My $1,900 Test Drive

[HobokenStang]

Longtime lurker, new poster here. Not sure what sub-forum this is appropriate for, so I figured I'd start here.

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by a north Jersey Ford dealer (name being withheld for now) to test drive the new 2015 Mustang Ecoboost. Nice car, just a little wanting for power.

On my way back into the dealer lot, I nicked the edge of the curb, which left a ~ 1/2 inch scratch on the edge of the rim, and on the tire. The sales manager then promptly informed me I would be required to pay to replace both the tire and rim, and associated labor costs, which came to the tidy sum of $1,892! ($1,200 for a single 20" rim, $400 for the Pirelli summer tire, then the rest in labor).

Frankly, I'm not entirely sure what recourse I have in this situation. I held off on filing an insurance claim for the moment, since I would still need to pay the deductible (which is rather high, due to my older 2006 GT), and it would show up on the 2015's Carfax as an accident. The dealer also doesn't want to file an insurance claim for the same reason (high deductible + unwanted accident report). The dealer claims, since I was behind the wheel, I was liable, and they would sue me in small claims court if I don't pay.

I'm debating whether it's worth a protracted legal battle (along with widespread naming and shaming of this dealer), which I have no idea my odds of winning, or simply settling for a more reasonable amount.

Does anyone have any experience in this situation? I find it hard to believe I'm the first person to nick a rim on a test drive.

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[DRKHR5]

outsiders point of view... you were in control when the damage happened and could have just as easily avoided that curb. I would assume any damages I caused myself; (no outside influence affecting the situation) would be my duty to correct and fix.

Hate to say as a fellow mustang friend... I don't see you winning any sort of a battle in this one. Tell them to show you the "Cost" numbers versus retail... and maybe try and pay that amount. But one way or another... I see you paying them in the end.

 

[Brent302]

Welcome to the forums.

Unfortunately when you take control of the vehicle it is your responsibility. Just like my old dealer had my car for an oil change. When they backed it into a spot they had a bolt pierce my tire.

They said they would replace the damaged tire but both tires would have to be replaced due to uneven wear. They wanted me to pay for the other tire. I refused and said the vehicle was in their control so they are responsible for any damage and necessary fixes.

In the end the dealer paid for two new rear tires.

 

[Countrysquire]

...(along with widespread naming and shaming of this dealer)...

Naming and shaming the dealer? Wasn't it you who hit the curb and caused the damage?

 

[cosmo]

Yeah... like everyone else said. I think you're kind of SOL on this one. Sorry buddy.

I personally would pay out of pocket if I could... try to avoid some sort of insurance hike. I'm not sure exactly what happens with insurance in that situation.

 

[HobokenStang]

Naming and shaming the dealer? Wasn't it you who hit the curb and caused the damage?

There's a little more to it (in terms of their attitude and way they initially handled the situation), but I'm looking for feedback purely based on the facts of the situation.

There's no question I was behind the wheel and caused the damage, so if based on that fact alone, I am solely liable with no reasonable expectation of the dealer doing anything other than footing me with the entire bill, then so be it.

 

[veeATE]

It does not cost them $1200 for the rims, nor $400 for the tires. That is heavily marked up. You can buy those tires for ~ $200 directly from Pirelli, and they can certainly eat the "labor fee."

 

[Brent302]

Just look at it from another perspective. If that was your brand new car in for service and they did that. You would have an attitude also.

 

[essque]

Sorry to hear about the mishap, I know it has to be frustrating for you and the dealer. While it's important that you own up to it, don't let them push you around. There are wheel repair specialists who can fix curb rash in less than 2 hours. I would bring one in for a quote immediately as it would most likely cost $125-$200 instead of $1200. They may even be able to get a better price on wheel repair as many dealerships already work with wheel repair specialists on the regular.

Also, as a dealer I would think they can get much better pricing on parts than what customers pay. $200 for labor is ridiculous as well. I had a summer tire mounted on a 20x10 wheel last week for $32 installed. So, $300-$400 for the tire, $200 tops for the wheel repair and $35 to mount and install. Could be better than paying the deductible. If you do have to get a new wheel, I would take the damaged wheel and tire from them and sell it on Ebay to get more than half that money back.

 

[Brownw01]

You should just buy the whole car to feel better about it!

 

[HobokenStang]

It does not cost them $1200 for the rims, nor $400 for the tires. That is heavily marked up. You can buy those tires for ~ $200 directly from Pirelli, and they can certainly eat the "labor fee."

This is helpful. I actually checked tirerack, and those particular tires are $400, bizarrely, and I've found those exact 2015 rims for sale elsewhere for $700.

http://parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com/oe-ford/fr3z1007d

Not sure how one goes about getting a price from Pirelli?

I mean, if I can point them to the exact same parts for a lot less, that's certainly helpful to both parties.

 

[thaext]

I'd say that the dealer is ripping you off, in terms of the costs. Like another poster said, curb rash can be fixed very easily for like $100-200. It makes it look like new. In regards to the tires, like others have said, it's about $200 for the tires each.

 

[Dirtleg]

See what you can get the tire and wheel for from another dealer. If it's significantly cheaper buy them the replacement and pay them 1 hour of shop time for labor.
I'd be more inclined to haggle them down to their cost on parts. There is no need for them to make any profit on this deal. That's just rude IMO.

 

[Fox9350]

Another solution is buy the car and live with the damage if its minor. That said they'll probably squeeze you there too. Sorry dude.

 

[cosmo]

Would it be a vehicle you would be interested in purchasing? Maybe see if they would mark that amount off since that carfax on that car is screwed over now. Anyone else going to buy that car and see that it's a "brand new" vehicle that has an incident will demand a mark off. Then you can take it to another place and get the wheel fixed for a much cheaper route.

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