Got SCREWED on my boxster! help

[ScottT]

Whats up guys? I owned a 2001 for 30 min. It killed 2 batteries after it was dropped off at my house. The next day it was towed to the nearest dealer (1 hour away).

alternator is bad $1,314.00
New Porsche Batt $ 340.00
New convertable top $4,200.00

I called the out of state dealer I bought it from and they are basically telling me tough luck. I am going to be able to just replace the alternator and battery for now.
Do you have any ideas of recourse I might have? Anything would be helpful.
Even though all of this has happened I have to say I still love this car.

thanks folks,

Lic# GNABEL8
2001 Black, Black top, tan leather
will post pics later

[deliriousga]

First, that dealer's quote is ripping you off BIG TIME!! A brand new alternator (not necessary) is only $700 and 1 hour to replace. You can get the alternator rebuilt at a local rebuild shop for about $150.

The battery is $60 at AutoZone (Brucelee got one for <$40 at Costco) and 10 minutes to replace (1 hour min labor charge).

What's wrong with the top? There are better replacement tops from GAHH with a glass window for about $2K installed.

If it's out of warranty, you need to call a tow truck and take it to a local Porsche specialist and not a dealer. They will treat you more like a human being than an ATM machine. If it's still under warranty, they need to replace it all for free.

A local P-car specialist can take the alternator out, have it rebuilt, put it back in and replace the battery without Porsche being printed on it for a little more than what you were quoted for the battery. If you want to DIY it, it's very easy and will only take you two hours max since it's your first time doing it. I'll be glad to give you instructions to do it if you're interested in the DIY route.

Good luck!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. d..ga gave some good advice. BTW, did you have a PPI performed? Any recourse there?

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[mach schnell]

if you bought it from a dealership and it is really "new-to-you" shouldn't it atleast have a 30 day warranty? I'd think you should be able to get the dealership to step up and cover the costs of these items - stand your ground and be firm. You can always call the better business bureau in the city of the dealership and solicit their assistance. Another idea is to stop payment on your check until they cover the costs of the repairs - sounds brutal, but trust me, this kind of action usually gets results!

[TriGem2k]

Well heres a thought....If you paid for the car with a check...Put a stop payment on it...Believe me the dealer will come crying to you. We did this just recently with the 2006 S500 Mercedes. The car was paid in cash with a check. Two days and 50miles later the car dies.....Towed it back, dealership acted like the car was 100 years old and said take it to service. We said fine, went back to our office put a stop payment on a 100k check and didn’t speak a word to the dealer. A week later we get a call from the dealer asking if there was a problem.....HAHA boy was I smiling then

[Brucelee]

First off, check your paperwork and see what it says. You may or may not have recourse spelled out in there. Warranty, right to return, arbitration, appeals etc.

Secondly, check out the DMV regs in the state your purchased the car. The state regs may have something in there to help you out.

Undoubtedly, you paid with a bank check or certified check. If you DID pay with a personal check, I would NOT stop payment on that. In some states, that is considered to be fraud or similar felony and it puts you in the hole legally right off. You don't want the sheriff at your door with an arrest warrant.

I would NOT repair the car until you at least TRY to return it or other legal means to get satisfaction.

And, yes, did you get a PPI????

Best of luck.

[xclusivecar]

You didn't buy this car sight unseen, did you? Just curious...not trying to be mean or anything.

[blue2000s]

[QUOTE=Brucelee] If you DID pay with a personal check, I would NOT stop payment on that. In some states, that is considered to be fraud or similar felony and it puts you in the hole legally right off. You don't want the sheriff at your door with an arrest warrant. [QUOTE]

It's only illegal if you don't have the funds when the check is written. It shouldn't be illegal to stop payment on a good check.

[TriGem2k]

[QUOTE=blue2000s][QUOTE=Brucelee] If you DID pay with a personal check, I would NOT stop payment on that. In some states, that is considered to be fraud or similar felony and it puts you in the hole legally right off. You don't want the sheriff at your door with an arrest warrant.

It's only illegal if you don't have the funds when the check is written. It shouldn't be illegal to stop payment on a good check.

