My New Used Car ~ HELP!

[unhappybuyer]

I'm from Texas
I bought a 2000 Kia Sportage last Monday (June 13th) from a used car dealer:

S P Enterprises
4502 Forest Lane
Garland, TX 75042
Phone: (866) 825-9992
Fax: (972) 272-3141

The car was advertised for $4,500 but by the time I got out of there I had paid $6000 for it. They charged me for everything, even State Inspection fees. I put down $3,400 and financed the rest to try to build some credit. I've been married all of my life and never handled things like this, so this was my very first transaction in buying a car. I drove the car off the lot and through the Dallas 5:00 PM bumper to bumper traffic, when the engine light came on. I got home safely but was so frightened I'd break down on the freeway. With a full tank of gas, the next day on my way to show my daughter in Fort Worth my new car, the engine light went on again... the CD player stopped working, and this "bag-lady" icon light went on next to the engine light. I broke down in bumper to bumper traffic just outside of Fort Worth. It was a horrifying experience. 50 miles away from my daughters to the Garland car dealer, and late the next day, and about 4-6 phone calls later, the dealer owner sent someone out to put an alternator on the car, and the guy drove it back to their lot to replace the 02 Censor. Two days later... a friend of mine had to drive the 40 mile Garland drive to get my car and drive it back to me. I got it yesterday (June 18th) and drove it just once when the engine light went back on, and... the Throw-bearings are now almost out on the clutch. The dealer admitted he didn't replace the 02 Censer like he said he would do, and I got my car back on near empty. I bought the car on Monday and it's Sunday and I've only got to drive this $6000 4 times.

I don't know what to do. He said to call him Monday, but all I get is the run around whe we talk. He keeps telling me I bought it "As is".

Is there anything I can do? Can you please advise me?

[unhappybuyer]

Texas: I wrote a letter about my bad experiences with this owner of the used car lot where I bought the Kia, and I sent the letter to the following:



President George Bush

Chairman Rep. Doug Ervin (R) Kearney "Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Vice Chairman Rep. Sherman Parker (R) St. Charles "Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Rep. Brian Baker (R) Belton "Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Rep. Judy Baker (D) Columbia "Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Rep. Craig Bland (D) Kansas City "Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Fox 4 News – Becky Oliver, Carrie Coogan, John Holt, Linda Wagar, Nancy Lewis

Kia Motors Corporation

Star Telegram News – Editor Dennis Neighbours, Tom Leferink Senior Editor Multi-Media, Tom Marvin News Editor

Dallas Morning News - Editor-in-Chief Mary Lenn Dixon,

All Kia dealers Metroplex area Texas – Plaino, Irving, Lewisville

Better Business Bureau Dallas, Texas

Steve Enterprises Auto Sales Garland, Texas



A lot has happened since I posted this information. I found out that the dash engine light coming on was not an 02 censor at all, but was caused from the Catalytic Converter going out. This is an emissions problem, and the car is supposed to pass inspection before it leaves the lot, right? Steve (the car lot owner) is also a State Inspection Station. The inspection sticker on the car is dated January of this year, and on the contract I signed he charged me $39.00 for a car inspection (hummmm, I'm paying interest on that?) He had his mechanic turn the engine light off before I drove the car off the lot. It came back on as I was driving it home that day on June 13th. A few days later the car wouldn't start and I had to take it to a Kia dealer. The nice Kia man put it on a Kia scanner, and found one of the cars problems: Catalytic Converter ($600 bucks!) It goes back to the car NOT passing inspection when it left the lot in the first place.



On: FOX 4 News [url]http://www.wdaftv.com/[/url] you can read about the Used Car Lemon Law Bill they are trying to pass. As I stated in another post, shouldn't you get involved in seeing this is pushed through? Come on unhappy people, this is our chance to vindicate the right way. On this Fox 4 site are personal email address of those involved in passing this bill. Write your bad experience down and email them**************.. I did!

[unhappybuyer]

Texas:
Here, I'll do this for you. This is from Fox 4 News:


FOX 4 Problem Solvers takes news reporting to the next level. The Problem Solvers ...saving you money, exposing fraud, taking your side ... when you have no one else to turn to.

Got a problem? Contact the Problem Solvers. We're standing up for you and getting results.

Whatever it takes ... wherever it takes us.

E-mail Problem Solvers at [email]problemsolvers@wdaftv4.com[/email]

or call toll free (866) FOX-4NOW ((866) 369-4669)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 2, 2005 -- Lemon Law Bill Information

House Bill 265

Sponsor: Rep. Bob Johnson, (R) Lee's Summit


Co-Sponsors: Rep. Trent Skaggs, (D) North Kansas City; Rep. Bryan Pratt (R) Blue Springs

"Used Car Lemon Law Bill"

Establishes additional requirements on the sale of used motor vehicles and implements a consumer awareness program.

Bill has been assigned to the Small Business Committee.

