Is my dealer full of shit?

[Demiurge]

So, I posted this in another thread (http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25471), but I feel like taking it off-topic.

Backstory is this:I bought an frs, traded in RSX. Put my summer tires in the RSX, asked for them to buy 16'' steel wheels for FR-S and move winter tires off rsx on new wheels on my fr-s. Bullshit ensued, they sold the car with all 8 of my tires without even asking me. Now, I told them I honestly that I think they are bullshitting me about not being able to install 16'' steel wheels on frs mentioning 'The G86 in Japan comes with 16" wheels stock'. Here is their reply:

We are not putting on wheels that would jepordize the well being of the store. If you want to buy wheels through us, that is fine. We are not putting on wheels that dont meet factory specifications. I am in the process of trying to get you a new interior trim piece. I am also getting ahold of the girl who bought your car. I will be in touch. You are also talking about a car in Japan, that doesnt meet the same safety specifications as the USA.

Here is my reply, I think I'm flying off the handle:
It's insulting and suspicious because it's elementary physics and
mechanics that anyone who's ever seen a wheel can understand. I have
gotten input from 4 sources, mechanics and dealer. The 16'' wheels are
WITHIN the specifications because the only thing the specifications
and safety require is backspace clearance, offset and diameter.
Nothing else is a requirement. Now, if you don't want to go out of
your supply sources for the wheels with the right specs or have other
reasons, that is possible. But to tell me this is a safety requirement
is insulting and suspicious.

Am I wrong or over-reacting?

[CSG Mike]

Did you get that entire tire swap agreement in writing?

[King Tut]

Never package crazy things like this in the purchase of your vehicle. At this point my recommendation would be get your 8 tires back from the dealer. Purchase some 16" wheels. Take your 4 winter tires and new 16" wheels to a reputable tire shop and have them mount them for you. Take the dealer out of the equation as soon as you can. I would guess that the dealer is having trouble finding 16" wheels for your car. Tire Rack doesn't show any. Most places are going to say oh it comes with a 17" tire you can't fit a 16". You are going to have to do your research and buy some that you know will work.

[Demiurge]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Did you get that entire tire swap agreement in writing?

My first time buying a new car, it didn't even come into my mind to get it in writing, because I thought they would want me to come back??? I'm looking into whether it's possible to get warranty service at another dealer from now on...

[Demiurge]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Never package crazy things like this in the purchase of your vehicle. At this point my recommendation would be get your 8 tires back from the dealer. Purchase some 16" wheels. Take your 4 winter tires and new 16" wheels to a reputable tire shop and have them mount them for you. Take the dealer out of the equation as soon as you can. I would guess that the dealer is having trouble finding 16" wheels for your car. Tire Rack doesn't show any. Most places are going to say oh it comes with a 17" tire you can't fit a 16". You are going to have to do your research and buy some that you know will work.

I agree entirely that I should not have been trusting to any degree, whatsoever and treated the place as a legal scam from start, that is how I will deal with it from now on, but it was my first time new buyer

It looks like they're not giving any tires back, as they sold the car to one of their own technicians. And some other (or same?) technician is the one who didn't want to put the 16'' wheels on. It's an interesting coincidence. Now they are giving me this bullshit, which is just insulting due to its lack of factual merit.

[MTCRX]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Never package crazy things like this in the purchase of your vehicle. At this point my recommendation would be get your 8 tires back from the dealer. Purchase some 16" wheels. Take your 4 winter tires and new 16" wheels to a reputable tire shop and have them mount them for you. Take the dealer out of the equation as soon as you can. I would guess that the dealer is having trouble finding 16" wheels for your car. Tire Rack doesn't show any. Most places are going to say oh it comes with a 17" tire you can't fit a 16". You are going to have to do your research and buy some that you know will work.

What he said. Once the deal is done the dealer feels no obligation to handle a handshake deal that will cost them time, money, and effort. Just do what you can, get the tires back, etc. go somewhere else and move on. There is nothing in this for the deal and no incentive since he made the sale, and the RSX sale already. Next time just handle all this yourself ahead of time, and give the dealer only what you want to give them.

