Dear Tom and Ray:

I am the original owner of a 1988 black Jeep Comanche pick up truck. This truck has a paint problem. I have called Jeep and they told me to take the vehicle to a Jeep dealer to see if it qualifies for repainting. The area representative checked it out and authorized repainting at 50% reimbursement. But the dealer will only paint the cab at a cost of $1,400, less Jeep's 50%. I'll have to pay $700 just to get the cab painted. Does this sound right to you? I think this deal stinks. Robert

Tom: It does sound high, Robert. Especially if you consider that places like Maac-over will paint the whole truck for $399....including the windows, the upholstery, and the tires!

Ray: Here's what I'd do. I'd take the truck to another Jeep dealership, and just tell them you want to get the cab repainted. Don't mention anything about a 50% reimbursement or a warranty claim. Let them assume you're paying cash.

Tom: Then, when they give you a more reasonable price (it should be closer to $1,000, even if it needs to be completely stripped and re-decaled), tell them "Fine. And by the way, Jeep has agreed to pay for half of it. I'll be in on Monday."

Everybody wants a new car. But from a purely financial point of view, there is no question that buying a used car is always cheaper, even in the long run. To learn more, order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the November 1994 index