Is my car a lemon?

Joseph B · 08-09-2011, 11:25 AM

Now way this thing is a lemon.

Cmike2780 · 08-09-2011, 11:29 AM

It sounds more like a lot of bad luck OP.

As with any new car, keep a detailed record of all the repair work and service done to the car. You might need it down the line.

If you still feel they sold you a lemon, I would insist on the dealership covering an extended warranty at no-charge to you. To be honest, a few blown fuses only means those failsafes worked. It is disheartning when the car is freshly off the lot though. Like everyone said, they likely shorted something out while re-installing the battery.

AlphaSnacks · 08-09-2011, 12:08 PM

What dealership was this?

11Thumper · 08-09-2011, 08:37 PM

Glad you got a Z and wish you the best sorting this all out. Personally, if a dealer made me sign that before a test drive I would laugh all the way out the door. Learn a lesson from that part of the deal...

mjg · 08-10-2011, 01:13 AM

Actually, I only signed a tentative agreement prior to the test drive, I put $100 just to put have the car reserved for me. I didn't agree to accept the car, until I made the test drive. I could of backed out at that point. Sorry probably didn't explain that right.

Even so -- I didn't notice those problems, I was more interested in how the car drove. I also didn't realize I could use this as a position to leverage to re-negotiate the price after we agreed on an initial number, or get free stuff like a spoiler LOL.

Hopefully I'll hear back about everything tomorrow. I do think I learned something this, I'm optimistic it will be sorted out.

11Thumper · 08-10-2011, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjg

Actually, I only signed a tentative agreement prior to the test drive, I put $100 just to put have the car reserved for me. I didn't agree to accept the car, until I made the test drive. I could of backed out at that point. Sorry probably didn't explain that right.

Even so -- I didn't notice those problems, I was more interested in how the car drove. I also didn't realize I could use this as a position to leverage to re-negotiate the price after we agreed on an initial number, or get free stuff like a spoiler LOL.

Hopefully I'll hear back about everything tomorrow. I do think I learned something this, I'm optimistic it will be sorted out.

Not trying to come off like a jerk. Seriously, I wouldn't accept that. A dealer should never add a condition to a test drive, period. You should never sign anything prior.

I'm in NY this week and would be happy to bash you (in a friendly way) over a beer.

Dizon248 · 08-10-2011, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

well first off, i would NEVER buy a car without test driving the exact car i would pay money on unless it was a special order car. if the car was in the show room, i would tell them my mind is 99% set, but not 100% until i take the car out for a spin.

then i start signing papers.

anyway it sounds like the car was jumped incorrectly or battery hooked up backwards polarity, overloaded/shorted many things. i would review each and every feature of the car while it's still there WITH the tech. take a note pad and jot everything down for them to fix.

Yeap, definitely sounds like some noob swapped polarities on the battery when rehooking things up and blew up some stuff when doing it. Don't believe your soundsystem should poo, because it was a showroom car afterall. UNLESS...... the mechanics there decided to turn the dealership into a night club using the car's sound system on a regular basis..... LOL

mjg · 08-10-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

Not trying to come off like a jerk. Seriously, I wouldn't accept that. A dealer should never add a condition to a test drive, period. You should never sign anything prior.

I'm in NY this week and would be happy to bash you (in a friendly way) over a beer.

I deserve it too...

Things took a turn for the worse today, when I found out this dealer had this part on back order (and wouldn't give me a time estimate, or better solution other then We'll let you know). That wasn't really what pissed me off, it was the fact that they scoffed at the idea of having a tech look over the car with me, just the sales kid (who didn't check if the headlights worked, or wasn't familiar with the packages on the car). They just don't have the time he said -- "we don't do that". Just like they don't do inspections on cars that leave the show room apparently.

I confronted them about the fact they still have no idea about what's wrong with the car, they had no answer for it, no excuse, and no real apology whatsoever.

This dealership is Legend Nissan. Avoid it at all costs. I've now heard a few personal horror stories with their dealings, and I didn't really want to make this thread about attacking them, but I've had it. Left a message with the owner of the dealership (no call returned), and the next step was a call to Nissan North America to open up a case

Just read about these slime balls:

Consumer complaints about Legend Nissan, Syosset

AlphaSnacks · 08-10-2011, 04:48 PM

What the hell? Legend? They're the best dealer I've ever dealt with. I bought my 350Z from them, and my 370Z. They gave me a great deal on my 350Z trade-in. They also gave my friends and family the lowest lease deals around. They're actually one of the highest rated Nissan dealers on dealerrater.com (4.7/5.0) when it comes to sales. They fired some of the managers from there and replaced them about 18 months ago. I'm reading the complaints you posted, and I know a lot of those guys don't work there anymore.

BUT...their service department does not have a good reputation and I am not surprised by their behavior.

Who did you deal with in sales? Have you tried them?

mjg · 08-10-2011, 07:38 PM

After this situation is handled, I'll put up a fresh complaint for you Arnold.

11Thumper · 08-10-2011, 10:27 PM

Best of luck sorting this out. It's covered under warranty so at least the cost of the repairs isn't your deal. Still sucks...

I'll have a toast to you at one of the many random pubs in Times Square tonight. Ok, maybe 7-8 toasts.

AlphaSnacks · 08-10-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjg

After this situation is handled, I'll put up a fresh complaint for you Arnold.

I'm not doubting you, by the way. Sometimes it takes one bad apple. I'd like to know who you're dealing with. Send me a PM. Are you dealing with only service people? Or are you dealing with sales as well? I can try and help.

