The Red Four Door Lemon

The Red Four Door Lemon

The first vehicle I ever owned was a 1985 Renault Alliance. It was a red, four door sedan with cream leather interior. I purchased it when I was eighteen years old from a “Buy Here, Pay here” dealership in Northern Pennsylvania for $1295.00. I had been shopping around for a while, but the thought of having a car payment for 3 or 5 years was intimidating to me and that was what most of the other larger dealerships were offering. I was only working at a convenience store and did not really make enough in wages to cover a large car payment. With this particular dealership, I was able to put $500.00 down and then the remaining balance would be paid in low monthly payments over the next six months. In my mind, that seemed like a much better alternative than 3 or 5 years. The dealership offered a thirty day warranty on every vehicle they sold, so I figured that would be sufficient if anything would have gone wrong.

Within the first month of owning the car, it ran great. I was enjoying my newfound freedom of not having to rely on my parents to take me to and from work. I went shopping, ran errands, and had the pleasure of going anywhere I wanted in my free time. I felt confident that I had made the right decision and was proud of my new car. My happiness was cut short when I went out to start it one day, and it would not turn over. I called one of my dad’s friends, Dave, a mechanic, and he towed it to his garage. He called me later that day and told me that I needed to replace the alternator because it had gone bad. He did not have the part but he could order it and have it within 2 to 3 days. I told him to order it and to call me when it was done and ready to be picked up. After having my freedom, I was back to relying on my parents to take me to and from work and anywhere else I needed to go.

About a week later, Dave called and said the car was finished and I could come and pick it up. I arrived at his...