What was supposed to be a routine car sale turned chaotic on December 10, 2024, when Michael Murray, 36, drove his newly purchased Subaru Outback into the showroom of Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne after the dealership refused his demand to return the vehicle. The dramatic incident caused significant property damage, but no injuries were reported.
Murray had purchased the used Subaru that morning for $4,000. However, in a few initial drives, the mechanical issues quickly showed their faces, and he felt that he had been sold a bad car. In order to get his money back, Murray tried to contact the dealership. Naturally, his efforts were in vain. According to the platform manager of the dealership, Tyler Slade, the vehicle was sold on an “as-is” policy. It’s a standard clause, in bright pink on the sales agreement, to advise purchasers that, post-sale, the dealership is not responsible for defects.
Not one to give up easy, Murray arrived back to the dealership, visibly angry. His begging for a refund escalated into threats as he promised they would take it back because if not he would smash it into the building. What had earlier sounded to them like an empty outburst from him later that afternoon gained a chilling reality as he drove the Subaru through the glass façade of the dealership in the late afternoon, around 4 p.m., breaking windows and sending debris flying. According to witnesses, the scene was chaotic, though no one was injured.
The police were very quick to arrive, subsequently arresting Murray on felony criminal mischief and reckless endangerment charges. Conviction may bring with it quite substantial penalties, including prison time. The astounding frustration has since sparked debate over the fairness of “as-is” sales and the challenges consumers face when purchasing used vehicles.
As-is” sales are rather common in the car industry, especially regarding cheap cars. These agreements protect dealerships by shifting the risk of post-sale defects to buyers. However, legal experts say such policies are not absolute. If a dealership is found to have misrepresented a vehicle’s condition or failed to disclose known issues, buyers may have grounds to challenge the sale. Even so, disputes over used cars can be difficult to resolve, leaving many consumers feeling stuck with purchases they regret.
The incident has also brought renewed attention ton to the lack of consumer protections in used car sales. Advocates argue that dealerships should consider offering short return windows or inspection guarantees to prevent disputes from escalating. They say buyers should also be vigilant by thoroughly inspecting vehicles, reviewing maintenance records, and seeking independent assessments before purchasing.
