Topic: Need advice on brand new car and repair

[Albertacarbuyer]

I just purchased a new car (going to leave maker out to ensure unbiased opinions) on friday.  Within four hours and 15 km the car died.  My wife was driving, she said there were no warning lights and she only heard some rattling, saw some steam and then the engine started to rev high just before she lost power.  The tow truck driver thought it sounded like the timing belt went when he listened while turning it.  The car got to the dealership too late for someone to take a thorough look at it, but the repair advisor thought the engine was gone.  We have to wait until tuesday after the long weekend to find out what is wrong (we were treated well and given a loaner by the dealer).

It sounded like they will have to replace the engine.  Many of my family and friends have told me I should ask for another car (or at the very least a completely new not rebuilt engine).  I'm not sure I will ever be 100% comfortable with the reliability and durability of the vehicle after this.  The car has 47 kms on it and was in our possession for about 3 and 1/2 hours.  Should I try to get another vehicle or am I being too much of a worrier?  Are there any considerations about the vehicle after the repair?  Is it even likely the dealer would allow an exchange or return in this situation?  If anyone has any experience, thoughts, or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated since I am pretty flustered about the situation.

[84im]

If it was me, I'd want a new car, or a full refund.  It's hard to have faith in a vehicle that blows its engine within 50 kms.  Having said that, I don't think the dealer can be forced to comply with your request for a new car or refund.  At the very least you should get a brand new motor. It's unfortunate that your new car honeymoon had to end so soon 

[paulk]

A car that blows its engine in just 15 km is the very definition of a lemon.  You deserve a completely new car.  Canada doesn't have a lemon law like the US, but there is a process called CAMVAP that may be able to help you if your dealer won't give you a new car.  Alternatively, if it was less than $20k, you could consider the small claims court system, since this vehicle clearly did not meet the implied warranty of fitness.  You're fortunate that in Alberta the small claims courts can handle claims up to $20k.

[smainville]

I say you get a brand new replacement no questions ask, or a full refund.  This is a very unfortunate experience, but it's not the first time it happens, something got missed along the way.  If Camvap can rule a new vehicle because of a chronic rattle surely they will do the same for you.

[inco]

Wow - not fun at all. The honeymoon ended quickly.

As to what to do next - best would be to have dealer offer a replacement vehicle for you, but that likely won't happen.

After that - new motor would be good, but that liekly won't happen either.

What will likely happen is they will rebuild the engine and you will have the loaner while they do that.

A refund would also be nice too, but that likely won't happen either.

[exserviceguy]

Hi Ho Alberta Car Buyer,
Very unfortunate event here.  Some dealers will consider a vehicle replacement if they have the comparable model on the lot and if they can get some assistance from the car maker for making the trade.  It's worth pursuing.
Getting a new engine instead of a reman is definitely a possibility.  You can always argue that installing a reman in such a new vehicle devalues it and most car makers would agree.  Some such as Ford even have a process to ship a new assembled unit from the manufacturing plant in these cases.  These 'drop in engines' come complete with manifolds and wiriing and even oil!
Realize that your dealer will have to meet your satisfaction in order to keep his or her CSI scores up and if not you can always call the car maker hotline.

[wizard]

The consensus seems to be that you should get a new vehicle.  That is unlikely to happen unless your father in law owns the dealership ( and likes his son in law ).  I recently had my engine replaced at 4500 kilometres, but not the entire vehicle.   This was fine with me since I really liked the rest of the car! ( 2005 Rx8 )

Most vehicles these days have their " final assembly " at the brand name plant, but their component parts are usually assembled outsourced to a variety of manufacturers, so it may be that needing the engine alone replaced will not necessarily mean that the rest of the car is junk. 

Although, it does make you wonder.......

[Trainman]

For insight on CAMVAP, go here:
http://www.cartalkcanada.com/forum/index.php/topic,40113.0.html

and here:

http://www.camvap.blogspot.com/

[ovr50]

Assuming your happy with the rest of the vehicle you bought, I think I would be happy with a totally new engine, which it sounds like you may get. I would not accept a reman, have to be totally new and original. There should be no carryover from the engine to the rest of the vehicle and I think it very unlikely you will get an entirely new vehicle.

