HELP! Bought a used car problem

[barabashka]

Bought a used car from a dealer in Toronto. The sale was conditional on mechanical inspection for 10 days. Didn't get the powertrain warranty then.

Took it to a mechanic back home (Waterloo). He finds that tranny is leaking fluid. Estimated cost to repair $1500.

Called the dealer, told him that I want it fixed. He tells me that leaks are not covered in the conditional clause, only "mechanical" problems. The only option he's offering to sell me a warranty now that includes seals and gaskets and claim the repairs through it.

What are my options?

If I do get the warranty, which seems like the only option atm, any chance they won't pay for the repairs?

Thanks a bunch. I'm pretty desperate.

[BladeX]

Whats the agreement on "mechanical inspection for 10 days" So you sign a paper saying the sale is good as long as you have it inspected by a mechanic and they say ok within the 10 days, deal is good or how is it?

Do you know where the leak is at? What kind of car? 1500 seems like its almost the price of replacing the tranny.

[brendonp]

You'll need the exact wording of the clause - however, I've seen/heard dealers to many things to make/keep a sale, some being quite dishonest. If you happen to know a lawyer, ask them to write you a nice letter. Most dealers will back off quickly over the threat of legal action. If the dealer's claim is legit, who knows....

I would guess that a leaky tranny will cause a mechanical failure (if it wasn't due to a mechanical failure) - I would probably argue that anyways....

Good luck!

[barabashka]

You'll need the exact wording of the clause - however, I've seen/heard dealers to many things to make/keep a sale, some being quite dishonest. If you happen to know a lawyer, ask them to write you a nice letter. Most dealers will back off quickly over the threat of legal action. If the dealer's claim is legit, who knows....

I would guess that a leaky tranny will cause a mechanical failure (if it wasn't due to a mechanical failure) - I would probably argue that anyways....

Good luck!

Exact wording:

"In case of amy mechanical repairs to be done (excluding service, electrical, leaks, and tune ups) dealer will fix them, otherwise full deposit refund guaranteed."

Dealer is claiming that a main gasket leak on a tranny is still just a leak. But when he was selling the car he was quite reassuring that if ANYTHING is wrong with it, i can just bring it back. I didn't pay attention to the leak part too much, and service and tune-ups seemed reasonable.

Not sure how legit the claim would be, but it may just cost too much to find out, since i don't know any lawyer personally.

As for $1500 estimate, that's just what my mechanic got over the phone from a transmission shop. They said that it's the labour charge since they need to pull the tranny appart. It's leaking right in the middle of it, not on the engine side.

[BladeX]

What car is it if you dont mind me asking?

Its leaking where the tranny connects with the engine there? Or rear main seals perhaps? Any pics, what kind of leaks, drips or literally leaks.

You can try to run a risk n leave it at your mechanics, and go back to dealer say cuz of that leak, tranny fliud run out and now my tranny is grindin like **** now I want a new tranny replacement. or something to that effect.

Depending on the car (imports mostly and older models) you can pickup a used GOOD tranny for around 500-800$ and nothing over 1000$ in labour to change it again depending on car and year, so if you are planning to do it if anything, go find yourself a used tranny from junkyard and just swap in a new tranny instead. what are the klicks on the car

[barabashka]

What car is it if you dont mind me asking?

Its leaking where the tranny connects with the engine there? Or rear main seals perhaps? Any pics, what kind of leaks, drips or literally leaks.

You can try to run a risk n leave it at your mechanics, and go back to dealer say cuz of that leak, tranny fliud run out and now my tranny is grindin like **** now I want a new tranny replacement. or something to that effect.

Depending on the car (imports mostly and older models) you can pickup a used GOOD tranny for around 500-800$ and nothing over 1000$ in labour to change it again depending on car and year, so if you are planning to do it if anything, go find yourself a used tranny from junkyard and just swap in a new tranny instead. what are the klicks on the car

2003 Mazda Protege 5, 116K, and it's automatic tranny, btw.

It's not leaking much, not even dripping on the pavement, as far as i can see at least. But the whole undercarriage is wet with transmission oil, all the way to the fuel tank. That's just from the air flow blowing it all over the place. You can see where the leak starts, and it's not where the tranny mounts to the engine. I'm not sure what that part is called.

