I feel they should cancel the whole deal...or refund you the difference that a FWD should go for. If they cancel the deal and you ant a 40Mo...then go for it. When test driving it tell the salesman that you want to test the 4-mo. Rev it up and pop the clutch, then look at the expression on his face

 

Eh... it's been awhile since I purchased the car, about 6 months. I never thought much about it until about a month ago, when I had a friend ride in the car who actually HAS a 4 motion, and he laughed at me and told me that it definitely is NOT one. He inspected the car, and it was clear to him I was sold the wrong car.

 

I'd be camped out in the sales manager's office with all of my paperwork and my lawyer on hold on my cell phone until I got a refund (if you really want to go find a 1.8t 4MO 5MT) or some money back (if you're okay with the FWD and want the price corrected.

Are you sure that you don't have the window sticker? When I bought both of my Passats, they removed the sticker from the window, folded it up and stuck it in the glove compartment (or maybe in the owners manual).

 

I'm going to go take a smoke break right now, and check my paperwork, but I REALLY don't remember getting it.

 

nm, already answered question.

 

Edited out.

 

Now we have all heard the shady salesman stories. Even if you went to the I have the worst credit in the history of credit car lot, that is just wrong. That was not even a bait and switch, had you come look at a v6 then give you a 1.8. I really hope it works out for you.

I say this cause I hated my full sales experience. 6-7 hours over 2 days to buy a car...now you are nto doing me a favor buddy, I can take my hoopty leave and have no car payments

 

Read the sales contract. If it says 4 Mo then you're OK. If not then you're screwed.

 

Without the paperwork from the dealer, I am not sure what you can do about it... It really sucks, but I guarantee that if you ask the sales guy he will tell you he doesn't remember saying anything about 4mo.

If you can dig up the window sticker, stock record, something... alternatively, ask the dealer for whatever paperwork they have on your car. There should be SOMETHING in a file folder SOMEWHERE...

I can't figure out why it would have showed up in a CarFax as a 4Mo. (The dealer may be blameless here if they were relying on the CarFax to list out the car's specs. Of course, they should have double-checked, but it may not have been malicious. Keep that in mind when talking with them.)

SirWired

 

Well, VWoA said they wanted to do the mediation between the dealer and myself to get the problem fixed. I'm not sure if VWoA is going to lead in the sales manager in asking if it was a 4MO or not. The only real paperwork I can dig up is these coupon receipts I receive in the mail and my email state this "Our records indicate that your 2004 Volkswagen PAS GLS 4MOTION is due for service" with my VIN stamped at the top... and that comes directly from the dealer.

 

You should have a copy of the sales contract. If you don't (shame on you!) then the dealership should be able to provide you with one. They'll have a copy of the sales documents and your signature should be all over them.

Someone in there it'll say 4MO or not. Also, have you tried checking the Info Forum? I do believe there's a link in there for "Decoding your VIN". The VIN should tell you if it's FWD or 4MO.

I used the word "should" a lot. Sorry about that.

 

Well... I found the purchase order, and there's nothing on it stating 4MO. Oh wellio.

 

If you financed through VCI (vw credit) they have a copy of the purcahse paperwork. I would call them and ask them to print and fax (or mail you a copy of it) If they for some reason refuse (ask for a supervisor) they have access to scans of ALL your purchase paperwork.

 

Wow i've never heard of anything like this really happening. Just out of curiosity what did you pay for it at the time? Was it the price you would expect for a 4motion?

 

Well, Connecticut prices are high anyway... but it was pretty expensive... comparing #'s to that of a 4MO compared to a non, it seems as if it was listed with a 4Motion price.

 

did you buy this off Ebay ?
did it have the 4motion on the trunk and on the shifter console ?
does the vin number in the paperwork/carfax match the vin number on the car?

 

did it have the 4motion on the trunk and on the shifter console ?
does the vin number in the paperwork/carfax match the vin number on the car?

