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Just off the phone...
15 years ago
General
I was following up with a local dealer about purchasing a used 2002 PT Cruiser, which needed some work. Sounded like a good deal until I mentioned concerns with the timing belt and water pump needing replacing since the PT was at 108,000 miles.
(Thank you everyone here that warned me to look for and ask about the timing belt and water pump being replaced at 100,000 miles. )
The dealer did offer a warranty, and said last Saturday the PT would be ready by Wednesday at most since it needed an inspection, tires, a rear fender, taillights, and other suspension parts to pass PA Inspection.
Me, wife and 5 year old daughter seen the car last Saturday, and initially agreed on a handshake and my word that we will pick up the PT when the needed repairs were finished, and trade my 1991 Explorer as a down payment.
(They offered me $1000 initially, but I replaced the alternator and battery only yesterday, so that might get me a few hundred more. ^^)
The dealer seemed to stand behind their word. I wanted to drop a bombshell on them as they were working on the PT to see how good their word was for a pending sale, and how good the warranty was.
I was pleasantly surprised when the dealer agreed to check to see if the timing belt and water pump was replaced, and if not, they would replace both before the sale.
This was agreed to on Tuesday as I talked to the salesman. It's now Thursday evening, and the salesman called me today, saying they are having a small bit of trouble getting the repairs finished. He was worried he was gonna lose the sale because of the delays.
I told him that since they are fixing the PT, and doing it right before the sale, I told them to take their time, and just finish the PT when they could, I had no need to rush them at all.
Can you believe a used car dealer standing by their word,
even after tackling a difficult job like this?
They could have easily said everything was already replaced without turning a wrench just for a quick sale.
I will let them call me when they are finished, they always called and notified me of the status of the PT.
And I'll let everyone know when I pick up the PT, and i'll have my own mechanic check to see if all the work was done.
Hopefully optimistic...
Kimmyskunk
They just had called to tell me that the mechanic said that the transmission was bad in the PT, and that he was unable to sell it in that condition to me, as that would be family's only car.
But a silver lining... the salesman said they were getting another PT in on Tuesday, and this one had fewer miles, and was in better condition.
And since I was so patient with them as they fixed PT #1, they would sell me the better PT at the same agreed price for PT #1. He wasn't sure of the color or the options, but he was getting one in a few days, maybe from an auction.
(Hey, how cool would it be that I land a PT Turbo for the same price? Just a thought... heheheh.)
And before anyone asks, they will offer the same warranty to PT#2 as they had on PT#1, so I will have them redo the timing belt and Waterpump if needed.
As soon as they call me on Tuesday eve, I will let everyone on here about PT#2. And I gave the salesman the heads-up about the PT Crew here, and I told him I posted the dealer name to the PT clubs I belong to, to bring in more business, and a good word.
Honestly, I am a small bit disappointed that I won't be getting the PT#1 I had eyes on, but VERY thankful that the dealer was honest on not being able to sell the car, on it not being drivable. And that I will be getting a better PT at the same price.
Kimmyskunk