So, the dealer made an error with my order and we didn't discover it until the car arrived 3 months later (yesterday). The salesman apologized and offered me three choices. 1) take the mistake and $1,000; 2) order another 2012 and wait 3 more months; 3) order a 2013 at the same price as 2012 and wait 5 months.

Questions: What kind of leverage do I have in this negotiation? Would a complaint to Audi help? What differences are there between the 2012 A6 the 2013? (I see that the smart key comes with the premium plus)

 

i'd go for the car that you really wanted. i'd also keep the car until the new one arrives.

 

If it were me, I would consider taking the car and $1000 unless the accessory in question was something I couldn't live without. In that case, I would wait for the 2012 car that i wanted. The dealer might be able to find a car at another dealership. Waiting for a 2013 would be out of the question if I wanted a sportback in North America.

 

Thanks for the input. My wife now adamantly refuses to accept the mistake (wrong interior color and inlays), so we'll just have to wait.

Has the dealer failed to keep his end of the contract? I'd have to re-read the fine print and maybe see a lawyer. What are my damages? I won't have a new car for the next 3-5 months and will have to keep driving my old rust bucket.

I'm sure that keeping the car until a replacement shows up is a non-starter as it would cost the dealer many thousands of dollars. However, a long-term loaner sounds reasonable.

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to work out a new contract, and insist on concessions.

BTW, I see that the 2013 A6 comes with an automatic engine stop/start function. What is this? Is it a fuel economizer that shuts down the engine at stop lights? Can it be suppressed?

 

IMO there's no breach of contract. The dealership acknowledged it's error, apologized and offered concessions in good faith. You could sue (for anything) but a good judge would throw you and your lawyer out of court.

Did you not see the order sheet when or shortly after the order was placed?

 

The "order sheet" presented to me was correct, but different than the online form he used for the actual order. He showed me how he made the mistake and I can see how an amateur would be confused. But this guy claims to have 11 years of experience.

I originally tried to add an incentive for on-time delivery to the contract. He looked at me like I had two heads. All he agreed to was a deposit refund if the car didn't show in 180 days.

I'm going back this afternoon to work something out on a 2013 A6.

Question: does Audi switch model year in July?

 

Audi sometimes changes model styles mid year yes. Breach of contract no. For their screw up I would threaten to go to another dealer unless they cut you some real good deal.

 

The start/stop thingy IS an economizer. Don't know if you can disable it (I'd guess not, but it's only a guess, not based on any sort of informed opinion). If so, I'd bet a VAG-COM would be needed to pull that off.