Asking a used car dealer to change a part on a Buick before buying car?

Question

I'm thinking of buying a 1996 Buick LeSabre with a 3800 engine I saw and drove at a dealer, who is also a new car dealer. However, I read the engine has a problem with the intake manifold because it's made partly of plastic and tends to burn out and ruin up the engine. This car has less than 46,000 miles on it, and the engine is fine at this point. I ran a carfax report on it, and it came up completely clean. However, I don't want something happening soon after I buy it. Otherwise the car is just what I'm looking for. I have a report on on this defective part even though there never was a recall on it. Should I show this to the car dealer and ask him to install an updated part (that is all metal)? Would a dealer tend to go for that? Would it help to show him the report and tell him I'm going to show it to my friends to warn them about the engine as an incentive for him to change it?

Answer 1

I have been there and trust me to give you a few words of advice.

1. Carfax is only good if the owner(s) put info on it. I bought a lemon that came up clean but burn up 3 engines for 'unknown' reasons.

2. Unless you by 'AS IS' the seller is obligated to repair all damaged parts before sale and any that are not your fault after for at least 90 days. 30 day return if you deem it a waste of time or too costly.

3. Take a computerized printout of a diagnostic when you get it done and show how much you paid for it. Always go to a brand dealer, in your case GM dealership. Show 'A Copy' not the original to the seller so his own mechanics can check the problem.

4. Keep the originals of everything from the beginning because this is your proof should the deal go bad.

5. Usually the part you speak of will cause problems with the head gaskets and such, costing $1000+ if gone unrepaired.

6. All you can do is ask and they can say yes or no, if the answer is no find another dealer and another car, because that means the seller is not willing to help. DO NOT LET HIM TACK THE COST ONTO THE PRICE ALREADY STATED. He must absorb the cost plain and simple through insurance and such.

In the event you do purchase the car (Buicks w/ 3800 engines are great cars) and after the sale within the 90 days and the deal goes sour be prepared to eat the cost yourself or take him to court for unfair business practice. Report him to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General in your State.

By the way in case his name is R. Burdette, he is a liar, a con and a thief who sells cars that have hidden problems and then frauds your warranty company to get the repairs reimbursed to himself not you. I can say this because he closed his business after doing BAD BUSINESS and oddly enough right after the Attorney General recommended I sue him. His mechanic stole the car while it was having its 3rd engine replaced in 4 months from time of sale when they closed.

Answer 2

Yes you can ask the dealer to change the manifold on the car. If that is what it will take for you to buy the car. They will do it to make the sale. You have to insist that this is included in the purchase and show that you really intend to buy the car, get the price of the car before you ask for this to make sure the cost of the replacement doesnt just get added to the total price. The quicker a dealership can get a used car off the lot the better for them. Most dealerships have mechanics on site to do that kind of job and they will only be paying for the part and the mechanic's hourly wage, which will not cost much overall for an easy job like an intake manifold. If it costs them a few hundred dollars to make a thousand or more profit from the sale of the car they will absolutely do it. Just be firm that you want this replaced and make sure they see you have the cash to buy the car and will walk away from the deal if this is not done for you. If this dealership will not comprimise for the sale, there are plenty of other dealerships who will comprimise to sell to you.

Answer 3

A. He's not going to change JACK to make a sale when he can sell it a week later to an idiot for maybe even more money. And B. Buick LeSabres or pieces of junky junk garbage, even the day they where born. Get a Nissan or similiar, and stay away from American made trash unless it is a Dodge Ram truck AFTER 2001. Go to a thrifty or car rental place and call to see if they have anything over 40,000 miles to sell. They are usually nicely priced because they are just wanting to update them to newer cars and already made tons of money renting them, and generally take pretty good care of them. Stay away from dirty filthy car salesmen if you can!

Answer 4

Only if there is a TSB or a recall notice suggesting replacement of the intake manifold to prevent fires. If none exists, the dealer will charge you for parts and labor - I would take the car as is.

Answer 5

The dealer doesn't care what you tell your friends save the blackmail for your children.It is a big job to replace manifold. This will probablly not be a problem. USE THIS REPORT YOU HAVE TO GET ADISCOUNT FROM DEALER. This sounds sweet 46K on a11 year old car. You will kick yourself if you don't buy it.

Answer 6

If this is the car that you have been looking for then get an estimate of the cost to do what you want done and offer that much less for it.

Answer 7

Your talking about a car that is almost 11 y/o here. If you want a car to be perfect, buy a new one with a warranty