This is true it is only illegal if you do not have the funds for the check. You have every right to stop payment especially with your circumstances. I honestly wouldnt put up with going back and forth with the dealer...Make the stop payment and go drop the car off in their lot. Believe me they will come crawling back to you....its been done

[Sammy]

Sounds kind of risky for an alternator and battery. It's the benefit and risk of buying a used vehicle. You pay less but you are buying a used vehicle that isn't always covered by a warranty. Yes, I wish the dealer would've stepped up but is it worth the price of an alternator and battery to potentially be dealing with law suits? In my mind, no, I would buy the alternator and battery and move on unless of course there is something in the paperwork that gives you reason to believe this work should be covered by the dealer.

[mach schnell]

i agree with TriGem - if anything, stop payment on the check until the matter is resolved - you can call the business mgr at the dealership and let him know that is your plan (call him after you done it), but that is also the professional thing to do rather than cancelling the check and waiting to hear from them. If you do have the ability to both stop payment and return the vehicle, that is a great idea at the point - if you are less than 30 days on a dealer sold vehicle and it's already a mess (both mechanically with the car and in your relationship with the dealer) get out and find a different car elsewhere!

[TriGem2k]

well said mach....

[smith12895]

The problem is that you signed a sales contract, took delivery of the car and I'm sure it was "As is" with no warranty. If you stop payment and return the car they can take you to court if they want. Does your state have a cooling off period? In California there is no "cooling off" period. Once you sign the contract and drive off the lot it yours. If your state has a "cooling off" period you can change your mind with in that time period and return the car. I would contact the department of motor vehicles and better business bereau and see what they say. Good luck.

[Brucelee]

[QUOTE=blue2000s][QUOTE=Brucelee] If you DID pay with a personal check, I would NOT stop payment on that. In some states, that is considered to be fraud or similar felony and it puts you in the hole legally right off. You don't want the sheriff at your door with an arrest warrant.

It's only illegal if you don't have the funds when the check is written. It shouldn't be illegal to stop payment on a good check.

It is in this case. The car is sold when it is sold. If you pay me for the car and then you cancel it willingly, you have taken my car and have not paid for it.

His legal recourse is governed by the laws of that state. I doubt they allow someone to unilaterally withdraw payment or void the sale.

[Brucelee]

Lets cut the speculation. Depending on the contract and the laws of the state, this buyer either has rights or not. He may be stuck or he may be in good shape, we can't tell without the info, which only he has.

Now, if the dealer sold him a car with a personal check, the dealer is a moron! I know of no dealer that will take a personal check of this amount but I suppose that there are some.

Hence, there is no check to stop payment on. If you go to your bank and ask them to stop payment on a bank or cashier's check, they will simply laugh at you. That is why sellers want a bank or cashier' check. It IS as good as cash, as long as it is not a fake (this happens sometimes).

The post above is partly correct. A new law in CA allows a three day cooling off period for cars sold for under $40K. There is a charge which can be quite hefty for this return but it now can be done.

For cars over $40K, there is no cooling off period.

I only deal with cars that well for over $40K. Can you tell why?

[TriGem2k]

Brucelee

I have never seen a dealer not take a personal check. Every car we have bought was with a personal check and at the same time most of the dealers waited at least a week to even deposit the check...

It is kind of stupid now that i think about it...so we had whatever car for at least a week before it was paid for...interesting...

[Brucelee]

That is strange. I have my checks cleared the same day. Once you get stiffed, you learn, no?

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

Brucelee

I have never seen a dealer not take a personal check. Every car we have bought was with a personal check and at the same time most of the dealers waited at least a week to even deposit the check...

It is kind of stupid now that i think about it...so we had whatever car for at least a week before it was paid for...interesting...

Originally Posted by Brucelee

That is strange. I have my checks cleared the same day. Once you get stiffed, you learn, no?

Richard, I can echo TriGem's statement about using a personal check to purchase a car. I just did this 3 weeks ago when I purchased my 2006 987S and about 4 years ago when I purchase a MB E320 4 Matic for my wife. Both times, I was giving the dealer an out-of-state check too!

The Porsche dealer cleared the check in 2 days. I don't remember how long it took the Mercedes dealer.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Richard, I can echo TriGem's statement about using a personal check to purchase a car. I just did this 3 weeks ago when I purchased my 2006 987S and about 4 years ago when I purchase a MB E320 4 Matic for my wife. Both times, I was giving the dealer an out-of-state check too!

The Porsche dealer cleared the check in 2 days. I don't remember how long it took the Mercedes dealer.

Ditto, I've yet to have a dealer not take a personal check.

[Brucelee]

Are we talking about a down payment here of the full amount? Frankly, I don't trust my mother enough to send her off in a $70K Porsche 911 unless I have my funds.

But that is just me.