[Beyer Subaru]

Originally Posted by Demiurge

So, I posted this in another thread (http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25471), but I feel like taking it off-topic.

Backstory is this:I bought an frs, traded in RSX. Put my summer tires in the RSX, asked for them to buy 16'' steel wheels for FR-S and move winter tires off rsx on new wheels on my fr-s. Bullshit ensued, they sold the car with all 8 of my tires without even asking me. Now, I told them I honestly that I think they are bullshitting me about not being able to install 16'' steel wheels on frs mentioning 'The G86 in Japan comes with 16" wheels stock'. Here is their reply:

We are not putting on wheels that would jepordize the well being of the store. If you want to buy wheels through us, that is fine. We are not putting on wheels that dont meet factory specifications. I am in the process of trying to get you a new interior trim piece. I am also getting ahold of the girl who bought your car. I will be in touch. You are also talking about a car in Japan, that doesnt meet the same safety specifications as the USA.

Here is my reply, I think I'm flying off the handle:
It's insulting and suspicious because it's elementary physics and
mechanics that anyone who's ever seen a wheel can understand. I have
gotten input from 4 sources, mechanics and dealer. The 16'' wheels are
WITHIN the specifications because the only thing the specifications
and safety require is backspace clearance, offset and diameter.
Nothing else is a requirement. Now, if you don't want to go out of
your supply sources for the wheels with the right specs or have other
reasons, that is possible. But to tell me this is a safety requirement
is insulting and suspicious.

Am I wrong or over-reacting?

The only difference between the JDM 16" Wheel Spec cars is the Final Drive Ratio.

I don't see how this (16") would cause anything to go wrong in the vehicle.

Their not necessarily "full of shit" for not wanting to put on a non-OEM wheel fitment. If something was to go wrong they would be liable.

From here forward I would get everything in writing and/or start talking to a lawyer.

I only say this because you said that they sold your property to another customer and you will need to be compensated or reimbursed.

I don't think your wrong or over reacting but I will reccomend caution and patience as things proceed.

[Demiurge]

I don't think your wrong or over reacting but I will reccomend caution and patience as things proceed.

Thanks, I'm glad I'm not crazy. I don't know if it's worth it to really fight this out, even though I am in the right. I probably will try to minimize my damage in time spent and try not to ever deal with these guys again. The used tires are not worth enough, I think. I haven't given the sales guy a review to Scion yet, so that's probably the only lever...

[dori.]

my one question is, "why didn't you just get some wheels and have the tires installed at a tire shop"? Because I can't see why any dealer would do that.

though them selling your tires is pure BS, get'em back.

[Demiurge]

Originally Posted by dori.

my one question is, "why didn't you just get some wheels and have the tires installed at a tire shop"? Because I can't see why any dealer would do that.

Because I'm an idiot who thinks that it would be unprofitable for them to act this way. Lesson learned, for sure.

[smbrm]

Did you know the spare is a 16" wheel? I think you will see this more and more as OEM's try to avoid even a hint of liability exposure beyond what they choose to be accountable for. I have heard of tire shops that will sell you wheels/tires without TPMS(where TPMS is not a legislated requirement), but they will not install them. Businesses are just not wanting to be anywhere accountable for customer choices outside of original.

[Demiurge]

Originally Posted by smbrm

Did you know the spare is a 16" wheel?

hahaha, noup. I do know you're not supposed to drive on it for long, but this makes it even more clearly obvious the offsets inside would not be a problem and they must have these in supply internally. Amazing.

[neutron256]

All dealers are full of s**t, I thought that was a given. I had a similiar situation where I had the stock wheels, aftermarkets, and winter steelies for my trade in. At least there the dealer was honest and said they want the stock wheels nothing else.

Reused what I could and sold what was left on craigslist.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by Demiurge

My first time buying a new car, it didn't even come into my mind to get it in writing, because I thought they would want me to come back??? I'm looking into whether it's possible to get warranty service at another dealer from now on...

it's imperative you get everything in writing to protect yourself. you cannot assume people will do the right thing,UNLESS it directly effects THIER OWN interests.