Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Almost getting as bad as Florida around here.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
the Sonata I bought in PA, but they are close to Jersey, and are set up to deal with out of state, so it was just like working with a Jersey dealer (they collected the tax and did all the DMV work). They mailed me the plates, no charge. Only thing they forgot to do (and I neglected to notice) was put the front license plate holder on (only a rear plate in PA, so their default is to leave it off). That I just did myself (a little nerve racking taking a power drill to my brand new car!)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Looks like they are taking the time, energy, trouble, and training to help ease the transition. Still, it is obvious to me that my European built vehicles were built with some pride of workmanship; hope that carries over.
http://www.mbofwilmington.com/vehicle-details/used-2011-lincoln-mkx-base-wilmington-de-id-15163043
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
That one is nice looking. I like the interior.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
In 2011 I leased my Regal Turbo from the largest GM dealer in town. The sales rep was fairly new, less than a year on the job, but seemed bright and on top of things. However, the finance guy who handled all of the actual paperwork was terrible. I seem to recall him telling me he was new to them but had been in the business elsewhere for a while. I almost walked away from the whole deal because of him. After about 4 hours in the place it was finally all put to bed and they handed me the keys.
A couple of weeks later I get the envelope in the mail from DMV I was expecting. In it were two documents: the proof of annual registration you keep in the car, and the large "suitable for framing" full-page title document that is proof of ownership. Both had my name on them. Only the proof of registration should have been in the envelope and in my name, as the certificate of title should have gone to the dealer and had their name or the finance company name on it. But I never clued into that since it was my first lease in 25 years, so I just filed the certificate with all the other paperwork and forgot about it.
When the lease was up I never got a single contact from the dealer. GM Financial did contact me to arrange the lease-end inspection, but not a peep from the dealer. When the lease was about to expire I called them. They were surprised but assigned a sales guy who called me because the original fellow was long gone. When I finally went in, the pieces fell into place for me. They discovered they had absolutely nothing on file about my car. I opened my file and their eyes lit up when they saw the title certificate. They quickly took it and said they could not understand why it had my name on it.
It would have been an interesting case if I had clued in earlier and just kept my mouth shut. I wonder how long I could have driven that car before anyone noticed. And if anyone finally did, I wonder what would have happened if I presented that title and said "Whaddaya talking about, it's mine".
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
A customer was just in my store with a triple black 1995 911 C4 Cabriolet - 6 speed - 60K miles. The car was in fantastic shape.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Brave, brave man.
How much is that worth?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Edmunds Price Checker
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Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The MyFordTouch was buggy in the beginning, and it is a little slow to respond, but I have gotten used to it, and am happy with it. They have also done a series of updates to it such that I haven't had any issues with it freezing or crashing in years.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Third visit this year for the power loss issue, second visit for the transmission slipping. Plus the whole subframe thing just makes me nervous.
Opening a case with VW. The power loss issue alone qualifies as a "serious safety defect" and after two attempts at diagnosis OR repair,, it qualifies under WA lemon law...
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'd open a case with the BBB or whomever administers lemon law claims in your state.
On my G6, I think I had to send a certified letter to GM, and got a response stating I should keep bringing it back to the dealer for more repairs. I told them to go pound sand and opened a BBB case. They eventually bought the car back.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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The problem, and I recognize this, is that while it is easy for me to reproduce the problem because I drive it all the time, the dealer only has it a fraction of the time to drive it. I am getting much better about understanding the conditions - cold engine, colder air outside, first two to three shifts, north of 2500 RPM. After that it behaves mostly normal, if not a bit down on power.
@corvette I'm used to needing to take the approach that you have because the PA Lemon Laws, where I'm originally from, are very strict. However WA Lemon Law simply counts attempts at diagnosis or repair, and as long as the problem still exists, the clock is ticking. The fact that the dealer cannot figure out how to fix it or reproduce it is irrelevant. A much more consumer friendly lemon law, if I have ever seen one.
My friends have been coming up with names and license plates for the A3 that they want me to get. Top contenders are:
- DESL DTH
- FU O3
- DAS PLTR
If you really want to fix and keep the GTI, perhaps you can get a sympathetic ear at VW, explain the car meets the definition of a lemon, and get something out of them like an extended warranty. A friend of mine did that with his X5. Not sure VW would be so accommodating.
I may do that. I also need to find a new VW dealer, I think. My previous service guy was a GTI owner and enthusiast, but he left recently, and I think I am feeling the effects of that as well.
- Suck It
- SniffIt
- Inhale
- Greenie
- Gross
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S