Well, I like to start off with saying a hello to everyone, and letting you know that I have been a long time lurker, this is my first post, and what a bad post to put up for a first post. I would like to start off with giving a thank you to everyone's excellent advice on this board, it helped me form my decision and choose the moods I wanted for my car, even though I haven't had a chance to get started with the moods on my car.

Now here is were I need some good advice. I picked up an '02 TL-S ABP,, from a private dealer, at an excellent price. Well turns out a month later, Acura serviced the car, and after 4 day's of trying to figure out what was wrong with the airbag sensors, they discover that the car was flood damaged. Wires rusting, computer malfunctioning........ so on and so forth. ( you get what you paid for huh??) Well I went back to the dealer, and they didn't even disclaim or want proof other than the letter from Acura. They now are telling me that they will find me another TLS to replace this car, and return it back to the dealer auction they purchased the car from.
Now some background on the car. It was purchased new (in my state), about 10 months later it was re-possessed and put up at auction, where my dealer bought the car, and sold it to me 2 day's later. Car fax has the car clean. There was no smell in the car, and the Acura service guy's took 4 day's to figure out what was going wrong. They also stuck me with the diagnostic bill, which I hope the dealer I bought the car from will take care of.

now here is what I was hopping you guy's could give me some advice on. How do I go about things??? should I give the dealer a chance to make good,, or is he stalling for time to screw me. Also what should I settle for,, a full refund or a replacement TL-S, or a million dollars?

I am one very depressed, and pissed off, TL-S owner!!!!




By the way nice to meet you all, My name's Jerry.

 

If I were you, I'd get my $$ back and run. Obviously they didn't check the car out before they sold it to you. They were just looking to turn a profit outta the deal. (Well, that's what businesses do though, right?)

Anyway, I don't know if I'd trust where they are getting their cars from. You'd probably be better off buying from a private party or buying a certified used TLS through a MAJOR Acura dealership.

IMO, of course.

 

1) get your money back. check with your state attorney general's office on cars and the lemon law and fraud.

2) after getting your money back, go to another dealer. DO NOT get another car from this guy. he also cannot condition a full refund by you having to buy another car from him. under law, if youre entitled to a refund, then youre entitled to a refund with no strings attached.


remember these 2 things and good luck!

 

sorry to hear about that. without knowing anything about this particular dealer, all i can say is be careful before considering going back.

BUT, since the carfax was clean, and it even took the acura tech guys 4 days to figure out the prob, maybe the dealer honestly didn't know. its hard to believe that there was that much water damage without any signs inside the car.

 

Welcome man and sorry to hear about your problem. I've been in a same situation few years ago with a dealer in NY. If you bought a car a month ago and they got it form the auction under the conditions that you have described, then they are correct by saying that they can and should return the car back to the auction. Now, it doesn't say much for a dealer that bought a flooded car and sold it to you without checking it first. So I would agree with the rest of the comments up till now, get your money and don't bother to wait around for another TLS from this guy. The thing to remember is that he is going to be looking for a TLS to replace yours and will try to do it relatively quick. A quick buy at the auction will be the same garbage that he tried to sell you in a first place.

Good luck and I hope it turns out OK.

Julian

 

When dealers buy cars from an auction (I'm assuming he got yours at Newburgh Auto Auction or the Auction in Jersey) and it comes up on the block It MUST be announced before bidding if the car is a green light meaning clear title no problems or yellow or red for caution and the auctioneer announces whether the car has flood damage, unibody, frame damage, ect....If they didnt report that the dealer can return the car to the auction for a full refund. If they did infact make such an announcement then the dealer srewd you depending on how much of a good deal you got. The fact that you said that you got a good deal tells me that he knew the car had flood damage. If I were you I would get my money back and take my business elsewear.

 

Another thing that makes me think that the dealer knew is that when you buy a car at this calibar dealers have the option to take the car to what they call "post sale inpection" the techs there specialize and they look for things like flood damage and frame damage and if they dont catch it and down the line it gets found out they are responsible. I'm not say that every dealer should do this...I would. Its a great $75 investment.

 

Thanks for the adive guy's. Im going back to the dealer tomorrow, if they found anything im probably goign to take it to acura to get it looked ten times over. If they don't, hopefully they will give me back my money if i make a big enough stink. But from other people i have talked to, they have told me that a dealer usually will never give you back your money, it's just easier for them to replace the car for you.

Xkazman, the car was bought from the Newburgh auction, and they told me that the car went up with a green light. as far as the post sale inspection, i doubt they did, but im not all to sure. My mechanic even looked at the vehical before i bought it, and he gave me a green light on the car.

 

Don't EVER EVER buy a car from a private dealership, EVER! Either go through a private party or a MAJOR dealership. There is a reason why MAJOR dealerships didn't want to buy that car...they go to those auctions as well. I've bought quite a few cars (7) from auctions over the past couple years and know how those private dealers operate. They are in it to make money. Get your money back and look either private seller or MAJOR dealership.

 

I would call NewBurgh and see if they can run your vin to see if it was announced. I dont believe what the dealer told you.

 

I've NEVER EVER bought a used car, but,

FYI, assess the risk!!!!:

1. Private individual
2. Private dealer
3. Brand name dealership

Numbers 1 & 2 have the HIGHEST risk and #3 is your best bet, though, prices what unfortunately drives consumers.

Regardless of seller, they must play a fair game and so forth. The only thing is, it's not easy to tell who and who isn't PLAYING fair. There's a good chance that a BRAND NAME dealership selling used cars will be most interested in seeing you again in the future, i.e. they value your business eventhough you may pay like 1-2% more than a private dealer or individual used car sale.

It's NOT your fault that this happened but, please in future, consider going to a brand name dealership if you are UNWILLINg to have an UNBIASED mechanic i.e. your mechanic, look over the used car you are considering!!!!!

 

Do some research on lemon laws, and get your money back