HELP!! Bought a car.. found out it's been totaled

[Ritalin Kid]

What do I do?!?!? I bought a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant ES with 3700 miles at a great deal (12,900 w/6year 60,000 mile waranty) on Saturday and on Sunday found out it's been totaled.

The CarFax came back clean on this vehicle to me and the dealer but it's obvious that it's been totaled in the front and on the drivers side. They swear they had no idea but they also swear they do a 46 point inspection and certify every vehicle they sell.

When I went back to get my down payment check they told me I'm stuck with the car and that I could pick out another but I couldn't get my check back.

After arguing for 3 hours they told me they would swap me for a 2003 Impala but it has 32,000 miles not 3700 with the same waranty. Told me to drive it tonight and tommorrow and work out a deal tommorrow.

Don't get me wrong I like the Impala but the idea that that "didn't know" makes me wonder what exactly they do know about the car they are trying to trade me out with.

I put a stop payment on the down payment check and I'm going back in the morning to tell them thanks but no thanks and I need any help I can get.

I'm in tears right now cause I'm scared and don't know what to do and I need your help!

[Warthog]

Looked like you rushed into buying the car...you noticed it looked like it had been totaled but still bought it anyway? Oh well, what's done is done. You sign a contract into buying the car? If so, no hope.

Does the vehicle have any damage? Has it all been fixed?

Warthog

[Ritalin Kid]

All damage is fixed whoever fixed it left the original shifter assembly UNDER THE SEAT OF THE CAR and now the transmission mount pops when you start from a complete stop.

I didn't rush in I had to take it to a body shop to find out for sure the vehicle looks brand new and they assured me that the car had never been wrecked and I even made them give me a CarFax report which says the car is clean.

Even the body guy I took it to said that the car had been fixed pretty good but he could tell where they fixed it by looking under the car.

[Warthog]

I didn't rush in I had to take it to a body shop to find out for sure the vehicle looks brand new and they assured me that the car had never been wrecked and I even made them give me a CarFax report which says the car is clean.

That's crazy!

I'll let the guys with experience handle this one...good luck

[NeoStarO1]

Hey Rit you have pm in your box. Replied to your post privately.

[Ed_S]

I've never understood how CarFax accomplishes anything anyway - where do they get the info? Shops aren't required to report every little thing to anyone! Actually, out-of-warranty repairs aren't reported even to the manufacturer, and if collision data is turned in, it would have to come from the ins co, most shops don't do it - I know that for a fact!

To the point, how does a shifter replacement lead to the conclusion that it's had major body repair?

As I've said before, I'm in wholesale body parts & know the collision business pretty well. For an 03 vehicle to be "totaled" would take quite a bit. The cost of repair would have to exceed 80% of vehicle value with most insurance companies. With one that new, it'd have to be pretty well wiped out. Older ones can be "totaled" by a broken headlamp... OK, that's exaggerating, but you get the idea!
If it was hit that hard, records would exist. Have your insurance agent run the VIN through his system.

If you're just spooked & want out, do it quick. I don't know TN law, but MO gives a buyer three business days to back out of a contract. Call a lawyer, many of them will give you initial advise via phone for free. Then you can honestly tell the salesman that "My attorney says.."
But you shouldn't have to push that hard anyway, a dealer wants his customers happy. One upset buyer can do a dealer's reputation a lot of harm via word-of-mouth!

[Ritalin Kid]

Thanks everyone I'll definately let everyone know what happens in the morning.

[Epidemic]

Just a point of clarification.

Totalled is a specific term meaning that the cars damage was greater then the value to repair it. Was it totaled or just in a accident (a fender bender as it were)

[osprey4]

I know NJ state law specifically prohibits this, selling a car without divulging a serious accident in the car's past. You may want to contact your State AG or an attorney.

[Ritalin Kid]

If the car was wrecked bad enough to have three wheels replaced and the shifter assembly damaged from the wreck it had to be a pretty major accident.