Generally speaking there are consumer protection laws that cover this type of situation. Lemon laws may or may not apply based on how they're written, so I would recommend looking at the NC lemon law first. However, the thing(s) to look for are the disclosure (and threshold $ amount) of previous damage. Again, generally, a dealer has a duty to disclose damage, paintwork and so forth if it is above a state-determined threshold (for example, in NJ it's $500). As mentioned, it is true that importers (AudiNA, in this case) receive cars out of the container with damage and have them repaired at the port ("port damage"), and if the repair work is below a certain $ figure, it's just not even reported. I think there always a few games played with the $s, though (for example, a dealer will use the wholesale price of the repair as opposed to the retail price that you and I would have to pay, and the wholesale price is usually negotiated to be below the threshold figure).

So, depending on how upset you are, I'd get all my ducks lined up (go to the bodyshop and get their affidavit) and take everything including all of your correspondence to your attorney. Have them send a demand letter. it will cost you a few $s, but it may be worth it to you to get out of the car. That's your call. Or, in the alternative, perhaps you can get a compensatory payment instead reimbursing you for the diminshed value.

For reference, there was a famous, similar case in Alabama (possibly a class action...can't remember) against BMW a few years ago. BMW actually repainted an entire car and sold it without disclosing it (was probably BMWNA). The buyer sued once he learned of this and won a large award (several million $, IIRC). Don't remember if it was overturned on appeal, and it wouldn't be controlling precedent, but it would be a good guide.

Sorry to hear about this. Good luck,

CW

 

I ended up going to the local audi stealership with a friend who is getting his RS$ in a few weeks and saw the sales manager go out to a car with what looked to be a little palm device. He walked all around the car, came inside and gave the guy a thumbs up on the trade. I asked him what that was and it is a gauge to see the thickness of the paint - to measure body damage, repaints or what ever the case may be.

 

2nd that, sue the freaking Dealer, Audi would not tolerate something like that.

 

This is absolutely ridiculous, and I would think that someone with a MD/PhD would have more intelligence than to make a gross, irrational assumption about an entire corporation and its line of vehicles based on one bad experience. I don't know whether to laugh or roll my eyes. I'm doing a bit of both.

 

it happens with any mfg, it's not their fault, it's the dealer / shipping company's fault.

here's the same story with a subaru, I'm sure there's people on this board who have had or know people who had the same thing with porsche's etc (although they may not have known about it)
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...ferrerid=11139

 

Assumption? anyone know of any corporation that isnt a "little" corrupt. We are dealing with big buisness here, and in any case I think he has a reason to be upset that the audi name is placed in the hands of degenerates (namely the stealerships), and its the responsibility of the company to make sure that the costumer is stasified with his NEW car purchase. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE audi, my bro has a sweet 02' A4, but this should not have happend.

For some people it just takes one bad apple to spoil the rest, which is unfortunate. Lemon lawsuits are no fun, and they do ruin the experience of purchasing a new car.

 

I agree that the AoA should take some responsibility for it... but I'd understand his point if he was advocating "STAY AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP X" or something of the like. To damn an entire car company is just a little outrageous.

Sorry, I have a pet peeve about people who blow things way out of proportion.

 

ummm carfax

 

NEW cars often get repaired at the port. The larger manufactuers have their own huge repair facilties right at the unloading dock.