I think I got s---wed!

[keiffers]

I saw this post and "Chet" came to mind from Weird Science and his saying "You're stewed buttwad"

sorry to hear about the truck. I bought a 95 Civic several years back and AFTER I had it for about a month, I started seeing an odd coloring on the back drivers quarter panel. Turns out apparently the car had been in a rear end collision and whoever did the repair work didn't know what they were doing and used ALOT of bondo and didn't match up the paint very well. As well they replaced one the main support beams according to the body shop I use after I had to take it in to get fixed from some idiot pulling out in front of me from a Taco Bell. I traded it back to the same dealer I bought it from when I bought a new 99 Civic and told them it is how they sold it to me and took it into account for my trade in. Sucks that people don't report collisions like that, but then again I didn't report the body work I had done on the Civic I traded in either. To me if its minor body work like my work was, no sense in saying anything about it, but $11k worth of work due to a bad accident should be good reason to report it. The dealership can't be held liable if they were never told by the original owner and if CarFax shows a clean report for the vehicle. While a parts issue could account for things, I gotta wonder if it was that bad of an accident that it had to take that long to fix. Anything is possible.

[steves]

Originally Posted by dslater524

Interestingly enough, I ran a CARFAX report on it myself last night. Clean! Yet I KNOW the truck has been damaged. Guess it still hasn't been reported to CARFAX. So, I still suspect the dealer was being honest.

Nevertheless, I think I'll go get a price on a new one and see what I can get for $28,775. If I can, I will try to get the dealer to buy it back from me. The irony is, now that the dealer knows it was wrecked, he has to consider that when selling the truck...which means he'll have to take less for it. If he would lower the price to me, I'd probably keep it.

You'll probably make out better not mentioning that you'll "settle" to take the truck for less money. That sounds like buyer's remorse. My Grand Prix was damaged in a hit and run, and inititially the car was fine, but after several months the headlight on the hit side started to bob while driving. The body shop wouldn't touch it because the repairs were completed months ago.

If you aren't comfortable in the truck, then just get out of it. I wouldn't worry about if the dealership loses money or not, what do they pay you?

[Helinut1970]

This whole situation just plain sucks man. I feel for ya. But this is one of the reasons I only buy new cars. I say roll it off a cliff and say you forgot to put it in park and let the insurance deal with it. (just kidding.....or not)

[92TripleBlack]

As long as the frame is straight and its all new parts and not bondo, keep it and enjoy. Maybe the dealer can give you some accessories to make up for the difference?

[FluxCubby]

Doesn't CARFAX have some sort of guarantee about the accuracy of their reports? I thought I heard that they'll buy the vehicle if their report is erroneous...

[Vector]

I would get a lawyer, sew the dealer if they wont give you your money back. You should be able to get a refund.

Go buy a new Titan, its what you paid all that money for.

[dslater524]

Update: In the State of Alaska, there is a form that the State Attorney Generals office requires dealers to fill out and have signed by any person trading in a vehicle to them. This form requires disclosure on several levels including ANY accidents. If the dealer did not have the form filled out...they're liable. If the dealer had it filled out and the person told the truth about the accident...the dealer is liable. If the dealer had the form filled out and the person didn't disclose the accident...the dealer is not liable. I am talking to the dealer as we speak, so I will update when I have an answer.

[KL99SEA]

I think the dealer has recourse with the party that traded it in. Every car I have traded in there has always been a form you sign asking if there have been any major repairs. I would think the dealership could go against the old owner. Kind of crappy to trade it in without saying anything........

[miketan]

Here's what I would do....trade it in on another Titan at the dealer of your choice. If Carfax doesn't have the accident in the database yet, then you can trade it in just like the previous owner did. Why get stuck with damaged goods.

Yeah, trading it back in may be dishonest. However, Carfax, the insurance company and the original owner are all responsible for the dilemna you're in. Carfax needs to have a better safeguard against situations like this. Personally, I don't think you'll have much luck getting any concessions from the dealer since they honestly didn't know the truck was damaged as you say.

Apparently, this is a huge loophole. Trade the vehicle in right after it's fixed, then nobody will be the wiser until it's too late. Of course, Carfax has a dubious reputation as well. There are a number of cars/trucks that should have salvage titles which come back as clean. I guess with used vehicles, no matter how new and pristine they appear to be, it's always a good idea to have a independent mechanic look it over before you buy it.

I wouldn't keep the truck no matter how much $$$ the dealer may discount the price. A previously damaged truck will never be the same no matter how good repairs. If it was only $1,000 worth of damage, then that's one thing. However, we're talking almost $12,000 worth of damage. That's nearly half the book value of the truck. When it comes time for you to trade it in someday, it'll be virtually worthless due to "diminished" value. I'd take it back to the dealer and demand a full refund and get another Titan that's never been wrecked. You'll be much happier in the long run.