To Contact Committee Members:

Chairman Rep. Doug Ervin
(R) Kearney
Phone: 1-573-751-2238
e-mail: [email]Doug.Ervin@house.mo.gov[/email]
-------

Vice Chairman Rep. Sherman Parker
(R) St. Charles
Phone: 1-573-751-2176
e-mail: [email]Sherman.Parker@house.mo.gov[/email]
--------

Rep. Brian Baker
(R) Belton
Phone: 1-573-751-2175
e-mail: [email]Brian.Baker@house.mo.gov[/email]
-------

Rep. Judy Baker
(D) Columbia
Phone: 1-573-751-1169
e-mail: [email]judy.baker@house.mo.gov[/email]
------

Rep. Craig Bland
(D) Kansas City
Phone: 1-573-751-2124
e-mail: [email]Craig.Bland@house.mo.gov[/email]
-----

Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal
(D) University City
Phone: 1-573-751-4265
e-mail:maria.chappellenadal@house.mo.gov
-----

Rep. Kathy Chinn
(R) Clarence
Phone: 1-573-751-2629
e-mail: [email]kathy.chinn@house.mo.gov[/email]
---------

Rep. Bruce Darrough
(D) Florissant
Phone: 1-573-751-9760
e-mail: [email]Bruce.Darrough@house.mo.gov[/email]
-------

Rep. Bill Deeken
(R) Jefferson City, MO
Phone: 1-573-751-2412
e-mail: [email]Bill.Deeken@house.mo.gov[/email]
--------

Rep. Timothy Flook
(R) Liberty, MO
Phone: 1-573-751-1218
e-mail: [email]tim.flook@house.mo.gov[/email]
-----

Rep. Robin Wright Jones
(D) St. Louis
Phone: 1-573-751-6800
e-mail: [email]Robin.Jones@house.mo.gov[/email]
--------

Rep. Vicki Schneider
(R) O'Fallon
Phone: 1-573-751-2433
e-mail: [email]Vicki.Schneider@house.mo.gov[/email]
--------

Rep. Kevin Wilson
(R) Neosho MO
Phone: 1-573-751-9781
e-mail: [email]Kevin.Wilson@house.mo.gov[/email]



GO GETTEM'

[luvbskts]

Originally Posted by unhappybuyer

I'm from Texas
I bought a 2000 Kia Sportage last Monday (June 13th) from a used car dealer:

S P Enterprises
4502 Forest Lane
Garland, TX 75042
Phone: (866) 825-9992
Fax: (972) 272-3141

The car was advertised for $4,500 but by the time I got out of there I had paid $6000 for it. They charged me for everything, even State Inspection fees. I put down $3,400 and financed the rest to try to build some credit. I've been married all of my life and never handled things like this, so this was my very first transaction in buying a car. I drove the car off the lot and through the Dallas 5:00 PM bumper to bumper traffic, when the engine light came on. I got home safely but was so frightened I'd break down on the freeway. With a full tank of gas, the next day on my way to show my daughter in Fort Worth my new car, the engine light went on again... the CD player stopped working, and this "bag-lady" icon light went on next to the engine light. I broke down in bumper to bumper traffic just outside of Fort Worth. It was a horrifying experience. 50 miles away from my daughters to the Garland car dealer, and late the next day, and about 4-6 phone calls later, the dealer owner sent someone out to put an alternator on the car, and the guy drove it back to their lot to replace the 02 Censor. Two days later... a friend of mine had to drive the 40 mile Garland drive to get my car and drive it back to me. I got it yesterday (June 18th) and drove it just once when the engine light went back on, and... the Throw-bearings are now almost out on the clutch. The dealer admitted he didn't replace the 02 Censer like he said he would do, and I got my car back on near empty. I bought the car on Monday and it's Sunday and I've only got to drive this $6000 4 times.

I don't know what to do. He said to call him Monday, but all I get is the run around whe we talk. He keeps telling me I bought it "As is".

Is there anything I can do? Can you please advise me?

Doesn't Kia have a 100,000 mile warranty? Can't you have all of this fixed under that?

[teflon_jones]

Based on the information you've provided, you are stuck with the car. Take it as a lesson learned. Always get a used car inspected by a 3rd party mechanic of your choice. Always pay only what you want to pay for a car.

[Happy Trails]

Based on the information you've provided, you are stuck with the car. Take it as a lesson learned. Always get a used car inspected by a 3rd party mechanic of your choice. Always pay only what you want to pay for a car.

Teflon is right, "Caveat emptor".

[dallas702]

But, she is right about the emissions certificate. It is illegal for a dealer to screw with an emissions report, or charge for one and not perform it. I believe the fine is min. $10,000.

But then....you bought a KIA for God's sake.....and a used Kia at that.

Some states have a 3 day recission law for autos, but you'll need to check TX website for that. If you tried to rescind the deal within 3 days, and you have such a law, you might have an out. Call KIA and tell them you are going to park the car in front of one of their dealerships with a large "LEMON" sign on it. They'll help if they want to sell any more cars at each dealership you take it to.

[teflon_jones]

Originally Posted by dallas702

Call KIA and tell them you are going to park the car in front of one of their dealerships with a large "LEMON" sign on it. They'll help if they want to sell any more cars at each dealership you take it to.

