Auto Dealer to Dissatisfied Consumer, “You’re too Picky!”
Filed under: Auto Dealerships, Auto Manufacturers, Lemon Laws, Nissan, Ohio, State Specific Information
About three months ago my wife and I bought a new 2007 Nissan 350Z. It was our first new car and we were both eager to get it. Since neither of us know cars very well and we had no previous car shopping experience we probably assumed too much, which made us easy targets for hungry car salesmen and financiers. At any rate, the deal is done.
After spending almost $40,000, I expected our new car to be perfect or close to it, but it isn’t. Now that some of the newness has worn off I’m seeing all sorts of defects, predominantly with the body. The fenders and doors have uneven gaps between them; the hood flutters like the wings of a hummingbird at 60MPH or faster, and wind noise in the car is so loud we can hardly hear the radio when driving on the interstate.
The powers that be at the car dealership have told me I’m being too picky. It’s not that they can’t see the trouble when I point it out. Both service advisors that have test driven the Nissan admit the car is far from perfect and they would be unhappy also. But, instead of fixing the car the service manager is telling me that the complaints I have are characteristic of Z cars and there is nothing more under warranty that can be done to make them better.
Since this is a new car and we will probably have to drive it for quite some time, do you have any suggestions that I can use to leverage the dealership to take my complaints seriously and get this car fixed? Better yet, can I make them take it back under the Ohio lemon law? I hate to think car dealerships can blow new car owners off so easily when they have legitimate complaints.
Brandon
Marietta, Ohio
Insurance Companies Rated by Auto Body Repair Shops
Filed under: 21st Century, AIG, Allstate, American Family, Farmers, GMAC, Insurance Companies, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Original Equipment (OEM), Progressive, State Farm, USAA
I live in Ohio where we are required by law to carry auto insurance. Since I am not foolish enough to believe that all insurance companies are cut from the same cloth, I was wondering which particular insurance companies I should stay away from when I shop for cheaper auto insurance, and which companies stand out as being the best?
Ron
Akron, Ohio
Some Auto Dealers Suggest More Service Than Cars Need
Filed under: Auto Dealerships, Auto Manufacturers, Auto Parts, Battery, Kentucky, Toyota
My grandmother bought a new car last year. She doesn’t drive it much and the car dealership where she bought it keeps sending letters that say she is past due for service. Grams wants to keep the car dependable and running good, but if she does everything they say it could cost hundreds of dollars that she doesn’t have. Worse, it is worrying her day and night because when I called, the man there told me the warranty wouldn’t pay for the service procedures in the reminders she had received.
The car is a Toyota Corolla. As of right now it has 3,873 miles showing on the little thingy on the dash that keeps track of mileage. So far Grams has received six letters and another postcard or two. Some of the things they say needs done are brake service / inspection, Rotate and Electronically Balance Tires, 4 Wheel Alignment, Lube Oil and Filter Change, Fuel Injection Service, Battery Flush, and some other stuff that I can’t remember right now.
I talked Grams into buying this car and now I feel guilty about how much it looks like she is going to be spending on trips to the service department. She was happier with her old Ford Taurus, and at least it would start all the time. The Toyota has had to be jump started twice. She had to pay for that too, both times, because the warranty wouldn’t cover it!
Does this car need all of the services the dealer says it does, or is the car lot trying to pull one over on us? If it really does need this stuff, how much should it cost?
Cindy
Lexington, KY
Auto Insurance Company Not Paying All It Owes to Claimant
Filed under: Insurance Companies, Ohio, State Specific Information, Third Party Claims
My husband was involved in a car wreck last week with our 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup. The accident wasn’t his fault. He was hit by a teenage driver carrying a carload of friends to school. The boy’s insurance company told us we could get the vehicle fixed for $2407.56. When we took it to an auto body repair shop we know for an estimate, we were told there was more like $4,000 in repairs that needed to be done to fix the truck the way it should be fixed. Do we have the right to dispute what the insurance company adjuster told us or do we have to take what they say it can be fixed for? We are not crooks trying to take advantage of anyone. We just want to be paid what they owe us.
