I need your opinions. As a few of you guys know, I have a Ford F250 that I use to tow the Chevelle to the longer shows and cruizes. I also use it for work sometimes. I am a die hard Chevy fan when it comes to cars, but I love the Ford trucks. Anyhow, my '97 F250 has about 167K miles, although it's in nice shape...but time for an upgrade. I have been looking for sometime, and a week ago Friday, I bought an F150, really nice, a 2004. Really decked out, pretty much every option but a moon roof.
When I went for a test ride w/ the salesman (woman), I noticed a vibration from 40 mph on up, like a tire or two out of balance. No big deal, other than that, it was fine. Then the negotiations started. I noticed that the truck had not been detailed yet, it wasnt filthy, but normal dirty inside, even cookie crumbs in the back seat. She said they havn't had a chance to detail and clean it yet, but they would have it all cleaned up for me if I bought it. I said something like "Oh, it just came in then?" Well no, it had been there for 192 days ( I later found out) I also heard all the hype about their 140 point inspection, and that everything would be fixed before I picked it up. We agreed on a price, which turned out to be 500 bucks under what they owned it for. I stuck to my original offer, no matter what... So I picked it up the next day, and on the way home, I notice that the shake is still there. Also noticed that when I take my foot off the gas, it goes away. So, Im thinking driveline, right? I get home, and start looking around. I see that the left rear tire looks a little low. I checked it and found 15# of air in it. So much for their 140 point check, huh?? Then I noticed that the front rotors are really rough. I dont know what constitutes having to replace brake pads and rotors, but these things are really worn....grooved all the way across where the pad rides, and there is a pretty big ridge above and below the pad area. The truck sat at the dealership all last week (I only kept is Sunday) They replaced the driveshaft and rebalanced the tires. I brought it home yesterday, but it's no better. Now I have to bring it back tomorrow afternoon, and it will likely be there all week again. So what do you think I should do at this point? I figured I will give it another week. I already talked with the manager of the dealership and told him my concerns. He assured me they will make it right. How much leeway do you think I should give them? I dont know what my options are as far as giving the truck back now. I already put him on notice that Im contemplating calling the bank and telling them what's going on. I dont see why I should be making two weeks of payments when I dont even have the truck here. Should I bail out now, or give it another week? More than a week? I need your opinions, and please, nothing like "drive it thru their front window". I have already considered that, and will only use it as a last resort.:p I thinking there are too many wierd things about this whole deal, and I dont know that I feel good about it. Thanks, and sorry this is sooooo long. John

Don't know what you got it for (price may make up for some issues), but I would wonder about 192 days and what problems there are that you can't see. I think you have already answered your own question. If you don't feel good I say back out of the deal and keep looking for the one that feels right.

Personally I would give them one more opportunity to fix it right. I think I would go talk to the manager again, and let him know in no uncertain terms that if it is not correctly repaired this time, they will be getting the truck back.

As far as the bank goes, well I don't know what to say there. I doubt the bank is going to work with you much at all. For them it is either you bought it with their money or you didn't, the mechanical problems are your problem.

I would bet one or two salespeople were using that truck while it was on the lot to do their own work. Hauling stuff around the house and such. Thats how the crumbs got inside and thats why it was a bit messy inside. I bet the dealership had already detailed it and then salespeople started taking it home for their own personal use. I have seen that happen numerous times.

Good luck with it, this can be a real headache sometimes.

Jeff

well if you aren't happy, and they will let you walk away, do it. There are literally millions of truck out there to choose from.

Im not sure it will be that easy. But I think I'll do what Jeff said, give it a week and see how they do with it. I'll talk to the manager again tomorrow. Thanks a lot guys.

Check your state laws. You might be able to cancel the transaction alltogether. Some states allow you to cancel any business transaction, inclucing vehicle purchases, within a specified period of time. Dealerships know this and they will try to jack you around until it's too late.

I agree with Jeff. Give them one more try.
What kind of warranty did you get with this truck?
If they do get it to your satisfaction, I'd have a long sit down with the manager. Tell him that with the issues you've had, you will be taking the truck to a independent mechanic for a full inspection and you expect them to pay for it and repair anything he finds. If they refuse, I'd think they know more than there saying and would consider walking away.

If you do some googling and vibration problems, you will find that a lot of the 04's and some 05's have it.

I have an 04 XL long box, and it has a noticeable vibration... Some of it is engine vibration (idles high or something) you can feel it sitting at a stoplight after its run for about 15 mins, the other is the going down the road vibration... Not too perceptible with mine, but its still here.

Other people (from reading on the net) have major shaking going on, Ford had to replace drivelines, add chassis dampers to the bottom of the bed, all kinds of weird things- not sure they ever did get it figured out.

There was one known problem in the early 04's where the front suspension would shake, (the steering wheel would shake too)there was a tsb for that and ford replaced some steering stuff to solve it. Mine was an april 04 truck and didn't have that problem.

Hope this helps some! Sucks to get a new/used rig and have problems right off the bat...