This could result in the OP being sued by the dealership. I would not recommend this. As you said, the OP bought a Kia, and a used one at that. She should have known what she was getting into!

[pammness]

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=255834[/url]

Please go to my post here. You didn't say what kind of car this is.... Just curious due to the fact that alot of what your issues are, I suffered the same.... I posted my whole story on above post and I also recently followed up with How I went about showing them I would not take Sorry, AS IS as the final offer.
Did you check the kelly blue book on the value of this auto ?
As far as all the amount extra you paid, you never stated if you also added a extended warranty to it. It is typical to pay a large sum on top of the sell price... You have giverment and sales taxes, title fees, processing fees, licencing fees...
Please give more info on the kind of car you have.....
Make, Model, Year, Milaege etc....
Read my posts on the above site.... Don't forget the follow up on there as well.
Let me know how its going and Good Luck

[dallas702]

Pammness; "a 2000 Kia Sportage..."

The added costs may or may not be customary, and the condition may be explained by its mileage. it was probably traded in because it was just beginning to show "wear and tear". At 5 years, or approx 60-70K miles just about everything that hasn't been replaced should be worn out (including the clutch and TO bearing). You'd have to show us the contract or list all the "add-ons" for us to have any idea if you were ripped off.

Teflon_jones: People do this all the time when they get "lemon" cars. There is nothing the dealership can do except bite the bad publicity, or deal with the customer. But, the regional Kia rep might step in before it got to that.

Anyway, we don't know enough about the deal or the condition of the car.

[pammness]

Originally Posted by unhappybuyer

Texas: I wrote a letter about my bad experiences with this owner of the used car lot where I bought the Kia, and I sent the letter to the following:
A lot has happened since I posted this information. I found out that the dash engine light coming on was not an 02 censor at all, but was caused from the Catalytic Converter going out. This is an emissions problem, and the car is supposed to pass inspection before it leaves the lot, right? Steve (the car lot owner) is also a State Inspection Station. The inspection sticker on the car is dated January of this year, and on the contract I signed he charged me $39.00 for a car inspection (hummmm, I'm paying interest on that?) He had his mechanic turn the engine light off before I drove the car off the lot. It came back on as I was driving it home that day on June 13th. A few days later the car wouldn't start and I had to take it to a Kia dealer. The nice Kia man put it on a Kia scanner, and found one of the cars problems: Catalytic Converter ($600 bucks!) It goes back to the car NOT passing inspection when it left the lot in the first place.

Lemon Laws I have found out the hard way only relate if it is a new car or is still under manufacture warranty. Not a used car that has no manufacture warranty left. You can buy a car used and still have manufacture warranty left... Then it may or may not apply, depending on what part of the warranty is still left. Like my car stiss has 6 monthes a not worth mentioning part of the car.
Next, I have also learned alot about O2 sensors, if you have had the chance to read my post, I have had 2 replaced. When I was told it was O2 sensor, noone told me my car had 2 of them!! How conveniant for the mechanic. As soon as the check engine light was back on, you guessed it... Now I am told it has 2 and that dealer in fact, the first time authorized the cheaper of the 2... When I asked, was told they didn't know which one, they replaced the one the dealer told them to, keep in mind dealer never checked out the O2 sensor personally. Then, like clock work, engine light on again.... I took it to my mechanic at Meineke, they have only really done small repairs for me but with a coupon I got the check engine light check for 10.95 alot less then 2 dealers and other mecahic charging between 100 and 150 to do same thing... When described to him (meineke) he said he didn't have to check it was a misfire. Sure enough spark plugs and wires were BURNT. Not normal wear and tear. Car no longer has a check engine light issue. I never had to replace the Catalitic Convertor I was also told it needed. BEWARE: O2 sensors check many many components of your engine.
You should not have taken it from their lot if it did not pass inspection, did it fail due to the Catalitic Convertor ???? That item is a touchy one, it can be acting up due to it going bad but until it actually is leaking, they don't have to fail it.

[pammness]

Originally Posted by dallas702

Pammness; "a 2000 Kia Sportage..."

The added costs may or may not be customary, and the condition may be explained by its mileage. it was probably traded in because it was just beginning to show "wear and tear". At 5 years, or approx 60-70K miles just about everything that hasn't been replaced should be worn out (including the clutch and TO bearing). You'd have to show us the contract or list all the "add-ons" for us to have any idea if you were ripped off.

Teflon_jones: People do this all the time when they get "lemon" cars. There is nothing the dealership can do except bite the bad publicity, or deal with the customer. But, the regional Kia rep might step in before it got to that.

Anyway, we don't know enough about the deal or the condition of the car.

A car at 60 70 to 70 k miles will not have any issues other then normal maintenance unless this car is defected or the car was abused....clutches, bearings, transmissions, etc.... for the most part should last you 200,000 miles, maybe if you run it hard.... but still maintain normal maintenance, it could start at 15,000..... NOT 60 to 70,000.....