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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to replace my car after six weeks?

238 replies

Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 18:53

I bought a used car in April and since then I've been trying to convince myself that I like it, but the fact is that I don't like it. I don't want it.
I bought it unseen, having been shown a different vehicle (same make and model, but a slightly flashier version). There was definitely a fair bit of bullshitting from the salesman going on too.
If I sell the car I'll lose around £2000, plus I'd have the expense of replacing it with a car I actually like. I took out a small loan to buy the car, and I owe £4500 on that.
WWYD? AIBU to be considering selling it and buying something better?

OP posts:
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6
TweedAddict · 25/05/2017 19:41

If it wasn't the car you thought you were getting- trading standards maybe.

Sounds like they've tried to pull the wool over you unfortunately.

But I get it, nothing worse then having been really excited to have something nice and lovely and it turns out to be shite. You'll never like it, it will always be a let down.

I would try and sell privately, we've always got good money that way on our cars. It's a pain to do but it is worth doing

Goodmum1234 · 25/05/2017 19:42

Because you didn't see the actual car could you say it isn't fit for purpose especially since the other model fitted your pushchair in? Were you mis-sold? Could you see about your rights with citizens advice?
Alternatively, cut your losses and sell it. I have had a fiesta zetec tdi for ten years and it has been fab. Is chrap to run, low tax, cheapmto service and has all the mod cons. I have had two children since ((with only three doors) and a buggy fits in beautifully. Bet you could get one neatly new for £7k?
Hope it all works out

Goodmum1234 · 25/05/2017 19:42

#cheap

jarhead123 · 25/05/2017 19:44

Is there not some sort of distance selling clause you could look into? Just a thought

Original poster
Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 19:52

Thank you for your suggestions. I was expecting the vipers nest to tell me off for being bratty!
The paperwork for the purchase is all watertight, unfortunately. The car I ordered is the car that's sitting on my drive. The sneaky tactics were showing me the other, better one and telling me the two were exactly the same except for the colours, when in fact they are different editions of the same model.

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 25/05/2017 19:55

Can you Google your car and see if it's really worth what you paid?

araiwa · 25/05/2017 19:56

can you explain how your buggy fit in one but not your identical car

pigsDOfly · 25/05/2017 19:58

I bought a 3 year old car a year ago for £6,000. It has all the things you mention plus a built in satnav.

Can't imagine paying out so much money for something I haven't even seen. Didn't you want to drive it to see how it handled?

I'd get rid of the car if you don't like it. As pp said, life's too short. It's only going to depreciate more as time goes on so you might as well cut your losses now and get something you can enjoy driving.

Before I bought the car I have now I had a Vauxhall Astra. Never liked it. Although it was 12 years old when I sold it, it had electric windows and air con. Didn't know you could still buy cars without electric windows.

pigsDOfly · 25/05/2017 20:02

Just seen your update. If they told you it was the same as the one you saw, surely that amount to miss selling. Would it be worth having a word with trading standards.

Having said that, probably hard to prove.

ThePinkOcelot · 25/05/2017 20:02

But you were lied to OP. You must have some come back for that at least surely. I would go to trading standards or give Consumer Direct a ring. It wasn't the same car in a different colour was it. It was totally different model.

araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:04

fuck me- just looked on vauxhall website and the cheapest astra estate is £17500 new!! has aircon and electric windows though

Goodmum1234 · 25/05/2017 20:04

Sounds very sneaky and possibly unlawful?? Mis-selling? Are they a big dealership? Tweet them, Facebook them and go to trading standards. I'm cross on your behalf!

Original poster
Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 20:05

araiwa They weren't identical. The salesman lied about that.

pigsDO I'd viewed, driven and been happy with what I was told was exactly the same car, just in red and with a slightly higher mileage. The salesman also assured me that I'd be able to have my deposit refunded if I didn't want the car when it arrived, which turned out to be untrue. Once I'd signed the purchase order I had committed to buying the vehicle.
The must have seen me coming a mile off! Sad

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FanDabbyFloozy · 25/05/2017 20:06

It sounds like a classic switch and bait.

They must have thought you were at the top of your budget OR had this model somewhere and wanted to shift it.

As it was a new Vauxhall, I'd follow up with the garage and also with Vauxhall. There's hundreds of people reading this thinking "guess what model car I won't buy this weekend?!"

FanDabbyFloozy · 25/05/2017 20:07

Just saw that it wasn't from new. Was it a major car reseller in West London? They're renowned for sharp elbows.

Plumkettle · 25/05/2017 20:10

Def go to cab. Sounds like they misled and missold. Good luck!

bigsighall · 25/05/2017 20:10

I did it. I hated my 'new car' so bought another one. Lost quite a bit but it's worth it!

araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:11

a 2016 vauxhall astra estate will be the same size even with different trim levels , engines etc

its the same model- its the same size

hence my confusion about it not fitting in both

StarryCorpulentCunt · 25/05/2017 20:11

If they lied to you, I would start shouting on facebook and twitter about fraud and dishonesty. They don't like it when you slate them on social media. First try contacting trading standards though, there may be something they can do.

pigsDOfly · 25/05/2017 20:12

Really does sound like you need to talk to Trading Standards. There's a reason second hand car salesmen have such bad reputations.

Original poster
Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 20:15

Thanks everyone. Apologies if this thread has been a bit drip-feedy, I thought it was just me being whiny about the car, but talking it though and getting some other perspectives suggests leads me to think I was missold. I bet I'd have a hell of a job proving it, though! Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 20:19

*a 2016 vauxhall astra estate will be the same size even with different trim levels , engines etc

its the same model- its the same size

hence my confusion about it not fitting in both*

I dunno. I tried it in the red one on the forecourt, it fitted, I didn't take it with me to pick up the other one, it doesn't fit.

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araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:22

so you were shown a gti but bought the bog standard version. theyre still the same size though!

and your order states it is the bog standard version? and you signed it?

i can understand disappointment but i dont think TS will be able to do much if they supplied the vehicle you ordered

Original poster
Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 20:27

I expect you're right, araiwa. The order refers to an Astra Sports Tourer Design. I don't know if the one I saw was a GTI? It was a petrol engine? Is a GTI diesel? I have no idea. Salesman told me it was exactly the same as the one I could order in. So I did.

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LightastheBreeze · 25/05/2017 20:31

Was the sports tourer the same price, Under £9k sounds like a fairly basic 2016 model of car.