If not the lemon law...  then what? If not the lemon law... then what?  Well, if you choose not to pursue the California Lemon Law- for whatever reason, you may always trade your vehicle in (with significant depreciation), sell it to a private party (a dicey proposition if the vehicle is unsafe), or continue to drive it (no matter how unsafe!)  As you can see, one is kind of trapped with some rather unpleasent options without the lemon law.  Petition our legislature to continue to improve the lemon law!