Thinking about purchasing a car from a private party?

Just listening to your story I wouldn't touch that car with 100 foot pole. A good place to find a good reliable used car checkout retirement areas and over 55 mobile home Parks you will find many cars that were driven by grandma or grandpa that have low mileage but well maintained . Always take a car you are thinking About buying for no less than a 30 minute test drive an hour is better Check for overheating ,weird smells, transmission slipping when hot. A run around the block will never give you the information on how the car is running. If you have the money have a mechanic check the car about 100 bucks you pay him can really save you down the road. Good luck