The Car Wizard's most HATED car of all time!

[@fitfogey]

You can tell the Wizard is still pissed off about this. He’s re-living the whole experience telling the story.

[@BMAWG1968]

I could tell because it sounded like he dropped an F-bomb around the 3 minute mark.

[@georgevavoulis4758]

I would be pussed off about this too . If you have money to buy a car you should have enough to repair/ maintain it or do the work yourself then .

[@kylehubick6589]

Every tech/shop owner has those cars/customers/situations that just haunts and pisses them off when they think about it, even years later. Explains a lot 😂

[@johnl9977]

I'll pay you later, or payments, I don't know, you might as well just give it to them because that is what it ends up being in the end. Same thing with 90% of the people that borrow money, save yourself time and frustration, just consider it a gift. Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised. I have not been, but it is bound to happen once in awhile. One time I was really in a bind for gas money and a gentleman I hardly knew loaned me $20. I gave him back a $50.

[@MoBawazir]

😂

[@ayursik]

Wizard's camera presence has improved so much over the years. Really cool to see.

[@the_frankc]

It makes me sad when someone takes advantage of a good mechanic, especially one going above and beyond to be a good person at the cost of his own paycheck. I had a mechanic family friend who always helped me in high school and college when I was broke and he'd tell me about so many of his former customers and friends who would screw him over. It sucks how terrible people can be.

[@datsunalzheimer]

Yeah, I was an apprentice at a volvo dealer for a while, and the customers treated the mechanics like they put pickles in their big macs, its unbelieveable how people behave

[@SoCaliSurfer13]

Unfortunately they treat them that way all because of all the shitty mechanics out there who rip people off which is totally fucked up.

[@datsunalzheimer]

@@SoCaliSurfer13 idk how things work in the us, but if someone gets ripped off by a mechanic here, the authorities will step in pretty fast. Its usually the customer bitching about paying for work they signed up for

[@JSchroederee]

Well it depends on the scummy behavior. My Subaru dealer lied about the regular maintenance schedule, claiming I needed to do what turned out to be 100kmi service at 30kmi. They did the work and I OK'ed it so nothing illegal happened but it was completely dishonest. I reported them to Subaru of America but they didn't seem to care. However I think this comes down to there being some garbage people out there some are mechanics some are customers. There's no excuse for either.

[@ice44567]

@@SoCaliSurfer13 I mean I'm sure that's a very small aspect of it, it's just people being entitled and shitty and not thinking twice about taking advantage of everyone they can. Good old victim complex is rampant these days.

[@1mlb704]

Wizard reminds me of my local mechanic. He's a family friend, I've known him my whole life. He's done so many favors for people over the years including me. My mom is the accountant/payroll manager for his business, so when I was in college (I commuted to school every day) he gave me employee discounts on my oil changes and repairs, even though I didn't work for him. Now I work at a dealership and I could have my cars worked on there (with an employee discount), but I still bring them to him even though it's less convenient, especially now because I moved a couple towns over. But I trust him, he's still less expensive than my work, and I'm happy to support his business. I can't imagine ever trying to take advantage of him like this guy and this girl both did to Wizard.

[@80wolfmanrob]

At least he made money back on KZbin videos most mechanics don't have that option. Good work Wizard.

[@doublesynchrohelix8613]

Not when this story happened.. he only works on a couple trusted ol customers cars these days, his shop is now a studio, see his last VinWiki...

[@caydenstout6326]

All mechanics have this option; he has just already put in the work

[@80wolfmanrob]

@@caydenstout6326 no the option to make the money back on KZbin videos.

[@jackjuggalo6005]

@@80wolfmanrob you cant make money on youtube

[@80wolfmanrob]

@@jackjuggalo6005 you really think Ed does these videos for free?

[@ColinFromConnecticut]

This a really nice guy who’s getting taken advantage of. How many chances did the first guy get to do payment arrangements on the $900 for all that work, THEN gives the car to someone and doesn’t even really seem to care. People don’t even realize how good they have it!! Start being grateful, and do the right thing!!

[@daveSoupy]

I gotta admire Ed's hustle to make a daily uploading KZbin channel where he gets other people to tell stories. Finding people who have enough stories to tell every day is more difficult than anyone realizes.

[@danielkoontz6732]

This right here. Even though some of the story tellers are... not great, he still manages to do daily uploads.

[@MrSilnev]

They probably record multiple stories in a single session. So they probably don't record these videos every day but just upload them on every day.

[@ironmonkey1512]

editing is way more time consuming than people think

[@jus__gra]

They record multiple stories over the time the person is there. A quick tell is the things they’re wearing. T shirts are a good tell.

[@MrSeanman30]

@@jus__gra no joke. I was gonna say purple really think some of these story tellers are flying from California or wherever in the United States or even overseas to make one story and then come back once a month lol? Like you said they are always wearing the same stuff unless they've obviously been on the channel for years and have visited multiple times

[@Richard-HiFiMan]

