This car is worth $5000 max... if the sun hits it just right and the moon and stars are in perfect alignment.NESCONSET, N.Y. - Sean Beaudoin, 25, has an autism spectrum disorder, but with help, he has become fairly independent.
He has his own car. He works 20 hours a week as a kennel assistant. He has a credit card in his name, although his mother keeps it. And he has a good credit rating.
But his parents, Curtis and Paula Beaudoin, recently experienced the downside of such autonomy for their son, who lives with them in Nesconset.
Last month, Sean walked into Hustedt Chevrolet in Centereach and traded in his fully paid 1997 Ford Explorer for a $2,500 credit toward a 2002 Chevy Malibu with 50,000 miles. He owed an additional $11,400 on the Malibu.
So, no law was broken but the dealership refused to reverse the deal after learning about the man's condition and only marked it down to $8500, which is two grand more than its exceedingly generous Kelly Blue Book retail value in mint condition.
