My stepmom mistakenly signed ‘one-sided 4-year lease’ at car dealer

FAMILY members have spoken out after a woman was told it would cost her $4,500 to return a car she drove one time.

Grace Gangemi, a 92-year-old woman wearing a boot from a recent Achilles injury, purchased a brand new Nissan Versa. The dealership said no road law could stop her from buying the car.

Gangemi told family members that she would never purchase a car again, according to The Boston Globe.

She had recently gotten into a small accident with her 2019 Nissan Sentra. The family was relieved to see her willingness to get off the road.

At the time, the Sentra had one month left on the lease.

After visiting Nucar Nissan in Massachusetts, she surprisingly entered a new carcontract. She drove the new vehicle four miles back to her home in an assisted living retirement community.

She confided in Michael Gangemi, her stepson. He said she told him, “I did something I shouldn’t have done.”

The stepmother brought the car home after inking a 4-year lease. It was set to cost $420 a month.

“Shouldn’t the dealership have asked her, ‘Are you capable of driving?’ and ‘Can we just check with a family member?'” the stepson asked.

He said the lease deal was “totally one-sided.”

Michael pointed out that his stepmom was wearing a boot on her right foot, the one used for the gas and brake.

Nucar Nissan addressed concerns about leasing a car in statements to The U.S. Sun, emphasizing their commitment to a customer’s privacy rights.

“At Nucar Nissan, we prioritize the autonomy and dignity of all our customers, regardless of age,” the dealership told The U.S. Sun.

“Our responsibility as a dealership is to respect the legal rights and autonomy of our customers. There were no grounds for us to question Ms. Gangemi’s ability to drive based on her age or any physical ailment, and doing so without cause could be considered discriminatory.”

The dealership acknowledged it knew about the woman’s age. Massachusetts State law requires companies to check drivers licenses before new vehicle sales.

But the dealership noted Massachusetts’ self-reporting policy on medical conditions affecting driving and said that the driver didn’t discuss any ailments.

Michael said his stepmother was independent and mentally acute during the purchase, according to The Globe.

However, her health was rapidly declining.

Grace suffered a fall in June. Doctors discovered she had a brain tumor while operating.

She passed away in late June 2024, one month after bringing the car home.

Now, her family is grappling with the car and subsequent fees from the return.

The dealership quoted Michael $4,587 to terminate the contract, a standard 20% fee imposed on an early exit from a vehicle lease agreement.

The car had only driven the one time from the dealership to the woman’s home.

Nucar Nissan told The U.S. Sun is was in contact with the family.

“When Ms. Gangemi’s family expressed concerns after the lease was signed, we engaged in discussions with them to address their issues. We strive to balance business considerations with compassion and fairness, and we remain open to resolving disputes amicably,” the dealership told The U.S. Sun.

“We also recognize that hindsight may bring new perspectives, and we are committed to continually improving our practices to better serve all members of our community.”