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Man Crashes His Subaru Outback Which He Called a "Lemon" Through the Front Door of a Mazda Dealer After They Told Him It Was Sold “As Is”

When a customer bought a used Subaru Outback with problems, he wasn't happy. He asked the dealer to take the car back, and when they told him it was sold "as is," he returned it by crashing it through the dealer's front door. 
2010 Subaru Outback

Take it back, or I'll drive it through the front door.

Here is an unbelievable story of a disgruntled customer who purchased a used Subaru Outback, claiming there were mechanical issues with the all-wheel-drive wagon, and wanted to return the vehicle. The dealer's response that it was sold "as is" only added to his frustration. 

This is when it went downhill fast.

The angry customer returned the Subaru Outback to Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne in Sandy, Utah, by crashing it into the dealer's front door. 

A report from Fox 13 News says, "A man was arrested after police say he intentionally crashed a car he recently bought into the storefront of a dealership in Sandy."

According to Sandy Police, Michael Murray bought a car from Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne on Monday morning. In videos sent to FOX 13 News, the vehicle was an older Subaru Outback. Check out the incredible footage below.

The report says hours later, Murray, 35, reportedly discovered what he believed were mechanical issues with the car and went back to the dealership hoping to return the vehicle, which he called a "lemon." 

However, Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne management said they would not take the car back as it was sold "as is."

Murray allegedly threatened to drive through the dealership's front door if they wouldn't give him his money back, and then shortly after 4 p.m., he "did exactly that," police said.

According to the arrest report, there were "about seven salesmen near the front door when Murray drove through, but nobody was injured during the incident, although the dealership suffered an estimated $10,000 in damages."

Murray's actions led to serious consequences. He was booked into jail and now faces charges of felony criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. 

Fox 13 News interviewed Aylin Hernandez, who works at the Mazda dealership and was grateful she was not there Monday.

"What would've happened? Who knows — it could've been fatal. He came back, but with rage, and without thinking, he just acted out on rage."

What Is An "As Is" Car Sale?

According to LemonLawCar, they say, "In an "as is" car sale, the buyer typically purchases a used vehicle in its current condition regardless of its known and unknown damages and defects. Often, when a buyer purchases a used vehicle in an "as is" car sale, the buyer forfeits their right to complain if there are any issues with the vehicle unless the seller gives the buyer a warranty that covers the car." 

"Vehicles sold "as is" are typically sold without any type of warranty. Because of this, many people use the term "as is" alongside the phrase "no warranty." If the buyer purchases the vehicle without any express or written warranty, the buyer may not have a legal recourse to receive compensation for repairing or replacing their vehicle."

The Utah Lemon Law would not cover this Subaru Outback. This is why it is essential to know about the different types of auto-dealer warranties and have the vehicle checked out by a certified technician before purchasing any used vehicle. 

It's Your Turn.

Have you ever purchased a used car 'as is' and later found it had mechanical issues? If so, we'd like to hear from you. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your experience. Your story could help others navigate the complex world of used car sales.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Fox 13 News

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Comments

Hannah (not verified)    December 11, 2024 - 3:59PM

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I purchased my 2013 Buick Encore "as is" from Grand Blanc Mitsubishi in Michigan. It has cost more in repairs than the purchase price. They also told me they had their own mechanic who did inspections and l couldn't take it anywhere else. I personally thought that a large dealership would do their due diligence and be honest. I was wrong, and both my family and I have had to pay in countless hours and dollars; Being stranded places and unable to reach emergency medical facilities in my own car. It's been a nightmare and there is absolutely NO LEGAL HELP. Something has to change for the accountability of dealerships.

Unknown (not verified)    December 12, 2024 - 10:46AM

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I understand this frustration. Dealers are terrible and Mazda is one of the worst when it comes to their service and customer relations. They routinely don’t help their own customers with actual known Mazda issues, so I can only imagine the stonewalling this customer got when he bought a non-Mazda vehicle used.

