T/C~not: Dealing with dealership

[murphypeople]

Your .02 re: my situation is appreciated.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
I bought my MM this week believing it had T/C because of what the internet ad and window sticker at dealership detailed...it had it.<o:p></o:p>
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Come to find out, after purchase, nope...doesn’t have it after all. Since the dealership said in writing that the car had T/C that is what I ultimately went by.<o:p></o:p>
I have discussed this with the dealership as being a conflict. I left the matter open saying I would call back Monday...after talking with my sales guy. I thought of multiple options to remedy this situation: 1.) give the car back. 2.) Get a refund for the blue book diff between T/C vs. non-T/C 3.) Get refund for the cost of four 16" CVPI rims and studded M+S tires. 4.) Swap for a "comparable" Grand Marquis. 5.) Is there other courses I should consider?:confused:
Your comments please.<o:p></o:p>

[Joe Walsh]

I wouldn't return the car because it does not have T/C.

I did NOT want T/C on my Marauder.

Ford's T/C system basically applies the BRAKES to the wheel that is spinning to slow it down.

I would rather have a good limited slip differential and a decent set of snow tires on the rear, than T/C.

Ask the dealer to throw in a good set of M+S tires.

[HwyCruiser]

Sounds like the dealer misrepresented the car's equipment. If not having traction control is a deal breaker for you then press for whichever option suits you most because the dealer is most likely to press for the one that causes them the least amount of hassle. Put the screws to them, but just be willing to walk away from the Marauder in case that's the way it goes.

[chader]

did you test drive the car??how did the traction control work then???is this a honest mistake by the dealership and or you for not verifing something that you want so bad??

[murphypeople]

Road conditions were not present to test T/C. After taking the MM home I had a road locally that was snow packed and icy. That's when I discovered there was no T/C for sure. Before that the conversation with the sales dealer was confusing...so I went with what was in writing.

[RCSignals]

If it has T?C there will be a switch on the dash to the left of the steering column.
How'd they miss that?

Anyway, I wouldn't return the car just because of that, but if they charged more because they said it had T?C, then work that angle.

[JonW]

It sounds like the dealer made an honest mistake. Some dealers even have an outside vendor who does their internet advertising for them, and that vendor may have been the one who made the mistake.

Do you like the car otherwise? If so, ask them to throw in the snow tires. TC is not that big of a deal. It works well as a marketing tool, but not that well in real life.

The point to remember is that you set the tone of the negotiations. If you go in with guns blazing, they're going to get real defensive. If you go in with a good attitude and ask them to sit down with you and talk with you about this situation, you're likely to come out of it a lot better.

[sailsmen]

The easiest thing for the dealer is to just take the car back.

If you feel you must have t/c then just let the dealer take it back and buy a MM w/ t/c.

Very simple solution.

If your expectation is you caught them in a mistake so you have hit the jackpot you will be disappointed.

[Bluerauder]

[COLOR=black]4.) Swap for a "comparable" Grand Marquis. 5.) Is there other courses I should consider?
There's no such thing as a Grand Marquis "comparable" to the Marauder. ;)

I tend to believe that this was an honest mistake on both the dealer's part and on yours as well. Personally, I don't think it is a big deal. I prefer T/C on mine (following my little episode :rolleyes:) .... but I would have gotten the MM without it. Not a deal breaker for me.

Here's a suggestion. Talk to the saleman and manager. Point out the "misrepresentation". See if they might sweeten the pot for you with some suggested bennies ---

1. Free oil changes for a year (oil and air filters included).
2. A new set of rear BFGs when you need them the 1st time (it won't be long). Road Force balancing included.
3. A couple of those nice Ford Racing polo shirts, hats, etc.
4. A free set of hood isolator/bumpers to stop the hood squeek.
5. Car washes and detailing whenever you visit for routine or other service.

They might come through with some offsets for you. Maybe not but if you are calm and polite and a good customer .... they will try to make it right for you. :D

[RF Overlord]

Many people confuse Traction-Lok with traction control. Traction-Lok (or "Trac-Lok") is Ford marketing-speak for having a limited-slip differential. "Positraction" is GM's version. I'll bet this is what happened.

Unless having traction control is so important to you that it's a deal-breaker, sit down with the dealer and calmly & politely explain what happened without assigning blame. In all fairness, they should refund the cost difference. There's nothing wrong with asking them for a little something for your trouble, too...after all, THEY are supposed to be the knowledgeable professionals. A few free oil changes or something like that is certainly not too much to ask...

[96DiamondVIII]

I would also say that you should be able to get the difference in blue book value refunded to you, plus some extras as has been mentioned for your trouble. If not having T/C is a deal-breaker for you, they should be willing to take the car back if you've had it for less than a week.
Also reiterating a point someone else made, there is no Grand Marquis "comparable" to a Marauder. If you end up giving the car back, hold out until you find another Marauder! You won't regret it.