Used Car Problem (loan, attorney, home)

[crittergal]

Today my daughter bought a used car from a local used car dealer. She drove out of the lot and on her way home the clutch did not work and she almost got into an accident. She got it back to the lot and was told that the mechanic was supposed to fix it and apparently he forgot. They gave her a loaner and said it would be fixed by tomorrow.

She now realizes that she has made a really bad decision, beside paying way too much for the vehicle that is obviously junk, and an interest rate that borders on usury.

My question...is there a period of time that a vehicle can be returned and money given back? I told her that if they don't cancel out this transaction she can tell them she will call the attorney general, the local TV stations etc. Any input would greatly be appreciated. I am soooo upset.

[elnina]

Read the contract. In some reputable places is 24 hrs... but in most cases the minute you've signed the contract, the vehicle is yours.

More to read here:
http://www.insider-car-buying-tips.c...s_remorse.html

If you sign an "As Is" paper at a used car dealership, the state attorney won't even want to talk to you, and legally there is nothing you can do. Try a news station, every market has some consumer reporter at a TV station who eats this stuff up. A TV station is more powerful than the state because negative publicity hits a dealer's bottom line.

In the future: If you are buying a used car, you absolutely must get an AutoCheck Vehicle History Report on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) AND have a mechanic inspect the car on a lift.

Other tips:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm

[merc11ty]

The dealership doesn't have to do anything for you. Texas does not have a "cooling off period" as it's referred to. Sounds like a tough lesson learned.

[L210]

Sorry. You should always have someone do a thorough check of a used car. There is Auto Lemon Detectors and Auto P.I. if you don't have a mechanic who can do it.

[badhornet]

Sol

[RGJ]

I'm presuming your daughter is over 18 and legally able to sign the paperwork. They may fix it if you give them a couple of days and that'll be it. Could have been an honest mistake on their part. Might turn out allright. Otherwise, not sure that you can do anything about it except plead for mercy or maybe trade with another car they have on the lot, but you may not want to do business with them.

[Mom2Feebs]

Wait, wait, wait. Texas absolutely has a lemon law, and not only that, there is a FEDERAL lemon law. It's just that what happened may not qualify her for it, but if the car she bought is still under a manufacturer's warranty, you might want to check it out. Here's a couple of links:

Texas Lemon Law Consumer Guide

Lemon Law

HTH! I've done almost this exact same thing. It took a couple of times in my early 20s to finally figure out I wasn't obligated to any car dealership, they were working for MY business.

[merc11ty]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Wait, wait, wait. Texas absolutely has a lemon law, and not only that, there is a FEDERAL lemon law. It's just that what happened may not qualify her for it, but if the car she bought is still under a manufacturer's warranty, you might want to check it out. Here's a couple of links:

Texas Lemon Law Consumer Guide

Lemon Law

HTH! I've done almost this exact same thing. It took a couple of times in my early 20s to finally figure out I wasn't obligated to any car dealership, they were working for MY business.

Wow, are people really this ignorant? His daughter purchased a used vehicle. Not a new one or one still under manufacturer warranty. Try reading the very links you're posting next time first.

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by L210

Sorry. You should always have someone do a thorough check of a used car. There is Auto Lemon Detectors and Auto P.I. if you don't have a mechanic who can do it.

auto lemon detectors are not reputable and i encourage EVERYONE to stay away from that scam artist.

before i was fluent in car speak, i hired those disreputable scumbags known as auto lemon detectors to check out a 1994 acura integra i was interested in purchasing. car was pretty clean, no dents, no scratches, nothing.

boggles my mind how this 'ase certified mechanic' could miss something so obvious as a BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. the engine didnt sag, but one bolt had broken INSIDE the engine head and the remaining 2 bolts (and rubber surround) were worn, one bolt was semi-stripped and if you looked closely, you could see a hairline crack forming in the bottom bolt.

how me missed it, when it was right out in the open, is beyond me. the car got a clean bill of health with recommendations for replacing burnt out bulbs, the braked in 10k miles and having the rotors cut.

if you go with auto lemon detectors, you may as well give ME your money because those tools have no idea what to look for. it also struck me as weird that a used car dealership would recommend them.. until you find out that that same used car dealership (a-1 auto on culebra/410) lets auto lemon detectors set up shop in their back building...

-edit-

eventually, before my new (and extremely trustworthy) mechanic checked out the car, the motor mount broke and when the motor sagged, it snapped an axle. i threatened legal action and got my 108 and some change refunded from that crappy business auto lemon detectors.

[L210]

LOL. I stopped recommending them to friends, but it's better than driving the car right off the lot. I always wondered if Auto P.I. is any better. I also don't trust auto repair shops because different ones will give you different answers, but I have to take my car somewhere. My sister took an SUV to three different places and got three different answers; they were all sure of it. I'm waiting to see if she'll get a fourth diagnosis.