Sick To My Stomach - Need Advice

[Bookie]

I am sick to my stomach and need some advice as to what recourse I may have with a piece of crap dealer. In 2005 I purchased a brand new 2004 (with 12 miles) SRT 10 from a Dodge dealer in Conn. In the past year & half I have put on 5k pampered miles, with the car only coming out on nice summer days.

Just yesterday I brought the car to a local detailer to buff out a couple scratches I accidently put on the trunk. The detailer asked if I would consider repainting the trunk as he was concerned he my buff through the clear coat. Since the car is in pristine condition (except for the stupid scratch ), I answered I would never paint the car for a small scratch as I beleive that a car with re-paint would be more difficult to sell. Just after I made this statement, the detailer asked why I had the rear quater panel painted. I had no idea what he was talking about and told him that he was an idiot as I bought the car new and never repainted.

After he pointed out the tell tale signs of a re-paint, I completely agree, the car did have a repainted panel.

How does this happen, how could a dealer sell as new if the car was repainted?

What can I do now that over a year has passed, how do I prove it?

Do I contact Dodge Corp or the dealer first?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am so pissed. If I wanted to take my chances with buying a repainted car, I would have bought used.

 

[murci]

I am so sorry to hear that. How can that dealer be so unethical. I hope they get what they deserve & resolve this issue & compensate you according. I'm so perturbed right now

 

[Warfang]

Yikes... I believe you, but I have no idea how you could prove that in a court of law. Keep us informed... maybe even let us know what dealership it is.

 

[Copernicus]

Unfortunately, this is not all that uncommon of an occurrence. Occassionally during shipping, cars are bumped and scratched and will require dealer correction.

 

[plumcrazy]

dealers have been repainting cars and or parts of them for years. you really need to look it over before ya buy it. there isnt anything you can do i think. but if you deal with anyone in the area....it should be tator.

 

[viperbob]

This will quickly turn into a "he said/she daid" kinda thing and impossible to prove. But you can tell the dealer that you plan to let everyone know who they are and what they did via posting a thread on the VCA Forum and they'll be welcome to post a defense. Maybe they'll fess up and offer you something for free, such as a free car wash (LOL).

 

[Carmaker]

Don't jump to such a quick conclusion...that the dealer repainted the panel. Of course it is possible for reasons already mentioned. There is hoever another possibility. That it happened at the assembly plant and the dealer had nothing to do with it. This would be even more difficult to find out. Just a thought.

 

[SylvanSRT]

They do not repaint cars at assembly plant, CAAP has no painting facilities or equiptment onsite at all. If panels come in/or are damaged at the factory they either dont get used or are taken off and changed. All panels are shipped into CAAP fully finshed and damaged pieces are sent back to the supplier, with only a final polish happening at CAAP. The cars at CAAP are really examined closely under harsh lights and they leave CAAP as close to flawless(at least paint) as you can expect on a new car.

 

[prevnine11ownr]

I really wouldn't sweat it. If it looks good...so be it. The paint on my 03 isn't that great to begin with...the clear coat is very thin (WATCH BUFFING !! OR YOU'LL GO RIGHT THROUGH).. If its a good match w/ a good clear, you'll be fine. Good Luck John...

 

[SylvanSRT]

my sentiments exactly if you never even noticed it during the year and half till someone else pointed it out to you it cannot be that bad.

 

[Stray Cat]

I would ask the dealer because if they re-painted it there should be a record of it - someone had to get paid to perform the work.

There are body shops that can make it virtually impossible to tell you have re-painted it at all - even the quarter. I had an Aqua Blur 05 SSR that the dealer wrecked into another car while changing the oil. I was so mad and he told me "I have two guys upstairs who can make it dissapear" I didn't believe him until I saw what they did. It was unreal. Perfect. I have now taken two cars there.

Good luck - you'll find out the truth and be able to get it fixed. But make sure that the body shop has qualified people and inspect work thay have done on other expensive vehicles.

John

 

[Fast Too]

If its not on the vehicle history report then I wouldn't loose any more sleep over it. You had it a year and a half and never noticed it right? It cannot look bad then in my opinion. When I bought my 06 SRT somewhere between the showroom floor and the garage bay for delivery prep they spilled something on the rear facia that ate right through the clear coat, I didn't have a choice but to have them paint it or decline the car. There wasn't many 06's left to be had so I took it. I figured if I didn't take the car they would have had to paint it anyway to fix the blemish and someone else would be driving around in the car I wanted. Looking at it now you would never know it to have happened. Be happy, enjoy your car man, you have a Viper. There isn't alot of folks out there who can say that. Its the unaviodable rock chips that drive me nuts.

 

[06blackviper]

it is the law here in California that if a new car has over $600.00 in damage that it must be disclosed at the sale with an additional disclosure. unfortunately when damage happens at the dealership they would never turn it over to insurance instead tell there internal shop that they would not want to be billed more than 599 dollars even if there shop looses money to get the job done.