I had something similar happen to me back in 2009/2010 when I bought a car once, and sold it twice. In late 2008 I bought a cheap Miata with plans to convert into a track car. I ended up dragging my feet on it and it just sat for months taking up space in my driveway. in March of 2009, a friend (at the time) mentioned her boyfriend was looking for an inexpensive car to get back and forth to work with. Being a nice guy I offered to sell them the Miata if they were interested. They agreed and we came to deal where they'd pay me every two weeks for six months and then I'd sign over the title with a bill of sale. About three month into this they split up and went their separate ways. I spoke to the ex-boyfriend and he agreed to keep paying for the car. So what should have been six months ended up being closer to a year as he kept making excuses on paying off the balance. He finally paid off the amount due, I provided a bill of sale, the transfer paperwork, and the title. I thought that was the end of it, boy was I wrong. Six months later I get a letter from an impound yard saying "my" Miata was there. It seems he had never transferred the title to the car. A few days before his mother had borrowed the car, got pulled over and it was impounded for lack of registration and insurance. I call the guy to see if he had the money to get it out, which he didn't but he really wanted the car back. So still being a somewhat nice guy, I offered to get the car out of impound and store it at my place. I would give him four months to pay the impound and title registration fees, the he could have the car. He agreed and I got the car and parked it at my place. I also had a new title issued as he has lost the previous one and couldn't hand it back over to me. Of course I never get paid. The only call I had was six months later from his mother begging me to let him have the car even though he hadn't paid for it again once again. That call went south real quick with her turning vile once I explained I had given him plenty of time to pay and would never consider selling him the car again. I ultimately sold the car again, but this time to a guy who paid cash and took care of the title transfer the following week. The new owner even sent me photos from time to time of the restoration he was doing on the car.

[@SUPRAMIKE18]

I've got a funny story involving a title, well my neighbors story, my elderly neighbor had an old pickup on his property it had no title but it ran good and he drove it around the field on his property from time to time, well at some point it gets stickered as abandoned after it had sat parked for about a year, It gets towed away, he wasn't even mad, it gets dumped on a nearby salvage yard and It sat in the corner pretty much untouched for 2 years, at this point the old man is cleaning junk out of his attic and finds in a dusty old box the title to this truck, so he went to the salvage yard in the middle of the night, with a key, battery, and a Jerry can of fresh 93 octane, got the truck going and drove it literally straight to the DMV the next morning and got it registered he still drives it around to this day XD

[@thanosianthemadtitanic]

genuine advice if they have to finance and can't put down a large enough down payment your probably not getting your money back.

[@DunnDifferent]

People are crap sometimes. I’ve gone through this as a contractor. I lost 6k on a job that a customer refused to pay and it almost bankrupted my fledgling business.

[@volvo09]

I could never do that to someone... Straight up lie to get free work.

[@BlankBillions]

did you sue?

[@DunnDifferent]

@@BlankBillions I probably should have but after everything they put me through I was over it and wanted to move on.

[@timtrainage]

It's happened to me as well, several times.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

When I was on a house framing crew in college, we literally finished framing a 3,000sq ft house and the old man who was building it for his son didn't like being charged for the deck expansion and felt it should come out of our end. Ultimately he refused to pay. Our owner said "you summbitch, we're puttin a lean on it and youll never be able to sell it"... Owner said he didn't give a shit because it was intended to stay in the family.

[@jessitabonita]

This is why, when I worked as a service advisor (the liaison between customers and mechanics), I'd ALWAYS email customers to have something in writing about the diagnosis and recommendations in order of urgency/importance then ask to have them reply ASAP for faster turnaround. I became the only SA who didn't have an upset customer altercation who disputed work done/charges. I thank being an introvert and actually not knowing much about vehicles. 😂

[@Z32andCG6]

Unfortunately this is what being a nice guys gets you. Wizard is a straightforward honest man and people take advantage of that. He should probably have reported that car stolen in case it racks up parking tickets or is involved in an accident.

[@ast-og-losta]

That's good advice.

[@THELOF1]

This would be a civil matter and not something you can report as a crime. He should have gotten paid up front instead of being so nice to strangers.

[@Z32andCG6]

@@THELOF1 How is that just a civil matter? I'd think someone having your property without permission is stolen. Same idea of you allowed someone to borrow the car and they refuse to return it. If she started making payments and stopped as opposed to never making a payment then I could see the difference in approach.

[@THELOF1]

@@Z32andCG6 If you have a contractual agreement with someone even verbal. It’s not theft. The police will not help you. They will tell you to take them to court. Often times it’s not worth it because the person is a deadbeat anyways and has no money. So your best bet is to try and repo the property. Edit There is a thing called theft by conversion but that’s a different scenario and even then getting police help is difficult.

[@Z32andCG6]

@@THELOF1 Gotcha, makes sense

[@randomidiot8142]

Grandpa used to have a shop and had some interesting stories. He also has a sense of humor that ends abruptly at finances. He quoted a job, the customer agreed. The job got done, the bill was written up. Customer says they don't have the money, can they make payments. He said sure, I'll do payments. The first 'payment' was for the entire bill. Customer wasn't thrilled.

[@LeifInTransit]

Dude, this is so hurtful to hear. The Wizard is an Amazing man who definitely didn't deserve this treatment.

[@stuartd9741]

I know right. Some people just take advantage of a situation. And the wizard is just a genuine guy...

[@MichaelAivaliotis]

He definitely deserved it. That’s not how you run a business.

[@georgemckenna462]

@@MichaelAivaliotis Yeah, I would have to agree. The Car "Wizard" after finally getting the title, needed to learn the hard lesson of, cash on the barrel head! Sorry, no exceptions for damels in distress.

[@usernamunavailiable]

Absolutely no one deserves to be taken advantage of like this. People need to be responsible, either be prepared to pay for car repairs or be prepared to learn. Graphic design wasn't the only thing I learned to do in college. I learned how to replace/repair my own brakes, and wheel bearings. I learned how to replace an alternator, and starter. Why because I couldn't afford to pay someone else.

[@Suzuki-SwiftSport]

Some people really don’t know the value of a good, genuine and honest mechanic

[@man_on_wheelz]

This poor Mazda is just cursed or something... unloved, uncared for, albeit repaired... no one wants legal responsibility of this seemingly just fine car.

