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SumitB;898051]Mr. Mathew, I don't have any idea about the legalities of the issue but I do feel that if you are fighting with a company and asking them to replace a vehicle then your case is weakened by the fact that while you are arguing that you got a defective vehicle and at the same time, you are using it everyday. Maybe the gurus of the forum will be able to advice you better.
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Err, What would you do Sumit, if you spent 12L on a car and ended up in the same situation. Would you rather walk to work adding more misery to your heart, considering that there are more civics on the road?
The guy is doing the best he can to get things sorted. Hell mate, if he has to live with this "lemon" car for the rest of his life, he will have to, so why stop him from using this further? There's nothing really wrong with the engine so "techincially" he's ok but it's the emotional bit which is hurting him more than anything else. Asking him to park his car off, I would only do that when Honda tells me that they are replacing the car and that I should not use the car any further. Hell, I would still use it even if they offer it to me in writing and probably would want to give them back the car as a metal ball. Anyways, that's just me.
JM - here's what I think you could do
1) take photographs of that car immediately along with a date and time. Do this daily for a period of one week. The photographs must clearly show the discoloration/defect. Telling the judge to look at those photo's and convincing him will be any day easier than getting some techinical paper handed out to him. Not too sure if we have many sitting judges here on bhp who'll understand what a turbo or what a teflon is. Hence, the photographs.
2) Make sure that you have sent registered post to the "dealer" and complaints to Honda other than e mails. For reasons, beyond my comprehension, the judiciary, considers this as a proof. E-mails are not there yet.
3) Get the media involved. Apparently, it's clear that the Dealer is not really ready to replace the car at his end and if at all it is Honda's fault, he's not ready to fight it out with them internally. As far he's concerned, it's your car and he's got nothing too loose. You should have enough evidence, such as photographs, work shop visit details, blah blah blah soon, so that later he can't say that the paint faded, over a period of time.
At this point of time we don't know who the culprit really is but as far as I understand, once the dealer receives the car from the company, it's his for taking. Dents, scratches, anything else, the company wont' replace, untill and unless it's a MAJOR menchanical issue like the entire system going Kaput. Since you're case is on the cosmetic side, I really have my doubts if the company will change the car and the dealer will get away with it. As a result, he does not have any problems waiting. He may be under the impression that you might give up, but take a media person along, someone you happen to know real well, set up a good strategy and then hoodwink him. Kehtein hain na "laaton ke bhoot, baaton sey nahin maantey."
4) Try checking with other owners, people who brought their cars from this dealer, if they faced any such issues. No matter how trivial they are. That would be really helpful. It may not be easy, but it's really significant. If they did face similar problems, would they be comfortable going forward with you to the media or the judiciary to help you out. If not, take copies of the repair sheets that they would have and thank them for their time and co-operation.
5) Try to find out where is the dealers stock yard. Try to see if there are other cars in similar state, lying around.
6) Try speaking with other people who have gone into litigation against dealers, either here on team-bhp or elsewhere, and understand the process from them. This would help you understand the system better and give you a 1up.
7) Think, think and think (and don't loose hope)
Yes. Try to recollect every little thing possible, the dealer said to you while he was handing you over the delivery. Try to recollect anything that appeared odd to you but you probably ignored it then in excitement.
And last but certainly not the least mate, we're there for you. We all are there to support you and considering that you have the administrator of the site put up your problem on his home page, (something which "should" show up on every search engine's top 5 searches each time the word Honda is used) only speaks volumes of the unity that this forum has.
So, Rev up your anti against the dealer turbo charge your attitude and throttle at full speed
Cheers!
M2S