I'm buying a car from a dealership and the car has a kill switch is that legal? the car is a 1994 chevy caprice
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Anonymous
ANSWERS: 3
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If you financed through them or their partners, then yes as it is their car until the last payment is made. Well not exactly their's but as a lienholder they have enough of a legal claim to it that they are entitled to protect their investment/collateral. If you paid for the car outright then no, it is your's free and clear.
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If you mean the anti-theft device....It definitely depends on the state law, but I've never heard of them being illegal. I've known two types - the kind where you have to press a 'secret' button prior to starting the car -and- the type that can remotely shut down the car. The 'secret' button method is actually recommended by law enforcement. It's a cheap way to get great theft protection. The second one mentioned could be a danger (if the thief was driving it on a busy road, etc), but again, I don't think they are that popular and I've never heard of a state banning them.
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If the "kill switch" is an ignition interrupt device (Loctronics is a common brand)... . http://www.aboutsecurityconcepts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LOCTRONICS+NEW+CODE+PACK . it is perfectly legal for the car to have such a device. What is NOT legal is for the dealership to require you to purchase the device in order to purchase the car. New car dealers used to (still?) try this tactic to pad their profits. If the car is being sold "as is" and the device is already on there, then you're pretty much stuck with it (although any competent car stereo shop should be able to disable it). But they can't make you pay for the system separately from the car purchase transaction. Good luck
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