He can also check if it has a dual exhaust.

 

Was it a new Car?
Was it a VW Dealer?
Did you Finance the Car?

 

Sold as 4motion

Considering he has not told us what kind of dealer it came from there are alot of questions to be answered. If the Carfax indicates that it is a 4MO the problem started somewhere with VW possibly, or the car was modified/stolen, which is why they feel the need to be involved. Otherwise they would tell you to take a hike. If the dealer is a VW dealer an exchange of money will be forthcoming, or a car change would be best. If not likely just money or the car returned. They advertised 4MO, you paid for 4MO. Otherwise there are several grounds for filing action against the dealer, and VW possibly. I would have to guess there was nothing malicious involved here, just an oversite from the dealer. I have found alot of them are not "car people" just sales persons, and don't give a flip what they sell you.

 

Considering he has not told us what kind of dealer it came from there are alot of questions to be answered. If the Carfax indicates that it is a 4MO the problem started somewhere with VW possibly, or the car was modified/stolen, which is why they feel the need to be involved. Otherwise they would tell you to take a hike. If the dealer is a VW dealer an exchange of money will be forthcoming, or a car change would be best. If not likely just money or the car returned. They advertised 4MO, you paid for 4MO. Otherwise there are several grounds for filing action against the dealer, and VW possibly. I would have to guess there was nothing malicious involved here, just an oversite from the dealer. I have found alot of them are not "car people" just sales persons, and don't give a flip what they sell you.

Well, it was a reputable VW dealership, I bought it used with 59k on the odo. I paid 17k for the car, after taxes registration, etc. That price is comparable to other 4 Motions in the area.

 

hey i heard that kind of story, one of the guys i know recently bought a 2007 jetta 2.0t gli and instead got a 2.5 base model...

 

Interestingly enough, when I bought my 2000 Passat 1.8T from a VW dealer last December, the salesman was SURE it was a V6. Despite him watching me look under the hood, and "1.8T" all over the paperwork. Why? A Carfax report in hand saying it was a V6.

Now, I've checked the VIN with VWOA, and it says the car is what it is - a 1.8T. So I can only assume Carfax isn't all it's cracked up to be. (Note: all of the other information on the Carfax report, including all of the dealer service, was accurate.)

 

I had a slightly similar problem when I purchased my 2000 V6 variant. The original owner confused ASR with AWD and advertised the Passat as having all-wheel drive. Fortunately, she lowered the price from $10k to $7k before I signed the title. Best of luck to you, Verio!

 

this may be a little late in the game.... but look under the car... is there a driveshaft underneath going to a gearbox in the rear?

 

Negative. As for the CARFAX comment, I was informed from VWoA that Carfax is highly unreliable. It bases it's information off what it is told. So, if it was reported to it by a dealer as a 4MO, as the previous dealer might have done, that's what CARFAX will report it as. Now, as for the dealer pricing the car and listing it... I wouldn't be surprised if it was based on that report or not.

What I'm really tempted to do is walk down to the dealer with both KBB printouts and asking them why there is almost a $5,000 difference between the 4MOTION price and mine... and why mine is clearly closer to the 4MOTION price.

 

How it was sold.

All that matters in the end is the dealer represented it as a 4MO. They screwed up and you were the innocent buyer. The average person is not an expert on VW badging. They should find you a car with 4mo and trade you out, at their expense if any. I am not being optimistic, just know what a little legal work would get done if needed.

You are particularly lucky it was a VW dealer. They can find you a replacement from another dealer and negotiate a deal much easier. You should get what you paid for. I am guessing it's just a matter of time. Good luck.

 

The CarFax on my W8 showed as a v6...go figure.

 

Well, I just got a voicemail back from VWoA, she said the sales manager got back with her from the dealer and said all the paperwork he has in hand states it is only a GLS, and if it were a 4MOTION it would have been on the rear trunk and on the gearshifter. Case Closed.