This might be long, but I'm looking for some help...

I just purchased a 2006 Mazda3, silver I, auto, with 8,000 miles from a used dealer in Arlington VA. It's a sweet car - I've been eyeing them for 2 years, and I thought I had a good enough price that the trade-off between a stick and auto was worth it....

Initial car fax report showed nothing suspicious (to my eye at the time). 4 days after I bought it (80 miles later) the starter went out, so back to the dealer...and a few days later, the dealer says 'uh, they installed a defective starter, and now we need to replace the engine harness, and we have to order it from Japan.' Let's let the defective starter thing slide for a moment, because upon further review...

A recently run carfax report shows that the car was delivered to the dealer on 12/15/05. When I bought it, in my ignorance not only did I ignore that I was buying an 06 with 8k miles (why was it there?) but that I should have recognized the report didn't show any owner between 12/15 and 4/31 (when I bought). Oops, my mistake. Now, however the report shows that the car was purchased and titled on 4/18, with about 60 miles, then sold at auction, 10 days later (4/28) and listed as a dealer car, with 8,000 miles.

Okay, so over two weeks since the car's been at the dealer. It's still a great looking car, I visited it last weekend to get some things out of it. But what, if anything at all, can I do here? Had I realized that someone purchased the car, drove it 8,000 miles, and then 10 days later it was sold at auction, listed as a dealer car, I would not have purchased it. Now, don't yell at me because I actually realize the signs are there that I should not have bought it...Had it not been at the dealer for two weeks I wouldn't even be writing...

Any idea on what's happening here? What, if anything, can I do? Does the dealer/service department bear any responsibility in this? I hesitate to take possession of the car, or go screaming and yelling, until I have a game plan, which I'm working on. But it sure is driving me mad seeing the three other 3's in my parking lot, and having to drive a neon instead...

thanks for any advice...

 

hey boss, first things first:

1. did you buy this from an official Mazda dealer?

2. did you receive a notice of any kind of prior damage or repairs made to the vehicle?

3. Did you sign an arbitration agreement with the car lot when you bought the car?

4. How did you pay for the car? Personal financing, dealership financing?

5. Do you have an attorney you trust?


a vehicle produced in 12- of 05 IS an 06 model. Anything after about august I believe is considered the next model year. No problems there.

I would NOT keep this car. There are serious issues with it and a decent attorney should be able to get you out of the car for a mild fee.

 

thanks for the reply...

An official dealer? Yep, I assume so. The used car portion of a Mazda dealer...

No damage form or waiver was received...the car could have only been there no more than 3 days...

Dealership financing, but obviously sold to a 3rd party bank, who I'm calling in the morning.

Arbitration agreement? No familiar with, but I don't think so...

Attorney? Not yet...just moved here, but I'm thinking I'll be looking for one.

I realize that the next model years are sold in the current year, so no worries there...

 

a dealer has to explain to you if you've signed an arbitration agreement. It basically signs away your right to a trial should you need to dispute something. IT basically says you have legal recourse should something go wrong. Sounds like you don't have that issue.

Your first step is to go back to the dealer and let them know there is an issue with the car and you need to be swapped into something else. If they give you flack or tell you "no" let them know you'll be coming back with your attorney and the local news camera crew. Leave and keep your word.

Nothing a dealership hates more than bad publicity on the news. We have a segment here called "6 on your side" and when you mention them you get whatever you want here. VEry helpfull.

 

If you don't mind me asking, which dealer did you purchase this car from?

Thanks.

 

Rosenthal Mazda, Arlington VA. Although to be fair, there are always dud cars, dud salesmen, dud service reps, and occasionally dud purchasers (yeah, that's me...).

The dealer has the car right now, and I'm driving a rental. I really should go back and kick and scream, but would that ever get me anywhere? They are doing "whatever they can." but I do understand the power of publicity. One of the real complaints I have about them is that I have never received a call-back since it's been there, even after repeatedly requesting one. So customer service is not looking good thus far...

 

Thanks for the info! My fiance and I just bought a mazda 3 from Browns Alexandria. It was a demo and the windsheild was cracked a little. They are going to replace it but it has been two weeks and the windsheild is 'still on order'.

I'm planning to buy a Mazdaspeed 6 and was thinking of getting it from Rosenthal.