2nd possibility is factory or trucking damage.

some certified letters from an attorney will yield better results then just screaming a lot at your dealership.

 

[Racer Robbie]

I am sick to my stomach and need some advice as to what recourse I may have with a piece of crap dealer. In 2005 I purchased a brand new 2004 (with 12 miles) SRT 10 from a Dodge dealer in Conn. In the past year & half I have put on 5k pampered miles, with the car only coming out on nice summer days.

Just yesterday I brought the car to a local detailer to buff out a couple scratches I accidently put on the trunk. The detailer asked if I would consider repainting the trunk as he was concerned he my buff through the clear coat. Since the car is in pristine condition (except for the stupid scratch ), I answered I would never paint the car for a small scratch as I beleive that a car with re-paint would be more difficult to sell. Just after I made this statement, the detailer asked why I had the rear quater panel painted. I had no idea what he was talking about and told him that he was an idiot as I bought the car new and never repainted.

After he pointed out the tell tale signs of a re-paint, I completely agree, the car did have a repainted panel.

How does this happen, how could a dealer sell as new if the car was repainted?

What can I do now that over a year has passed, how do I prove it?

Do I contact Dodge Corp or the dealer first?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am so pissed. If I wanted to take my chances with buying a repainted car, I would have bought used.

Bookie,

First off let me say that others and I am interested in knowing what the name of the dealer in CT is as I too live in CT. Chances are I can tell you if the dealer is on the up and up.

Second, this is the real deal in Ct. anyway. If a dealer has a new car that has been damaged in Ct., after they have taken delivery of the car on their lot, from a test drive or an employee driving it they do not have to report the damage to a buyer if the damage is under a certain dollar amount. I do not remember how much the dollar amount is. My best friend used to be the number 1 salesman for Madison Dodge-Jeep and he told me about this CT. policy. I would call the CT. DMV Dealers & Repairs Division in Weathersfield and ask an inspector what the amount of damage can be before they have to report it and I would also ask them what recourse you have.

It might also interest you that Car Fax is useless because if a person pays out of his pocket for damage to his car instead of putting it through his insurance company then it will never show up on Car Fax. I learned this the hard way a few years ago. As they say "Buyer Beware".

Robbie

 

[redtanrt10]

Dealers and manufactures are required to disclose body/paint work on all new cars once they cross a certain threshold, $600, $750?? The disclosure needs to be signed by the customer regardless of which one caused/fixed the damange. Perhaps you did't notice the disclosure when you had to sign the dozen forms to buy and license your car? Or, maybe the work was only a few hundred dollars? I'd bet that if the dealer did the work there is a work order in the deal jacket at the dealership.
While you're pissed you need to think about what you were harmed and what do you want. Call the dealer and tell him what you want.

 

[Finally got it !]

Bookie,

It might also interest you that Car Fax is useless because if a person pays out of his pocket for damage to his car instead of putting it through his insurance company then it will never show up on Car Fax. I learned this the hard way a few years ago. As they say "Buyer Beware".

Robbie

30k damage on my 04. Paid through Geico. Never showed on any records. Carfax, DMV, etc. They are all worthless. Paids to get a inspection from a reptuable company. As far as a Dealer in CT. They all ****. Tator is the only place for me......

 

[SRTJOE]

When I picked up my car it only had 4 miles on it I think that is the standard. You said that there were 12 miles on it I wonder if someone at the dealership was playing around with it and damaged it. I would get an attorney to Wright them a letter!! Let us know how it goes - good luck.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

It ***** but, don’t get an ulcer over it. IMO If you’ve never noticed it I’m sure it’s not a big deal. You have to ask yourself if the depreciating in value to the next buyer is really worth the aggravation. After all the next owner is buying it used.

That doesn’t let the dealer off the hook I’m just saying, don’t let it get the best of you.

 

[TAXIMAN1]

12 miles, paintwork from the dealer? possible.. But highly unlikely.. You have to watch.... Some people (dealers,detailers,bodyshop guys alike) will look at Vipers (especially Gen.1-2) and SWARE the car has had paintwork. Overspray, orange peel, rough detail on the door jams,etc. are just part of the way these cars are built.

Sure fire way to tell..... If you can find someone who has a good paintmeter for metal/composite (these aren't cheap). You'll be able to tell right away... If the whole car has 4-6mil. of paint, and that area has 12mil. Well then, your right, it HAS been painted.. If it has between 4-6mil. all around, chances are, it has NOT been painted..

Honestly, light/surface paint work is really not a big issue, if it was done properly. I would say 40% of all cars at auction have been painted in some way or another.. Really doesnt hurt value too much, for minor work.. Only if it involves major impact, does it really crush value.

