Car Dealer Laws

jwoods3

jwoods3

New Member
Jul 1, 2007
16
0
0
Chicago
#1
I bought my 03 Cobra in July last year without knowing that they sold it to me without catalytic converters. In order to pass emissions in my state this are absolutley nessacary (Illinois). Is this legal and can I sue them if they refused to put cats on it?

Also, I jacked up the car today because I believe my wheels are bent and noticed that I do not have IRS suspension. This was an incredible shocker to see the solid axle. Also, I measured the ring and pinion to find tey are 4.11's not 3.55's. I bougt the extended warranty through GM and am wondering if what the dealership did was fraudulent (giving a warranty to a car that has had major modification). If something were to happen to the solid axle, wouldnt they have to put in an IRS?

This dealership seems a little shady and am wondering if they are liable for the things that they have done.

Thanks,

Jayson
 
#2
While I can't comment on the catalytic converter issue since I'm not absolutely sure on the law, they could still sell the car with a warranty with the solid axle. It should be 4.10 gears if it's an 8.8 though. 4.11 would be a 7.5 or 9 inch, IIRC. I have a feeling, however that you're the owner of a now solid-axle 03 Cobra with no cats, since it wasn't disclosed during the sale and the burden of proof lies on you to prove the car had no cats at the time of sale. Out of curiosity, didn't you look under the car for anything that seemed out of place? That's one of the most important areas, since you'd want to look at things like the transmission seals or the differential for leaks.
 
#3
That was the last thing that I thought of looking for... I noticed a clutch problem and had them replace it but cats arent one thing I was looking for. As for the solid rear axle, I dont know, I didnt notice it.
 
#5
Another thought, but was the car being sold "as-is, no warranty," but the extended warranty was offered during the sale? If so, the dealer is removed from any liability, as the warranty being sold is through a separate corporation. The dealer isn't offering any guarantee on the vehicle at that point, but a company is agreeing to fix any issues, as covered by the terms in the warranty package you purchased with the car.
 
#6
Yes, I bought te warranty seperate but that still is not the issue. Wat if the warranty company refuses to fix my issues because of the solid? When I bring it in because I snapped off one of the axles, for some non-racing issue, they replace it with a 2003 GTs? This just doesnt make sense to me.

Oh and to answer the other question I live in IL.

I also dont mean to seem like an ass I'm just frustrated :)
 
#7
Its most liklely a 31 spline unit....would need to come from an explorer or something. Also, that car has been RACED....thats the only reason someone would put a SRA in the car....especially with freegin 4.10s! Thats crazy. What else is done to it? Engine shots? May have a ported blower on her as well.
 
#8
I dont think that it is that extreme. I had it dyno'd and it put out 440 hp. The pulley has been changed to. But again, what am I to do? Battle the warranty company when they won't replace something?
 
#9
I am pretty sure it would be against the law to sell it without cats,but since the amount of time that passed you are going to be sol. they can sell it with the solid axle,has nothing to do with epa/fed laws. since you waited this long I see no course of action you can take
 
#10
Not to sound like an ass man but you should always give the vehicle a thorough look over, and if you personally dont know what to look for take it to a shop... most probaly charge $40-75 for a complete inspection and its cheap insurance IMO.

As far as the warrenty goes... I see a problem.

IRS is stock. Solid axle is not. If it breaks they could hassle you about getting ANY warrenty work done period, because the car is modified. Same goes for having a larger pully upgrade, so on.

It depends on the warrenty, who its through, so on. Being its a GM warrenty through a GM dealership (I assume), dealers are the worst to deal with most of the time.

It does sound like you got hosed... sorry to hear that. I would call and discuss it with them though. Dont get hot headed at first, most of the times a little courtesy and a sense of concern will get you alot further.
 
#11
i don't think you can do much about that. When i bought my mustang i had them put it on a lift before we signed anything so i can inspect the rear axle and under neath the car. I don't trust dealerships cuz i sell cars for a living and i know the sneaky tricks.
 
#12
When you started the Cobra to test drive it you did'nt notice the exhaust was loud as hell? If the IRS was changed to a beefy 31 spline straight axle you should be jumping for joy. I would at least. Just bite the bullet and get a catted X pipe.
 
#13
It would cost a ton more to try and sue them to put cats on your car then just just buy a catted X-pipe and put it on. And move on with your life. But if you want to spend a year in court, go right ahead and waste your time.
 
#14
ii work at a dealership and can tell you if its been 30 days your out of luck if its beena little more maybe you can go halves w/ the dealership or something just dont go in there screaming and yelling cause in this situation your wrong and they can legally tell you to beat it
 
#15
Just ask around and see if anyone is giving away a catted mid-pipe.

I beleive the mid pipes on the 4.6's are the same...GT, Mach 1 and Cobra.

So just find someone with a GT who put an off-road pipe on and get his stock mid-pipe.

Paying someone to put it on should be cheap and easy.

As for the solid axle...true it's not stock...but if anything, the solid 8.8 will be tougher than the IRS. Either way i would rather have the IRS. Check your rear brakes...do you have the smaller 1/2" thick 10" GT rotors or the larger vented 11.65" Mach 1/Cobra rear brakes?
 
#16
i got one that i wanna sell - it was on my car for about 19k miles and now it just sits around - so if you want it - i can give it to you for a good price. I just want it out of my garage.
 
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