Front bumper support completely rusted off.. need help against dealer

[killinformula]

So after going to the dealer to have them change the brakes, while on the jack i took an even closer look at the car to discover that the front bumper (the metal bar) was completely rusted off the brackets that bolt to the frame! i showed the dealer and he was like, well we will have to talk about it after x mas, well i found a replacement front bumper for 133 (can i get it cheaper???) bucks online and called him today to tell him that he needed to order it and iw ould even come in with the cladding off and all he had to do was bolt it up, but he said "wait you want me to pay for it" and i said plainly "yes", so he says he will get back to me on it... What can I do? i talked to the DMV and if he doesnt comply i am going to tell him i am going to file a complaint, and if he doesnt bend, i will. It just pisses me off to see that, please help me out with this problem!

Thanks guys/gals

braden

[Y33TREKker]

Well that's definitely an attempt to take advantage of the Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. I'm not sure how common it is for the bumper supports to rust off, (although I do remember hearing of a similar incident awhile back), but I'm curious what it was that the DMV told you. Are you saying that you bought the VX from this dealer, and the bumper supports are one of the inspection items required by law to be fixed before a vehicle can be sold in a particluar state?

Or are you just trying to get it replaced under warranty?

[killinformula]

no the bumper is not part of the inspection, it would just be a complaint against the dealer, for not informing me about the problem. car is not under warranty, it is just a matter of state laws informing the buyer of what they are getting and problems with the car that are there under purchase

[lasturbo]

It sounds like if the "dealer" you bought the car from has to perform a valid "safety inspection," and part of the inspection is to make sure the bumpers are compliant, you may have a case then. Request the inspection report if they stated they did perform one. Each state is different but it sounds legit. Mine is the same way on the right side but not severe to affect the mounting of it (just the end tube portion is mission) and seems common for the east coast or snow VX's from past board talk. Good luck!

[WILLY]

Well if u bought it used with no warranty, it is an as is sale,metal rusts,u will prolly have to suck it up like the rest of us.

[vt_maverick]

Unfortunately I'm with WILLY - I would be very surprised if the state went with you on this one, especially if you bought it without a warranty (aka "as-is"). Severe rust is not altogether unexpected for a 9 year old vehicle, depending on where/if it was garaged and how it was driven. If I were you I'd try to negotiate with the dealership to split the cost with you, offer you some free MX, etc. rather than threaten to go to the state to get it completely covered. Chances are you either won't win or you'll have to spend at least the next six months fighting over what sounds like only $133. If you didn't inspect the underside at all before you bought and it only costs you that much to fix, consider yourself lucky to have learned the lesson cheaply.