Nobody Important (not verified)    December 16, 2024 - 1:35PM

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I'm reminded of how Mickey Mouse, who has outlived his copyright protections continues receive protections...

Because corporate lobbying and their money ensures their interests are the law. Politicians be like, "we have lemon laws! They just don't offer consumers actual protections".

This guy's a hero. If we all drove our vehicles into the buildings of companies that rip off consumers, I bet there would be a lot less companies ripping us consumers off.

Heck, the Oklahoma bomber got the IRS to offer late tax filings.

Tonya Brown (not verified)    December 16, 2024 - 8:33AM

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I live in Spring Tx and I purchased a 2014 Ford Escape Titanium from Trade Lane Motors in Houston Tx and they Knowingly sold me a car with Bad Transmission and with Speedometer Mileage Issues. Three weeks later the Transmission Failed and the car became Undrivable.I was able to speak to one of the Owners-Claudia Rosario and left a message for another Owner-Bilal Kaawach to call back at but he never did. She texted me back stating that they weren't willing to help me.

Gary (not verified)    December 16, 2024 - 8:36AM

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I am curious about the mechanical issue that set this guy off. Was the dealership aware of the mechanical issue? Was it a safety issue as well.
I once purchased a used Nissan after a test drive. Everything sounded and felt fine, all the gauges worked.
Completed the purchase and went on a longer drive. I was about 40 miles from the dealership and the oil pressure gauge went to zero. There was no indication from the engine that oil pressure gauge was correct. I returned to the dealership and they stated that they had replaced the sending unit the day before and checked the oil pressure. They replaced the oil pressure gauge at their expense.
A reputable dealership and salesman will not sell vehicles with serious issues without notifying the prospective buyer of those issues.
We used to joke that the used car warranty was 30/30, 30 feet or 30 seconds.

Paul Gipson (not verified)    December 16, 2024 - 8:39AM

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If a item is sold to be used "for a particular purpose" it has to be able to perform for that particular purpose. In this instance, the purpose was to be driven.
There is a time limit, but this is a usable legal precedent
I was able to get a used car dealer to fix a vehicle that stopped being able to be driven, after showing the court that due to a defect, it could perform as expected at time of perchase

Ed Musiol (not verified)    December 16, 2024 - 5:13PM

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Did the customer know the vehicle was being sold "as is" prior to signing the contract? Having dealt with auto dealers over the years, I'm sure they weren't exactly forthcoming with all the pertinent information. In the end it boils down to BUYER BEWARE. Next time pay the money & take the vehicle to a good independent mechanic for a complete inspection.

Jean Weber (not verified)    December 17, 2024 - 5:03AM

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I bought a lemon Subaru--brand new, nine years ago! The dealership has had to replace bad transmission four times, and they are not happy about having to honor warranty. The XV Crosstrek has other issues, needed two engine rebuilds before 80,000 miles! Most things NOT covered by warranty. I understand his frustration--if I sold this pos on car gurus, and the next person got this, they would be cheated! Subaru made some real lemons!

Angela Evans (not verified)    December 17, 2024 - 8:33AM

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I've been fighting Subaru for months over my 2019 Outback. Got it Used from a dealership. On its 3rd battery now, had to have the entire top half of the engine replaced because of a manufacturer defect that almost killed me, now having to get the catalytic converter replaced on it. Check engine light comes on and all the "safety" features turn off.

Jake (not verified)    December 17, 2024 - 10:50AM

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I really do not understand how dumb people really are. If you take the chance by buying a car "As Is" you already know it is "As Is" if you wanted a car with warranty buy one. Why is it someone else's fault you made a dumb decision? Take some responsibility for your own actions or better yet but a car on FB Marketplace and drive it through someone else's house. This guy is an idiot and should get life in prison for attempted murder. Also anyone who agrees with him is an idiot and should not be allowed to make their own decisions because they obviously can't make good ones and can't deal with the repercussions of being wrong. Grow up and learn how to be an adult and not a big child throwing a fit cause your mommy didn't buy you a toy at the store.