Dodgy Car Dealer

[Modena]

Ok I looked at this car over 2 weeks ago, got a decent price for it, then asked if RACV can check it out, the car yard guy (XXX in Dandenong) agreed. Upon inspection, it revealed the car is leaking oil, needs new cat converter (compliance I take it) and has some other faults like insecure passanger seat and slightly drifts to the left while driving.

I paid 215 bucks for the inspection.

I asked him to fix it all up and he said "NO PROBLEM"... a week later I rebook the car with RACV again to double check if its been fixed... the report comes in today... SAME BLOODY FAULTS AS THE FIRST TIME!!! He didnt fix anything! After all he didnt even try to fix it as there wouldnt have been enough time for it over the long weekend yet he blatantly lied!

Anyway Ive been warned about this car yard before, but I definately wont be recommendign it to anyone!!

So pissed off right now for wasting just under 300 bucks on this car!

[mid life crisis]

better to be pissed at losing 300 bucks than buying it and it ends up costing you thousands i reckon

[jetskyliner33]

F ucking snake this bloke !!!!! doesn't know s hit about cars!!!!

[madbung]

They are all roadworthy items and would have to be fixed before delivery. The way it usually works is you sign a contract, place a deposit and then they get the roadworthy items fixed.

Not the other way around. I have done business with XXXX @ XXX before and found him to be fair and extremely negotiable, communication can be difficult @ times with the language barrier but if you get it in writing you can't get ripped off can you?

It's all basic bussiness sense really and the way it's always been done. I'd assume he's agreed to do those items pre-delivery not pre test drive the same as any car yard would.

Edited March 16, 2006 by Shell

[Links]

Personally.. if they aren't willing to fix it asap than walk away.. sounds like it's got some issues that you don't want to be dealing with yourself..

[Interloper]

yup, long story short. I was gonna buy a 32 off them, realised it was shit and got away without being burnt. Then i bought my current 32 and still got burnt from another guy

oh well....

[M34N]

First rule when looking for a car; if you feel uncomfortable, walk away! Don't even consider putting a deposit down on a car with problems, because they will hold your money even if you don't buy the car and they can screw you around for ages. It's not worth wasting the time and money.

There's plenty of other cars out there without faults, why the car is for sale in the first place when it's not road worthy is disgraceful for a car yard. You may as well go private if you're gonna deal with car yards like this.

Lots of other places will be happy to take your money, remember you're the one in control and you hold the money/power. Keep looking around.

[NewKleer]

It's all basic bussiness sense really and the way it's always been done. I'd assume he's agreed to do those items pre-delivery not pre test drive the same as any car yard would.

if he really would fix them before delivery then whats the difference to doing it now? unless you're hoping to sell the car to someone who doesnt realise the faults, its in your best interest to fix them asap (assuming they arent reoccuring issues that would cost more to get it fixed multiple times) so that people arent turned away if they see the faults.

[Modena]

They are all roadworthy items and would have to be fixed before delivery. The way it usually works is you sign a contract, place a deposit and then they get the roadworthy items fixed.

Not the other way around. I have done business with XXXX @ XXX before and found him to be fair and extremely negotiable, communication can be difficult @ times with the language barrier but if you get it in writing you can't get ripped off can you?

It's all basic bussiness sense really and the way it's always been done. I'd assume he's agreed to do those items pre-delivery not pre test drive the same as any car yard would.

Well thats what I did, I signed the contract with an extra clause on it "Subject to test" meaning that if I am unahppy with the RACV check up and problems are not rectified then I can walk away. I also left a 500 dollar deposit but XXX said today if I dont buy the car then I will get it back.

Seriously the car looks good inside and out, just the oil leaks piss me off and the seat is "unsecure"... and clearly he doesnt want to sell the car or wants me to buy the defective item... the car is automatic with only turbo timer on it and now he fitted a "Top Secret" car alarm (is that any good?? cant find it in google) with 12 months rego he is selling for $16,900 drive away...it has like 2300 KM on the odometer but apparently it should say 27000 as the dash has been changed (most likely another lie)... so seriously for a car thats worth nearly 17 grand AUTO (ok i want auto myself) having freaking oil leaks is NOT good enough!

He rang me back today after I asked why the heck the car hasnt been fixed after he said "ill be wasting money" taking it back to recheck as if the car is "FINE!" and said some stuff like he will give me a RWC... I said Ill get back to him... I just hate this kind of "promise the world" deliver jack shit attitude.

