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Old May 10, 2007 | 05:16 AM
  #16  
MRadjahoe's Avatar
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U definitely got a bad apple. I have a neighbor that has one with over 1000 miles now. No problems @ all.
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Old May 10, 2007 | 05:21 AM
  #17  
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From: Long Island
Lemon law.
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Old May 10, 2007 | 05:35 AM
  #18  
Lancer08GTSCVT's Avatar
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Your not even close to the lemon law yet. The (somewhat) technical definition of what constitutes a vehicle that is a "lemon" is: any new vehicle that has a substantial problem that isn't fixed within a reasonable number of attempts, or that has had a certain number of days out of service.

But how do you define the meaning of "substantial problem," "reasonable number of attempts," and "certain number of days" when it comes to dealing with a problem car?

There are general federal and state lemon laws that you can turn to, to see if your lemon fits the bill and, if it does, what you can do about it. Three sets of laws apply to defective vehicles and products in the United States.
1. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Magnuson-Moss is a federal law that protects the buyer of any product that costs more than $25 and comes with a written warranty. The act prevents manufacturers from drafting grossly unfair warranties. It also makes it economically viable to bring warranty suits by providing the award of attorney's fees.

2. The Uniform Commercial Code
The UCC applies to all 50 states (and D.C., Puerto Rico, etc.) and covers contracts dealing with the sale of products. The UCC gives the consumer the right to a refund or replacement of a lemon. The UCC, however, does not define a Lemon, so it's up to a court to decide if an auto company must give you a refund or a new car. The Magnuson-Moss act and many state lemon laws also provide for attorney fees under the UCC.

3. State-Specific Lemon Laws
Most state lemon laws specify that a manufacturer must provide a refund or replacement for a defective new vehicle when a substantial defect cannot be fixed in four attempts, a safety defect within two attempts or if the vehicle is out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000 to 18,000 miles or 12 to 24 months.

Success in using state lemon laws depends upon three things: keeping good records, providing the right notice, and using arbitration programs where required. As with all cases involving two or more parties, it is important to document the transaction. When it comes to dealing with auto manufacturers and dealers, it's even more important. The car business is the big leagues -- you're dealing with professionals who will do just about whatever it takes to win.

Essential Steps....
Document Document Document
Document everything you have regarding your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, service records, purchase contracts, warranty book and the owners manual that came with your car.

TAKE WRITTEN NOTES
Conversations you have with your dealership and repair technicians concerning your vehicle and its (lemon) potential can be "forgotten" or misunderstood. Include the date, time and what specifically was discussed. This includes phone calls and in-person contact. Don't tape record conversations unless you have permission; it's a crime to do so in many jurisdictions.

ASK ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships to specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models. They are never divulged to the public (although you can often find them on the Internet). If you don�t ask, your dealer probably will not provide you with this information, so speak up and ask your technician to write your request on the repair order.

PREPARE A TIMELINE
When you have repair orders in your possession, organize each repair attempt by date, the number of times the vehicle has been in the shop, and how many days total your vehicle has been out of service.

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED
It's common to let your dealer, repair technicians, or others tell you the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle are minor and that you do not qualify under the lemon law for any sort of relief. Only an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the state where you purchased your vehicle and has some familiarity with the lemon law, can make that determination.

Secert Warranties.
Few car owners know that "secret warranties" exist. Automakers are reluctant to make them public for fear it would dampen confidence in their product and increase their legal liability. Most motorists who get compensated for repairs to blown engines, burned-up transmissions or paint that has turned chalky white or peeled away, are the ones who read consumer news sites, yell the loudest and refuse to take no for an answer.

The 4-Step Process in Secret Warranties
1. Service advisories are posted on an automaker's internal computer network. They offer troubleshooting tips and allow the dealer to bill the manufacturer for the repair. This information is never divulged to the customer.

2. If the defect grows in scope into a more involved solution requiring upgraded parts, automakers then draw up a formal technical service bulletin (called a TSB or DSB) and distribute the bulletin to dealers and US and Canadian government agencies. The service bulletin is only issued after the manufacturer has what it thinks is the solution for the defect. TSBs issued by Chrysler, Ford, and GM will usually spell out clearly which base warranty will cover the repair (emissions warranty, bumper-to-bumper, etc.). Interestingly, Asian and European automakers are vague in their description of their warranty obligations. Honda, for example, uses the term "goodwill" as a euphemism to describe its warranty extensions.

