I think it might be in your best interest to buy a brand new car.

You made an informed decision, which is exactly what anyone should do when buying anything. The thing is, what if the previous/original owner had said "oh yeah, it was perfect!" A lot of people do that because they don't want to answer any questions. Would you have been reasonably satisfied, and if so, what would you think if they had actually driven the car around for a year before you found out? That's going to be on your mind next time you check out a used car.

People are hardly very honest... the next guy might not be so honest about the car. But with a new car, you will be utterly sure that it is the closest as you can get to having ALL new parts at once, with a warranty and roadside assistance to back it up.

I have an interest in buyers' psychology. Some people see a hefty repair list and think "it got everything it needed", and others think "it was a lot of trouble". It's very interesting how that works. ALso you can't really bank on the integrity or the knowledge of the last owner. They might not remember what they had done, or why, or when. Buying a new car isn't for everyone, but there are attractive lease packages that will let you drive one without actually having to take the plunge. It might be worth a look.
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1992 940 wagon, 72k
make people envious; smile frequently.