A dude of this site bought a car from XXX and it was messed up too but at least they bloody fixed the thing prior to the second check up.

[R33TOM]

Sir-D why dont u check out the series II selling for 13g on the for sales section??

that car is a bargain beats the one selling at the dealership, that is way too expensive for an auto,

[Modena]

Sir-D why dont u check out the series II selling for 13g on the for sales section??

that car is a bargain beats the one selling at the dealership, that is way too expensive for an auto,

Its a bit far away from me... sorry.

[Modena]

EDIT: The seat is actually ACCEPTABLE NOW. And Oil leaks need EARLY ATTENTION... prior it was IMMIDIATE ATTENTION... so i guess he "poked around some holes" but still didnt complete the job. But the catalytic converter still needs IMMIDIATE ATTENTIOn...

Edited March 16, 2006 by Sir-D

[n15m0]

I would recommend that you walk away...there are better fish in the sea. If he's proving to be a hassle/dishonest even before selling the car, think of what his attitude would be after you have handed over your hard earned $$ and something DOES go wrong?

The best dealers I've had dealings with were honest and upfront right from the start but more importantly, were still willing to help you as a customer after you have bought the car.

[SpecRPlaya]

RACV inspections are always worth the extra money - a smart choice before purchasing a car

[Modena]

UPDATE:

I spoke to RACV today and they said that basically valve cover gasket needs to be changed cos that is what most likely cuasing the leak over the whole engine and exhaust (is this true?)

The catalytic converter either needs to be welded or changed. Other than that the car is in good condition.

The car yard guy said he will fix it all and get RACV to look at it at his own expense (finally some giving back) by next week. If this can be fixed and all sorted by next week then I will take the car we agreed if not then Im walking away.

Ill keep you all updated how I go with this car. As much as I dont like to bitch about business deals, I just want to see how it goes. Mind you this car yard has been flamed many times before.

[madbung]

There's plenty of other cars out there without faults, why the car is for sale in the first place when it's not road worthy is disgraceful for a car yard. You may as well go private if you're gonna deal with car yards like this.

if he really would fix them before delivery then whats the difference to doing it now? unless you're hoping to sell the car to someone who doesnt realise the faults, its in your best interest to fix them asap (assuming they arent reoccuring issues that would cost more to get it fixed multiple times) so that people arent turned away if they see the faults.

To state the obvious...in business it is better to have money in the bank earning % for you than spending it on stock before its necessary. Also if the car gets stolen or even damaged it's money lost never to be seen again isn't it? rwc are never done before a contract is signed.

I spent 8yrs of my life doing this for a living (valuations and sales) and I'll tell you first hand it's how all used car dealers do business.

Edited March 17, 2006 by madbung

[madbung]

UPDATE:

I spoke to RACV today and they said that basically valve cover gasket needs to be changed cos that is what most likely cuasing the leak over the whole engine and exhaust (is this true?)

The catalytic converter either needs to be welded or changed. Other than that the car is in good condition.

The car yard guy said he will fix it all and get RACV to look at it at his own expense (finally some giving back) by next week. If this can be fixed and all sorted by next week then I will take the car we agreed if not then Im walking away.

Ill keep you all updated how I go with this car. As much as I dont like to bitch about business deals, I just want to see how it goes. Mind you this car yard has been flamed many times before.

Sounds fair Sir-D

[kralster]

There are like a trillion skylines in australia nowdays so just wait and find another one.

It's not the end of the world, just go somewhere else unless you really love the car (and by the sounds of it you don't).

[lingeringsoul]

from the sound of things, you are obviously not wanting to walk away from this car, so I guess good luck with fixing up in the future. If it was me, I'd be gone by now and not deal with these dodgy people.

[LO_R33]

Walk away mate, thats a very expensive auto r33 which probably isnt even a series II. To give you an idea jump onto prestigemotorsport and see what theyre comming into the country at. Around 10-12g. You think his markup of 5g is acceptable for a car with problems???

Here in canberra a dealership has 23000 on a series II r33 GTST. Immaculate condition. Offered him 17000 and accepted the offer... if it was me i would be saying - dont worry about the problems or fixing it and i'll give you 13000-14000.

Money talks when buying a car... you should be the one with the power, not him. Dont let him fcuk you around!!

Dayne