Desert Suzuki ripoff consumer fraud ripoff Indio California

The ripoff in question happened june 2001. I purchased a vehicle on october 2000 an f-150 ford truck, with a down payment of $8000.00. The total cost of the vehicle was $26,000 including tax and license. I had trouble finding a company to finance to loan, so Desert Suzuki took the loan.

They explained that they are pretty much like a co-signer in the deal. So I really can't be later on the payments. I made all the payment on time but in may of 2001 I lost my job and got another job pretty quick but not quick enough. I was late about two weeks when they said the wanted to pick up the truck. Not wanting to cause trouble I let them (Desert Suzuki) pick up the vehicle. They explained that I could not be late at all.

They then wanted to charge me for the repo fees, which I refuse to pay. I would like to know if I'm intitled to get back any of my down payment.
The other thing that I need to mention is the truck's registration was due in october the month I purchased but it was never paid by them. Doesn't the license fee that they charge me in the beginning cover the registration? The reason I never got pulled over is because it didn't have license plates.
Do I have a real claim?

Thank you for your time

Elias
Spring Valley, California