Used car dealer troubles

[Glitch]

Hi guys, new here. Sorry if this isnt the right section to post this!

I recently bought a '04 Ford Fairmont BA Ghia with 119k kms on the clock and thought i'd sign up here.
The forums have been very helpfull, and i've purchased a couple of things for the Ghia already (external transmission cooler and ASL ipod booster kit thing).

Now, before purchasing the car.. I done all the usual stuff, took it for a test drive, got an inspection done. Drove smooth, no problems at all, looked like a very clean example. The stateroads inspection failed to pick up that it had a ruptured radiator mixing transmission fluid, even though I ensured the inspector to check for the problem. See the emails below..

Hi ,

In the report it lists that the Radiator Reservoir and Coolant Condition is Dirty/Needs Flush, and the Transmission Oil Condition was listed as Not Visible Sealed Unit.

I was speaking to a couple of mates that own BA’s and apparently there is a common problem with the Radiator corroding and getting mixed in with the Transmission fluid.
Is this reason to worry at all? I’ve heard some nightmare stories of the transmission and radiator needing replacing to get it all fixed.

I know next to nothing about the mechanics of cars, so it might be nothing. I’ll be picking up the car later today.

Cheers,
.

This was the reply.

I haven't heard or found that this is a common problem so I dont think that there is any reason to worry. I test a lot of cars and have not yet come across one that has the problem you describe.

The coolant in the car showed no sign of oil. The radiator was pressure tested - no fault was found.

The transmissions in these cars do not have dip sticks so therefore the transmission is known as a sealed unit.

Regards

So.. all that aside.. the car broke down the day after I picked it up.

Here's a timeline of what i've had to deal with so far.


Friday 19th, remittance from finance sent to the dealer. Told the car isn't ready. Still having stuff done for RWC.

Weekend passes.

Monday 22nd. Finance settled (ie. funds were in the dealer's account). Told car is still not ready, as the mechanic has found the radiator needs replacing.

Tuesday 23rd, pick up the car in the afternoon. Hasn't been detailed inside, still dirty.

Wednesday 24th, driving home.. the car breaks down. Transmission failure. Car towed back to the mechanics.

Thursday 25th, mechanic says the car is being tested.

Friday, Weekend, Monday.. no news.

Tuesday 30th, told the car is being taken to transmission specialists to get fixed.

Wednesday 31st, called the transmission place, and was told the car won't be ready untill after Easter.




So I'm looking at another two weeks without a car. I'm still paying for insurance, repayments and interest however. Do you guys think this is acceptable? If you were in my position, what would you be asking/demanding from the dealer?


When I called up the transmission guys (J Pringles, North Melb) it sounded like they were just going to repair the transmission rather than replace it. Do I have a say in what gets done? Obviously I'd prefer a replacement transmission if the current one has had coolant/water run through it.

The whole thing has been a huge blow to my impressions of the car. For it to break down 24 hours into picking it up isn't exactly a confidence builder.