[@MK-1010]

I had a friend who owned a green Millennium, think it was a '99. The car was fine until the electrical systems started going bad, one thing rolled into another. Come to find out these cars are known for that. But the car had around 120k miles, so it could've been worse.

[@stuartd9741]

Plot twist: the original police officer owner didn't pay for the car either ....🤣

[@thebigworldofnz]

Would make a decent daily if it's been looked after

[@ceruleanc505]

Not cursed, just crap. I'd ride a mule to work before buying ANYTHING from that Make.

[@davidanderson8469]

He didn't maintain it. It' wasn't cursed.

[@foxisretrofitting4556]

I think the worst part is the original amount of $1500 was a very reasonable for labor with parts on a V6 like that and dude wasn't even going to push to show up with 900 or 200 a week at the very least. That was a very polite offer for those repairs.

[@LilReaper1010]

I'm glad mechanics can protect their buisiness in these situations

[@usernamunavailiable]

Can they, really? More than likely, he would've lost money after the parts, labor, and fees to do the transfer on a car like this.

[@sgrowe56]

Common occurrence in my dental office.....and no, your dental insurance (if you have any) never pays 100% on dental work....so we have the patients pre-pay before any work......it's hard to put a lien on a crown, denture or extraction, once the patient walks out with them.

[@jrh2009]

I've learned that the cheaper the vehicle youre selling, the more miserable the process will be. Every terrible experience I've had selling a vehicle has been on a sub 2000 dollar transaction. I think I'll burn the next one to the ground before dealing with the b.s. again.

[@addicted2bass87]

Agreed. I gave my old F-150 to my buddy. His truck was literally falling apart. I would rather give it to him than deal with the kind of people who are in the market for a ~$1000 truck.

[@ericswires8534]

True. I sold a 2001 escort and the guy then demanded I teach him how to drive a manual trans. Never use Fakebook Martins Place

[@JSAFIXIT]

I was selling an old high mileage but good running honda for 700. That was the most pain in the ass shit I ever dealt with. It made one guy lucky though. He showed up, said he'd pay full price, but could only do 400 today and 500 the following week. He said to he wanted me to keep the car and title until he paid me in full. He wrote up a simple agreement saying that and signed it. At that point I wanted the car gone, he got it for 400.

[@qwertpoiuy430]

@@JSAFIXIT idk man I’ve had the absolute opposite selling old Honda’s. Bought one on the spot for 900 bucks, sold it the next week on 20 minutes of it being posted for 1200

[@JSAFIXIT]

@@qwertpoiuy430 It was a beater, mechanically good, but it didn't even look good from 50 feet lol. Cheap cars sell fast, but you get 15 morons per 1 serious buyer. People texting at 3am and then get mad that you don't reply... Easiest transactions I've done have been between 10k-15k.

[@jamessveinsson6006]

Thank you for having the car wizard on your channel is very entertaining

[@hamshank29]

After all the mess with the first guy, I'm surprised he gave the car away without payment upfront from the buyer

[@fredflintstone8048]

Yeah, I guess he thought that because it was his daughters friend he would let the situation slide which turned out to be a mistake, so he got screwed twice. Never let anyone take anything without paying the full price. If they need financing I tell them I have a deal with the bank. I don't provide loans, and then don't do the work I do.. You need a loan, go get it from people who give loans and bring me the full amount. Otherwise you're never going to see the rest of the money. If you own a shop and end up foolishly taking payments for your work, make sure all the money is paid before letting the customer have the car back. If they are desperate, again, let them go and find all the money somewhere else. You did the work, now they have to pay for it. There are no shortage of sob stories. Turn a deaf ear, and don't fall victim. Loan sharks will tell you that people can always get the money if they're motivated enough. Most of these types could pay you, they just don't want to.

[@OffGridInvestor]

I was too but I guess he just didn't want it there haunting him.

[@android584]

He has to take the blame for the trouble the car caused him after he took possession of it. Surely he could have sold it via a classifieds ad.

[@dancooper6002]

@@fredflintstone8048 Remember his daughter was the one who totaled his favorite car after stealing it, her taste in friends might not mean anything.

[@rasklaat2]

@@fredflintstone8048 Exactly. What he should say is: I and banks have a deal. I don't lend people money and they don't repair cars.

[@Megacooler96_]

The Wizard himself. Its frustrating how so many people do bad and ignorant things to honest mechanics.

[@RawShogun]

I once let some friends make payments on a green Pontiac G6 for $2,500 over 4 weeks, as I also got this fiend, I mean friend, a job that paid very well weekly. After 3 months I ended up with $250, a dented passenger side door and two less friends.

[@perrycoffey5410]

Wow hope they suffer anyway how was that Pontiac

[@senseofstile]

Amazing story. Here in the Philippines, if you take a car to a mechanic or the dealer, you must go to the parts counter and purchase the parts before they start working on it.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Unfortunately, you come in thinking it's one part and find 4 other things about to break.

[@senseofstile]

@@OffGridInvestor I think that is the reason the Car Wizard refuses to work on old cars.

[@randominternetuser2888]

Long ago there was a 79' Porsche 930 sitting at a mechanics shop where a friend works. It had been "abandoned" after work done. Now it's mine... for 12,000$

[@JobyJoby-iw2wr]

My mom passed away today at 100 yo. She owned a very early Millennia (1992?) for a number of years after my dad passed away - a pretty nice car, good memories. Regarding repair shops: a shop not too far away from me, has nearly the entire property covered up with cars people left behind because they couldn't or wouldn't pay the bill. Owners are very good people (Vietnamese refugees) and highly competent. His staff are also Vietnamese refugees with a wide range of skill levels and personal 'credibilities'. I asked the owner why he didn't get mechanic's leins and clean up the place? He responded it wasn't worth the trouble? Surprised the local government hasn't come after him to get the place cleaned up.

