Defective Van

[janetk120]

We bought a 2001 Crysler Town and Country 15 months ago from a local dealer. We put 9000 miles on it. It now has 75000 total miles on it. Without any warning a piston broke and ruined the block. We need a new engine that will cost almost 5000 to have them put it in.We kept up with all oil changes and all other maintance. We still owe almost 10000 on it yet. They will give us 1000 on a trade in for it which will still leaves us owing 9000, which no one wants to finance. We feel so screwed. Crysler says better luck next time. We dont know what to do!! Im ready to have them repo it and take it to court. Do we have any hope of winning?? This is happening in Wisconsin.

[racer72]

Your mixing apples and oranges, the engine failure has absolutely no bearing on the legal status of your contractual obligations. You would have a less than zero chance of winning. The cheapest option available would be to have a new engine installed, at a minimum you know it should be good for another 75,000 miles.

[zippysgoddess]

racer is right, if you had no warranty then you have no leg to stand on here.

Originally Posted by janetk120

We bought a 2001 Crysler Town and Country 15 months ago from a local dealer. We put 9000 miles on it. It now has 75000 total miles on it. Without any warning a piston broke and ruined the block. We need a new engine that will cost almost 5000 to have them put it in.We kept up with all oil changes and all other maintance. We still owe almost 10000 on it yet. They will give us 1000 on a trade in for it which will still leaves us owing 9000, which no one wants to finance. We feel so screwed. Crysler says better luck next time. We dont know what to do!! Im ready to have them repo it and take it to court. Do we have any hope of winning?? This is happening in Wisconsin.

Unfortunately things just happen this way.. It's probably nothing you did at all, more than likely the previous owner was abusive to the vehicle.. I agree with racer to a point. You could purchase the engine but that doesn't mean the rest of the vehicle will last (IE. the trans, rear end, drive line, etc.)

Did you check if the previous owner had an extended warranty, that may be transfered.. Check the mechanical background of the vehicle.. Check if the vehicle was ever flooded..