Ok, here’s the deal:
Back on the 5th of January (2010) I bought a used vehicle from a dealership (a Kia dealership) in Austin, Texas. When we went to test drive the vehicle, it wouldn’t start; the battery was dead. The salesman assured me that when cars sit on the lot not being used the batteries get low, and he had it jump started. It ran fine on the test drive and we decided to buy it.
During the little negotiation part with the salesman I asked for a new battery. He said the battery was fine and that if there was a problem I could bring it back and they would replace it.
Ok, no problem. We buy the car (finance with ,000 down) and drive it home.
It continues to have problems starting (probably the battery I think), and I resign myself to having to take it back to get this dealt with. Well, yesterday, as my wife is driving it, the check engine light turns on and the vehicle gets stuck in 3rd gear. Definite problem! So, first (being the savvy fool I am) I take it to Firestone Auto for a full diagnostics before taking it back (I do NOT trust dealerships). They come back with a dead cell in the battery, and several transmission codes. I take the paperwork with me and return to the Kia dealership with the vehicle.
Thankfully, I bought the extended warranty (which apparently will cover the transmission problems), but not the battery. I am told to go talk to my sales person and that he can get me a battery. So, I speak with my sales guy and he tells me they won’t let me get a new battery and I have to talk to a manager. Manager says no dice.
He tells me that since the battery did not get mentioned during the paperwork stage and since it didn’t get written down there is nothing he can do. He also tells me there are no verbal agreements there.
So, my question is this:
Is there anything I can do to back out of the deal? It has been 25 days since I purchased the vehicle, and I haven’t made a payment yet. I am very unhappy with this dealership, and I feel slighted. If there is anyway I can give the car back and get my ,000.00 back I would be very happy.
Any advice is appreciated.
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