Even if you find paintwork. Its going to be tough/impossible to pin anything on the dealer.Since you have had the car in-service for over 2 years.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

You best avenue is to go back and chat with the Dealer. See if they did have to do a repair, and if so ask them to redo it. Though CAAP does not repaint, I will politely disagree with Sylvan, as cars do get repainted if there is a flaw, and they are not always done perfectly ---- it is a handbuilt car. With virtually all the panels painted seperately it is not uncommon, though it is fairly rare, but it can be done well.

Good luck and hang in there.

Best Regards,
Bill Pemberton

 

[adamlotus]

dont let it bother you,you never noticed in the past.just enjoy the car and have fun

 

[TBarrow]

I was in Modena Italy at the Maserati Factory last February. They had an entire area set up for an inspection process where calipers were touched up, fenders or doors resprayed, paintless dent removal, and buffing before they were covered to be shipped to the states. It is like knowing what goes on in some restaurants kitchen. If you knew everything you would just eat at home.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Unfortunately, this is not all that uncommon of an occurrence. Occassionally during shipping, cars are bumped and scratched and will require dealer correction.

Exactly. Happens all the time. I recall talking to a dealer and they told me that the cars that come of the truck have plenty of scratches and dents. They just fix it before selling the car. My front end was repainted before purchase as well.

 

[DodgeViper01]

I was in Modena Italy at the Maserati Factory last February. They had an entire area set up for an inspection process where calipers were touched up, fenders or doors resprayed, paintless dent removal, and buffing before they were covered to be shipped to the states. It is like knowing what goes on in some restaurants kitchen. If you knew everything you would just eat at home.

A local dealer over in NJ does the damage repair for Ferrari of NA. It is amazing to see how some of the cars come in.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

One thing noted , reported by Sgt. Joe, about mileage, and that needs to be corrected as it can give you a false sense. Many cars come in with lower miles, but it is very common for a new Viper to come in with as much as 40 miles ( they put a sticker in the window to denote that this car was subjected to extra inspection ). The fact that your car had 12 miles is very,very normal and indicates the Dealership likely did the required Pre Delivery Inspection, which requires a road test to check for rattles , alignment, driveability, etc. It is also highly likely Sgt Joe's car was never checked over,never driven, etc., but just applied for the funds Dodge provides the Dealer to do such work. So do not feel the 12 miles means anything at all, and if the paint was not noticed by you before , I would comment like some others, to not worry about it too much, as regardless of whether Dodge redid it or the Dealer , it must have been done awfully well.

For your peace of mind , just go chat with the Dealer and enjoy the beast.

Respectfully,
Bill Pemberton

 

[Bookie]

Thanks to everyone who responded, I feel a little better regardless what happens. The dealer in Conn is Crest Dodge. I am planning on calling them this week. The reason why it bothers me so much is that now that I know it exists I can tell the paintjob was not the best. I can see some defects in the clear coat and it looks as if the panel was "tiped and rubbed", but with heavy wax it is difficult to see. I took the car to a body shop by my house and the guy said he would not repaint again, not worth taking the panel off the car, he said I should just live with it.

As an aside, do you guys think it will impact the value of the car. I know someone mentioned that 40% of all auction cars have had paintwork, but my car is not an auction car. Would you guys shy away from a car with paintwork or is not a big deal.

This is a very good lesson learned about buying a new from a dealer.

 

[jpas]

What exactly did the dealership point out to you on the panel that made it look like a repaint. If the panel was removed and painted like it should have been, you would not have seen any signs.

 

[Canyon707]

What me Worry...... Its pretty hard to find a dealer thats honest it just dosen't go with the profession. I bought my Viper and was told that it had never been repainted. Dumb me. I should have never beleived that and came to find out it parts had been repainted. Was I pissed? just at myself... I should have known. Here the real deal I have driven my black o4 vert and I really love the way it feels. If your on Calif roads its ******* paint. The rocker panels get hammered by little stones and so goes the paint. You can't keep it in the garage to just look at you have to drive it to really have the fun it provides. So far I have repainted my rocker panels, trunk lid, front bumper.I removed them from the car to have them done which is the proper way. I have no regrets. I did put on side sill from Autoform and it really save the rockers and doors from road rocks no more nicks Yeah. Presently it looks perfect and 13000 miles on Ca roads.

 

[Boxer12]

I was in Modena Italy at the Maserati Factory last February. They had an entire area set up for an inspection process where calipers were touched up, fenders or doors resprayed, paintless dent removal, and buffing before they were covered to be shipped to the states. It is like knowing what goes on in some restaurants kitchen. If you knew everything you would just eat at home.

The difference is, all Ferraris and Maseratis get test driven 500 miles before leaving the factory. Many of them get minor paint work done and sold as new, which they are. In fact, in the world of hand built cars, repainting is not a big deal. Most people would rather repaint a front clip than use a clear bra, so you have that factory original look. I wouldn't sweat it!

 

[Donuts4me9]

can you post up a couple of pics?