Sorry for you as this for sure ruins your new vehicle experience and may put you off your new vehicle for good. OTOH, with a new engine, and everything else working fine, you will in time forget about this happening. Hopefully this is the scenario that will play out for you.

Good luck.

[sterling]

Forget about small claims court. That'll just be a huge waste of time. If every vehicle breakdown was grounds for for suing then the court system would be plugged in a week. I doubt CAMVAP will be of much use after one breakdown either. If this was the U.S. the engine failure would not qualify the car as a "lemon" either. After a number of failures, yes. After one, no.

Depending on the model, you may indeed get a new car. If the model is new then a new engine may not be available for a significant amount of time anyway. And I wouldn't accept a remanufactured engine.

Hopefully the manufacturer will step in and facilitate a new car for you. At worst, you are stuck with the terms of the car's warranty and getting a new engine wouldn't be the end of the world either.

[articsteve]

I agree with Sterling on this.  I doubt that a reman is even available.  A new factory motor is probably the worst case senario.  Really depends on the manufacturer?

OK, now that you have had many unbiased opinions, please post the year, make and model and let the fun begin. It's only fair.

[barrie1]

Personally I don't think it matters as to what the make and model is at all. Keep it a secret as long as you can so the is a No Crying and fingrer pointing with who's faverite brand it is . It will save any Flaming Problems here on this site. The most important thing is for the dealer to be able to fix your car and have it up and running as quickly as possible. No-one knows yet the extent of the damage so it really could be a minor thing. No sence jumping off the deep end just yet. What ever it ends up being if it requires a new engine then the dealer will certainly be on the hook and will look after it in a proper fashion. No matter what brand you have purchased I do believe the Dealer will certainly assisst you to the max as legally they have to and NO reason NOT too. 

[Snowman]

My brother blew up my mother’s 1980 Malibu with only 500km. GM replaced the engine and it ran great for 5 years until my sister flipped it over a bridge.

A new engine would be the best option. Rebuilding could prolong the issue if they do not find the real problem.

[SeasideLass]

I'd be out of there pretty much, unless they could give me a deal I couldn't refuse (like higher priced car for same $), but I'd think I'd prefer my money back, including the admin fee......gawd how stupid & scary is that?  Will be interested indeed to read your follow-ups.

[Traum]

If the engine really blew, I would demand either a completely new vehicle or my full money back. Having a new car dying within 15km is simply not acceptable.

Hope everything goes smoothly.

-Rick

[articsteve]

Make and Model please.

[Albertacarbuyer]

Thank you everyone for the feedback.  I still haven't heard from the dealer today so I'm going to go down tomorrow and talk to them in person.  I'll post again just in case anyone is curious what happens (I'm usually on pretty late).  Once again thanks for all the advice, maybe then I'll post model/year specific stuff but I don't think it's appropriate until I know just whats going to happen.

[Wetson]

then I'll post model/year specific stuff but I don't think it's appropriate until I know just whats going to happen.

I agree with your thinking.  Once you find out let us know!  It will be interesting to see how the manufacturer handles the situation.  That's what I'm really interested in, especially if it's a GM or a Honda.  I hope it goes well for you.  Keep us posted.

[ShadowDog]

First, I admire your ability for calm; as well as the fact that you do not post the make/model of the vehicle.  That certainly assists in objectivity from the masses.

In my opinion, expecting nothing less than a new engine replacement is sufficient.  There's absolutely no reason to suspect the entire car to be faulty due to the unfortunate event with the engine itself.  The rest of the car is under warranty, as is the new engine and its workmanship and installation labour; at the very least, I would expect nothing less from the dealership doing the work.

With a totally new car, who is to say you will or will not inherit problems of another nature in another vehicle?  There is no logical reason to replace the entire vehicle.

Let's just say, I would be completely comfortable with expecting no more-or-less than a new engine replacement if it were a car of mine.

[mdxtasy]

I'd be concerned with what the new engine would do to the resale value of a vehicle such as this.  I'd prefer a new car to replace the lemon.  You are going to get the new car you paid for and the benefits of having all the serial numbers match.  If you ever wanted to sell it in the future, having non matching serial numbers might affect resale value. 

But I'd agree that getting another car is going to be slim chances.