Sarah
Dayton, Ohio
Putting a Shine on Dulled Aluminum Car Wheels
Filed under: Auto Detailing, Original Equipment (OEM), Reconditioned, Wheel Alignment, Wheels
I have a well-kept older sports car that is all dressed out with custom accessories and a nice set of factory aluminum wheels. This car is a real head-turner and loads of fun to drive. As usual I was driving way too fast on some mountainous roads and not paying close enough attention, when without warning I hit a pothole that nearly made the false teeth fall out of my mouth. The impact was so hard that it ruined both the tire and wheel on the right front of the car. I think there are probably some other damaged parts as well, but nothing too serious - at least I hope not.
I’m not going to turn this claim in to my insurance company because I don’t want my insurance rates to go up. The tires were weather-cracked and I was planning on replacing them with new ones anyway, so I was prepared for that expense.
As for the wheel, I can save quite a bit of money if I buy a reconditioned wheel instead of a brand new aluminum wheel from a dealer. The company says the reconditioned wheel will be as shiny as a new one, but that’s where I have a problem. If the new wheel is really shiny, it will probably stand out like a sore thumb against the dulled aluminum wheels on the rest of the car. What can I do to make dulled aluminum wheels shiny like new or reconditioned wheels?
Chuck
Charlotte, NC
Ohio Consumer Questions Progressive Insurance Claims Practices
I bought car insurance on my Corvette from Progressive. After having a bad experience with another auto insurance company on an auto accident where I wasn’t even at fault, I saw the television commercials that promised a friendlier approach to claims and thought I’d give Progressive Insurance a try.
The insurance quote I received was lower, just as the television commercials said it might be, and I got comparisons on the spot that showed the hundreds of dollars I could expect to save over buying from other insurance companies. My greatest hope was that with Progressive Insurance being headquartered in Ohio where I live, I might stand a better chance of being treated fair than if I bought an insurance policy from a company headquartered in another state. By exploring coverage at other insurance companies, I hoped I might luck into finding an insurance company that really would be on my side, if you know what I mean.
Overall, Progressive Insurance seemed like a great deal. It was certainly better than I had with my previous insurance company, so I bought insurance coverage on the Corvette and another car.
Now, after having this new insurance policy a few months I’m hearing that Progressive Insurance may be hard to deal with after an auto accident. I’ve read some horror stories on Corvette Forum and other websites that give me reason to be concerned. I know you can’t believe everything you read, but there seems to be a lot of people who are not getting their cars repaired and their claims paid as they believe they should.
What is your opinion of Progressive Insurance and their new approach to claims?
Rick
Cleveland, Ohio
New, Used or Aftermarket Auto Parts?
Filed under: Aftermarket Parts, Auto Parts, Bumpers, CAPA Certified Parts, Original Equipment (OEM), Salvage Parts, Toyota
In a recent auto accident I damaged the front bumper on my Toyota. I went to an auto body repair shop near my home in Cincinnati, Ohio that is supposed to be very good at auto collision repair, but they didn’t want to fix the damaged bumper. They suggested I use an aftermarket part to repair my car because it would be cheaper.
When I looked on the Internet to learn more about aftermarket parts, I realized very quickly that an aftermarket part, especially a bumper, might not be the best choice for me. Since there is only about $50 difference in the price between aftermarket parts and genuine Toyota parts needed for this repair, I’m leaning on the side of genuine Toyota parts.
Like most other people, I want replacement auto parts that fit like they’re supposed to and protect me should I get into another auto accident. From what I’ve read, there is some question if aftermarket parts can do that as well as genuine Toyota parts.
Another auto body shop just across the river from Cincinnati in Kentucky suggested I consider CAPA certified parts for my car. The guy said CAPA parts are tested and approved. Another secondary alternative he suggested was getting a used part from a wrecked Toyota in an auto salvage yard.
There are too many choices and I am confused. My Toyota is not a new car, so I’m not going to be overly fussy. But, I don’t want my safety compromised, especially over $50. Straight up, would you suggest new Toyota parts, salvage parts, CAPA certified parts or regular aftermarket parts for the repairs?
Jason
Cincinnati, Ohio