Now I'm wondering that the condition says "any mechanical repairs to be done". Sealing that leak would be a mechanical repair. Not properly sealed transmission would be a mechanical problem, not a leak. Do you think i can nail the dealer on that?

[IoannI]

1500 to repair the leak wow thats pretty high. My transmission guy will rebuild the tranny for $1200 the first time and if you go back or send customers to him he will knock off $100. I say buy the warranty if he claims he will fix the repair if you do. It seems that he is trying to help you out. You say that the sale was conditional on mechanical inspection for 10 days thats why you didn't get the powertrain warranty. When did you get the inspection and what exactly was the condition?

[bizzmanager]

Who is the dealer??

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Not me...

What Warranty are they offering? I mean who is the provider?
Almost every warranty company requires a service inspection prior to writing the warranty policy, I find it odd that they are offering it to you now, when they can't do an inspection now..

[BladeX]

so its a tiptronic tranny im assuming? Still too expensive imo for a leak fix, any pics of where its leaking? If you cant get it dnoe, and the leak aint from somewhere important n a small one, just gasket maker / silicone it ?

[ES_Revenge]

so its a tiptronic tranny im assuming?
Uh no this isn't a Porsche it's a Mazda.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Uh no this isn't a Porsche it's a Mazda.

As of 2003 Auto Proteges/Protege5 and all the Auto Mazda3 came with sport shifting.

[BladeX]

Uh no this isn't a Porsche it's a Mazda.

:confused:

[impulsebuyer]

I have a used car dealership and I have had 1 instance when a gasket leak after 1 month of ownership was discovered by our customer. We had it repaired for the customer at our shop and went half with the customer on price because it was not covered under warranty. If the dealer is fair, and you paid a fair price for the car, he should be willing to atleast help out with the repairs. Granted, he does not have the onus to help you or even pay for any of the repair since it does not form a part of the warranty issued. It's more of an ethical issue. Our prices to repair cars are usually much better than most consumers. The price of a simple leak should definately not be anywhere as much as $1,500.00. Get a second opinion from a mechanic you trust, or from the dealer who sold you the car. If you need an honest opinion, contact me via email or pm and I will send you to my mechanic to have a look.

P.S. It is always advisable to ask your dealer to include some sort of warranty! Even for 3 months! BUY IT, it's cheap! The car is afterall a used vehicle and the dealer cannot guarantee that there won't be any leaks or problems. Most leakage problems will show up within the first month or two. I always include some sort of warranty in my pricing to make sure the customer leaves happy, and stays happy! It's better for business!

Good luck!

- Zu

[maxgohan]

put your seat belt on
drive up to about 60 km/h and just drop the gear into park

do that a few times and the tranny should blow, there you go, now you have a mechanical failure :)

[Frankie3s]

I think the best place to buy a used car from would be RFD. I bought a used 2001 Civic LX Couple and have had no problems with the car whatsoever for over 2 years now :lol: .

[barabashka]

Some developments on this:

Took the car to Mr. Transmission the next day. They looked at it and said it's not the tranny that's leaking, but something above it.

Took it back to the mechanic. Looked at it again, nothing seems to be leaking above. He washed the undercarriage off with engine degreaser and told me to come back on Friday to see if the leak comes back. All fluid levels seem good, including transmission fluid.

I've been checking the bottom of the car 3 times a day and everything seems to be dry. There's a bit of oil stain left under the driver seat, but i think that's just a leftover that wasn't washed out properly. The middle part is dry, so is transmission. At least as far as i can see. so i'm not sure what to think now.

Meanwhile bought the warranty: powertrain with seals an gaskets for 1 year. $750/occurrence coverage. it's through A-protect. http://www.a-protectwarranty.com/default.shtml Never heard of them. Don't now how the dealer could offer it now, but i don't really care, as long as they cover the repairs if the leak is still there.

[BladeX]

One shop says it there, one shop say it isnt.

Hmm i suggest you got to a FEW shops like 4-5, get price quotes and see where the actual problem is.