# Keeping A New Car After Waranty Work **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** repair\ **Created:** [September 27, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057 "2008-09-27T12:54:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RetSab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@RetSab](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RetSab)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/1 "2008-09-27T12:54:16Z")
I drove off lot 8/4/08 with '09 Hyundai Sonata 4cl. GLS. Next day shift lock would not release, car was at dealership for NEXT 32 days being repaired. Modules, solenoids, a broken bolt (ground) in main fuse box, then main fuse box and main wiring harness replaced. Vehicle was obtained from another dealership, which had also attempted to repair several electrical problems, then traded car when opportunity arose. Finally drove off the lot with 300 miles on the vehicle on 9/05/08. I am in the process of arbitrating through BBB bureau, have been offered $300 for my lost month. I wonder if I should keep the vehicle, which is setup and the color & interior I like, because when I go to sell a history on car the will show this rather extensive history of electrical repairs and reduce the value? Hyundai USA never responded to my 5 phone calls or letter over the 30 plus days when the car was in the dealership. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/2 "2008-09-27T13:01:12Z")
The history won’t be a problem, but this sounds like a classic lemon law car. You can research your state’s lemon laws through the JD Power & Associates website. I’d go for a replacement vehicle. They can order one the way you like it. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/3 "2008-09-27T14:10:59Z")
Mountainbike has given you very good advice, and I second his recommendation. Also, I would suggest that you forget about getting any real help from the BBB. If you get the latest issue of Smart Money magazine (published by The Wall Street Journal), you can read a very good article describing the inactions of the “Better FOR Business Bureau”. Those who have actually been helped by this old-boy club of businessmen are few and far between. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/4 "2008-09-27T14:17:19Z")
I also think Mountain has a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![AlanY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@AlanY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AlanY)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/5 "2008-09-27T14:21:43Z")
It sounds like the problem has been fixed. If so, the lemon law likely wouldn’t apply. If it is fixed, you may as well keep it since you would lose considerable money on the exchange. ---
**Author:** ![RetSab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@RetSab](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RetSab)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/6 "2008-09-27T22:05:12Z")
Your responses help to confirm my decision to proceed with an arbitration hearing through the BBB. If I am not satisfied with the results, I will then proceed with the process through the NYS Att. Generals office who I have spoken to and have completed all the paperwork. I did research and bookmark materials and sites related to the Lemon Laws. This case brought up some interesting questions concerning the previous dealerships repairs, the 30+ days the car was in the shop ( confused the BBB and Att. Gen. office), number of repair attempts (difficult to document), the BBB web site won’t accept a listing for an '09 vehicle. All of these factors add to the fun, I feel that I have a mission. I thought I had done all my homework in researching the vehicle, reading reviews, ratings, and owners experiences. The buying process was rather long and drawn out because of my desire to own what I wanted and not just accept what was on the lot. Little did I know that the epic is going to be quite a long journey. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/7 "2008-09-27T23:35:48Z")
In my 30 years as a Ford parts man ( 35 years auto parts ) it just seems that any vehicle, appliance, or product in general that has THAT many problems THAT soon will continue to be trouble in the future. With that omen pre-existing, just think what you can look forward to when it’s out of warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Countrydriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Countrydriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Countrydriver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/8 "2008-09-27T23:41:36Z")
Be absolutely certain you know the time limitations for filing a lemon law claim. In many states the statute of limitations is one year. After that, you are on your own. ---
**Author:** ![RetSab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@RetSab](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RetSab)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/9 "2008-10-30T14:08:24Z")
Went to BBB arbitration, surprisingly within a week I was awarded a replacement vehicle. Spoke to Hyundai rep. yesterday concerning paperwork, Dealership called a few hours later, they are in the process of trying to obtain identical car. If they can’t find one locally they will ship one form their port. So I could be starting over with a new car, about 4 months after the initial purchase. I should feel more comfortable in the knowledge that I have a car that hasn’t been pieced back together and has a diminished value at trade in. My wife never thought I should go through the process, the whole Billion dollar company vs. individual scenario. Hopefully this is the end to my tale. ---
**Author:** ![METOO2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@METOO2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/METOO2)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/10 "2008-10-30T21:25:19Z")
that car has a GREAT waranty,10/100 powertrain 5/60 bumper to bumper.and very reliable. whats the Ford got 3/36(then all h#@l breaks loose.)LOL! heres another classic example of the wrong tech on the wrong job. a ground prob (nah!) solenoid prob (yes)20 min fix) module prob (nah!) harness (now thats PRICELESS) brake light switch(possible) 32 days,thats insane. sounds to me like the service manager(whos is more then likely the REAL PROBLEM) should gut the shop and find new techs.that circuit is simple,what will they do with a real problem? keep the car forever? I say keep the car and find a trained dealer. ---
**Author:** ![realbinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a87d85/32.png) [@realbinky](https://community.cartalk.com/u/realbinky)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/11 "2008-10-30T21:32:44Z")
Sweet, thanks for the follow-up, I hate wondering. BTW: I have an 06 Sonata and got a new engine at 13K miles. Everyone claims it is a crap car, but it was a 5 dollar part (cam shaft bearing) that failed and caused the cam shaft to shred itself all through the engine. The dealer took one look at the oil pan and said “new engine, hold onto that loaner.” ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/12 "2008-10-30T22:52:48Z")
While 32 days is really excessive, and the dealership was seemingly just throwing parts at the problem hoping they would get lucky. You bought a Hyundai, Hyundais have some of the worst resale value on the market. I don’t think your car will be worth less because of this. With that said $300 for a month without a car isn’t alot. Did they give you a loaner or pay for a rental? If they didn’t I’d hit them up for more. ---
**Author:** ![dave1689](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@dave1689](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dave1689)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/13 "2008-10-31T14:30:59Z")
Now that’s I dealer I want to buy from. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/14 "2008-10-31T15:49:40Z")
There is little to no chance that the experience you have had with the car (we won’t talk about the dealer) is any indication of future problems. Selling your car now is going to cost you. You will loose a lot of value for the short time you have owned the car. I would take the $300 and run. I think you were lucky to get that. When your car gets 300,000 miles or you just tire of it, then look for a car from a different manufacturer/dealer. ---
**Author:** ![hoffmalr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bc8723/32.png) [@hoffmalr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hoffmalr)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/15 "2008-10-31T17:07:01Z")
The OP posted back yesterday (why the thread was resurrected). His arbitration through BBB got him a new car from Hyundai. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keeping-a-new-car-after-waranty-work/20057/16 "2008-10-31T22:12:55Z")
Outstanding! Thanks for the follow up post.