[@dustinwilson1981]

I've done this a few times. Craziest was taking a check and immediately going to bank after purchase, less than 5 miles away and check had been canceled. Guy made it to a town about hour and half away until he just ditched it in a Walmart lot. Luckily, I had title with me and police called me and told me it was sitting in lot because he got pulled over. Fastest and dumbest car story I've had. Don't take checks....even when they are good when you call before to check available funds.

[@wronggg]

Was it a certified check or a normal one?

[@machinist7230]

@@wronggg Probably a personal check. When selling a car, accept only cash or a wire transfer.

[@moonman3309]

@@wronggg certified works, at least here in canada

[@bokhans]

Why do you keep on with this b.s. called cheques. I live in Europe and I think my last cheque book was sometimes in early the 1980. These days we use the phone, almost every person in my country and every company and shop have a bank account connected to a phone. I bought my last car in seconds and the seller got the money smack on direct in to his account in seconds no charge for me of course. No way to backpedal by the buyer. Up to 20,000 USD is no big deal this way. I do all my payments on my phone these days, every single bill, even my ID card is in the phone since a few month back free of charge of course, looking foreword to my passport there as well in the future but it could take some time because of countries that live in the past like Germany and USA and of course third world countries.

[@MrLinkiscute]

Money orders can bounce, too.

[@user-qy9rg3nt2l]

I had a friend who pleaded with me over and over to swap the engine in his motorcycle. The best quote he could get from shops was over $3000. The donor engine had been laid down, but that owner claimed he shut it off immediately. He had never seen the donor engine run, and the guy kept finding excuses to get it started. Long story short, I got $300 (I spent $100 on specialty tools) for swapping the engine and painting the frame and fuel tank. It would not start, so the owner had it towed to a bike repair shop, and they found a couple corroded relay connections. Bike burned a bit of oil, and my "friend" immediately sought a legal means to extort $2000 for a rebuild, since it was "my fault". Met the owner of the wrecked donor bike months later, and he admitted to selling him a dud.

[@Fordguy02]

Seems like the employee who knew the guy that owned this car should’ve helped his friend fix the car on his free time

[@curtislovrak5390]

Sometimes you can’t moonlight, otherwise sounds like an okay idea

[@vw5056]

@Dominick Long Beach came to work there long after the Mazda.

[@MrSloika]

Or the employee could have paid the bill and told the friend to fuck off, which is what I would have done.

[@GroundhogzGarage]

Kind of what I thought.

[@Tattiehoker]

Its that's his friend who needs Enemies

[@stananders474]

You are an honest, hard working guy. I admire you. Many guys will, I hope learn by your experience. Thank you so much.

[@captainsergeant]

As I'm sure you've learned by now, stop being a nice guy when it comes to business. Treat people with respect, don't cut corners, and don't rip them off... but do not bend over backwards for anybody!

[@bb5242]

The problem is that even when you're a straight shooter, somebody can show up with a 12 gauge and kill you.

[@richardwarren7492]

A: Give the customer a written estimate up front (even if that's just diagnostic time at that point) have them sign the repair order and date it in their handwriting. Ask how they intend to pay Cash, CC, etc. B: Once the "estimated" cost of the repair is determined, call the customer, note on repair order, time, date, who you spoke with get an ID DL number, last 4 of SS etc. Quote the entire price including the original diagnosis amount. C: If any additional items found during repair process, follow steps in B. Sound tough? It's not, it's been the law in California since 1972 - The Automotive Repair Act was enacted in 1971 and became effective in 1972.

[@richardcrowell284]

When I had my auto electrical workshop in the mid nineties, I had a customer come in with a brand new GTS Commodore . He complained that it had problems with the factory immobiliser. I asked him why he hadn't taken it to the Holden dealer a half km up the road. He came up with a lame excuse of the service department being too busy. I got his contact details and he wandered off. I used to do some of the dealerships work, so I drove it up to the dealers, and the service manager said he would call ne after it was fixed. I got the call and walked up to the dealers, they explained it wasn't reading the key and they reprogrammed the key. I took it back to the workshop told the customer the problem was with the key and it was fixed. The customer came to get the car. I charged him $ 20 for my time. He got his key went to get in the car, to his surprise a detective walked up to him and arrested him for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Turns out the vehicle had been stolen off the lot from the dealer up the road. Didn't this bloke chuck a monumental hissy fit, he threatened me with all sorts of things in front of the detective. I never did hear from or see him again.

[@kris856]

this story is really crazy LOL some people are dumb as f..

[@OffGridInvestor]

If it was a commodore, he was a bogan theif...

[@OffGridInvestor]

If it was a commodore, he was a bogan theif...

[@Network126]

Lol wow

[@jessicaseyfried7888]

I’m so glad that you and Mrs Wizard were able to make it work for you. I love watching all of you guys (I even watch the yacht content) Happy New Year 🥳

[@mrsmith1339]

When I lived in Ohio I had a form letter which complied with state regulations regarding non pay. No payent 90 daya after a certified notice meant the shop could file for a title, which was quickly recieved. The shop could also add storage charges after the letter was sent. I did this as a free service to the shop owners I knew.

[@Dirtyboxer1]

$1400 for all that? The lowest quote I got on a timing belt for an '05 Toyota Solara was $2k, and that was just the belt. Idler pulleys, water pump, etc were all extra. Gotta love the DC area. I decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze and traded it in on something else.

[@TheDeadfast]

He probably discounted the labour charges to help out his mechanic's friend.

[@barryaiello3127]

A lot depends on the engine and how much of a hassle it is to get to the belt.

