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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 1
From: Poland
Oh man that sucks. I feel bad for you.
I don't think it is possible to get a new car out of it - you probably allowed them (signing something) to do a test drive and anything can happen. They also must have the insurance that covers such damage, so they should repair or (if it somehow lowers the quality and performance of your car) buy this car from you for the mutualy agreed price and take their money from the insurance company later.
But why on Earth should they give you a new car when they damaged a used one... it sucks for you but it also sucks for them. There are no cases that can not be solved though and I would get a lawyer in a heartbeat. Good luck and I wish you the most lucrative/satisfaing ending to that unfortunate situation.
I don't think it is possible to get a new car out of it - you probably allowed them (signing something) to do a test drive and anything can happen. They also must have the insurance that covers such damage, so they should repair or (if it somehow lowers the quality and performance of your car) buy this car from you for the mutualy agreed price and take their money from the insurance company later.
But why on Earth should they give you a new car when they damaged a used one... it sucks for you but it also sucks for them. There are no cases that can not be solved though and I would get a lawyer in a heartbeat. Good luck and I wish you the most lucrative/satisfaing ending to that unfortunate situation.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 334
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Originally Posted by JDM AP1 11,Jan 22 2008, 08:15 PM
You should get a new car out of it. It will never be the same now!
Wtf???You don't even need a lawyer! You gave them a perfect car and that is what you expect back simple. How did you get it over there with "summer" tires and not crash???? I doesn't matter if you had slicks on THEY CRASHED IT..... Now as for wanting a diff car thats going to be a hard one. Also play nice till it's time to get mean no sooner cause thats when shit hits the fan. Sorry to hear that
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 19,734
Likes: 247
Baloney - he doesn't deserve a new car. 
He deserves a REPLACEMENT car in identical shape (or as close as possible) or his original cost for the car (including taxes and fees). He'll have all winter to find a replacement and he'll probably save money since convertibles are cheaper in the winter.
I wouldn't take the car back. That's obviously frame damaged and sad to say, when the frame bends, lots of other things are tweaked as well. They'll never get it back to normal. Close, but not perfect.
Who wants a tweaked high-performance convertible? Not me!
He deserves a REPLACEMENT car in identical shape (or as close as possible) or his original cost for the car (including taxes and fees). He'll have all winter to find a replacement and he'll probably save money since convertibles are cheaper in the winter.
I wouldn't take the car back. That's obviously frame damaged and sad to say, when the frame bends, lots of other things are tweaked as well. They'll never get it back to normal. Close, but not perfect.
Who wants a tweaked high-performance convertible? Not me!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
If it were me I'd ask for the police report. If they say they are waitng on one I'd verify with whatever police department is handling it. I would make sure they arent makign ANY repairs until the police report is received and your insurance company is involved. Once your insurance company comes up with a price I'd demand a premium to it since the car now has an accident claim against it and will affect resale value. I'd also want a letter from Corporate Honda stating they take full responsibility for the accident and a description of what happened etc... Something to use when you're going to resell the car down the road. As its been said before a GOOD bodyshop can fix that and make sure the paint is on point. I dont think it warrants a new car but certainly some compensation for their F up and your car that is blemished now.
If they dick with you then absolutely get a lawyer and make sure you get something out of this for your trouble.
Oh yeah rental car too, make sure they give you a top of the line rental/loaner until this is resolved. I made the mistake once of having an insurance company talk me into a economy class car and the repairs took over a month. It's their dime for the rental/loaner so take advantage of that as well.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 19,734
Likes: 247
Originally Posted by Spec_Ops2087,Jan 23 2008, 08:43 AM
The rocker panel is not the frame and can easily be replaced without even touching the frame...not sure why people are stuck on the motion that the frame is severly damaged 
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,645
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles, CA
Your handling this through phone calls!!! Go down in erson and begin demanding. Speak to the techs, and tell them no work will be done without your say first. They cannot work on a person car at any dealership without the consent of the owner first.
Tell them you hope they are taking complete responsibility for this, and costs will be covered, and if they aren'tthen the next visit will include the police.
Tell them you want the repaires done(if any will be) by your body shop and not theres. They can bullshit you and fix this cosmetics and never tell you the long term damage. At your own repair shop you can atleast look for and frame damage, etc. At the very least tell them your bringing a professional you trust down to look at the damages and give his report. Trust me if there is even the slitest bit of frame damage or long term damage done then they are screwed, and they are insured for things like this so you can get the full value of the car paid back to you.
I had a similar situation happen when I worked at toyota a while back. The owner came down in person and gave everyone a piece of his mind. At the end the dealership became his bitch and catered to his every wish.
All the trouble they are giving you so far is because they are afraid because you have them by the balls. They realize people don't know how much power they have in situations like this so they try to convince the owners that all the power still belongs to them...when that is not the case.
your fault because of tires!?!?! lol I'm sorry but even if your tires were bald, they would still be responsible.
best of luck to you, i hope everything gets sorted out.
Tell them you hope they are taking complete responsibility for this, and costs will be covered, and if they aren'tthen the next visit will include the police.
Tell them you want the repaires done(if any will be) by your body shop and not theres. They can bullshit you and fix this cosmetics and never tell you the long term damage. At your own repair shop you can atleast look for and frame damage, etc. At the very least tell them your bringing a professional you trust down to look at the damages and give his report. Trust me if there is even the slitest bit of frame damage or long term damage done then they are screwed, and they are insured for things like this so you can get the full value of the car paid back to you.
I had a similar situation happen when I worked at toyota a while back. The owner came down in person and gave everyone a piece of his mind. At the end the dealership became his bitch and catered to his every wish.
All the trouble they are giving you so far is because they are afraid because you have them by the balls. They realize people don't know how much power they have in situations like this so they try to convince the owners that all the power still belongs to them...when that is not the case.
your fault because of tires!?!?! lol I'm sorry but even if your tires were bald, they would still be responsible.
best of luck to you, i hope everything gets sorted out.