Peeling clearcoat
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 3
From: New York
Peeling clearcoat
Soliciting opinions, ideas, recommended actions.
An acquaintance has a 2004 white SC430 with 11,000 miles that suddenly began shedding pieces of clearcoat from areas below the grill, on the driver's side wheelwell area and rocker panel. There is evidence that this blight is spreading. Her trusted bodyshop surmised that the car was slightly damaged in transit and repainted, re-clearcoated or had some such shoddy repair work done.
She wants a new car. Her dealer offered her $48,500 toward a new 2005 at dealer cost which is $57,500; the new car would cost her $9,000. She was considering this "deal", but after she found out that the trade-in value of her car should be $52,300 (considering the geographic area and mileage), she was livid and now doesn't even want to dicker - she wants an even trade.
Lexus customer service in California suggested she work out her problem with the dealer.
An acquaintance has a 2004 white SC430 with 11,000 miles that suddenly began shedding pieces of clearcoat from areas below the grill, on the driver's side wheelwell area and rocker panel. There is evidence that this blight is spreading. Her trusted bodyshop surmised that the car was slightly damaged in transit and repainted, re-clearcoated or had some such shoddy repair work done.
She wants a new car. Her dealer offered her $48,500 toward a new 2005 at dealer cost which is $57,500; the new car would cost her $9,000. She was considering this "deal", but after she found out that the trade-in value of her car should be $52,300 (considering the geographic area and mileage), she was livid and now doesn't even want to dicker - she wants an even trade.
Lexus customer service in California suggested she work out her problem with the dealer.
My general advice would be to get confirmed documentation for 2, maybe 3 different body shops that will back the claim that this car had repair work done, then take that information with a lawyer into the dealer and try and work something out.
chris' idea is perfect. pay the small money to have couple of body shops inspect the car, and get thet documents. and then go with a lawyer and give a deadline to dealership.
although, even trade is out of the question. she has driven the car for 11k miles so that's gone, she did drive the car. but the value of the car should be "more" than the trade in value at least. if the trade in is 52k now, i say she should at least be offered 54 or so for her trouble
although, even trade is out of the question. she has driven the car for 11k miles so that's gone, she did drive the car. but the value of the car should be "more" than the trade in value at least. if the trade in is 52k now, i say she should at least be offered 54 or so for her trouble
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 82
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From: CA
If the dealer did not disclose the car was damaged, it does not matter she drove it for 11K. Any competent attorney will get her an even trade or better. BMW lost a case regarding non-disclosed body work and had to pay out ....no joke....$30-milion. Judgment was appealed and reduced to $20-million.
When I was picking up my new 2005, the dealer drilled the front bumper to mount a plate and then tried to hide it by taking it to a body shop without me knowing. Bad move, I called my attorney and they immediately gave me a new car without any questions even though all the title work was already processed. Existing case law is on her side.
When I was picking up my new 2005, the dealer drilled the front bumper to mount a plate and then tried to hide it by taking it to a body shop without me knowing. Bad move, I called my attorney and they immediately gave me a new car without any questions even though all the title work was already processed. Existing case law is on her side.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,129
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From: New York
Update
I thought forum members who followed this thread would like an update. Incidentally, her SC430 is not her first Lexus. She owned a beautiful SC400 for quite a while before she purchased the SC430.
........ start quote ............
Right now it is in the hands of my lawyer. Lexus National has been little help. I called California at least 6 times and spoke with 6 different people. Everyone is very sorry but the bottom line is I have to work with the dealer where I bought the car. Hopefully something good( for me) will come out of it.
I'm thinking now that all I want is my money back and I can buy another car. NOT A LEXUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really love the vehicle but I'm very disgusted with the Lexus company and how they have abandoned me.
I have also contacted the National Center for Dispute Settlement. I am in the process of filling out papers for them. I can't believe all the time, energy and emotion I have spent on a vehicle that is supposed to be the best in the world.
........ end quote ............
........ start quote ............