[@itzjdub282]

You must have went to the Toyota dealer

[@kris856]

I had two months ago a full engine rebuild done on my 2008 car for approx. 400$ including parts and work... I don't live in the USA.. LOL

[@barryaiello3127]

@@kris856 Your so full of crap your eyes are brown, that price MIGHT cover a lawnmower. Parts are parts and are not magically dirt cheap in one part of the world, neither is labor, go peddle your BS stories elsewhere.

[@jasondominguez8434]

When it comes to selling cars, Never do a payment plan unless your a bank.

[@Andy-Andeee]

That 2.5 all Aluminum split case little V6 is a wonderful little engine. KL-DE made 170hp and the JDM version the KL-ZE made 200hp . They love to rev and and sound really good. They also respond to Boost really well too.

[@vw5056]

Mazdas in general are wonderful cars. Can't wait for the new rwd 6.

[@Andy-Andeee]

@@vw5056 those inline 6s should be fun for the aftermarket and mods

[@uhtred7860]

We got them as the Mazda Eunos 800 with the 210hp 2.3 and the less powerful 2.5.

[@richardyounkin1557]

I went through a "good samaritan" phase of my life but I got screwed so many times I rarely do favors for people anymore.THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS !

[@80rae]

Every single Wizard story makes me so glad I got out of the industry.

[@kencramer1697]

Not being able to afford a mechanic is exactly how I learned to work on cars. When my car broke I had to figure out how to fix it. I already knew I was going to struggle just to find the money to buy parts, so there was no way I was going to be able to afford to pay a mechanic. That ended up being one of the best things I ever had to go through. It really helps, now that I am in a place in life that I can afford to pay someone to fix it, to keep from getting ripped off when I do have someone work on it. I would love to find a mechanic like the Wizzard here in my area. Unfortunately the only one I do trust is an hour drive away from me.

[@Jac735]

Most techs are far I noticed same thing with my I'm the Chicagoland area in the suburbs I moved to a new area and most techs are a rip off unless you know them but most are also an hour away as well which sucks

[@dfjdskf9234j4fisd]

This guy has got the patience of a saint. Such a truthful man and hard worker. He deserves every bit of his success!!! Looking forward to a day I could bring a car to the wizard. Although I live in CA 🤣

[@georgemckenna462]

In comedy you always look for the punch line & then the topper which elicits from the audience that big groan or hysterical laughter. One of the absolute best ways to accomplish this responce is; the tragic baffoon who will unerringly always double down on stupidity. Especially when dealing with a curse. This one delivered in deadpan fashion was a true classic! 6:41 "So I went ahead and gave her the car, she said she would pay later, or whatever..."

[@matthewmuellner]

Some people are users, always a hand out begging, never an ounce of responsibility for their own lives & choices.

[@RCnAZ-y3z]

There's a reason they're called roaches.

[@T25de]

You either get a line through your name or under your name

[@TheManInTheRing]

When I was a kid, my dad was a mechanic and he just told me never buy a mazda. I thought he was biased even at the age of 10 or 14, but I got older and realized he was speaking truth

[@chefcc90]

I always feel bad for wizard when he comes on since it seems like he deals with the worst customers.

[@Dabbin916]

What about findin out your super car you rented out had the tracker ripped out and was never seen since could be worse

[@theDARKSTEP]

Leave Tyler alone. jk

[@narutobroken]

Such a nice dude too, sad

[@1337penguinman]

It's rare that something goes like this, at least in my experience.

[@paulcarmi8130]

Kansas

[@kennethross786]

When I needed a transmission replacement, the repair shop required a down payment because they'd been burned before by customers who approved high-dollar repairs but then abandoned the car.

[@sw4841]

Lesson learned never ever give somebody your vehicle until it’s fully paid..No car dealer would do Unless you got approved for financing

[@HR-wd6cw]

A lesson I learned a along time ago is that you never do payment plans, for repairs or to buy a car. If someone wants a payment plan, they can go to a bank, get a loan and bring you the funds (whether buying the car or paying to fix it). If someone is buying something from me, they had better have cash in hand ready to go (or a check from the bank that I can verify) before they leave with whatever they are buying.

[@abigalanderson7494]

I'd tell my daughter to have her friend bring back the car or its going to be reported stolen.

[@stevenbeall9637]

@@tupops Friends today is just a fancy word for user.

[@tmanepic]

@@tupops exactly. Both the scummy people in this story were friends of friends. I think the mechanic and the daughter should have been more involved in making sure these people held up their end

[@angelgjr1999]

To me it sounds like the customer was trying to scam them. Sad that scammy people like that exist.

[@alanlozano6535]

i would ve reported it already, and let the cops handle the driver/scammer

[@JMKady76]

The last time I dealt with something like this, the sheriff told me it was a civil issue since I willingly gave the vehicle to the other person.

[@patlynch3464]

Car Wizard is truly a good guy. He is my favorite car guy on YT along with Hoovie.

[@VINwiki]

What is your most hated car?

[@kellyscars]

Prius. Fuck those things!!

[@thursdaybird]

late 90's Cavalier...EVERY SINGLE one that rolls into my shop is a NIGHTMARE (the car, the customer, or both)

[@dsihacker01]

2000 Chevy Astro, that thing has no room to work on, but is such an amazing little van otherwise. Was able to keep up with a lifted tacoma and lifted jeep down a hard trail, while the astro was stock

[@endrlock]

2000-2007 Ford Taurus that engine does not fit in that car

[@Rao_Sahab_7878]

PT Cruiser.

