On Your Own; Your Legal Right @ Eighteen On Your Own formatted final version | Page 42

Compare warranties. Most new cars come with at least a 12-month or
12,000-mile warranty, but some have 5-year or 100,000-mile
warranties. Most warranties cover powertrain (engine and transmission)
and non-wear items; some may cover more. Others offer virtually free
maintenance for the first several years. These differences are important,
because maintenance and repair costs can add up over time.
Consider financing options. Car dealers offer special low interest financing
from time to time, and that can be a cheaper way to finance the car than
what you can get from a bank or credit union. If there’s not a deal, though,
banks and credit unions are usually cheaper than the dealer, when it
comes to financing. Compare before you decide where to borrow.
Buy only the options you want. Dealers can put extras such as pinstripes,
automatic starters and rustproofing on cars, but they must also tell you
that you can buy the car without all the extras. You can usually buy these
same items from auto parts or auto specialty stores for much less than
what the dealer will charge you.
Dealing with New Car Problems
A problem with your new car can be a frustrating consumer problem. Don’t
despair! For new car owners Vermont enacted a “Lemon Law” that can
result in a refund or new car if the following conditions are met:
x
x
x
after three attempts (the first of which occurred during the
warranty period), your dealer cannot repair a serious
manufacturer defect that substantially impairs the use, safety, or
value of your vehicle; or
your vehicle was out of service for 30 or more days during the
warranty period; and
you have not defaulted on your payments.
For further advice on what to do with a possible new car lemon (faulty
car),
check
out
the
brochure
available
here:
https://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/documents/Lemon%20Law%2
0Brochure.pdf.
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