3. As more and more customers hear about TSBs for a common factory-related defect, and find that the base warranty is clearly inadequate to deal with the scope of the problem, pressure on dealers builds. With customers pressing for after-warranty help, the dealers put pressure on the manufacturer. This can lead to a second TSB, sent only to dealers, extending the warranty coverage and leaving to the dealer's discretion the amount that will be covered or refunded to the customer.

4. In some cases, the aggravation gets too great and the automaker decides to issue a press release followed by an owner notification letter (sent to first owners only, at their last known address) which clearly spells out what all owners will get and which vehicles are involved. A special bulletin or letter is also sent to dealers to ensure they follow the guidelines. Ford calls these Owner Notification Policies, GM calls them Special Policies, and Chrysler calls them Owner Satisfaction Notifications. No matter the euphemism, they are an extension of the original warranty, applied to vehicles that may have been bought new or used.

You hear it all the time, and it's true: laws vary from state to state. There's no one-size-fits-all. Chances are car dealers and automakers spend a lot more time hob-nobbing with your state legislators than you do, so there are very likely some "gotcha" provisions that got slipped into the lawbooks late one night.

In many states, there's not a single statute called the "Lemon Law." You have to piece it together from here and there, and the pieces are pretty hard to find if you don't know where they are. What this means is that you really need an expert, most likely an attorney who specializes in lemon law cases. Every state has a few. Unlike a Small Claims Court case, a lemon law case involving a $30,000 and up car isn't something you should try to handle yourself.

So check the law in your state, see if your case seems to fit, then consult an experienced, aggressive attorney. (See "Finding the Right Lawyer") Don't be afraid to ask for an free initial consultation and be sure you understand what the lawyer will charge you. It may sound like a lot but you have to compare it to the cost of making those 48 (or 60, or 72) payments on the rust bucket in question.

Enjoy!
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Old May 10, 2007 | 09:02 AM
  #19  
GTS_rider's Avatar
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From: west new york,NJ
1200 miles on my 08GTS.. only problem so far: car pulled a bit to the left at about 65-80 mph... just alignment...

so far so good for me.. nothing to complaint about!
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Old May 10, 2007 | 05:38 PM
  #20  
bras_33's Avatar
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From: so cal
Originally Posted by Lancer08GTSCVT
Your not even close to the lemon law yet. The (somewhat) technical definition of what constitutes a vehicle that is a "lemon" is: any new vehicle that has a substantial problem that isn't fixed within a reasonable number of attempts, or that has had a certain number of days out of service.

But how do you define the meaning of "substantial problem," "reasonable number of attempts," and "certain number of days" when it comes to dealing with a problem car?

There are general federal and state lemon laws that you can turn to, to see if your lemon fits the bill and, if it does, what you can do about it. Three sets of laws apply to defective vehicles and products in the United States.
1. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Magnuson-Moss is a federal law that protects the buyer of any product that costs more than $25 and comes with a written warranty. The act prevents manufacturers from drafting grossly unfair warranties. It also makes it economically viable to bring warranty suits by providing the award of attorney's fees.

2. The Uniform Commercial Code
The UCC applies to all 50 states (and D.C., Puerto Rico, etc.) and covers contracts dealing with the sale of products. The UCC gives the consumer the right to a refund or replacement of a lemon. The UCC, however, does not define a Lemon, so it's up to a court to decide if an auto company must give you a refund or a new car. The Magnuson-Moss act and many state lemon laws also provide for attorney fees under the UCC.

3. State-Specific Lemon Laws
Most state lemon laws specify that a manufacturer must provide a refund or replacement for a defective new vehicle when a substantial defect cannot be fixed in four attempts, a safety defect within two attempts or if the vehicle is out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000 to 18,000 miles or 12 to 24 months.

Success in using state lemon laws depends upon three things: keeping good records, providing the right notice, and using arbitration programs where required. As with all cases involving two or more parties, it is important to document the transaction. When it comes to dealing with auto manufacturers and dealers, it's even more important. The car business is the big leagues -- you're dealing with professionals who will do just about whatever it takes to win.

Essential Steps....
Document Document Document
Document everything you have regarding your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, service records, purchase contracts, warranty book and the owners manual that came with your car.

