Did the dealer pull a fast one on me??

[Sneakygoat]

Hey all,

I thought about posting this in the detailing/cosmetics forum but am hoping I get more traffic here.

I've had my Nismo for just about a month now. Bought it used with 13k miles on it. I am a pretty meticulous guy and went over it thoroughly before I signed on the line. It seemed to be in great shape and had just a few tiny cosmetic paint issues that are acceptable for a car with 13,000 miles on it.

It's not a daily driver, and I have barely driven it. It sits inside a fully finished garage that is cleaner then some peoples homes I have been in. I try and hand wash it but if I don't have time I go through a great touch-less car wash. It has been washed 4 times since I bought it.

I pull out of the wash yesterday and proceed to wipe it down with my microfiber towel. I get to the hood and it's covered in what appears to be rock chips. Not just a few a guy could touch up on his own but I've counted at least 25 and I am sure there is more. Some of them are somewhat deep as well. I should note the color is magnetic black so the chips stick out like a sore thumb. Now I know there is no way I missed these when I did the initial inspection. They weren't even there last week when I brought it in to get tinted.

My assumption at this point is that these were all there pre-purchase and the dealer did juuuussst a good enough touch-up job to slip it by me. By about the 4th wash I am thinking that the high pressure water powered off their shady touch-up job on all of the chips. Can any of you body/paint people confirm that this is a possibility?

The Nissan dealer I purchased it from has been just an absolute nightmare to deal with since the first day I expressed interest in buying a vehicle from them. I've been in sales for 18 years and honestly have never seen anything so dreadful in my life. Therefore I know they won't work with me on it, and even if they did they are 7.5 hours away. It's lose/lose either way

I guess I am wondering because I am just so frustrated. I've wanted this car ever since they came out in 09 and have gone out of my way to protect it. At this point about all I can do is pony up the money to have my hood repainted. I really feel this is the last used car I will ever purchase. Every time I do, I get burned. I was actually planning on buying a new Nismo but just couldn't warm up to the two tone scheme on the 2014's and didn't have the patience to wait for the 2015.

Thanks for letting me vent and please chime in and let me know if you think my theory is correct.

[/Angelo350Z/]

Congrats on the Nismo, but sorry to hear about the situation you're in. Unfortunately, aside from getting the hood repainted yourself, I don't think there's anything you can do at this point. You already accepted the vehicle, and the dealership, who you said provides horrible customer service, is 7.5 hours away. If I were you, I would just focus on getting the car back to pristine condition. Sure, you can certainly ask the question, maybe they'll cut you a check to cover the repairs. Either way, good luck.

[Spooler]

Hate to say it but you probably missed them. No real way to hide rock chips and not be noticeable. Just get it fixed and move on. Black shows everything.

I like you refused to pay what they wanted at the dealer. I looked at a 2014 the week before I found my 2012 two blocks away. It has a few character scratches also.

[14ZTSport]

Ugh, feel for you. I found my very first hood chip last week and was ticked, can't imagine 25+ all at once that I wasn't expecting. While you could just get your hood repainted, you could also look at this as an opportunity to consider aftermarket hoods or some type of custom paint work on your current hood...pin striping, etc. Best of luck to you!

[Ubetit]

The mistake you made was using a pressure washer. I've seen pressure washers take little chips and turn them into hood repaints.

[ZeeBabar]

The sad thing is that you do not seem to want to drive it. Like marrying someone very beautiful and refusing to make love. Just sit her at home and stare at her every chance you get. Eventually, she will start getting wrinkles.

DD it. Both you and the car will get older.

[MacCool]

Probably filled with Dr. ColorChip or something, was sprayed out. Not a dealer scam. I'd get the hood and/or bumper repainted and have a clear bra put on.

[kenchan]

touchless wash for a meticulous guy.... something dont mix right.

anyway you looked over the car very carefully before purchase so i am assuming
you did not see the chips on the hood before purchase.

that said, touchless washes are like sand blasters depending on wat recirculated water
it's using...

i am a meticulous guy.. i dont drive my car in the rain and dont even have to wash the car.
only QD after each drive.

[cigarclifford]

Originally Posted by kenchan

touchless wash for a meticulous guy.... something dont mix right.

anyway you looked over the car very carefully before purchase so i am assuming
you did not see the chips on the hood before purchase.

that said, touchless washes are like sand blasters depending on wat recirculated water
it's using...

i am a meticulous guy.. i dont drive my car in the rain and dont even have to wash the car.
only QD after each drive.

I am with you on avoiding any high pressure car wash systems. If you did not damage the paint finish itself you sure would send your auto wax down the drain..

I agree.........

[Limeybastard]

Not sure what touchless wash system you guys use but the one I took mine through does jack sh** for cleaning the car. The car still comes back with a haze of filth all over the panels as well has hard water spots. So definately not like a sandblaster.

[gbrettin]

If you need your hood perfect then you should repaint the hood, put on clear bra, and enjoy the car more.

[Limeybastard]

Originally Posted by gbrettin

If you need your hood perfect then you should repaint the hood, put on clear bra, and enjoy the car more.

He wont need a clear bra as he does not drive it.

[Mt Tam I am]

Sorry for OP.

[fuct]

you bought a sports car that is notorious for bad paint. (hell most cars in teh 30-40k range have crappy paint)

you pressure wash your car? wtf?

if you are soooo meticulous stop buying used cars...


best of luck though!

[Wonka2581]

Brother.... We have the worst paint money can buy.... Your best bet is to do like I do... (Be happy if the car looks good from about 10FT away)... Sorry...