Used Cars: safety issue, coolant leak, factory warranty

Question
Hi,

I work for a dealership and I bought a used car from them recently.  The car had a really bad coolant leak and it smells like gas too so they told me that they would fix the coolant leak and fuel problem for free when I bought the car.  We now have a new manager and things are changing for the worse so I am going to quit and look for a new job.  I'm worried that they will be able to go back on their word about fixing the problems for free because they are expensive and it wasn't in the contract to do so.  They told me that the problem had to be fixed before they could legally allow me to drive it off of the lot because they are safety issues.  Would this prevent them from going back on their word?  I guess that what I'm asking is if the problems are major safety issues, are they obligated to fix them?  Any input is VERY much appreciated, as I am miserable at this job and I am very eager to leave.  They will not be done with my car for a week and I seriously don't know if I can last that long, so I'd like to just quit without worrying about my car being fixed.  I work at the Findlay Hyundai in Post Falls, ID.  Thanks you for your help!!

Answer
First if you don't have it in writing you are in a very difficult spot. Second, do you have a witness to verify what you were promised? If someone heard the previous manager promise the repairs you may have something there. The manager who told you that they would fix the car was speaking for the dealership and then they need to do what was promised. You will want to check with the state laws to see if the safety issue is binding. In my home state of Michigan the law states that any used car is sold "As Is"(regardless of safety issues) unless there is remaining factory warranty or a written agreement with the dealer for any and all work to be performed. The best thing you can do is try to talk to the current manager and explain your situation in detail. I will advise you to be as nice and polite as possible. Most car dealers will do nothing for someone when they feel that they are being bullied into a repair that they don't think they "have" to do. I wouldn't quit until I had a written agreement for the repair.I don't know if this was the help you were looking for but good luck with your new career. Thanks for your question, Shane