screwed by car dealership

[jimbish]

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

Two weeks ago I test drove a used car with a friend at a used car dealership. I asked the salesman if there was anything wrong with the car at all, or any history I should know about. He said no. During the test drive everything was great, so I bought the car. They made me sign an as-is form.

The next day, while driving on the interstate with a friend, the car was swaying left and right after every bump and crack in the road. After nearly being thrown off the road and into a serious accident, I took the next exit, and drove the car to a shop. Turned out a bolt in the control arm was warn down, loose, and the right front wheel was about to fall off!

I called the dealership and told them I expected them to pay for the repairs. After the salesman who sold me the car consolted with his boss, he called me back minutes later willing to split the difference with me. He also said he had no idea the car had problems. (I'm sure he was lying)

Five days later the repair was complete, and I found myself back on the intersate with the same problem-the car was still swaying.

After the mechanic/engineer drove the car and had a look, he found the back right strut was worn down. Also, he noticed evidence of a collision on the side of the car, along with a suspicious looking hood, which eithe was replaced poorly or repaired.

Others problems to note: Air does not come out of the vents/air conditioning does not work. The sunroof was fixed somehow to where it will not open. Other minor problems in the interior.

I did sign an as-is form, so I was wondering if I am totally out of luck here, or is there anything I can do?

 

[JETX]

"Two weeks ago I test drove a used car with a friend at a used car dealership. I asked the salesman if there was anything wrong with the car at all, or any history I should know about. He said no. During the test drive everything was great, so I bought the car."
*** Prior to purchase, you have the obligation to have a mechanic to do an inspection of the vehicle. You chose not to do that.

"They made me sign an as-is form."
*** And this is where your 'alarms' should have started going off..... and even more reason to have the vehicle inspected.

"The next day, while driving on the interstate with a friend, the car was swaying left and right after every bump and crack in the road. After nearly being thrown off the road and into a serious accident, I took the next exit, and drove the car to a shop. Turned out a bolt in the control arm was warn down, loose, and the right front wheel was about to fall off!"
*** I would hope that your mechanic would have noticed that during the inspection.

"I called the dealership and told them I expected them to pay for the repairs."
*** Sorry, but they have no legal obligation to pay for your refusal to have a mechanic inspection done.

"After the salesman who sold me the car consolted with his boss, he called me back minutes later willing to split the difference with me."
*** Very generous, and since they were under no obligation to do so, probably a 'goodwill' gesture.

"He also said he had no idea the car had problems. (I'm sure he was lying)"
*** You have no support for that.

"Five days later the repair was complete, and I found myself back on the intersate with the same problem-the car was still swaying."
*** And what did the mechanic who did the repairs say about this??

"After the mechanic/engineer drove the car and had a look, he found the back right strut was worn down. Also, he noticed evidence of a collision on the side of the car, along with a suspicious looking hood, which eithe was replaced poorly or repaired."
*** And all of which would likely have been found by YOUR having an inspection done before purchase.

"Others problems to note: Air does not come out of the vents/air conditioning does not work. The sunroof was fixed somehow to where it will not open. Other minor problems in the interior."
*** And you didn't notice THESE during your test drive!!! Were you even there during ANY part of this purchase??

"I did sign an as-is form, so I was wondering if I am totally out of luck here, or is there anything I can do?"
*** Some things you can do:
1) Pay to have the vehicle repaired.
2) Learn what 'as is' means. And that the dealer has NO obligation to pay or repair.
3) Research the legal principal called "Caveat Emptor".