[@deliriousgastronomy]

Careful there. Sold a car once, new owner drove it around for a year, never insured or registered it, crashed it in a hit an run, and I ended up having to pay a pretty large tow bill having been the technical owner (despite bill of sale, etc.) according to the FL DMV. What a headache. Ended up signing title over to the tow company, hiring an attorney, etc. to get out of it.

[@XD1908]

He is the most relaxed guy ever.

[@stuartd9741]

Exactly very Zen. Perhaps you could reimburse the wizard with all that cash you got from that plane.......😶

[@charliesargent6225]

If you're in business and live long enough you know there are TONS of people like this. I ALWAYS had customers sign a layaway agreement which stated pay it off in 6 months, or lose all your money I will keep all payment money and can resell the item. I NEVER LOST an argument the few times there were problems. A few wanted to take the items on credit and installment terms. Didn't care how good a customer, simply told them I don't do that and if you have good credit then you can use the finance company I work with. NEVER give in even if it means losing a customer. The aggravation, hassles, problems, anxieties are NEVER worth it.

[@FunYl]

Wow, this car is cursed! It amazes me how dishonest people can be, specially when they came from people you know and trust. Wizard should report that car stolen

[@MrSloika]

When it comes to cars, most Americans have a sense of entitlement. I can't imagine why? If they don't have a ride, all they need to do is utilize that great mass transit system we have in US Murica.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Probably felt it was cursed and just LET it go. It was likely not worth the grief.

[@sargepent9815]

Oh man.....I have had that happen to me as well. Customer (who was referred by another LONG time customer) had a 2004 Chevrolet 1 ton van he used for plumbing/electrical work that wasn't running and his "mechanic buddy" couldn't figure out. Anyways, long story short we needed about 500 in parts plus 3 hours labor to even begin to fix this (which he approves on a recorded call) that didn't fix it and we needed more time to chase an electrical issue after replacing plugs, wires and cam position sensor. We got about 2,300 into this thing before we called and said it was STILL having an issue where it will start but immediately die. It wasn't the fuel pump since we can command it on and we still weren't sure what the exact issue was but would take even more diag time. Since we were already over 2k into a van that was hardly worth that the boss wanted to collect for the time/parts we are already into it before going further. At this point the customer refused to pay ANYTHING since "its not fixed". We stated that the issue had been nearly isolated, but we needed more time and before we got another 6 hours into this job we wanted to ensure we would be paid considering this POS van was now mechanically totaled. He again refused (on recording) and was advised we would file a mechanic lien I'm which he would have 1 business week to pay or the van would he sold to auction. Was a complete disaster that didn't end there but I'm sure you get the idea.

[@LilStand]

Ed, y'all need to stop playin' and get more Car Wizard here. We love Car Wizard.

[@Craig-wp3pz]

He has got his own channel, and HEAPS of content, not just Tyler's basket cases, and some cool rides slide through his shop......

[@LilStand]

@@Craig-wp3pz I know Craig, but I like the vinwiki stories. Why you crashing my dreams Craig

[@Craig-wp3pz]

@@LilStand me too, but Wizard has a channel, I'm hoping Chris will start one soon, most of the guys on VinWiki have one, Casey, Rabbit,Wizard,Euro n Asian Bob, and loads more, I'm just Glad Ed has shown the way with VinWiki

[@AZBEEMR]

Dear Ed or ed : (Boleon or editor); WIZARD IS BORING!

[@KA-om9oz]

No we dont

[@aznnp77]

That's a funny story. Ur an honest dude. I had the opposite thing happen to me. I had a mechanic try to sell my a seal for $100 when he already had my transmission off to replace. The seal wasn't really leaking, so I hesitated and said I'd think about it. He mentioned he needed his lift. I didn't hear back from him til the next day. So he calls me up and says he needed his lift, so he went ahead and replaced the seal for me. I tell him, "thanks, I appreciate that." I go to pick up the car the next day, and he's charged me for parts and labor on the seal and I'm irritated but I pay him. It's a $10 seal. I'm not paying you $90 labor to replace the seal when I'm already paying you $500 to replace my transmission, which exposes the seal to easily take off while you're there. Nothing you really could have done with the first guy. Too much trouble to require customer signatures whenever you get a repair approval. But your daughter's friend. You said you just wanted to get it outta there. You don't give something to someone like that without at least some kinda down payment. Those Mazdas were crappy cars. The car is probably in a salvage yard with a bad transmission.

[@Davidsladky135]

Good lord it sounds like it's cursed, someone needs to find the car and just leave it at wizards shop!

[@asdasd-ni8eg]

No it's just cheap. Nobody really wants one they just want wheels.

[@wydopnthrtl]

My worst experience... and at 54yrs old this happened only 2 months ago. I was trying to buy a car from out of state. Had my daughter who lives there go and check the car for me. She said the guy (the owner of a used car lot) seemed sketchy to her. I made a deal with the guy and when it came down to the last minute he said "the math ain't math-in". I spent money on the car fax, time with my bank, and 8+ calls on the phone with the guy. In the end I think what happened is... he advertised the car too low and regretted that I was jumping on it. During the process I noticed he raised the price TWICE on CL and FB. As it turned out... I bought the same car locally and in better condition for only $1000 more than he had originally asked.

[@christopherhamilton5557]

Damn I would love to have bought that car FIXED for $1200-$1400. Those were pretty cool rides when they were new.

[@jaggsta]

Go to mechanic shops and ask they have always have cars to sell when people don't pay.

[@dreammatch2000]

@@jaggsta That's very true. My local shop would have a least three or four cars a month (nice ones too) for customers that don't pay and cheap.

[@pprb123]

@@jaggsta Keep in mind those cars will have had no maintenance or care besides what they bummed for free

[@extramild1]

If I have learned one thing about renting property. People promise an awful lot but cash on the barrel before parting with your goods means everything.

