Test drive warns California consumers of new car issues

Before buying a new car, it is typical for consumers to take a test drive. However, there is often little chance to really get a feel for how the vehicle will perform until the papers are signed. Fortunately, consumer advocates like "Car and Driver" perform long-term test drives and report on the results. Those results were not so encouraging for California consumers in the market for the latest Alfa Romeo.

"Car and Driver" secured a long-term loan of an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and began experiencing trouble within the first 2,000 miles. A warning light indicated a problem with the electronic throttle control. Mechanics could not locate the problem, but the warning light returned at 5,000 miles, diminishing the control of the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump.

The drivers then began hearing a whining sound from the back of the car and asked the dealership to see what it was. The mechanics concluded that the entire differential needed to be replaced in a car just a few months old. However, because the Alfa Romeo is such an exclusive vehicle, it was difficult to locate the part and a mechanic with the skills to replace it. These were only a few of the issues the testers had with the vehicle, with some repairs taking up to a month to complete.

Purchasing a new vehicle only to have it sit in a garage for repairs is a disappointment and an inconvenience. While only a few in California will have the money to purchase an Alfa Romeo, most who spend hard-earned money on a vehicle do so because they depend on it to get them where they need to go. If a vehicle turns out to be a lemon, consumers have recourse to legal advocacy in an experienced attorney.