Your ability to walk away will depend on what documents you have signed and what the statutes in your state allow. If you signed a buyers agreement and the money has been funded by your bank you are close to being at the point of no return. You may be close to being at the mercy of the selling dealer and what they are willing to do. There choice may be that they are glad you took it off their hands and do not care if you never come back. Your choice may be to either keep it and find some way to trade out of it with minimal loss or walk which will result in a repo on your credit.

Do not let the sun set tomorrow without all these questions answered. You are not operating from a position of power unless the State you live in comes to your rescue.

I went down this road with a used car years ago. That's when I learned to document every problem they say they are going to fix. Most dealers have a "We Owe" form that either gets filled out or you sign as "none" at closing. If they are not identifed and you bought it with out a warranty then you probably bought the proplems. Did you do a Carfax to see it there were any problems? A lot of used car dealers here offer them up as part of the sale to show no problems. Might be worth the cost to see if anything comes up. Good luck.

The NY used car lemon law doesn't apply to you because of the mileage of the truck (read here: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/cars/usedcarlemon.pdf )

This DOES pertain to you (If the location in your profile is correct) http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c-50.htm

Also, there's this from the NY DMV
Buying Used From a Dealer
Although you might pay a little more than if you buy from a private seller, you're a lot safer buying a used vehicle from a trained and licensed auto dealer.

Dealers must inspect and repair the used vehicles they sell, so you're less likely to have to make repairs as soon as you drive off the lot, and sometimes the dealer will even offer a warranty on a used vehicle. A dealer is also required to disclose whether the car you're looking at has ever been salvaged, and they will take care of all the paperwork needed for transferring the title to you, getting the vehicle registered, and obtaining license plates.


And finally...read this document thoroughly...it has some really good information in it!

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/downloads/pdf/Used_Cars.pdf


Hope this helps...

Bruce

I work in the automotive biz and will hopefully address some of your concerns.

It is not uncommon for a vehicle to be used as a "chase car",to follow drivers on dealer trades and/or being used to run people all over the place...hence the long in-service date and the cookie crumbs.
The 140-point inspection is in reality a joke,as you have witnessed first hand.It would not be uncommon for the dealership to rack up 3-4K miles and never even look at the oil.Just the fact that they delivered you a vehicle with low tire pressure and questionable brake rotors tells me they don't have your best interest in mind...and probably never will.:noway:

I'm not sure what the laws are in NY but here in CA,there is no cooling-off period so if you bought it and the dealer decides he doesn't want to fix anything after the paperwork is signed...you own it.Bringing it back because of dissatisfaction,will just end up hurting you in the end...on your credit report.

If I was you,I'd march directly back to that dealership and have a one-on-one conversation with the SM or GSM or better yet,the owner if possible.99% of the time if you're in the face of the owner,he'll cave and give you everything (within reason) to make a customer happy.Talking to anyone less under him will result in zero satisfaction because it comes out of their bottom line and believe me when I say...there is no margin in new cars,used cars is where they make all their money.

Since this is a pre-owned car we're taking about,time is of the essence...get back there immediately and do not take no for an answer.Squeaky wheel get's the grease and from the sounds of it,this wheel needs lot's of attention.

Good luck to you...:thumbsup:

I went down this road with a used car years ago. That's when I learned to document every problem they say they are going to fix. Most dealers have a "We Owe" form that either gets filled out or you sign as "none" at closing. If they are not identifed and you bought it with out a warranty then you probably bought the proplems. Did you do a Carfax to see it there were any problems? A lot of used car dealers here offer them up as part of the sale to show no problems. Might be worth the cost to see if anything comes up. Good luck.

Yes, Carfax was done, and nothing unusual turned up. I also have a good friend who is a Ford tech....called him last nite, and he ran the vin for me, got a whole history from day one....again, nothing unusual. He put me in touch with a good friend of his who used to be a Ford tech, but now works at the dealership where I bought the truck. I called him this morning, and he will try to work on the truck, and keep in touch with the other Ford guy.

I brought the truck back this morning, and had a meetup and talk with the manager of the dealership. I was nice, but made him aware that I was very unhappy. I told him their 140 point checklist was basically worthless now, and that I really didnt trust that they did much of anything. He asked that they have a little time and promised to make it right. I told him I thought a week was probably enough, and that if they couldnt find anything, that we would be talking about getting me out of this deal. Now, I dont know if that's really possible, but of course, I cant let HIM know that I dont know that. So, Im hoping for the best, cause I really do like the truck. If this comes out good, I'll be sure to post pictures!

Oh, Bruce...why doesnt the lemon law apply? This truck has 56K on it, so it looks like I have a 60 day warranty. Am I reading something wrong? I hope it doesnt go so far as to use this. Thanks much guys, lots of good info. John

Sounds like you're doing the right things...be calm but firm and inspect the vehicle very carefully when you pick it up...before you drive off.:yes:

Oh, Bruce...why doesnt the lemon law apply? This truck has 56K on it, so it looks like I have a 60 day warranty. Am I reading something wrong? I hope it doesnt go so far as to use this. Thanks much guys, lots of good info. John

No...stupid me was reading something wrong...I somehow mixed the mileage of your old Ford truck with this one (167k)...

Sorry! (embarrassed emoticon) :)

walk away.

Like Andy said, Trucks are all over out there, especially now with gasoline at $3.50 + a gallon