[@CreamAle]

The herpes of the car world. Gotta love these types of cars that shows up in your life.

[@sexymonkeygod]

I would say the harpies of the car world would be stance cars and the Carolina drop trucks.

[@seanthompson8071]

And it's a damn shame, too. That was an excellent car when in good condition!

[@tostadatheviking7828]

He was more than reasonable with this, I would've shut them down as soon as they argued about the $1400 repair

[@alexbarnett8541]

You took a car from one deadbeat, fixed it and then gave it to another deadbeat. That was nice of you. People expecting free stuff.

[@marknc9616]

My family had an extra vehicle that we sold to one of my mom's coworkers. This coworker didn't have much money, so we accepted payments for the car and retained the title. A week or two later, we got a call from a major city police department. The car had been used in a crime. It was recovered by the police. I am not sure of the rest of the story, but the car did not return to my family.

[@PostalTwinkie]

This story starts with describing an EJ25 head gasket repair and the typical WRX/STi owner. All without the Subaru or the owner!

[@scooooter37]

You might not be done losing money on that car. I sold an old Chevy truck to a friend’s brother who was also in dire straits, for basically nothing. I signed over the title to him and he never ended up registering it, drove it until it broke down and abandoned it. I later got a letter (as I was still the owner of record) requesting towing and storage fees. Luckily, my friend was embarrassed by his brother’s irresponsibility and took car of it.

[@prairiefarmer5994]

This right here is exactly why when someone asks if I’d take payments on something, it’s always a hell no

[@jaggsta]

exactly $1200 car is cheap someone would of came up with the money.

[@alanlozano6535]

when they say that, answer them that "the bank and the finance company takes payments, i don't"

[@LethalAtma]

One thing I hate about being a mechanic, especially working at a shop in a particularly ghettoy area. Not like da hood but not a great place. Anyway, I worked at a transmission shop last year, they had like 10 vehicles that the owner abandoned. All fixed amd running cars with 2000-5000 worth of repairs, just sitting. Some of these cars had been there for 3-4 years. It's just embarrassing how so many people can't make good on a promise. Louisiana no longer has mechanic liens so it very difficult to aquire an abandoned vehicle. And if you do manage to get it in your name, even legally, the original owner can still take you to court. So a lot of those cars... we took the transmission out and sent em to the scrapyard. 200 bucks is better than nothing

[@FrancoCastro]

I learned the hard way to never lend money to friends or family nor sell them stuff and let them pay me later.

[@stuartd9741]

Tell me about it. Lent brother some money - forever chasing payments. Sold a motorbike with some issues to a friend who complained about the faults - which I told him about. 🙄 Ended up arguing over it. Never again!

[@pontiacsrule8761]

People run on hard times, I get it. It has happened to all of us. But Car Wizard has bills to pay also. He has heat, electricity, a family & also likes to eat & not be homeless. There is just so much you can do for someone. Thanks for making this video.

[@ImYoutubing247]

Your former employee’s friend and daughter’s friend sound like real nice folk. You’re too kind wizard

[@MrSloika]

You don't really know people until you know them.

[@davidfoulk3078]

Almost sold a car once to a guy with a personal check I told him I keep the car keys and title and wait 10 business days for his check to clear my bank. He just walked away lol. Sometimes you just know when you’re about to be scammed! Oh and BTW I’m sorry for your loss.

[@Harold_That_Guy]

It really sucks when you try to help someone out and they turn around and Stick it to you.

[@JuanDeLaGarza-gq3lp]

After 38 years in the auto repair business I long ago found that most people are good honest folks that just want their car fixed with no drama. It’s the small percentage of people that are not honest that I have to be wary of. It’s those people that constantly have drama in their lives and that chaos will entangle everyone that deals with them. The way I deal with them now is to require a 50% deposit before any approved work begins. At least I’ll only be out 50% if the car is never picked up. How do I know who that person might be ? The simple answer is I don’t the first time I deal with them however I have found that charging a diagnostic fee upfront usually weeds out the “ something for nothing” crowd.

[@eager400]

Perfect example of why you never give someone a break in business. You'll just be worked over...

[@CarWizard]

Amen to that!!

[@zx1100a1]

This is a great story David. Cheers!

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

The cheaper the car, the shadier the buyer. It’s a shame, cause a Mazda Millenia is actually a cool car

[@redmr2na]

No, It isn't. I drove one for almost 3 solid weeks. My mechanic let me drive it while my car was being repaired at his shop. The car was terrible. By then end of the almost 3 weeks, I wanted my car back soo badly. When I finally got my car back, I thought JESUS CHRIST! That was the Car Mazda was hoping would become a Lexus competitor, in their fucking dreams. So no, the Millenia is a completely uncool failure of a car.

[@jabbahursty]

i had a car parts business and sometimes my partner would sell parts on credit. i hated this one day one of his credit customers calls me up and asks for some parts to be sent to him. i say "sure, just pay me what you owe and we'll be back to square one again". he asked me how much he owed. it was a little over a thousand dollars, to which he says "i don't owe you that much!" so i ask how much he thinks he owes. he says $600. i say "ok, send me the $600 and let's forget about store credit. if you want credit, go to your bank and get it from them." he's "sure, fine that's good." "so you'll send me $600, right?" "yes, of course, today, right away." twenty years later and i'm still waiting for that check!

[@psychobilly4162]

I hate hearing things like this. My family runs a contracting business. Nobody wants to be the bad guy, and everyone knows people who have fallen on hard times, but you have bills to pay too. That’s why you just need to have a complete jerk of a lawyer at the ready for these situations.

