Can you return a new car?

MeanMeosh

Diamond Member
Apr 18, 2001
3,805
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there are lemon laws and you can return cars if there is something legitimately wrong with it... but otherwise, no.
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,396
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Some Saturn dealerships have return policies of 30 days or 1000 miles...or something like that...I remember seeing a commercial...
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,396
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I am sure I am wrong but if Glengary Glen Ross is accurate and a buyer has 3 business days to change their mind over a real estate deal then perhaps one has 3 business days to change their mind over an automobile as well..
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
No, the car is yours. I see you're in Texas. In that state, as in most, if not all, there is no "cooling off period" on car sales. When you sign a contract for a car and drive it off the lot, it's yours.
 

knivox

Senior member
Jun 29, 2000
424
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Call your bank to stop payment on the check, and then just drop the car back off at the dealer with a full tank of Premium gas. No harm, no foul.



^^^ [edit]
The above statement was made as a joke and should in no way be followed by any person who has recently bought a car or any other form of transportation.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
The dealerships in California have a sign in every office and on many walls that talk about how California has no "cooling off period". A little box was included on the contract I signed when buying my car that reiterated this point, and I had to initial it.

Congrats on your new car!
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
You know, where I grew up, when you bought something it was final. Period. OK, it's nice to be able to return stuff if it break, but just because you changed your mind? Almost seems dishonest to me, even when we're talking tools/appliances/clothes. But CARS? You buy a car without doing your research, you deserve what you get. The dealership's not going to eat the cost of indecisive customers.
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,396
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Originally posted by: jagec
You know, where I grew up, when you bought something it was final. Period. OK, it's nice to be able to return stuff if it break, but just because you changed your mind? Almost seems dishonest to me, even when we're talking tools/appliances/clothes. But CARS? You buy a car without doing your research, you deserve what you get. The dealership's not going to eat the cost of indecisive customers.

People have the right to change their minds...the dealership will just detail the car again and sell it for the same price...assuming it's new and not over 500 miles by now...if it was purchased used then they will definitely sell it for the same price...
 

Wahsapa

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
3,004
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once you sign the papers and drive it off the lot it is yours and is now worth the price of a used car.
 

dc

Diamond Member
Nov 26, 1999
9,998
2
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Originally posted by: knivox
Call your bank to stop payment on the check, and then just drop the car back off at the dealer with a full tank of Premium gas. No harm, no foul.

haha, you're just asking for SOOOOOO much trouble with that advice. the dealership would pwn you legally too if you tried to pull a stunt like that..
 

eraser2k1nin

Member
Jul 13, 2004
148
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The car I just bought was a 2004 Acura TL...I know I had a friend that bought a F-150 a year or so ago and took it back within 3 days and they cancelled the deal. I think the car is great but I think I'd much rather keep my previous car I trade it....
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Manzelle
People have the right to change their minds....

Oh? So, once you sign a legal contract, say...you can go "y'know, I really don't want to do this after all, if you don't mind I'll just back out..."?

No, when people make up their minds to do something, they should do it. You shouldn't change your mind once other people are involved. Obviously this applies less in some cases than others, but I think that you should never buy something you don't intend to keep.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
I don't understand how you can buy a car, and then just decide you don't like it after a few days. Did you just walk in and buy this car on a whim? No research at all?
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
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Take it back. If they take it, good, if not keep it. The car is going to hold resale well if it's like other Acuras. So you can drive it for a year or two, sell it and only be out a few grand.
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,396
0
0
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: Manzelle
People have the right to change their minds....

Oh? So, once you sign a legal contract, say...you can go "y'know, I really don't want to do this after all, if you don't mind I'll just back out..."?

No, when people make up their minds to do something, they should do it. You shouldn't change your mind once other people are involved. Obviously this applies less in some cases than others, but I think that you should never buy something you don't intend to keep.

You can do it with real estate deals...people DO change their minds and they have every right to...maybe he did intend to keep it but a day later he lost his job and now cannot afford it...seems logical that he be allowed to return it...
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
The dealer does not have to accept the car back. When you drive it off the lot it is between you and the bank. Cancel the check and your in deep sh!t. They do not just take the car back and resell it.

I only had this happen once and we parked the car in the back and waited for the bank to come pick it up. That guy now has a nice "repo" on his record. The only reason a dealer would take a car back is to keep good relations with the bank.
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: Manzelle
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: Manzelle
People have the right to change their minds....

Oh? So, once you sign a legal contract, say...you can go "y'know, I really don't want to do this after all, if you don't mind I'll just back out..."?

No, when people make up their minds to do something, they should do it. You shouldn't change your mind once other people are involved. Obviously this applies less in some cases than others, but I think that you should never buy something you don't intend to keep.

You can do it with real estate deals...people DO change their minds and they have every right to...maybe he did intend to keep it but a day later he lost his job and now cannot afford it...seems logical that he be allowed to return it...

Sorry doesn't work that way.
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,396
0
0
Originally posted by: fredtam
The dealer does not have to accept the car back. When you drive it off the lot it is between you and the bank. Cancel the check and your in deep sh!t. They do not just take the car back and resell it.

I only had this happen once and we parked the car in the back and waited for the bank to come pick it up. That guy now has a nice "repo" on his record. The only reason a dealer would take a car back is to keep good relations with the bank.

And what if cash was used to pay for the car...every dealership is different but I am willing to bet vital parts of my anatomy to the fact that some places have a time frame in which someone can return a car...be it 24 hours or whatever...
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: Manzelle
Originally posted by: fredtam
The dealer does not have to accept the car back. When you drive it off the lot it is between you and the bank. Cancel the check and your in deep sh!t. They do not just take the car back and resell it.

I only had this happen once and we parked the car in the back and waited for the bank to come pick it up. That guy now has a nice "repo" on his record. The only reason a dealer would take a car back is to keep good relations with the bank.

And what if cash was used to pay for the car...every dealership is different but I am willing to bet vital parts of my anatomy to the fact that some places have a time frame in which someone can return a car...be it 24 hours or whatever...

If cash is used you are totally fvcked because relations with the bank are not an issue. I suggest you start getting rid of parts of your anatomy.