trading in my denali... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

V · 02-02-2006, 10:23 PM

Ive had enough of it. I'm beyond fed up. As of today its now another 2 week straight stretch where its been in the dealership. and ive only had it since sept 22nd. Its BS. Obviously since i just got it, i owe quite a bit on it, but its one problem after another. So right now i'm considering trading it in on something else. I just have no clue what id get. Id want some thing in around the 11k dollar range. maybe a jeep wrangler or similar, something preferably 4wd(not definate though), good on gas, comfortable and 99 or newer. I figure i'll trade the POS denali in, and transfer whatever extra i owe into the payments on a new vehicle. chevy, gmc, jeep, dodge... i dont really care what make, just something nice and reliable. Any suggestions? and who has dealership connections? plus i can sell my 20"s for same cash too, lol.

turbo96z28 · 02-02-2006, 10:54 PM

do any of the problems make it eligible for NJ Lemon Law status????????

V · 02-02-2006, 11:06 PM

maybe, im not really sure. its a '99 so i dont know what the exact Used car lemon law requirements are. And if i go that route, id almost have to get a lawyer since they know more of what to do. And i dont know where to even start lookign for a lawyer. If i can get rid of it that way, that works and i'll find something else down the line or just get my cars up and running sooner.

Ian · 02-02-2006, 11:11 PM

If you get a wrangler, get a rubicon. just be prepared to shift a lot, cause they ususally come with 4.10 gears.

The Fixer · 02-03-2006, 08:20 AM

Paul, F the Wrangler, it's too small to do any serious work. And if you're looking to be a homeowner eventually, you'll need something that you can haul house supplies in. I'd recommend a '99-'01 Jeep Cherokee (like mine). We know the cargo area is big enough to put a motor in

and the 4.0 is bulletproof. Only 8.5:1 compression, so it runs fine on regular gas. My truck gets around 14-15 mpg around town, and near 20 mpg on the highway. I paid under $11K last year for my '01, with just 48K miles on it.

The '99-'04 Grand Cherokees are slightly less reliable; my mom has had issues with hers, and they actually settled with Chrysler as part of a lemon-law suit. That thing would warp front brakes every 6 months!

And Ian, you'd sell out the XJ?

79CamaroDiva · 02-03-2006, 08:26 AM

wranglers are not to be bought for comfort, so if that's what you're looking for, forget about it. Cherokee's are great, but its definitely no Denali, however, the 4.0 IS indestructible. When they get old enough, the car rots around the engine... Mine just turned 229,000 this week, and NO major problems at all, just had to replace floor boards

Grand cherokees are much more comfortable, but since i've never owned one, i can't say how reliable they are.

V · 02-03-2006, 08:34 AM

Well i still do have my 96 dodge ram to do towing and hauling supplies, so this would just be a daily driver mainly. I actually just got a call from the dealer, they needed my approval to tear down the front axle to find the problem. my warranty company needed my approval so that if it isnt covered, i would be responsible for paying $380 for the tear down. There isnt a reason it shouldnt be covered so im not worried, otherwise, im suing them for breach of warranty contract. Anyways, if they get it apart today, an adjuster should get there probably monday, then they have to get the parts...install them..and by then it'll be at least thrusday. That'll now be 3 weeks since they started workign on it. When the dealer calls my warranty company next he gonna ask for approval for a rental car. That still doesnt make me happy. I will be persuing legal action about all this since used car lemon law does state about including vehicles in the shop for over 30 days total within the first year and by the time i get it back, itll be in the shop around 40 days... over a MONTH out of service since i bought it in sept. Im so annoyed with the whole situation. I hope the truck would just fall off the dahm lift and would be totalled by insurance.

Is anyone here a lawyer? or at least know a good one that has dealt with cases like mine?

turbo96z28 · 02-03-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingSS

Is anyone here a lawyer? or at least know a good one that has dealt with cases like mine?

there's a lawyer in NJ that specializes in lemon law cases. i hear the commercial all the time on 101.5, but i can't remember the name. if i hear it at work today, i'll write down the number for you.

