I left you off with B's car purchase as it was towed to the local dealership to get checked out. The dealership we purchased it from, the Land Rover dealership, was paying for the diagnostic.
A little over a week later, they came up with a diagnosis. The head was cracked. It had leaked all the coolant into the engine oil and the repair, per Ford, was to replace the Long Block. That's basically the entire engine.
This was brass tacks time. A replacement engine, even a used one, is several thousand dollars. The local dealership quoted $7,665.21 for the replacement. $4,080.40 for the engine and $3,300 for labor (no, I don't know how 4080.40 + 3300 = 7665.21 but that's what they had on their paper estimate). I thought there was going to be four possibilities:
1) They say that they're out, it was sold 'As Is'. That's true, they are under no obligation to do anything about this car after we purchased it. BUT that felt strange as they were willing to have it towed and diagnosed at a local dealership.
2) They offer a partial payment back. Basically they 'split' the difference on the engine with us. For instance, give us half the engine cost back ($2000) and say that we're responsible for the labor. Or maybe if they're generous, a full half of the estimate ($3,800).
3) They fix it. They either pay the local dealership or have it towed to one of their dealerships and eat the labor themselves, but still pay to fix it.
4) They 'buy back' the car calling it a total loss. They could always send it to auction and get some money for it as the body was in good shape, the interior was in good shape, the transmission... everything but the engine. I put it in air quotes because I imagine they'd give us the purchase price 'back' as credit for their dealerships.
I really didn't think they were going to give us the money back. They had a sale and they wanted to keep a sale. Buying back the car and making us buy another one from their inventory wouldn't be too bad as between all their dealerships they have about 3,500 used cars for sale. Narrowing it down to American SUVs with AWD and heated seats with under 70,000 miles and under $19,000 still left about 100 cars to choose from. Doable.
A day later B called and said that his car was getting towed to the Land Rover dealership where they'd be replacing the engine. They'd eat the labor costs and only be out the $4,000 for an engine. I think this is about the best possible outcome. Yes, it sucks that it's taken over a month (and a first car payment) with only a few miles driven on it, but it's still the car that M chose. I looked around at other Ford Edges with similar options and just as before, they're not exactly common. There was one that didn't have all the features and was $2000 MORE than the one we bought. So, not having to start over shopping is a good thing.
I have no idea how long it will take to replace the engine. I imagine they're going to make B come over and pick it up, so I'll be ready to drive him over and get it. I told B that he needs to find out if the 'new' engine comes with any kind of warranty. I also put the bug in his ear about asking about an extended power train warranty. I'm not sure that we can get a Ford extended warranty now that the engine has been replaced, but even if it's a third party warranty, that's better than nothing. I'll dish out the money myself since I'm on the hook for the loan too and it's in my best interest that the car remain running.
Unless something unexpected happens, this will be the last post in this Car Shopping experience. I'll add a comment when the car is finished and it's back in B's hands.
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