Is there a time period within which you can return a car if you decide you really didn't want it?

Answer

Let's be clear about this. There's deciding to buy and there's deciding to buy. If you are going to part with a big lump of money for a new car, whether it is actually new or not, you need to be 100% sure that the car is for you.

Taking it back because you don't feel comfortable sitting in it isn't a reason I would be happy with. I think most people suffer from buyers remorse. This is when you spend a lot of money and you suddenly ask yourself 'What have I done?!'

If there is a genuine reason why you should take the car back then I would take it back based on circumstances. If you lost your job and income for instance, I would take it back on that pre-text, however it all depends on how many miles you have driven and what condition the car is returned in.

I think the key here is to hire a similar car for the weekend before you buy and drive it on your normal trips to see how comfortable it is. Also, make sure you can afford what you buy, before you buy. Always get an independent inspection done on a used car. New cars are generally ok as they have been inspected prior to delivery.

Answer

Only if your state has a law allowing it or the dealer has a policy allowing you to have the car, say for 72 hours, with a money back guarantee. However, in most cases when you drive it off the lot, you own it.

Answer

If you live in California and you sign any contract, you will be unable to return the vehicle. In a rare case, I practically begged the manager of a used car lot to unwind the deal. I told him that my wife purchased a car for me prior to my purchase of their car, but I was completely unaware of it. They finally let me out, but withheld a $40.00 documentation fee and a 2.9% credit card surcharge. $178.00 is better than a $6000 used car that I decided that I didn't want. Also, when I purchased the car, I left it at the car lot and told them that I'll pick it up in a matter of days. I guess the unwinding of the deal helped for the simple fact that the car never left the lot and I came back the next morning. It only took me one night to think about the deal and realize that I wanted out. The most important thing is to not let the sales person pressure you into signing anything. Don't listen to 'this car may be gone tomorrow,' 'this is as low as I can go,' 'you will not find a deal better,' etc. It's all bull. It will get you in trouble if you sign the contracts, but you later want out. THERE IS NO WAY OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Everything is monitored and recorded from the minute you step on the car lot until you go to the back office to sign the 'nail in the coffin' contracts. Before you sign anything, go home and think about it. It will save you a lot of headaches. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR! If you already have and you want out, the best advice that I can give is make up any good believable heartbreaking lie such as: Someone passed in my family and I need the money to help fund the burial expenses, etc. Go in the office crying if you have to. It may work, but it may not. YOU WILL BE CRYING FOR REAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNWIND THE DEAL. The best time to put on an act is when a sales person is with a potential car buyer. The car lot or dealership people most likely won't show their true colors in front of potential car buyers. They'll put on an act and most likely, unwind the deal. But again, this is rare, like in my case. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR!

First answer by Clay. Last edit by Clay. Contributor trust: 3703 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 792 [recommend question]