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it's the battery, alternator, or starter. It is perfectly normal for these parts to wear out. I think you said you had a 2001, which is pretty quick for an alternator to wear out, but it can happen. None of these repairs should be too expensive, i.e. under $200. I know that's still a lot when you're broke, but it is certainly better than a $1500 engine rebuild.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by its not starting -- i.e. if you get nothing or if it just won't "catch", but it should be easy to check if the battery is dead. Turn the key 3/4 or so and it should be in battery mode -- try turning on the radio or heat/AC.
If it won't turn on, have someone jump the car. If you can't find anyone who can give you a jump, pop the hood and make sure the battery terminals look OK -- sometimes the terminals get pretty ucky and have to be replaced, but you can get by with a quick cleaning.
I'm so sorry about your spell of bad luck.  But don't immediately assume this is a catastrophe. Every car, no matter how reliable, has normal wear-and-tear and will inevitably need repairs. Even 9 days after being sold to a new owner. But, I would definitely talk to the dealer and see what he could do for you.
By the way, you have sounded very concerned about paying for this vehicle. Please keep in mind you don't have to spend a lot of money for reliability. My husband and I are very aggressive car shoppers and spend a lot of time researching cars and reading classifieds. We have had great luck with every car that we have owned -- I can't even remember the last time I've been stranded somewhere by a balky vehicle. I've been driving a 1997 Honda Civic for the last year and haven't had a single problem with it, though I do have some upcoming maintenance on it. We bought it for $5000 with 63,000 miles. The only disadvantage is that if you do get financing (we pay cash), the interest rates are higher for older cars. But, insurance will also be cheaper!
Good luck. I hope it works out for you. 
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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Hello you poor thing you have been in the wars, can i suggest a few things you might try. It's probably just a dead battery. When you try to start it do you get any light indications on the dash as you normally would? does the starter try to turn the engine?
Sometimes it can be as little as dirty battery terminals,in which you don't get any current through even if the battery is ok, and if the car has been sitting around at a dealers for a while this might be the case.
Take both the battery cabbles off the battery, and if there is any corrosion or powder build up just clean them. You can buy an inexpensive battery post cleaner, or use a wire brush, or get some emery paper and clean them until you see shiny metal. Don't forget to clean inside the connectors on the end of the cables as well. You just want to have clean metal connecting with clean metal. Give it a try.
Ralph
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Beth, I am SO sorry that all this has happened to you! You poor, poor thing. I swear, when it rains, it pours.
My best advice would be to take it back to the dealership tomorrow and get it checked out. If there is something wrong with it besides the battery, they should take it back, considering it has only been 9 days. Scream and yell at them til they do.
I'll be keeping you in my prayers, dear.
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Elizabeth
all those years it wasn't IBS - it was celiac!
send me an email: liz@dopple.net
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Well, it doesn't surprise me that this happened to you, unfortunately. We have the same relationship with luck--only bad.
Do you think I should ask them to take the car back for a different one, if they even have anything I want? Or do you think I should just try to get them to fix whatever is wrong? But they could tell me anything was wrong, do a little temporary fixing to get it running, just to buy some time until the 30 days was up and then I would be stuck with the bill for sure.
I just don't know if I am over reacting or not. It could just be a battery and I could never have another problem again....but this is NOT a good way to start out with a car. I feel like I will be holding my breath now just waiting for the next thing to go wrong.
Do you think I should try and get the extended warranty now that this has happened? I had decided not to get it because I don't have the money for it, and it doesn't cover normal wear and tear items anyhow. So, why sink 1000 dollars into something that may never come to be? But the security it would provide would be nice. Plus, it would pay for the towing and the rental car if the car needs to be kept overnight, which it will be tomorrow.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I truly appreciate each of you taking the time to offer some advice. I had my neighbor give me a jump start and the car started. Initially, all I got was clicking...not even trying to get to the engine. Just dead and clicking. I could not see any obvious lights left on, and the ceiling light still worked when the door was opened, so I don't know how it could be the battery. I'm thinking maybe the alternator, which, according to my mom, is expensive. The battery looked clean and no corrosion.
Hopefully the car will start tomorrow and after work I can take it in to leave at the dealership. They better offer to give me a ride home and to look at it for free. I'll probably have to pay for any repairs, I suppose.
So, should I try to trade it in for a new one? Is this a lemon? Or just bad luck?
Do you guys who voted not to get the warranty still feel that way? It still would cost over 1000 dollars for it which I still can't afford. Really can't afford now! OY, what to do!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I have no idea what to tell you but I sure hope it turned out to be something minor with the car!! I'm praying life eases up on you soon!! I'm half-asleep here but will check on you tomorrow! hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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My suggestion was that anything really wrong would show up in that amount of time - which it may HAVE already, oy!!!
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Take care,
Michelle
...the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor 13)
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Aw hon, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time I unfortunately don't have any advice on the car issue since I'm completely clueless when it comes to vehicles, but I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you and I hope things look up for you real soon 
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Beth
#191660 - 07/05/05 06:17 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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I know how stressful this must be for you! I'd be furious too! But before you freak out, find out what the problem is. It could be something minor.
I agree with the others'advice. Go to the dealership this morning, demand to see the sales manager (and the head of the service department). Explain that you just bought the car there 9 days ago (have your paperwork with you) ---and that you will not put up with a car that won't start. Tell them you expect them to thoroughly check the car out and fix the problem---at no cost to you.
BE ASSERTIVE! They will only run over you (not a good pun when talking about a car dealership!)----if you let them.
If it's a reputable dealership, they will want you to leave happy. They don't want to ruin their reputation with an unhappy customer.
Most dealerships send out customer satisfaction surveys after a purchase, and they depend on getting high marks on these. So the ball is in your court!
IF---and that's a big IF---they are ugly to you or won't help you, make 'em nervous! Say to the guy, "Can I have your name and title? Full name, that is." Write this down. It makes em' very nervous. Or say, "I want to speak to your supervisor right now!" Don't let them give you this "he's in a meeting right now." Too bad! Tell him you'll wait! And sit outside his door and WAIT!
As long as you've purchased it from a reputable dealer, you should not have a problem. If for some reason you do, then you have other avenues to resolve this. You can take the next step by contacting the owner of the dealership or the automobile manufacturer's regional office. But hopefully, it won't come to that.
We bought a used car from a Honda dealership whose service department practically does cartwheels when they realize we bought the car from them! They will jump through hoops to make us happy. That's why we bought from them!
Good luck, sweetie! I know this is a big hassle, but hopefully, you will have this resolved soon. Let us know what happens.
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and he wasn't in yet! I had to come to work today because I'm the only one here and they needed someone to open up the library.
Wish me luck on being assertive with these guys...I'm such a pushover.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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