Traded our 2022 car for a 2024. We waited months for the new car. We made a mistake by doing the paperwork before we saw the '24 model. The dealer told us it was exactly the same as our '22. When it came in, the '24 didn't have the safety features, leather seats, or ride as smooth as our '22. We took it back; the dealer told us he had to buy back the '24 and sell us the '22. Now we have a higher payment with a higher interest rate. I know we are at fault by trusting the dealer to do right by us. I think since the '24 was misrepresented and they should have given our car back with the same payments and interest rate we had. Is there anything that can be done?
Who buys a car without a test drive? And why would you trade in a 2 year old car?
The slightly-used car I mentioned in my earlier post is a 2014 Toyota RAV4 which got top reviews as best used car in Consumer Reports (at that time). I've bought all my family's used cars based on their reviews and it has never disappointed. I bought mine in 2018. It was originally purchased new by an elderly lady who then decided to give up driving. She sold it back to the same dealership (and probably lost her shorts on that deal). Technically my car had 3 previous owners but only had 1500 miles on it and had yet to even need an oil change.
I drive a lot (here in MN) and have never had a mechanical problem with my latest Toyota. If you buy cars that deserve to be bought you won't feel the need to have the "latest" version for fear of problems. My 94-yr old Mom is in your camp so I get where you're coming from. Next time take a younger friend with you -- you won't regret it.
Usually we elders prize getting to know our news cars and it takes two years to become acquainted with it. Hardly the time to get a new one full of more gewgaw and jimcrack.
Buying a car at any age is something you are well advised to do with someone REALLY knowledgeable at your side. This is more crucial as we become older. Excitement can tip us into anxiety in high pressure situations, and we can kind of freeze like the deer in the headlights.
I would not read carefully the advice you have below, gather yourself, and map out together a path forward. Don't delay. Wish you the best and hope you will update us.
There was likely a misunderstanding on your part and MAYBE the salesman took advantage of that confusion.
Having an elected official's representative speak to the dealership manager can work wonders.
Next, if you have the original agreement in writing and not just verbal (ie that the 2024 would be exactly the same) start with talking to the owner of the dealership, then if you don't get satisfaction, take it to an attorney. Not sure you have any recourse if it was just a verbal agreement. FYI maybe the problem was with each of your interpretations of the words "exactly the same"? No new model is exactly the same as one 2 years ago. But maybe he was trying to get you close to exactly the same payment?
A few years ago I bought a lightly-used car from a dealership. Even though I'm a pretty savvy buyer, I allowed myself to agree to an extra "coverage". The salesman made it seem like (or I interpreted) that it would cover certain things that I thought made it a good deal. When those certain things came up and they actually weren't covered I asked that same salesman in what scenario would this extra coverage actually cover the repair or maintenance or parts. He couldn't tell me. As it turned out, no one could tell me. Then I asked what good is it? I then asked to talk to the owner of the dealership and told him I felt scammed since literally no one at the dealership could give me a scenario where this coverage would come into play. He gave me all my money back and apologized. It was a very large dealership where the owner regularly appears in his own commercials, etc. So he definitely didn't want any bad reviews.
You can consider doing the same. Also threaten to share your "disappointment" in this dealer on Nextdoor.com (they hate bad reviews).
Also, never trade in a car. Sell it yourself, you'll always get way more money for it (or ask a relative or neighbor to help you sell it). I've bought and sold many cars on Craigslist.org and will continue to do so.
Good luck in getting this resolved. Maybe consider taking a trusted person with you.