Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 13:10:24 GMT From: Bob <uctraingNOSPAMnopsamanet.com> Subject: Re: Value of a broadsided Saab 9-3?
On 21 Jan 2002 00:27:06 -0800, Erik W. Selberg <eriknopsamOVETHIS_selberg.com> wrote: >I'm 2 years into a 4 year lease, so I had the car towed to the dealer, >Carter VW Saab here in Seattle. I picked the car up about a month ago, >but have had to return it three times so far because of rather obvious >defects, including the car not driving straight because they forgot to >replace an obviously bent struct, the passenger door not opening from >the inside, and the top not raising after it had been lowered. This indicates *seriously* sloppy work. When frame damage occurs, the autobody shop is supposed to complete the job by sending the car to the alignment shop. There, the *mechanics* (not autobody people) are supposed to inspect and align the car. Obviously that did not happen. Very, very sloppy. > >I have a couple questions: > >1) When I signed the lease, they said the residual value of the car > would be around $25K, If you had the car repaired by a quality shop (not your fault, theirs) then the repairs would be invisible to all but the best of detectives. The paint would be blended perfectly, the car would run perfectly, no one would know that there had been an accident except for you. However, since the mechanical work has been marginal, I assume that the body work is also marginal (although it's hard to tell from here). I'm guessing that there is an obvious paint mismatch inside or outside the panels, that there's a little over spray here and there, that the tape jobs was not perfect and there's a little color coat on the trim in a spot of two. > Would the dealer be able to sell this car without mentioning it > had been in a wreck to somebody else, and thereby get a higher > value for it than a car that hadn't been in one? Once someone spots the repairs, they will ask some questions, and your retail or trade in value will drop. Also, major accidents usually make it to carfax.com - so everybody finds out about them. I don't know of any state where the dealer is required to mention repairs as long as the vehicle was repaired to original condition. *You* can't sell it with known defects that *you* fail to mention. That would be _problems_, not repaired problems. Since the dealer would be perceived as an expert, I don't think there would be any issues if you traded it, unless the dealer notices the work (again, quite likely). > Is > there an inspection I can either have them or have another dealer > do to certify it? Pay another dealer to inspect the mechanicals. If you find autobody or mechanical issues, start talking to the first dealer. Getting your insurance company involved might be an option later if the work is not satisfactory. But, the dealer must be provided an opportunity to correct mistakes they've made. >3) If, for whatever reason, I decide either that the car is unsafe or > they can't fix it to standards, what are standard options with a > lease? Can it be cancelled easily? Or changed to a different car? Doubt it. Check your lease documents. Call the lease company and tell them you are thinking of getting a new car, see what they say about your "get out" options. Bob