Footloose301 · 08-11-2011, 02:27 PM

Sounds to me that their "battery issue" was the start of their mess up. The battery might have needed a jump since it was sitting in the showroom. Sounds like they tried to jump the car with the + and - reversed. You can do serious damage to a car.

My buddy tried jumping his car awhile back using his mother's car as the jumper. He connected them backwards and car wouldn't turn over. Well a minute or so went by and then I began to smell some burning and then lots of smoke coming from the dash. Needless to say, most of the electronics inside the car wouldn't work.

Connecting the cables correctly minutes later the car started right up.....

mjg · 08-12-2011, 09:28 PM

So magically, the part became available the next day after contacting nissan consumer affairs, and I have my car back. I was promised by the owner of the dealership I'm getting a 3 year extended warranty. I'd like to see it in writing of course, but that will hopefully happen on monday.

Things are looking better, appreciate everyone in this threads comments and advice. I drove around for 2 hours tonight, think I'm headed out again after I eat. Love driving this thing!

mrflip69 · 08-12-2011, 11:07 PM

So I take it your headlights and audio are fixed? Hope you got a good deal for all your troubles!

08-09-2011, 11:29 AM	#17 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	It sounds more like a lot of bad luck OP. As with any new car, keep a detailed record of all the repair work and service done to the car. You might need it down the line. If you still feel they sold you a lemon, I would insist on the dealership covering an extended warranty at no-charge to you. To be honest, a few blown fuses only means those failsafes worked. It is disheartning when the car is freshly off the lot though. Like everyone said, they likely shorted something out while re-installing the battery. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

08-11-2011, 02:27 PM	#28 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	Sounds to me that their "battery issue" was the start of their mess up. The battery might have needed a jump since it was sitting in the showroom. Sounds like they tried to jump the car with the + and - reversed. You can do serious damage to a car. My buddy tried jumping his car awhile back using his mother's car as the jumper. He connected them backwards and car wouldn't turn over. Well a minute or so went by and then I began to smell some burning and then lots of smoke coming from the dash. Needless to say, most of the electronics inside the car wouldn't work. Connecting the cables correctly minutes later the car started right up..... __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

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08-09-2011, 11:25 AM	#16 (permalink)
Joseph B Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Woodinville WA Posts: 160 Drives: '10 Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 15	Now way this thing is a lemon.

08-09-2011, 12:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
AlphaSnacks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 1,618 Drives: '13 XKR-S, '10 370Z Rep Power: 18	What dealership was this?

08-09-2011, 08:37 PM	#19 (permalink)
11Thumper Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 754 Drives: '11 370Z, '01 S2k Rep Power: 17	Glad you got a Z and wish you the best sorting this all out. Personally, if a dealer made me sign that before a test drive I would laugh all the way out the door. Learn a lesson from that part of the deal...

08-10-2011, 01:13 AM	#20 (permalink)
mjg Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: nyc Posts: 243 Drives: 13' GT 500 Rep Power: 16	Actually, I only signed a tentative agreement prior to the test drive, I put $100 just to put have the car reserved for me. I didn't agree to accept the car, until I made the test drive. I could of backed out at that point. Sorry probably didn't explain that right. Even so -- I didn't notice those problems, I was more interested in how the car drove. I also didn't realize I could use this as a position to leverage to re-negotiate the price after we agreed on an initial number, or get free stuff like a spoiler LOL. Hopefully I'll hear back about everything tomorrow. I do think I learned something this, I'm optimistic it will be sorted out.

08-10-2011, 04:48 PM	#24 (permalink)
AlphaSnacks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 1,618 Drives: '13 XKR-S, '10 370Z Rep Power: 18	What the hell? Legend? They're the best dealer I've ever dealt with. I bought my 350Z from them, and my 370Z. They gave me a great deal on my 350Z trade-in. They also gave my friends and family the lowest lease deals around. They're actually one of the highest rated Nissan dealers on dealerrater.com (4.7/5.0) when it comes to sales. They fired some of the managers from there and replaced them about 18 months ago. I'm reading the complaints you posted, and I know a lot of those guys don't work there anymore. BUT...their service department does not have a good reputation and I am not surprised by their behavior. Who did you deal with in sales? Have you tried them?

08-10-2011, 07:38 PM	#25 (permalink)
mjg Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: nyc Posts: 243 Drives: 13' GT 500 Rep Power: 16	After this situation is handled, I'll put up a fresh complaint for you Arnold.

08-10-2011, 10:27 PM	#26 (permalink)
11Thumper Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 754 Drives: '11 370Z, '01 S2k Rep Power: 17	Best of luck sorting this out. It's covered under warranty so at least the cost of the repairs isn't your deal. Still sucks... I'll have a toast to you at one of the many random pubs in Times Square tonight. Ok, maybe 7-8 toasts.

08-12-2011, 09:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
mjg Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: nyc Posts: 243 Drives: 13' GT 500 Rep Power: 16	So magically, the part became available the next day after contacting nissan consumer affairs, and I have my car back. I was promised by the owner of the dealership I'm getting a 3 year extended warranty. I'd like to see it in writing of course, but that will hopefully happen on monday. Things are looking better, appreciate everyone in this threads comments and advice. I drove around for 2 hours tonight, think I'm headed out again after I eat. Love driving this thing!

08-12-2011, 11:07 PM	#30 (permalink)
mrflip69 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 9 Drives: 90 Nissan 240sx SE Rep Power: 14	So I take it your headlights and audio are fixed? Hope you got a good deal for all your troubles!