96' Trooper Dilemma

Hello,

I just put a deposit on a 96' Trooper Limited with leather, Auto 95K miles and most options included. It wasn't my first choice car but seemed to be best value in the SUV range. My previous car got totalled and I had to find something well priced. I paid $7000 for it, taxes and license included. Good deal!?

This morning was the first time I had it in my garage and I noticed a leak on the floor. I'm not sure if it's oil leak as it looks lighter and more watery than engine oil. Could it be transmission fuel or power steering fluid?
I rang the dealer and he is giving me an option to swap the car for others on his lot. One of the cars my wife prefers and is a same price is Volvo S70 Base Model Sedan 98' manual with 95K miles. I did a little bit of research on the Volvo and the reviews were not that great on this base model.

Does anyone have any experience with these Volvos or/and any suggestions where I should go from here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

It all depends on what you need/want/prefer, but $7k sounds WAY high for that truck, atleast for my area (Buffalo, NY). As much as I love my 'Zu's, I'd either have them fix it, or swap it out!
G/luck
Joel

Thanks for your feedback Joel. I had a feeling $7000 might have been high but compared to other SUVs in the Seattle area, it was well priced.

On the other hand, I don't really like the truck and am leaning toward swapping it.

Cheers,

Nesh


It all depends on what you need/want/prefer, but $7k sounds WAY high for that truck, atleast for my area (Buffalo, NY). As much as I love my 'Zu's, I'd either have them fix it, or swap it out!
G/luck
Joel

Since you don't like it then I think you answered your own question.

In any event, the AT and power steering both take red ATF. Most likely brake fluid is what you found. If so be very careful as you may have lost your brakes depending on how much fluid you lost. I guess it is possible the dealer changed the engine oil and used a very light and clear oil??? Most experienced mechanics can easily smell/feel/or even taste and thus identify the common auto fluids. Maybe you have a neighbor that can help you?

Troopers can be real long term winners. However like any used vehicle it really depends on the prior owner(s). For example, if they didn't change the ATF in the AT several times you could have a money pit in the making.

The $7k figure sure sounds high to me also.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply Travelman, it is very appreciated. I contacted the dealer yesterday and told him about the leak. He said I should bring it back after Xmas and he will take it to the mechanic to check it out. I really don't want to be stuck with a leaking car that long, especially if it's brake fluid and it lost brakes.
BTW, dealer was willing to swap the car after Xmas for something else. I told him Volvo is not an option for me. Does anyone know if I am stuck with this dealer for good, or do I have the right to ask for my money back? That way I can purchase another car this weekend.

Remember it could be "almost nothing". For example, it may only be a fluid that spilled during a service just before the sale to you or a cap left of a reservoir. A simple rag cleanup or a new cap may solve the problem.

Then again it could be something else. Dealers are usually good at fixing drips, at least the easy ones that only require a bolt tightening. If they didn't fix it it makes me wonder if it is indeed something major (i.e. expensive) that they hoped some unsuspecting soul would buy.

No doubt the salesman TOLD you the vehicle was in great condition. That being said it all comes down to what it is WRITING. Unless they guaranteed the leaking part any repair bill will be on you. The fact that the dealer is willing to do anything for you makes think they are very good. On the other hand, the fact that they are putting you off until after Christmas sounds suspicious, at least to me. Now should be a non-busy time at any dealership as most people are too busy with the holidays to get routine car service. Then again if it is a small shop maybe the only mechanic is on vacation.

If you want out of the deal I suggest you very politely and firmly ask for you money back/another vehicle. Whatever you do don't argue you overpaid. Instead stress the severity of any newly found problems, contract language, state laws (if any) that support your positon. If you haven't done it already you might run a Carfax. See if it has something the dealer had an obligation to tell you. That could work to your favor. Unless you find some such legal basis for undoing the deal I suspect the dealer has no obligation to give you your money back. Thus, my take is that if you demand your money back you will get shown the door. That doesn't mean you couldn't still take them to court. However you would have still have to prove the problem was covered in the sales contract or that they deliberately defrauded you. The latter point could be next to impossible without some smoking gun.

Again Troopers can be excellent rigs. It depends on what you want and condition of your Trooper. Only you know the former and only people who know Troopers and have personally inspected the vehicle know the latter.

Bottom line, your call on getting out. If you do want out you may not have much going for you except the honesty of your dealer. That can be a very scarce commodity especially when they already have your $7k.