What would you do?

[jeebus]

I've had my BRZ for a few days and I love it. It bought it from a dealer one state over and had it shipped here. When it was delivered, it wouldn't start. Apparently the dealer had installed a security system and forgotten about it. They didn't disclose it to me, I didn't purchase it, etc. I was able to bypass the system with the valet button and the dealer told me I could remove it easily.

This weekend I removed it. It's a cheapo system (as expected). The car starts fine, etc. But I am frustrated that so many wires in my harness under the dash were spliced into without ANY consent to me. Nevermind that they forgot to remove it, but just that it was installed at all kinda rubs me the wrong way.

Also, when I bought the car they said they had tinted it already. So I paid for that. Not a huge deal. But this weekend I was tracking down the source of a rattle in the decklid and found the entire middle brake light assembly was broken. It obviously got removed and re-installed improperly during the tinting. It still works, but it won't hold itself together. I fixed it up with some tape for now. Rattle gone.

So...what would you do about this situation?

[was385]

Take it in to a local dealer, tell them what happened, and see if they'll fix it under warranty or work with the dealer you bought it from to figure something out. I'd also get some sort of written confirmation that the work on the wires was done by the dealership, without your consent, so that you have something to fall back on for warranty issues.

[Hix]

Dealerships love making other dealerships pay for shit. Take it somewhere local and explain what has transpired (possibly show them the sales sticker where they installed the tint) and have them fix it then bill the other dealership

[gily25]

It's one of the pitfalls of buying a car without seeing it first, you really don't know what they did and when they did it until you see it. However, if there is nothing in your paperwork making reference to the alarm, and clearly it is not oem you may be able to discuss with an attorney.

I don't think you'll get a new car out of the deal (if this is your logic) I would say the likely outcome is they'll buy you an extended warranty from a 3rd party source. I can't remember from your other thread whether you said you already talked tough with the dealership but I would bypass all sales staff and go to the owner or general manager of the dealership. Don't mention that you would bad-mouth them online or make any other threats (if you already did it puts you in a tough spot). Say you went to a local dealership and this [extended warranty] was the advised outcome. If they refuse to give you the warranty you'll mention that you also discussed this with an attorney and would [the person you are speaking with] be the correct person for the attorney to talk to.

Use the car's warranty to have the 3rd brake light fixed; just tell them it rattles, don't even mention the tint and other dealer. It's not really worth your time to try to work with the old dealer on that. You may want to have it fixed first to give you a service record on your VIN in case they think you're BS'ing about having a local dealer's advice.

*2 cents*

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by gily25

It's one of the pitfalls of buying a car without seeing it first, you really don't know what they did and when they did it until you see it. However, if there is nothing in your paperwork making reference to the alarm, and clearly it is not oem you may be able to discuss with an attorney.

I don't think you'll get a new car out of the deal (if this is your logic) I would say the likely outcome is they'll buy you an extended warranty from a 3rd party source. I can't remember from your other thread whether you said you already talked tough with the dealership but I would bypass all sales staff and go to the owner or general manager of the dealership. Don't mention that you would bad-mouth them online or make any other threats (if you already did it puts you in a tough spot). Say you went to a local dealership and this [extended warranty] was the advised outcome. If they refuse to give you the warranty you'll mention that you also discussed this with an attorney and would [the person you are speaking with] be the correct person for the attorney to talk to.

Use the car's warranty to have the 3rd brake light fixed; just tell them it rattles, don't even mention the tint and other dealer. It's not really worth your time to try to work with the old dealer on that. You may want to have it fixed first to give you a service record on your VIN in case they think you're BS'ing about having a local dealer's advice.

*2 cents*

thanks, and no I'm not trying to get a new car out of it. I just don't like when things are hacked up without my consent. I've bought other cars with "pre-installed" alarms before, that I choose to have "disabled" at the time of purchase. In these cases, while annoyed, at least I'm fully aware that my car has been hacked up and have the option of walking away from the deal right then and there.

[Turbowned]

Ugh, WTF. It pains me to hear stories like this. I hope you can work out a solution between your local dealer and the dealer who you bought it from. Eeediots!

[Mango22]

Wow, I get upset when I purchase a small item online that isn't as described, so I can't imagine dealing with your situation. The spliced wires alone would give me chest pains. I also thought about purchasing a BRZ and having it shipped to me just so I could get one sooner than later, but then I thought about buying a car sight unseen and reconsidered purchasing that way. I'm sorry for your situation and hope a local dealership will straighten out your issues. Let us know how it goes.