Recently I bought a Mustang convertible from Colonial Auto Sales with a "50/50 warranty." After the first rain (several days into owning it), the trunk interior was drenched and water was pooled at the bottom of the trunk and behind the back seat (update: back floor is now wet too). When I reported the leakage and other unrelated defects (overhead lights did not turn on, lighter did not work) to Colonial, the head mechanic dismissively told me that he owned Mustangs and that "all Mustang convertibles leak."
Clearly living with a profusely leaking roof, wet trunk, and wet floor is not a viable long-term solution. Resolved to find one, I contacted numerous people including a trusted mechanic, the Ford Corporation, and a local auto glass company. Many calls and correspondences later, I was recommended to an auto restorer who appraised the repairs to be around $1,500 (cost of new top installed). The restorer said it was highly unlikely these problems developed in the short time I owned the car and firmly believed Colonial would reimburse me for repairs.
I went to Colonial to speak with them in person. The salesman (Dan Brown) and mechanic summarily looked over the estimate and told me bluntly they wouldn't pay for the repairs. What about the "50/50 warranty?" This did not apply to the convertible top I was told. Furthermore, I was told that even if they did honor the warranty, they would never pay $1,500 to have the top replaced. I was livid. I felt like I was ripped off.
Ironically, the head mechanic at Colonial snidely commented "you were ripped off." (Although presumably he was talking about the recommended top repairer and not Colonial themselves). Colonial claimed they could have the top permanently repaired and warrantied for half that price (NOTE: this does NOT mean they are willing to pay for cost of repairs themselves). Desperate, I asked them for their preferred top repairer's contact information and met with this person. The repairer noted that the top had not only shrunk and pulled away from the rear window, but there were tears, pulled apart seams, and plugged drains (causing water to leak into interior of car). His quote: minimum of $1,100. And he refused to offer any written warranty.
Finally I met with a third recommended convertible top restorer. He too noted all of the defects identified above. I explained to him I had just recently purchased the car, and the restorer said "there is no way in hell they [Colonial] didn't know the top was [shot] when they sold it to you." He said the dealer should have noted these defects and further reduced the car price by ~$2k from the price I payed. His quote: ~$1,300 for new top installed.
Undoubtedly the car was defective before I purchased it. What are the odds that an 8 year old convertible never previously leaked and then suddenly began leaking profusely after the first rain following my purchase? Even assuming this statistical improbability did occur and all three independent restorers are wrong and all the considerable wear and tear and other defects (including shrinkage, tears, mildew, and clogged drains) did occur in the frame of a couple of days that I owned the vehicle, why did Colonial sell a car notorious for leaking in the first place (IE "all Mustangs convertibles leak")? And why did they never discuss these defects before I purchased the vehicle?
Please, if you must buy here, BEWARE. Get all warranty details down to minutiae. If your car isn't one of the "qualified units" to receive the 12 month "bumper to bumper" warranty, STAY AWAY (there's likely a good reason it doesn't qualify). Have your own mechanic thoroughly inspect their cars. Don't allow dubious idyllic (perfect) reviews lull you into complacency as I did. Defects that should be glaring will be missed by you and their mechanics (ie defective overhead lights, defective cigarette lighter, defective convertible top, etc.). Know that in the end, you'll be the one stuck with disappointment and/or costly repairs. Welcome questions: Brian at BGabes27 'at' Gmail read more