[@coldlogic800]

Yup. Back in 2003 I had to lein an engine replacement for a $23,000 job. On a 24' commercial box truck A big learning lesson.

[@Yachanantheavenger]

*in my Tyler voice* "WeeeeZARD!!!"

[@samholdsworth420]

I wish Hoovie would just finally admit to being a stoner

[@katkatthecat]

@@samholdsworth420only if he was in California or wherever else it isn’t condemned

[@samholdsworth420]

@@katkatthecat 🫡

[@moodberry]

Don't stop being awes know it's easy to get soured on people with experiences like this (talking to myself), but at the end of the day, you have to live with yourself. You're a good guy.

[@hunterphille1280]

When I was in my late teens I worked at a garage, and we had to take a Mitsubishi Eclipse turbo that way, and it included the parts Eclipse they had brought.

[@nashidaperv2351]

Shii id take an extra eclipse for my garage long as its a 1g. I already got the 2g gsx💀

[@hunterphille1280]

@@nashidaperv2351 if I remember correctly they were both 1995 models. They weren't AWD, but they were identical black on gray turbo 5 speed models.

[@nashidaperv2351]

@@hunterphille1280 so gsts nice

[@uncleshark1103]

Phone authorizations don't mean anything in Florida. Every written estimate has an option at the bottom where the customer can choose: "I require a written estimate for all work," "I do not require a written estimate," and "I only require a written estimate for amounts over $____ (Fill in the blank)." If a customer doesn't initial an option, the maximum amount a shop can charge for repairs is $100. I took my 99 LeSabre to a Buick dealer for a manifold gasket replacement. The estimate was for $600, just as I expected. The dealership borked the starter and flywheel by trying to start a hydrolocked engine, and tried to bill me $1400 for the additional parts. I went to the Clerk of Court and paid the $1400 for a Customer's Lein Bond, and when the case went to court, the dealer never had my initials on *any* written estimate, and it was ruled that all I owed was $100 per state law, even though I offered to settle for the original $600. Moral of the story: Do your paperwork, kids.

[@DMountains]

Sorry for the loss. Running a business means the owner has to consider the possible impacts of making a choice that leads to damaging their company. If not already done, the company work contract/agreement has to include property lien rights for unpaid work to make the job of collection easier and reliable. Of course the wording must meet your state’s legal requirements for this kind of action.

[@espritmike]

I’ve owned an auto shop since 1995 and have only liened 4 cars ever (going to do a 5th this week) one of which was actually a Mazda Millenia!

[@gwynnromano5881]

Been there. It’s always amazing how quickly they find the money when they find out they’re about to lose their car when a lien is put on it.

[@allenschmitz9644]

simple go git a bank loan is a great suggestion.

[@stargazeronesixseven]

Scary to know there are such Thick~Skinned & irresponsible people out there! Feel so sad for their suffering families , loved ones , colleagues & generally the public who came into contact with them! Thank You So Much for Sharing the importance of writing every repair & agreed costs down in case of these kind of nightmare customers show~up in our garage workstations!

[@OffGridInvestor]

Young and irresponsible

[@kmx509]

I cant imagine some hot shot calling wizards shop and being like "Hey, i got a friend that has a 2000's Mazda millenia. its got a leaky water pump. could you fix it up?"

[@OffGridInvestor]

He was AN EMPLOYEE and the "owner" was a friend, not some guy who called up.

[@smashsmashed5934]

​@@OffGridInvestoremployee should have payed

[@AmandaHugenkiss2915]

In cases like this where the repairs are a substantial portion of the car's value, the shop needs to tell the customer either you pay up front or come retrieve your car.

[@wh4070]

Can we put together a search for this car and recover it for Wizard so this story can have a part 2?

[@stuartd9741]

🤯

[@sullybiker6520]

That person had no intention of paying. But you know that. Most people aren't like this, but we never forget the ones that are.

[@jordany7018]

Come on Wizard at this point you’re pot committed ! You have to register it as stolen at this point, just to see if some day down the road it gets recovered. Could you Imagine the views that movie would get !! The possibilities are endless but I’d choose driving it to Alaska and off that Cliff with Ed’s S55.

[@msjp81]

My first thought too. Call it in as stolen.

[@Heidelaffe]

Not a car story: but I rented out an apartment to a women with two daughters. She was working for her brothers construction office and got a decent payment. The apartment wasn‘t in a great condition but we agreed on a rather low rent (she said she knows construction people and will fix some stuff herself). After seven months she stopped payments without further notice and managed to get two other residents in the house to move out. As I started the eviction process she missed every due date until the last one. Oh, and she got herself pregnant again and the social security payed at least some money for the apartment, though it took a couple of months till she finally moved out (a date to force the eviction was already set). I was rater suprised to find that she took the kitchen with her and left all kind of trash furniture. Cost me a total of ~11.000 Euro and a lot of time and stress.

[@jrpat2k2]

I can't wait until Hoovie accidentally buys this car with a fraudulent title and brings it to the Wizard to fix.

[@MiGujack3]

That would be legendary, but a bad taste joke for wizard.

[@shanew3293]

thats why I no longer sell cars on "payment plans"... thx for videos

[@gasNmudtv]

Might be smart to forfit the title at the mto. Where I'm from if your names on the title your still the owner of said vehicle and can be held liable in an accident or any issue involving the car. Forfit the title and you wash your hands of any liability. What if this car was found poluting a wildlife refuge. Clean up bills and soil testing would cost you a boat load. Possibly ur actual boat

[@basura2001]

Evidently there aren't any toll roads in Kansas. If there were the Wizard would be on the hook for all the unpaid tolls from this wretched vehicle.