Problems with new used car

[flamingelephant]

So on December 30th, my wife and I bought a used car (we had to upgrade from our Accent, not big enough for 1 kid and another on the way), so we got a good deal on a 99 Chrysler Intrepid (I know some people cant stand these cars, or cars from this manufacturer, but thats not the point, if you want sub in any other type of car because the question would still be the same). Get back to our town Jan 2nd (about 160 miles away from major city where we bought it), we were in the middle of a cold snap, temps of -35 overnight. (yes, we always kept the block heater plugged in). Go to start car on the 3rd, let it warm up for 5 minutes and try to shift out of park (automatic). It is really stiff, didn't force it or anything, it just wouldn't shift out of park (yes, i stepped on the brake and pressed the button on the shifter). Left it for another 5 minutes, figure it could be frozen or something, tried again and got it into drive. The next day, same thing, won't go out of park. Left it for 10 additional minutes and this time still wouldn't shift. This time i pulled too hard on it and the shifter cable broke.
SO
We it towed (have CAA so cost nothing) to the local dealership here (at the advice of the car dealership where we got it) and they fix it. Turns out the shifter cable was binding and thats why it would not shift. They also had to replace the shifter assembly because it was bent (from all the pulling we had to do on it to get it into gear). Total cost of the repair was about 380. I wrote a letter to the used car manager at the dealership we got it and made him the following offer: You can pay for the new cable and 1/2 of the labour and I will pay for the shifter assembly and the other 1/2. Works out to them paying about 220. Seems fair to me, i bent the shifter assembly, and dont know how much labour went into fixing each part, but the binding cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected.
Do you think this is fair? The manager left a message for me and asked me to give him a call this friday, it sounded like he wantn't going to pay it. what to do?
Advice?


Notes:
bought used car
4 days later the transmission cable binds and breaks
offer to split the cost of repair with dealership (feel cable problem should of been noticed)
sounds like dealership might not want to pay 1/2
is the arangement fair?
advice?

 

[marcello]

Sounds fair to me

 

[Kelemvor]

Buyer Beware is the normal saying.

Sounds like a fair offer but if the car worked once they sold it to you and you didn't get any sort of 30 day warranty or anythign from them, then technically they aren't liable to do anything. But try being nice and see what you get.

Good Luck.

 

[meltdown75]

I don't think it is fair, but we are talking about a used car dealer. A fair used car dealer is about as common as a non-skanky 39-yr-old biker stripper chick.

You could tell them you are going to go to the BBB about it, but I doubt that would get you any closer to recouping half of your costs. Sorry to hear about this btw!

 

[flamingelephant]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Buyer Beware is the normal saying.

Sounds like a fair offer but if the car worked once they sold it to you and you didn't get any sort of 30 day warranty or anythign from them, then technically they aren't liable to do anything. But try being nice and see what you get.

Good Luck.

there was a 30 day guarentee on all their used car mentioned by the sales rep... but since we didn't get it fixed at their place (because of being 160 miles away and all)

 

[SynthDude2001]

It can't hurt to try to get some of your repair money back.

(I just spent $1200 on repairs for my own car ....But it's running great now. )

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: marcello
Sounds fair to me

 

[StageLeft]

They owe you nothing, period. That's the short end of it. If they offer you a penny then you should thank them kindly for doing it. The car was bought free and clear, and surely says that in the contract you signed. It sucks buying a car and having problems immediately.

cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected

Then why didn't you pay to have it inspected? You paid under $10k US for this car (I should hope!), so it's not like you bought a 6 month old 7-series. The problem may have been there or it may not have been, but when buying used cars it's just luck of the draw. My past three cars have been awesome. The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

The story of my life...

 

[flamingelephant]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I don't think it is fair, but we are talking about a used car dealer. A fair used car dealer is about as common as a non-skanky 39-yr-old biker stripper chick.

You could tell them you are going to go to the BBB about it, but I doubt that would get you any closer to recouping half of your costs. Sorry to hear about this btw!

not a used car dealership... its an acura dealership that had some used cars

 

[marcello]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

The story of my life...