[smoketitan]

dude that is a illegal repair ,and a headache waiting to happen

ANY car wrecked that is repaired under a insurance companies records is immediately reported to crafax by the dmv and the insurance company


while it may be fixed, , ask the question why they failed to tell you the 11k in damage

that almost 50% of the truck

and for example if you ever sell it 2-4 yrs down the road and you fail to tell the buyer that there was that type or repair work done guess who's getting sued--You

so if it was me, I call the better business bureau immediately, the dmv immediately and FILE EVERYTHING in duplicate, names, papers, conversations, pictures whatever

and get my money back asap

thats just me though lol as Im anal adn I alwasy think of the end of the road resale value

if you dont want to do that

Id ask for nothing less than free oil changes, and any shceduled checkups, and a full gold 7 yr/100,000 warranty

good luck as you have a battle on your hands

[GatoRaid™]

Here are the reasonable options:

IF you really really really want to keep the truck and think you are going to keep it for several years and do not care about resale or trade-in value, then:
1) Find out how much the vehicle would be worth as a salvaged title, or at least for a vehicle that was wrecked.
2) Get a refund for the difference
3) Use the refund to purchase an extended warranty through the Nissan DEALER
4) Purchase the Nissan dealer minimum maintenance plan and diligently use their maintenance
5) Be happy and drive it all over with no worries. If there is anything that comes up, you are COVERED by the NISSAN DEALER.

IF you do not think you are going to keep it a very long time or any other scenario applies then:

1) Pursue the Carfax warranty and guarantee. Have the selling dealer help you.

OR

1a) Demand the dealer take it back and let the carfax thing be their trouble.

2) Use the $ to purchase a Titan that has not been wrecked.

Either way, know your rights as a consumer. Let the selling dealer absorb the inconveniences unless you want the truck badly. Be reasonable, but don't be the nice guy pushover. I know that might be the most difficult for you. But, you need to stand your ground as a consumer. If you want to pursue this, then it is really important for you to detach your emotional desire for the truck and your emotional desire to be liked by the sellers. Don't be an A-hole, but be firm in demanding what is right and justice being done.

IF you do not get satisfaction, go to an attorney. Be sure you document all the above process with dates, times, names, and a summary of conversations and outcomes.

Best wishes in your endeavor. Remember, stand your ground. There is nothing wrong with that.

[DeTitan]

DSL....

That is the beauty of the Titan that many gungho owners are yet to recognize. The thing literally falls apart when confronted by even the most minor skirmish.

It is justified as shock absorption. The insurance companies are sure to catch on and start charging premiums for insuring Titans.

If its an easy process you may be better of giving the truck back for a new one with the current rebates etc. Else just best of luck.

[brif]

I'm not sure the dealer did anything wrong here or the previous owner. Yeah, yeah.. some will be quoating whatever, but I can say I have never signed anything on my any of my trades stating it was ever wrecked or not(although this could vary by state). If the dealer never asked the individual selling the vehicle if it had been repaired or not, why would you willingly dilvulge that info? If the repair was done by a reputable shop, I wouldn't worry too much considering from what you stated it was mostly cosmetic repairs. To me there is a difference between cosmetic and structural repairs.$11000 worth of repair wouldn't come close to totaling a new truck.

Relying on car fax on a used car is hit and miss. There isn't any replacment for having a bodyshop check it out. Any used vehicle purchased should be looked at it as if DID have some body work. Any body work paid by the customer will not be on a carfax report. Some repair done to a vehicle that is paid for by an insurance company other than your own, may not show up on a carfax report. There is alot of bodyshops in this nation and most are busy all the time. With an average job in and out in a week, with a tech bouncing between acouple jobs(dry time for paint, primer mud, wait for parts).
Yes, I worked in a body shop for several years, but do not now. The goal of any bodyman is to perform a repair well enough so another bodyman can't tell it was ever worked on. This is pretty hard to do. It sounds like the shop did a good job. I'd drive it and enjoy it.

[mtofell]

A lot of the posts here seem to talk about 11K like it's some unimaginable number.... these days, you can tally that much pretty quick in a body shop. From your description it sounded like there was surface damage to several different areas... that could jack up the price in a hurry.... I think the best course of action would be determined by learning exactly what the repair work consisted of.... Was there major frame bending of just a lot of painting and sanding? It is a crappy situation that you really don't deserve but you may be able to rest a little better if you find out exactly what was involved and maybe taking it to another shop to have checked out

[pciley]

Obviously, a NISSAN dealer wouldn't touch that truck used, so it ended up at a "Pot Lot" or used car lot that was not an authorized Nissan dealer.

I am willing to bet that the dealership made $3k-4k or more off of you because he probably paid bottom dollar, way back of low blue book, for that wrecked truck.

Really, if the guy who TRADED in the truck didn't disclose it, the dealership HAS to go after the guy who traded it in.

You won't be hurting the dealer to get your $$$$ back because he can turn around and recover the loss from the guy who traded in the vehicle. The original owner of the truck has committed FRAUD!