My new MCS is at the dealer, and they put my 03 MCS on the rack and discovered one of the factory holes in the front right frame rail was ripped about 2 inches straght back from a flat bed tow hook.

My previous dealer almost always flat bedded it on it's over 9 trips back and forth there.

New dealer wants to lower the trade in from $18k to $16k for what is a cosmetic issue (can be repaired for $300 or so).

Do I pay it and sue the original dealer? Keep the car and forget the new one?

Thanks for your advice.

regards,
Red

 

Well, you defintely have a claim against the first dealer that flat-bedded your car and caused the damage. Whether you can recover the $2,000 delta is an open question.

I guess you are at a decision point: Is the '06 worth an additional $2,000 (the amount that the dealer wants to drop the trade-in value)?

 

If it repaired will you get the $18k? Or will it be less than that? If you get the 18K then repair it, you still are $1,700 ahead.

I would ask for the original dealer to reair for free. He may fight you on it but it can't hurt? Why are you buying from a different dealer? I would use the needed repair as leverage from the old one in buying a new MC.

 

You could always try to CarMax or private sale your MINI. There is nothing saying you have to trade it in.

 

IF the current dealer will not discount even with a repair.... The damage is in the general category of frame damage. Dealers get real squeamish about "frame damage" - they have to disclose it even if it has been repaired.

At this point, it is kind of academic. The new dealer has the car that he wants in inventory and if the car was built to spec, the chances of getting another one built to spec are getting slimmer and slimmer.

 

as a rule of thumb, you always loose at a dealer trade in becaues they only accept wholesale prices.

 

You bet it would have been smart to buy from the same dealer, but he is 62 miles away and di pick up and delivery...which led to this problem.
But it would be his problem now, but who knew?

He also wanted $3,500 more for the deal ($15k trade, no $500 discount on the new)

regards,
Red

 

Depending on the car, it can get worse than (KBB dealer wholesale). If the factory has a bunch of incentives out on new cars, the price that you will get on your pre-owned car will be reduced that much more.

 

Yeah, but I can't afford both at once. Need to sell the 03, and then maybe won't have time to order another 06. My 06 is sitting in prep right now.


regards,
Red

 

But I figured in the tax savings, worth $1,965 in my case. $19,625 seemd like a good deal to avoid the trouble selling it.


regards,
Red

 

How far away is Carmax from you? They generally do on-the-spot purchase offers. I would see what Carmax offers you. If it is more than you are going get from the dealer on your '06, take it.

 

I may pay the extra $2k, get the dealer to say the value was diminished by $2k on paper, and then see if I can get the original dealer to pay some of it.

Then sue!

Any other thoughts? I appreciate it.


regards,
Red

 

Getting in a pissing contest (filing suit) takes time away from enjoying your new car.... Which was why I suggested a quick trip to Carmax. If Carmax offers more than the current offer from the dealer that has the '06, it might be better (less aggravation regarding getting in a pissing match) to get on with it and start enjoying your '06.

 

How fast does Carmax work? I had a friend who was extremely unhappy with their offer. He sold it for much more. Their claim to fame may be it's quick and easy. I should check.

regards,
Red

 

Take your car in. They evaluate your car and give you an offer. It will probably be near blue book trade value. You then have 100 miles or one week to decide to accept their offer which is paid in a check.

Of course he sold it for more private saleing his car. CarMax is a dealership, they offer you basically bluebook trade value.

It doesn't cost you anything to get the car looked at and it will give you a second (and independent) assessment of the value of your trade.

 

Plus, if the Carmax value is say, at a mid-point between the original trade offer and the newer (depreciated) trade offer, it might be better to punt (take the Carmax offer) and get on with enjoying the '06.

 

It seems to me like your dealer is trying to rip you off, there is no way they'd discount a car $2k if you were looking to buy a used car off their lot and found that kind of damage. They were probably looking for a reason to lower your trade in value, and if you are still interested in the 06 you'll probably not see $18 for your 03. I'd say it's time to start negotiating, and see if you can get them to $17 on the trade. Offer $17.5, and walk when they say no. Sleep on it for a night, and try for $17,250 tomorrow. Maybe they'll move, maybe they won't. Let us know how it works out.

 

I came to the same conclusion when the dealer offered a reasonable price on our 04 on trade for a new 06. Under most circumstances I think trading in is a bad idea, but in this case it makes some sense.

 

That scenario might work if they don't sell his car in the interim. Depending on the car (and whether he has put a deposit down), it might get sold right out from under him.

 

I do have a $500 deposit on it. How long is that good for if say I am interested, and will get back to them?

regards,
Red

 

Red, Most dealers keep your deposit until they sell the car, although some will give it back right away.

 

From the Carmax website:

Step One: Bring Us Your Car •We check the interior & exterior to make sure its condition is consistent with the age of your car. Excessive wear and tear may affect your car's appraisal value. •We check the mileage/age. Excessive miles may lower your car's value and narrow its resale market. Average mileage is around 12,000 to 15,000 per year. •We check the paint & body work for paint lines, overspray, body putty, dents, scratches and other signs of previous body repair. Frame damage will also affect your car's value because it shows your car has been in a serious accident and may not drive properly. At CarMax, we don't resell frame-damaged vehicles. These vehicles are sold at wholesale auctions to other dealers.

Guess I have to negotiate, pay up and try to get some back from the original dealer. Small Claims court; I hear they settle out of court for less, which is fine with me.


regards,

Red

 

That still doesn't mean they won't make an offer. All it means is if they think it is frame damage they won't sell it on their lot. They could still make you an offer, buy the car from you, turn it around at auction, and make a profit.

I still think it would be a very good idea to get an independent opinion on the value of your trade.

 

Definitely explore the carmax option before you do the dealer thing.

 

I doubt that the offer that Carmax would make would be anywhere near KBB Dealer Trade. To make money on the car at auction, requires a sell price that is probably $3,000 off KBB Dealer Trade.