New Car Problems - Please Advise

[Dryden]

Bit of a rant but please stick it out and respond. If there are dealership chaps that can possibly comment, I'd appreciate it.

I signed for, and took delivery of, a brand new car on Thursday last week. I've had to take it back due to small things like the smash and grab on the one window not being right and the one window rubber being loose etc.

Then I took the car in yesterday for a weird hissing noise (sounds like a tyre deflating when the car is running). The mechanics couldn't find the fault. They looked at the exhaust system, fuel pump etc. I complained to the sales manager (the boss of the guy who sold me the car) and together with the workshop foreman, we agreed that they'll speak to mechanics at other dealerships or contact the company's central office as they have "main" mechanics that sort out strange issues like this. The sales manager wrote and signed on my workshop invoice that they acknowledge the problem. He mentioned that they will have to look at those sort of options before "drastic steps".

I don't know how severe the problem is or what it might be - Im not a mechanic. But there is some sort of defect on a brand new car that shouldn't be there.

Can I insist on a swop or a return if they don't fix my issue in a timely fashion? I don't know much about the CPA or whatever but I do know I'm entitled to cancel the deal within 2 weeks or some such if I'm not happy. Is this correct? What are my options and what do you guys recommend? I'm hesitant to cause a scene over what might be a small issue but there is a defect on a brand new car.

Bit of a rambling post but I'm tired and in an hurry.

Help would be appreciated.

 

[Fudzy]

Have you checked the documentation that came with the car? I would check there, if there isn't anything in there I'd tell the salesman you're not happy and ask about the car swap. If he doesn't oblige THEN pull the CPA card.

What car is it btw?

 

[MR.C]

I think this is exactly what the CPA is there for, consumer protection.
Don't be Mr nice guy. If you are a Mr nice guy then try getting worked up and calling them when you in a bad mood, things usually get done when they fear you more.

 

[Fudzy]

I think this is exactly what the CPA is there for, consumer protection.
Don't be Mr nice guy. If you are a Mr nice guy then try getting worked up and calling them when you in a bad mood, things usually get done when they fear you more.

+1 Nice guys get put over a barrel. If it's an honest fault then the company should take responsibility for the problem and sort you out with a new product.

 

[guest2013-1]

yea don't take their ****. Sounds like it's a GM owned dealership.

The sales person was supposed to do a full checkup before they handed the car over to you. Mine also did a "checkup" and it took 2 years to resolve an electronics issue from day 1. Thereafter my clutch busted and ****ed up the gearbox. On 35000km and full maintenance plan, they refused to fix it even though I got a forensic investigator to debunk their accusations that I was "racing" with the car. They dismissed it based on his assessment that it MAY have been the way I was driving but there is absolutely no evidence that I was racing the car and it was not normal wear and tear.

A panel beater/spray painter even told me the car's hood looked banged up/resprayed. The car devalued by over 50% in those 2 years and I had to dock up over R39k for repairs by myself even though it should have been covered fully.

 

[ponder]

I signed for, and took delivery of, a brand new car on Thursday last week.

Does the cpa not cover you for 7-days only with new cars?

I would not take any crap to be honest, you (or the bank) paid them fair & square. Get your money back or another new car.

 

[Hemi300c]

You spending you hard earned cash so don't take their crap and keep record of all interactions. Insist on immediate resolvement. They are the agent and its only costing them effort.