This is a brand new car we are talking about here. If they damaged my brand new car like that so soon after i had purchased it i wouldn't settle for anything less than a brand new car. That is total BS. In all my experiences no paint work is as good as the paint from factory. Never seems to last and is nowhere near as durable. With the added problem of the oil leaking and what problems were added after the repairs i would probably be going ballistic on the dealership. A curbed rim, primered fingerprints on the steering wheel, etc?? They would not hear the end of me until i was in a new car or all the problems were 100% rectified.

 

thats why you should always buy American.

just kidding.

 

Demand they buy back your car. You don't want it painted in the aftermarket, repaint != factory paint and there is no way you should have to put up with that. Factory paint is baked at a higher temperature and is therefore harder and more durable. The only way to get that same finish is to disassemble the car, media blast it or acid dip it, repaint it, bake it at high temperature and then completely reassemble it. You really thing they are going to spend that kind of money and time on you? No way.

You are owed a new car IMHO. This is how dealers are. They don't give a rats ass about you and you shouldn't feel pity on them.

 

WOW! Thanks for all of the support! The Lemon Law idea is awesome, I guess the thoughts of "Lemon" and "Brand New Honda S2000" never crossed in my mind... in fact, I'm getting a headace right now thinking about it, but you're right, it does apply. I'm not going to take this from the dealer, especially considering that this all happened before I even made my first payment (it's financed, not leased). Wish me luck, I should be the owner of a newer S2000 soon enough.

 

Don't hold your breath... I think first you have to give them another attempt (or two) at fixing your car

 

Yeah, for now, I recommend sticking with the dealer and getting things resolved to your satisfaction, and then consider the lemon law (if it's available) if they can't get it right.

cthree is right about the paint, but that's a pretty extreme point of view. It really depends on how much damage they did and how much would have to be repainted. The point is to get you your great car, and the onus to do that is on the dealer. Insist on perfection -- you paid for it.

Best of luck, man.

 

Who did you buy it from at Norm Reeves Honda, Cerritos CA and has anyone had a bad experience with that particular dealer?

 

trade it in for an ap1

j/k sorry to hear about your problems, i have had issues with dealers before but thankfully they were minor issues (dealer wouldnt clear my CEL code after my mugen thermostat/switch because the engine was running too cold) dealer wanted $75 to clear the cel and 350 if i wanted the car to ever be under warranty.....i said screw you and i left.

 

Well it's not really as simple as giving them the chance to fix it. Mechanical issues aren't the problem. The issue is that they permanently damaged it and in doing so devalued it. When they repaint the panel and the bumper you lose the VIN stickers which show the car is complete and original. This significantly reduces the resale value of the vehicle, especially when it's brand new. On a one year old car it's not quite the same thing.

The lemon law doesn't apply since this is not a mechanical issue that can be attributed to warranty. This is a property damage and loss issue stemming from negligence on the part of the dealer. It's not their fault that it was leaking oil. It was their fault that they damaged the car and you are entitled to fair compensation for the loss. That includes IMHO satisfactory repair as well as the financial loss. It also includes the cost of the vehicle while it is in their possession to repair the damage they inflicted upon it which specifically includes the cost of a comparable rental or substitute vehicle. It doesn't include your payment but it might include your cost of insurance and registration for the time which they have it for since these are direct expenses.

What you can get depends a lot on how aggressive and persistent you are. My point is that the costs associated with the damage and repair probably exceed the cost to the dealer of buying it back from you and getting you a new one. They will turn around and resell or auction it.

Tell them you expect them to buy it (since they broke it) and won't accept any excuses. See what happens. Remember it doesn't cost them nearly as much to buy a vehicle as it does you and they can probably still sell your car for more then the dealer cost of getting you a new one.

 

Yah, fair enough. Davis, you should take a hard line with the dealer. I seriously doubt that you will get anywhere with them.

See what happens. I smell an attorney in your future.