- Jurisdiction
- California
In 2014 I leased a vehicle with the intention to purchase it at the end of the lease term. I was told by the sales person that I was allowed 10,500 miles per year on a 2 year lease. at which time I told the dealer I traveled a lot because my son was sick, and was in a hospital an hour and a half away from my home, plus the distance to my children's homes, one in a different state, and one Aprox 400 miles away, and I would certainly put on more miles than the allotted for the year. The sales person then told me since my plan was to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease, with a residual that I could then afford at that time that it wouldn't be a problem!! I contacted the dealer approx 4 months before the lease ended, and spoke to the finance manager telling him I was way over the miles allotted, and I wanted to find out about financing before the lease was up so I could be prepared. The finance manager said to call back closer to the end of the lease, and reassured me they would find a company to finance me when the time came. I called them 2 months before the lease was up, and now the problems began!!! No finance company wanted to finance me because NOW because of the mileage which was almost doubled what was allotted, the car had depreciated, and besides the residual, they now wanted almost $5,000 down in order to even consider financing the car for me!!! I know now, I should have gotten a written statement from the dealer stating what he promised! but since my intention was always to purchase the vehicle, I wasn't concerned about turning in the vehicle with so many miles, that I took his word for it!! Now I know way to late every promise needs to be written down and signed. The problem now, is since I had to voluntarily surrender the vehicle because I didn't have the money almost $5,000 to buy my leased vehicle, I had to buy another car for much less, because I couldn't be without a car. Now Ford has sued me for 6,500 after they sold the car I surrendered. What are my rights now? I tried to talk to ford credit many times, and tell them my situation, tried to have them finance me, answer was no! I made all my payments on time, except for the last two when I voluntarily surrendered the vehicle in excellent condition. My account has now been turned over to a debt collection lawyer whom i have spoken to, they say if I don't make arrangements to pay Ford they will take sue me in court, and it will cost a lot more. I know this is a long statement, but I feel I had to explain exacally why I'am writing this. I still feel like I was misled by the salesperson. My intention was sincere to own the vehicle I had leased, or I would have NEVER leased a car knowing I do a lot of driving. Question: do I have Any rights in this matter? If I do please le me know, as I need to call the debt collection lawyer by tomorrow 4/30/18. Thank you Corinne