# A car-related scam to beware of

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-related-scam-to-beware-of/206297>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [September 25, 2026, 12:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-related-scam-to-beware-of/206297 "2026-09-25T12:07:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 22

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**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-related-scam-to-beware-of/206297/22 "2026-10-08T00:02:13Z")

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> [@VDCdriver](#):
>
> I wouldn’t be… excited… at this point, because I experienced reality firsthand. Unfortunately, I fell for that hype in 1981. As was GM’s practice for many years, the X cars were marketed before adequate reliability and durability testing had been done.

Interesting, the following is a review posted in 2010…BY YOU!!! Are we just taking opposing viewpoints just to disagree now?

"I had an '81 Citation, and it was nowhere near as bad a car as the critics would have you believe.

I never found the service brake to be problematic, but the e-brake was very problematic. For reasons that I could never fathom, the e-brake cable mechanism would rust itself into place about once every 2 years, thus necessitating a rear-lift tow to the mechanic each time for yet another replacement of the cable and related hardware. This was the main reason why I got rid of the car, in fact.

The self-adjusting clutch mechanism was also problematic, but if the one that you are looking at has an automatic trans, you would not have this problem area to worry about.

Overall, it was a sturdy little car. However, my experience with these cars goes back about 25 years, so you have to consider that many more problem areas could have developed with them over the years. I think that the main factor to consider–like with all used cars–is how well it was maintained."

> [@1983 Chevy Citation](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1983-chevy-citation/55309):
>
> An '83 Citation popped up for sale near me for $500. I really need something to replace my dying Dodge Neon. I heard these have brake problems, and that’s about it. Is that something that is fixable? I know this is high mileage, but it also has an iron duke engine. If it’s in good shape, is it worth it?

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