And why I refuse to buy used cars.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
They owe you nothing, period. That's the short end of it. If they offer you a penny then you should thank them kindly for doing it. The car was bought free and clear, and surely says that in the contract you signed. It sucks buying a car and having problems immediately.

cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected

Then why didn't you pay to have it inspected? You paid under $10k US for this car (I should hope!), so it's not like you bought a 6 month old 7-series. The problem may have been there or it may not have been, but when buying used cars it's just luck of the draw. My past three cars have been awesome. The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

Let me guess...was it a Chrysler?

 

[Banana]

You're at the mercy of the dealership. Hopefully, the manager will be reasonable. (Stifles a laugh)

Did you get a very good price for the car? If you paid way below "fair" price, it may be easier for you to swallow the expense of the repair. My real concern is whether the car has any other hidden problems. You should take it to an independent mech for a checkup before the 30 days are up.

 

[woowoo]

You will be lucky if they give you anything.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
They owe you nothing, period. That's the short end of it. If they offer you a penny then you should thank them kindly for doing it. The car was bought free and clear, and surely says that in the contract you signed. It sucks buying a car and having problems immediately.

cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected

Then why didn't you pay to have it inspected? You paid under $10k US for this car (I should hope!), so it's not like you bought a 6 month old 7-series. The problem may have been there or it may not have been, but when buying used cars it's just luck of the draw. My past three cars have been awesome. The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

Let me guess...was it a Chrysler?

Honda accord

And why I refuse to buy used cars.

They are still the best value for money overall, and by a lot.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
They owe you nothing, period. That's the short end of it. If they offer you a penny then you should thank them kindly for doing it. The car was bought free and clear, and surely says that in the contract you signed. It sucks buying a car and having problems immediately.

cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected

Then why didn't you pay to have it inspected? You paid under $10k US for this car (I should hope!), so it's not like you bought a 6 month old 7-series. The problem may have been there or it may not have been, but when buying used cars it's just luck of the draw. My past three cars have been awesome. The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

Let me guess...was it a Chrysler?

Honda accord

And why I refuse to buy used cars.

They are still the best value for money overall, and by a lot.

Surprising. A guy I work with bought a used Dodge Intrepid a few years ago and spent about $6k over the next couple years in repairs. He got rid of it a few months ago and bought a low mileage late model Ford Crown Vic. He hated the Dodge and vowed never to buy another Chrysler as long as he lived.

 

[marcello]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
They owe you nothing, period. That's the short end of it. If they offer you a penny then you should thank them kindly for doing it. The car was bought free and clear, and surely says that in the contract you signed. It sucks buying a car and having problems immediately.

cable to me is something defective with the car and would of been discovered if it had been inspected

Then why didn't you pay to have it inspected? You paid under $10k US for this car (I should hope!), so it's not like you bought a 6 month old 7-series. The problem may have been there or it may not have been, but when buying used cars it's just luck of the draw. My past three cars have been awesome. The first used car I bought cost me 2/3 of its purchase price in 6 months.

Let me guess...was it a Chrysler?

Honda accord

And why I refuse to buy used cars.

They are still the best value for money overall, and by a lot.

I guess, but I feel the risks associated need to be factored into their value. Also, my ability to sleep at night not having to worry about my car is worth a lot to me. But I think I got a great value on my car, a new Civic LX for $16k. It should last 10-15 years easily, making the cost be around $1k a year without too much upkeep, hopefully.

 

[ohtwell]

You probably should have had the car checked out before you bought it. Most places will let you do this. It is your responsibility to make sure everything is okay with the car. Once it leaves the dealer, therepairs are up to you. If they offer to pay anything, you should take it, because they aren't obligated to do anything.


: ) Amanda

 

[artikk]

Originally posted by: marcello
Sounds fair to me

 

[Mandos]

Originally posted by: marcello
Sounds fair to me

 

[Ornery]

Advice?

Get used to paying for repairs. Comes with the (used car) territory. I only hope you did some serious research about that machine before you bought it. I've only ever purchased used cars since I started driving back in 1973. Every car has needed work of some kind. Exhaust, brakes, batteries, tires... just can't escape that. The trick is to buy a solid platform from the get-go, and have money set aside for the unavoidable repairs.

I'll tell you one thing, I've NEVER purchased a car with a "shifter cable"!