Just glad I didn't find out AFTER I bought it. Or should I said theoretically bought it. This guy I know I mean.

 

If Va. has an automobile dealer licensing/regulatory agency, I would contact them to see if there are prohibitions by a dealer from misrepresenting the status of a car as new when it is used. The fact you apparently did your due diligence and discovered the problem likely means that you are not damaged...just disappointed. However, if the state's regulations of new car dealers prohibits these sort of shenanigans you would have a pretty big bullet to go back to the dealership and cite chapter and verse as to how they are in violation...which you might be able to use in negotiating an appropriate concession on the price. On the other hand, if this was not a mistake by the dealer (could it have been?) then it sounds like these guys are not trustworthy. If you nevertheless do business with them and then have other, new problems in the future, it will not be because you weren't aware of their ethics.

 

Lexpro:

The dealer isn't in VA. When I asked the dealer about the warranty issue they tried to blow it off as "no big deal", they didn't deny that the warranty had started and certainly showed no surprise when I brought it up. Except maybe they were surprised that I found out!

In any case, no I would not deal with a dealer with ethics such that they wouldn't tell a prospective buyer about something like that!

Or, my friend wouldn't, I should say..

 

how does a warranty just "start"?? it means that the car has been previously titled which means that it is not a new car.

just curious what the real story is.

-Steve

 

Given the facts I have read, I would be pissed, however, I would try my best to separate my emotions from the business side of the situation (provided the 2.5 month loss of warranty was palatable to me in exchange for a better $$$ deal). Bargaining chip IMO. Having said that, I would definitely contact PCNA and let them know about this.

Congrats on your new ride!

T

 

I would be pissed!! If they try to play it off as not a big deal, who knows what else their hiding, not like their ever going to tell you. I would complain to PCNA and take my business elswhere. Why would you buy a used car for a new car price?!

 

I agree with the posts above that the car is a USED car. By definition, it cannot be a NEW car if the warranty has already begun to run. This is true even if the car was never titled. I would bet this misrepresentaiton is a violation of your state's deceptive trade practices laws as well as a violation of the federal Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. And yes, it is fraudulent, too.

Also, ask yourself why the car is being stated as a new car. The answer is simple -- because the dealer expects to sell a new car for more than he can sell a used car.

If I were in this situation, I would raise hell until I got a chunk of the price knocked off and then I would want the car certified by the dealer, with the attendant extended warranty term. Then I would take the car elsewhere for service (assuming you have another dealer local).

 

I change my mind, I would do what he said ^^^^

 

If the vehicle has been registered prior then it is titled. If that is the case then it is used. If the vehicle is still on an MSO, then someone is playing games. I would guess the dealer reported it delivered in the Porsche system to gain allocation. Thus starting the clock on the warranty. I find it hard to believe they are representing it as a "new" car. Anyway, from the information given I would walk away. Find another GT3.

 

I have the contract they faxed me for $99k and it indeed says "NEW" not Used, despite the fact that the warranty started 5/1/04. If I had bought it I'm pretty sure I'd be hiring a lawyer right now. I guess I shoudl report it to PCNA so some other buyer doesn't get screwed over.

 

This is an interesting question. I must conclude that this car is not ‘new’, and it is potentially fraud that this dealer was attempting to sell it to you as such. A used car has a great deal of depreciation. This should be your new bargaining chip. My first question to the salespuke: “What else have you lied to me about?� What else is ‘NO BIG DEAL?’

Now to the practical matter – In my 5 years of Porsche ownership, the dealer that does my service has not once balked at doing repair that clearly should be covered under a warranty, whether the warranty was in effect or not. I’m not convinced that the 2.5 months that have your panties in a bunch are really that meaningful. Anything that is going to go wrong will likely go long before you reach those last 2.5 months.

PS -- A local salespuke once told me that 030 on a 996 was a 'softer, smoother ride' than the standard. That is a whooper.

 

Chances are the car was titled and registered, the car then is used and the warranty is in effect, I would be upset that they did not volunteer this info and I would walk away from the deal.

 

As stupid as I am, I would drive it off because the first thing I am going to do is chip, exhaust, and just about anything else humanly possible to void the warranty.

A better question is who would buy a car if they gave you a $15K credit with a two month warranty?

 

Get the car discounted. I never keep a car that long anyway.

 

Not true, dealer demo's are not titled, but the warranty does start on their "in service" date. In the case of a dealer demo (i.e. Owner of the dealership wanted to drive it, etc...) the car does go "in service".

-- Michael