TAKE WRITTEN NOTES
Conversations you have with your dealership and repair technicians concerning your vehicle and its (lemon) potential can be "forgotten" or misunderstood. Include the date, time and what specifically was discussed. This includes phone calls and in-person contact. Don't tape record conversations unless you have permission; it's a crime to do so in many jurisdictions.

ASK ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships to specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models. They are never divulged to the public (although you can often find them on the Internet). If you don�t ask, your dealer probably will not provide you with this information, so speak up and ask your technician to write your request on the repair order.

PREPARE A TIMELINE
When you have repair orders in your possession, organize each repair attempt by date, the number of times the vehicle has been in the shop, and how many days total your vehicle has been out of service.

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED
It's common to let your dealer, repair technicians, or others tell you the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle are minor and that you do not qualify under the lemon law for any sort of relief. Only an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the state where you purchased your vehicle and has some familiarity with the lemon law, can make that determination.

Secert Warranties.
Few car owners know that "secret warranties" exist. Automakers are reluctant to make them public for fear it would dampen confidence in their product and increase their legal liability. Most motorists who get compensated for repairs to blown engines, burned-up transmissions or paint that has turned chalky white or peeled away, are the ones who read consumer news sites, yell the loudest and refuse to take no for an answer.

The 4-Step Process in Secret Warranties
1. Service advisories are posted on an automaker's internal computer network. They offer troubleshooting tips and allow the dealer to bill the manufacturer for the repair. This information is never divulged to the customer.

2. If the defect grows in scope into a more involved solution requiring upgraded parts, automakers then draw up a formal technical service bulletin (called a TSB or DSB) and distribute the bulletin to dealers and US and Canadian government agencies. The service bulletin is only issued after the manufacturer has what it thinks is the solution for the defect. TSBs issued by Chrysler, Ford, and GM will usually spell out clearly which base warranty will cover the repair (emissions warranty, bumper-to-bumper, etc.). Interestingly, Asian and European automakers are vague in their description of their warranty obligations. Honda, for example, uses the term "goodwill" as a euphemism to describe its warranty extensions.

3. As more and more customers hear about TSBs for a common factory-related defect, and find that the base warranty is clearly inadequate to deal with the scope of the problem, pressure on dealers builds. With customers pressing for after-warranty help, the dealers put pressure on the manufacturer. This can lead to a second TSB, sent only to dealers, extending the warranty coverage and leaving to the dealer's discretion the amount that will be covered or refunded to the customer.

4. In some cases, the aggravation gets too great and the automaker decides to issue a press release followed by an owner notification letter (sent to first owners only, at their last known address) which clearly spells out what all owners will get and which vehicles are involved. A special bulletin or letter is also sent to dealers to ensure they follow the guidelines. Ford calls these Owner Notification Policies, GM calls them Special Policies, and Chrysler calls them Owner Satisfaction Notifications. No matter the euphemism, they are an extension of the original warranty, applied to vehicles that may have been bought new or used.

You hear it all the time, and it's true: laws vary from state to state. There's no one-size-fits-all. Chances are car dealers and automakers spend a lot more time hob-nobbing with your state legislators than you do, so there are very likely some "gotcha" provisions that got slipped into the lawbooks late one night.

In many states, there's not a single statute called the "Lemon Law." You have to piece it together from here and there, and the pieces are pretty hard to find if you don't know where they are. What this means is that you really need an expert, most likely an attorney who specializes in lemon law cases. Every state has a few. Unlike a Small Claims Court case, a lemon law case involving a $30,000 and up car isn't something you should try to handle yourself.

So check the law in your state, see if your case seems to fit, then consult an experienced, aggressive attorney. (See "Finding the Right Lawyer") Don't be afraid to ask for an free initial consultation and be sure you understand what the lawyer will charge you. It may sound like a lot but you have to compare it to the cost of making those 48 (or 60, or 72) payments on the rust bucket in question.

Enjoy!


The dealer should have given you a brochure of what would be considered as a "lemon." I got mines when I bought the car
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Old May 10, 2007 | 07:46 PM
  #21  
Shingen's Avatar
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From: Northern VA
That sucks man. I've driven my car for a few years now, never had an issue. Well at least none that were Mitsubishi's fault.

