do "official" business. In case your "Brand New" car ends up having paint issues, anything falling off or anything you are not satisfied with that the dealer can fix before purchasing that NEW car. Just my thoughts. Good luck with your purchase though! I had my Sportback transfered to the dealer closer to me because it was kind of far away and when it got to the dealer I had scuffs on the back of my car and a few nicks and scratches that I had the dealer fix before I would purchase the car. I also bought it brand new with only 200 miles on it. It had been test driven a few times due to it being at the dealer for almost a year. I hope your car gets to you squeeky clean!

 

Yeah, if the car already has problems from the dealer I would also look else where. Don't take the risk on this kind of car.

 

To OP - walk away. I think he made up the '87 octane' story. Something else is wrong.

You don't get a CEL or 87 octane - just reduced performance/some knocking.

If you persist have them read the code to you. See if it is knock sensor. Ask for a free extended warranty.

 

what sucks is this is the only ralliart ive found anywhere near me and that one is even 100 miles away.

 

That is okay - better to wait than find out the REAL reason it is running poorly and they are so eager to sell this one

if they really wanted to sell it - they would have read you the code, then drained the gas & refilled with proper/high octane gas and then demonstrate it running like a champ.

I still think they are trying to unload a problem they can't fix...
('cause they would have already if they could - trust me!)

'walk away'

 

heres the autotrader.com page for the car: http://tinyurl.com/3p77np9

Its at a honda dealership so them not wanting/not being able to fix something is very probable.

 

Got a call from the dealer today. Apparently they decided to take the car to auction because they don't want the car becoming a liability because the guy who traded it in screwed up the O2 sensor on the exhaust and it was missing with the wire just hanging there. He also added that the warranty was void because of it..