Expert: Michael Brotherton - 6/25/2007

Question
Hello I bought a high milage car as is from a dealer, in Georgia. I picked up on a tuesday evening. The next day the brakes failed. I took it back to the dealer and he said there was no problem. I pulled out of the dealership and they failed again. I swerved and hit a pole and the front end sustained most of the damage. The dealer then fixed the brakes and the insurance company refused to fixed the damage to the front end because the dealer did not complete the insurance transfer. I paid to have the car partially fixed so it would be drivalbe, out of my own pocket. Three weeks later the transmission went out on the car. In the meantime of arguing with the dealership that they needed to fix the body, I was instructed by the finance company I had to still make payments and they refused to cancel the deal even  though it was within the first three days. Also I refused to sign thier company contract when someone from the company came out to inspect the vehicle on the third day. After five months without any success of getting a drivable car I stop making payments. And the finace company wrote the car off. How do I get rid of this car? How can they use the dealer contract to write it off and leave me stuck with a 10,000 worth of bad debt and a worthless car?

Answer
This is a bit more complicated than can be resolved in this forum. I would talk to at least two, preferably three local attorneys in your area. There are several issues that need resolved. It would definitely be worth pursuing legal action if you can find an attorney to take the case on a contingency.

Sorry I am not more help.

Good luck.