Paint/Body work prior to taking delivery on a new BRZ

[PollosHermanos]

So after taking a close look at my new BRZ over the last two weeks since delivery I've come to the conclusion that the front left fender panel was replaced and painted prior to the car making it into my hands.

Over-spray on the 'louver' located above the wheel well, missing wheel well liner fasteners and the nail in the coffin, black sheet metal partially painted on the inside of the fender visible when the hood is opened.

My dealer sourced the car from another dealer in another state and when I contacted my dealer they said that if that is the case they will make it right. They asked that I bring it in Monday so their used car guy could look at it. They have been great so far so I trust they will do as they say.

This can't be the first time this has happened and we all in know new cars sometimes take damage while on the lot. Anyone have this happen to them and if so what was your restitution from the dealer?


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[Mo707]

I would just walk away from that.... Smells fishy.
i wouldnt even bother. shitty body work and for all you know it could have been more than a fender...

[Sony]

Have a reputable body guy you know inspect it before taking it to the dealer. The front quarter panels are actually REALLY easy to take off. Just take off the front bumper and then the headlights and the panel should come right out after unbolting it. Or you could pull the inner wheel liner back after undoing the clips and shine a flashlight in there. Super easy!

[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by Sony

Have a reputable body guy you know inspect it before taking it to the dealer. The front quarter panels are actually REALLY easy to take off. Just take off the front bumper and then the headlights and the panel should come right out after unbolting it. Or you could pull the inner wheel liner back after undoing the clips and shine a flashlight in there. Super easy!

There is no doubt in my mind that the fender was replaced. The dark sheet metal that should be white like the rest of the car is visible when opening the hood:





And some paint dust left around the top of a bolt on the suspect fender from the sanding, I'd guess:



Finally, the over spray on the louver on the outside of the fender:





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[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by Mo707

I would just walk away from that.... Smells fishy.
i wouldnt even bother. shitty body work and for all you know it could have been more than a fender...

I agree and I plan to have an independent shop look at it to determine what the damage may have been if elsewhere on the car, too. So far as I can tell (as a car guy, not a pro) the fender is the extent of it. For what it is worth the paint job on that fender looks very, very, good.

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[Sony]

Originally Posted by PollosHermanos

There is no doubt in my mind that the fender was replaced. The dark sheet metal that should be white like the rest of the car is visible when opening the hood.

And some paint dust left around the top of a bolt on the suspect fender from the sanding, I'd guess:

Finally, the over spray on the louver on the outside of the fender:
]
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I meant more have them check under the panel for any other issues like dents in the unibody or things of that nature. Checking for hidden damage to make sure they didn't sell you a car that was in a wreck. The body panel may have just been scratched during shipment and therefore needed to be repainted before being sold. However the body shop did a poor job if they didn't pull the accent panel out before painting and just taped over it...

[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by Sony

I meant more have them check under the panel for any other issues like dents in the unibody or things of that nature. Checking for hidden damage to make sure they didn't sell you a car that was in a wreck. The body panel may have just been scratched during shipment and therefore needed to be repainted before being sold. However the body shop did a poor job if they didn't pull the accent panel out before painting and just taped over it...

Got it. Good advice and something I'll keep in mind.

Disappointing that they taped (poorly I might add) the panel. Also doesn't make sense since the whole fender itself was off the car and could have been painted fully when it was off the car/apart.

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[N1rve]

My first FRS had some blemishes and bubbles in the paint. The dealer let me change cars after I signed my contract.

I asked them what would happen to this FRS? They are going to repaint the bumper. They told me that in the state of California, as long as it's under 500 dollars of damage, they do not have to disclose anything to the customer (legally).

Check your state, it might not have been a legal repaint.

[whaap]

Back in 1967 I was in a Ford dealership's body shop inspecting damages to a policy holders car. I saw a brand new Ford station wagon with the entire left side showing damage. According to the shop manager it was a brand new car that had fallen off the ramp as it was being backed off the trailer delivering the car to the dealership. A customer had special ordered the car. It was their intention to replace all the left side panels and deliver the car to her as if nothing had happened.

[ZionsWrath]

I am pretty sure there is a law that states under $X,XXX damage repaired on a new car, they are not required to disclose it to the customer. Gonna try to google it now.

Here is one example for North Carolina: http://www.ncdoj.gov/Consumer/Automo...ar-Damage.aspx

They can repair up to 5% of the cars value without telling you. Try to look it up for your state.


Here is MA law:

(B) A motor vehicle dealer shall disclose, in writing to a purchaser of a new motor vehicle before entering into a sales contract, any damage and repair to the new motor vehicle if the cost of the damage exceeds three percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price calculated at the rate of the dealer's authorized warranty rate for labor and parts. A dealer is not required to disclose to a purchaser that the glass, tires, bumper, or in-dash equipment of or in a new motor vehicle was damaged if the equipment or item has been replaced with original or comparable new equipment.

http://statutes.laws.com/south-carol...-56/chapter-32

[pche]

It happens all the time. Car was probably damaged during transport. They fixed it in a hurry and sold it to you. Or in this case, trade it with your dealer.

[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I am pretty sure there is a law that states under $X,XXX damage repaired on a new car, they are not required to disclose it to the customer. Gonna try to google it now.

Here is one example for North Carolina: http://www.ncdoj.gov/Consumer/Automo...ar-Damage.aspx

They can repair up to 5% of the cars value without telling you. Try to look it up for your state.


Here is MA law:

(B) A motor vehicle dealer shall disclose, in writing to a purchaser of a new motor vehicle before entering into a sales contract, any damage and repair to the new motor vehicle if the cost of the damage exceeds three percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price calculated at the rate of the dealer's authorized warranty rate for labor and parts. A dealer is not required to disclose to a purchaser that the glass, tires, bumper, or in-dash equipment of or in a new motor vehicle was damaged if the equipment or item has been replaced with original or comparable new equipment.

http://statutes.laws.com/south-carol...-56/chapter-32

This is great, thank you. I'm going to check out CT as this is where the car was secured by my dealer from. Not sure which statute applies since the work ( I think) was done in Connecticut.

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[AVodka14]

Politely hand back over to the dealership. Sternly demand a new BRZ. Problem solved.

[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Politely hand back over to the dealership. Sternly demand a new BRZ. Problem solved.

That is the solution I will be asking for. If they do not want to cooperate then I'll be getting Subaru of America involved.

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