No, I didn't go to the carwash. These scratches are Honda's fault---how they got there, I don't know. Also, these are NOT surface scratches! I have plenty of irritating swirls on the car, but these are much worse than those. I can live with the swirls.

I'm now wondering whether I should let them get the doors repainted. It's hard to believe they'll match the rest of the car. I'm thinking depreciation money or a replacement.

 

if it's under the clear as you mentioned, then no. accept the repaint if it bothers you that much. at least you have a black car and will be a lot easier to color match.

these things happen during transit. dealers will repair/touch up cars that were damaged during transit and sell it as new with no info. this is why THE BUYER must check the car before taking delivery. i always ask the dealer to pull out the exact car im buying so that i can test drive it. will review the car in detail.

 

How does this sound as the first step? I will tell the district manager that I essentially have a "used" car. He can: 1) Replace the car, 2) Pay for a extensive pro detail + depreciation/compensation value for the scratches that will remain. I do not want the car to be repainted.
Thoughts?

 

I'd get it repaired. The imperfections will eat at you. Have someone you trust who knows bodywork look at the car before and after repair. There shouldn't be any runs, fisheyes, or anything obvious it was worked on. A reputable paint shop will warranty the work as long as you own it.

It sounds like it was damaged on the lot, and someone tried to spray an extra coat of clear-coat to try to cover it on the cheap. Lots of new cars suffer damage on the lots and have repairs that are off the radar, but it should be done well.

This wouldn't show up on any carfax.

I don't think they'll replace it or compensate you for more than the repair, but if anything get Honda to throw in free service as long as you own it for inconvenience and loss of use (that's another thing; insist on a loaner/rental while it's at the paint shop).

Even if it goes to small claims court you'd need a lawyer. That's about $300/hour. Figure a retainer of a few grand and you may not see an award.

 

op is this your first car?

 

also, you say "under the clearcoat" but that means that there was an imperfection at the factory and they clearcoated over it. not a scratch that happened while you owned the car.

 

Poor Honda paint quality aside, I do wonder how you got scratches below the clear coat in 1 month?

I'd like to see photo's of the damage.

Black is hard to maintain, and Honda's paint is NOT the most durable but...I've owned my parked outside in the elements Black Honda for over a year. I do wax and wash with semi-regularity. ( I wax every Fall, and Every Spring) and I maintain with spray wax and regular washing inbetween. And I have no scratches beneath my clear coat. Vehicle still looks real good.

Just makes me think something happened during delivery that perhaps was hidden with wax or polish and now is becoming visible. Or as suggested above, perhaps this was a factory finish flaw from out of the gate?

Good luck getting remedy. Hopefully the dealership will side with you.

 

What about a pro detail and live with whatever's left? Unfortunately, I don't have body shop/paint shop contacts. I do feel like I need compensation other than a detail, though. Either the depreciation value, or sure, Honda Care 8yr/120,000 coverage.

 

Exactly. That's what I've been saying.

 

Definitely a factory flaw. Question is, what next? I really don't trust them to find a local painter and then say "Okay, we fixed the problem."

 

Is there a point to this question?

 

seems like all the other "first car owners" on here.

 

No, not my first car. But if it was, it wouldn't change anything. We have to stand up for ourselves.

 

Go in with sad eyes. I bought a Dodge, and scratches showed up after about 3 weeks. Were not there when I bought it, but the dealer buffed it out for free. Got rid of them all. Good luck, and maybe you have a good dealer. That said...NEVER get a black car.

 

Definitely sad eyes! But determined, too. I'm going to go step by step-----I want them to pay for a pro detail first, then we'll go from there. I think they'll agree to that.

 

All they had in 2011's were red and black. I couldn't wait for or afford a 2012, so I went with black. I'm glad I did over red, but if I do ever get another car, it won't be black!

 

Red isn't that much better - I've seen a red CR-Z in dealer showroom, brand new, with a ton of swirls on it.

 

If you drive the car off the lot and you signed the PDI, doesn't that make the argument dead?

 

Today's Thursday...so what happened?

 

The service manager told me the district manager would be there today-----but today I was told it's NEXT Thursday!! To be continued......!!