Used Cars: Urgent help needed for used car, department of motor vehicle, car lots

Question
I just bought a used  car from a small dealer in Philadelphia last Friday (Dec. 14), and found a couple of serious problems right away: 1) engine is very much noisy, 2) acceleration is extremely slow, and 3) engine check light comes on the day after the purchase. The car is in three month warranty. I signed every paperwork, but the dealer might not send it out to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) yet.

Now I want to return the car back and get refund. Is it possible? In addition, the majority of payment was made by credit card, and can I just ask the credit company to hold the payment before we resolve all the problems? The dealer is gonna leave outside of the states for a couple of weeks  since next Tuesday (Dec. 18). What is the best strategy for us  to deal with the dealer?

Thanks


Answer
If you could stop payment, I would. You are going to find out pretty quick what kind of a dealer this guy is.  In my experiences through this website, I have yet to hear of anything good in these type of situations.  I always hate to hear these things after the fact, because realistically there is not a good answer for you.  If you are dealing with somebody who is a good person, with a good reputation they will probably help you somehow, if you are not dealing with a good person, you are pretty much screwed.  Now, once you speak with the dealer about this problem if he does not satisfy you with what he responds to, I would try to find out what facility in your state that governs used car lots, and take it up with them.  But I would really try hard to stop payment first....good luck.