Right now it is in the hands of my lawyer. Lexus National has been little help. I called California at least 6 times and spoke with 6 different people. Everyone is very sorry but the bottom line is I have to work with the dealer where I bought the car. Hopefully something good( for me) will come out of it.
I'm thinking now that all I want is my money back and I can buy another car. NOT A LEXUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really love the vehicle but I'm very disgusted with the Lexus company and how they have abandoned me.
I have also contacted the National Center for Dispute Settlement. I am in the process of filling out papers for them. I can't believe all the time, energy and emotion I have spent on a vehicle that is supposed to be the best in the world.
........ end quote ............
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Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
The deal offered initially is certainly to the dealer's advantage. I thought all of these "deals" like this would be at best trade for a similar low mileage 2004 without damage. It seems to me that a trade-in for a 2005 would require a little money from the customer (not as much as 9k though).
Should the customer come out better than before? From a customer satisfaction standpoint -YES - of course but I have never seen these deals work out that way. Of course with a lawyer pounding on a desk who knows...............
I hate that Lexus is willing to loose a repeat customer.
Should the customer come out better than before? From a customer satisfaction standpoint -YES - of course but I have never seen these deals work out that way. Of course with a lawyer pounding on a desk who knows...............
I hate that Lexus is willing to loose a repeat customer.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 3
From: New York
Problem Resolved!
For the forum members who have followed this thread, here is the latest update and probably the final solution to this problem.
It turns out that her dealer never contacted Lexus headquarters on this problem, but the National Center for Dispute Settlement, with whom she filed a claim, did. After Lexus HQ became aware of the problem, they sent a factory rep to look at her car, take pictures, and file a report. A week later, Lexus called and gave her a choice; all her money returned or a brand new 2006.
Her new car was shipped from Japan on 11/17 and should be here soon.
It turns out that her dealer never contacted Lexus headquarters on this problem, but the National Center for Dispute Settlement, with whom she filed a claim, did. After Lexus HQ became aware of the problem, they sent a factory rep to look at her car, take pictures, and file a report. A week later, Lexus called and gave her a choice; all her money returned or a brand new 2006.
Her new car was shipped from Japan on 11/17 and should be here soon.
I was going to say the $9k to get a new 06 (instead of an 05) would be a nice deal but this is MUCH better. 
Congrats to her and to Lexus for helping (even though it was under pressure
) a loyal customer stay in the family.
Congrats to her and to Lexus for helping (even though it was under pressure
) a loyal customer stay in the family.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by 1NICESC430
For the forum members who have followed this thread, here is the latest update and probably the final solution to this problem.
It turns out that her dealer never contacted Lexus headquarters on this problem, but the National Center for Dispute Settlement, with whom she filed a claim, did. After Lexus HQ became aware of the problem, they sent a factory rep to look at her car, take pictures, and file a report. A week later, Lexus called and gave her a choice; all her money returned or a brand new 2006.
Her new car was shipped from Japan on 11/17 and should be here soon.
It turns out that her dealer never contacted Lexus headquarters on this problem, but the National Center for Dispute Settlement, with whom she filed a claim, did. After Lexus HQ became aware of the problem, they sent a factory rep to look at her car, take pictures, and file a report. A week later, Lexus called and gave her a choice; all her money returned or a brand new 2006.
Her new car was shipped from Japan on 11/17 and should be here soon.
incredible
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I've been away for a week or so and have just noticed this thread.
This story seems similar to mine. Oh by the way we are talking about a WHITE sc430 damaged and repainted? My sc is white also. The 05 had been damaged in shipping and painted. They replaced it with an 06. The first 06 I went to pick up also had repainting. Finally after three white sc430's I got a new one that wasn't repainted.
The moral of this story. If your buying new be careful
This story seems similar to mine. Oh by the way we are talking about a WHITE sc430 damaged and repainted? My sc is white also. The 05 had been damaged in shipping and painted. They replaced it with an 06. The first 06 I went to pick up also had repainting. Finally after three white sc430's I got a new one that wasn't repainted.
The moral of this story. If your buying new be careful