Help...I did it now!

[Greg Johnson <gregsj@iea.com>]

SGDEN@aol.com wrote...

>Well, in short, I've done it now!

>I bought the 1991 200TQ 20v w/ 76k miles, new tires, timing belt,
pearl, body
>very good (one small dent), inter perfect.  The dealer ("friends" of
mine)
>told me they checked everything out and that the car was ready to go.

>1 hour after driving away (having signed all papers etc etc), the
steering
>became very tight, hard to control, unpredictable...AND...as we were
rolling
>back to the dealer to pick up the car I left there (my original
vehicle), the
>red brake light came on, followed within 3 mins by the brakes
failing.  We
>VERY nearly rolled into a busy intersection (coincidentally RIGHT in
front of
>the dealership).

>I put the car back on their lot, gave them the keys, told them what
happened
>(all management and my salesman were gone), and left....
>......
>Anyway...sorry this is so long...this has potential to be a huge
nightmare.
 >I would think that the dealership will take this car back rather
than risk
>their reputation.  I am prepared to do whatever it takes to NOT take
this
>car.  I paid $16k for the damn thing too!  I am losing sleep over
this #%$@%$
>thing...

>Advice?  Thanks!  - Steve

Take several deep breaths, relax, and condsider yourself lucky; better
this
happened now, as opposed to six months from now. Cancel the current
deal; get your money back; and as soon as you have it, tell them you
are
willing to tender a deposit on the following basis: for starters, the
bomb must
be replaced (assuming that's the problem) (check all the hoses that go
to
and fro as well). Explain that after the repair has been done, the car
will need
to go to an independant Audi mechanic for a Buyer's Inspection to
ensure
that the car is everything they say it is. (If the dealer balks at a
Buyer's Inspection,
they are likely hiding something else and you probably don't want the
car).
Explain that if any problems turn up during the inspection, they will
need
to be discussed and resolved. At that juncture, you will establish a
mutually
agreeable sales price (or you will not). I've owned three used Audis
and
have paid anywhere from $80 to $125 for a buyer's inspection; they
have
always saved hundreds of dollars; enhanced my negotiating position;
and I will
not buy a used car without one.

Caveat Emptor! GregJ