Fox
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Old May 11, 2007 | 08:34 AM
  #22  
jperryrocks's Avatar
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From: nc
Originally Posted by micowave
I would not recommend anyone to buy the 2008 Lancer. The car I bought, 1st the A/C does not work the first day , they have to replace it. 2nd the upgraded stereo is SH*T because it doesnt even pick up the regular FM stations clearly! 3rd the lens on the fog lights just cracked. I mean what kind of sh*t car does Mitsubishi make now a days. I NOW KNOW WHY THEY OFFER SUCH A LONG WARRANTY PROGRAM, NOT BECUASE THEY WANT TO ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS, ITS BECUASE THEIR CARS ARE BADLY BUILT.

For the 5 days I had my car it was in the shop for 2 days. So you think about if you want to buy a Mitsubishi now. I bought my car from Vancouver Mitsubishi dealership, and the sales manager said it is "normal" for things like this to happen, it happens in 1 in 20 cars. I want to advise people to think clearly before even trying to buy this car

How did the lens on the fog light crack? Did something hit it, or did it just "crack" all of a sudden by itself?

It sucks to have problems on a brand new car like that, but I don't think it's fair to blast all Lancers as being bad. Mitsu is selling quite a bit of them and most people are giving pretty positive reviews on the car.

Overall, the lancer has been a pretty rock solid car for Mitsu since it replaced the old mirage.

That's a pretty weak case for a lemon law if some people imply that. The 1st year re-design might have some growning pains like every model. But overall, I think most new 08 Lancer owners are happy and having no problems.
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Old May 11, 2007 | 08:39 AM
  #23  
Roldy's Avatar
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From: I-97
Originally Posted by derangedazn
That is why you wait to 2nd year to buy a car...so they can get some of the kinks worked out.
*ding, ding, ding* We have a winner.
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Old May 11, 2007 | 08:44 AM
  #24  
Maxdelta's Avatar
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From: Alaska
So I dont even have mine yets its still in route from Seattle to Ak for me I bought the 06 SE. However when I started looking I also looked into the new ones. Now I dont have anything against Hyundai (hope thats the spelling) persay but I dont like the fact that Hyundai had anything to do with the new Lancers. When I read that I was instanly against buying one. 2006-2003>2008
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Old May 11, 2007 | 01:16 PM
  #25  
Shingen's Avatar
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From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by Maxdelta
So I dont even have mine yets its still in route from Seattle to Ak for me I bought the 06 SE. However when I started looking I also looked into the new ones. Now I dont have anything against Hyundai (hope thats the spelling) persay but I dont like the fact that Hyundai had anything to do with the new Lancers. When I read that I was instanly against buying one. 2006-2003>2008
What did Hyundai have to do with the development of the 08 Lancer? And why did you get at 06 ES?

Fox
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Old May 11, 2007 | 01:18 PM
  #26  
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From: Western NY
sorry to hear
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Old May 11, 2007 | 01:50 PM
  #27  
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From: Canuckistan
I think hyundai, chrysler and mitsubishi all worked together to make the block, but that's it. The head in the lancer is all mitsubishi.
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Old May 11, 2007 | 01:55 PM
  #28  
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From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by ambystom01
I think hyundai, chrysler and mitsubishi all worked together to make the block, but that's it. The head in the lancer is all mitsubishi.
I knew that. This guy makes it sound like the car was in large part designed by the hyundai. It's unfortunate that people don't understand that when companies ban together to develop engines and chassis the benifit is cost savings that filter down to us, the consumers.

And I would also point out that Hyundai is a very reliable car and has a very good ranking on JD Power.

Fox
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Old May 11, 2007 | 01:59 PM
  #29  
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From: Bay Area, California
we have complaints here that his new 06 Evo MR that have leaks and water can get in. he bought a crappy one doesnt mean all Evos are like it.
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Old May 11, 2007 | 05:47 PM
  #30  
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From: Gilbert, AZ
One thing needs to be remembered, nothing is perfect in this world at any price point. The human element and natural material defects will get through any QC net devised. Frustration and disappointment i can understand, blacklisting i cannot. No one wants to have problems with something new. The reality is, they will happen. I think it is good for people to make others aware of a problem, but i disagree with trying to influence a decision based on the problem. Let the problem speak for itself and let the decision fall on those who need to make it.
With that being said, i have over 1300 miles on my '08 GTS and have enjoyed putting them on it. I feel it is a good car and look forward to putting many more miles on it. I also had an EVO with 48000 miles on it. While i had problems with warping brake rotors (the only car ever to warp on me), i felt it was a good car also.
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