OneFast383 · 02-03-2006, 01:17 PM

get that new srt-8 jeep looked sweet on car and driver

V · 02-03-2006, 01:21 PM

i think the new srt8 jeep is a tad over the 11k price range im looking to spend.

Oh and the dealer where its at now also informed me that he think theres a possibility the odometer had been rolled back before i bought it since it has history stating 47k miles in sept. 2003, and i got it in sept. 2005 with 50,174, so only 3k miles in 2 years..not likely, so theres a whole new issue to get a lawyer for.

qwikz28 · 02-03-2006, 03:10 PM

the old tacomas were beasts. i would love one of those.

Ian · 02-03-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPI Monte SS

And Ian, you'd sell out the XJ?

no way!!! Just tossing the rubicon out there cause paul mentioned wranglers. If I could, I'd get an 01 cherokee, 4 door, 5 speed. but thats way outta my price range.

V · 02-03-2006, 07:40 PM

i talked to a lemon law lawyer in NJ. They believe i do have a case since the length of time my truck has been in the shop since i got it(over a month), also because of the fact that my one complaint is a engine knock(most likely the infamous piston slap which the lemon law loves) and also because of the possible odometer rollback. The 3 things combined causes enough reason to take it up in court. The lawyer is sending me all forms and info so i can read through it and see what to do. I asked like what id get out of it in the end and he said if i win, most likely i would, lawyer/court fees plus anything from a new motor, to a longer extended warraty on the vehicle, to a vehicle buyback, to 3 times the vehicle cost back due to the possible odometer fraud(vehicle price was around 21 after all taxes and extras, so thats like 60k back..id pay of the truck and deal with it) There several options for the lawyer fee, one is $300 and they make up all the paperwork and do the forms and i file it with the court and i go to court, OR $200 a hour and they do everything, OR $700 and they will do all the paperwork and go to court for me. anything like over 7 or 8 hours of specific work by them would be slightly more. What do you guys think? im thinking about the 700 since they said usually these cases canbe taken care of in that time/money frame. i never had a lawyer before so i dont know what average costs are.

turbo96z28 · 02-04-2006, 11:32 AM

i'd say go for the 700 deal. sounds like the best way to take care of the situation.

JL8Jeff · 02-04-2006, 11:52 AM

Does the lemon law really apply to used vehicles? You need to look at the papers you signed when you bought the truck. Lawyers will always tell you that you have a case because they get paid regardless if you win or lose. Don't waste too much money on a lawyer until you do more research. I seriously doubt you have a realistic case. Your paperwork will probably show that you bought it as is.

jims69camaro · 02-04-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo96z28

i'd say go for the 700 deal. sounds like the best way to take care of the situation.

yes. the reason why they offer the lower cost options is because sometimes people just don't have the money and they don't want to lose the business. but, if you can afford it, i'd pay the 7 bills and let them do all of the work. you show up in court one time and it's usually settled, provided all of the paperwork is in order (which you are letting them handle).

i had to hire a lawyer for some stupid shisnit back in the summer. 2k and we walked into court and out, case thrown out. he had his stuff together.

V · 02-04-2006, 12:06 PM

yes there is a used car lemon law in NJ and dealers must give a warranty regardless based on mileage(over a certain age or mileage then its AS-IS). Plus i also got an extended warranty. problem is that the issues arent being fixed the first time or in a timely manner. lemon law says if a vehicle is out of service for repairs over 30 days in like the first year, it classifies, my truck has been in the shop now almost 40 days in 4 the months ive owned it. The odometer problem doesnt matter even with the warranty issue, thats a huge issue alone. the rest just builds it all up. I think I would spend the 700 for the lawyer to do everything, since i myself really wouldnt know all the right things to say in court. The cost isnt an issue, but i will try to contact a local lawyer my mother knows and see what he thinks, even though he doesnt practice fraud/auto cases, but hed still be able to let me know if im on the right track.