Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

Q-R-S-T

Back

QUALITY HYUNDAI, Corona, California - "I went to Quality Hyundai after being referred by CarsDirect.com. I was interested in a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. Even though I had a printed copy of the price quoted by CarsDirect.com, Quality Hyundai would not honor it. The dealer and I went forward with negotiations on a model closer to the online quote I'd received.  I included a moonroof and a 6-disk, in-dash player. After all the paperwork had been signed, this dealership informed me that they were only going to install a CD-changer in the rear of the vehicle. If I wanted an in-dash unit (as agreed upon during negotiations) I would have to pay an additional $300. I took initial delivery of the vehicle after exchanging a few heated words with the sales manager, Nate, and then brought it back in to have the moonroof installed. Later on, when I picked up the car, I found some papers stuffed into the glove box that I should have gotten when I first took delivery, and one of my CD's had been broken. Also, someone had gouged a hole in the cladding."
RAND COOK AUTO SALES, Wheeling, Illinois "I purchased a used auto online that, when I went to pick it up, was at a towing yard. It had a flat tire, a bad battery, and had a bad leak of some sort. The dealership assured me that they had repaired the tire not just put air in it. I was also that they'd put a new transmission line in for the one that was leaking. Also, they said, the battery had been replaced. Because the car had no license plates, they told us to take it for a test drive on the short, bumpy road that led in to their shop. At low speeds everything seemed okay. After purchasing this car for my daughter, and after she'd driven it for a short time, she voiced her concerns about erratic shifting and a bad shake at higher speeds. I drove the car next and right away the automatic transmission shifted into 3rd gear and stayed there for the entire trip home, about 65 miles. Also there was a bad shimmying and shaking at about 60 mph. I stopped at a tire store in Rockford, Illinois near my home town to have the car checked over. I was told that both rear tires were shot; one had broken cords, and the other---one that Rand Cook Auto Sales told me had been repaired---had a steel bolt in the sidewall. Also the tire service people found that the frame was badly rusted. They also looked over the transmission and found that the fluid levels were okay, strongly suggesting that something more serious was wrong with it. I called Rand Cook Auto Sales and was told to top off the transmission with fluid, and call them if the problem persisted. I drove on home, about 7 more miles and the transmission continued to act up. When I called Rand Cook Auto Sales, I was told by someone other than the salesman I'd dealt with that he wouldn't be in until Tuesday, but that he'd be sure and have him call me. He never did, and all further attempts, including email, failed to get any response."
FRED RICART DEALERSHIPS, Columbus, Ohio - Fred Ricart's finance company, Central Ohio Credit Corporation (aka 'Central Credit Corporation') are very nasty people. They lose customer payments, repeatedly call and harass their customers as well as references. I was making regular and scheduled payments on my vehicle and they still came and took it back, damaging it in the process. For more stories about Fred Ricart Dealerships, et al, visit http://www.columbusconsumer.com/
RIGHTWAY AUTOMOTIVE, Flint, Michigan "On December 22nd we went to Rightway Automotive to shop for a vehicle. We have poor credit and not a lot of money. We found what seemed to be a good vehicle and purchased it. But we let them know before the ink was even dry on the contract that there seemed to be problems coming from either the transmission or the engine. The dealer listened to the loud sounds that this '98 Pontiac Montana was making. He said, "Go ahead and drive it home and we'll put it in the service department tomorrow."  We brought the vehicle back the next day (23 December) and were told that they would make things right. The Pontiac was sent to their service center in Midland, Michigan where the service manager, Rod, was supposed to be overseeing the problems. They called the next day and said that the vehicle was ready. When we went to pick it up, nothing had been repaired. We had to fight to get a rental vehicle approved by Rod and Rightway. The main point to all this is that Rightway knew the problems the van had before we ever left the lot and had guaranteed us that everything would be taken care of. We waited and waited, calling over and over to try and find out about our van. Finally, after reminding them that they'd had the vehicle for almost two weeks, they said that it would be back on the Rightway Automotive lot that day. We picked it up, but on the way home the vehicle was shaking, and the transmission was obviously still in very bad condition. The next day it wouldn't even start! We managed to get a jump start and drove to our daughter's school. Again it wouldn't start, and there we were in freezing weather with two small toddlers. We managed to get the van back to Rightway, and their "big" fix was to stick in a new battery, even though we again reminded them of the transmission and engine problems. On the way home, sure enough the transmission wouldn't shift properly, the whole vehicle shook badly, and wouldn't accelerate. Finally we took the Pontiac to a transmission shop, but Rightway Automotive says that we have to wait for their warranty company to approve the work, and this time they even refused us a rental vehicle. The stress on both my husband and I has been indescribable, both of us now suffering from psychological manifestations due to the dishonest, cheating way Rightway Automotive has treated us."
RIVERGATE TOYOTA, Madison, Tennessee "I purchased a new car from Rivergate Toyota on 12/20/04. Our salesman was Calvin Boone. I was informed and shown a card that indicated that if I referred someone to buy a car from him that I would receive a $100 referral fee. On 12/21/04 my signficant other purchased a car from the same salesman, Calvin Boone. Our referral card was stapled to our paperwork by the finance person, Pat, who later confirmed that it was in our file. I've called a total of 5 times asking about the $100 referral fee due me and have been told each time that it was on its way. It hasn't arrived yet! I addition, I was told that I would receive a free oil-change voucher when I purchased my car. I've never received that either! Also, I'd been told that if I filled out a survey that I would receive a free oil change. I filled out the survey, mailed it in, but still no oil change. Finally, I was promised an ashtray, but after asking for one some three visits to the dealership later I was told that I'd have to pay for it. We've purchased two cars in two days, mine being a brand new vehicle. One would expect more from a dealership as large as Rivergate Toyota. Clearly the salesman has done all he can. I've left many messages in the past for other folks at the dealership regarding other issues, but have never received a return call on any of them."
ROUEN MITSUBISHI, Maumee, Ohio - "I brought my 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse in to have some work done. I was quoted a cost of about $1,100. The next day they called to tell me that they couldn't get some part off my car and that they were soaking them overnight in penetrating oil. I called next day and was informed that I'd have to pay an additional $1,600. That brought the original $1,100 dollar quote up to $2,700, all because they couldn't disassemble some parts. I said just put the car back together like it was and I'll go somewhere else. Now they said that I'd still have to pay $624 for the labor they'd put in, plus a restocking fee. This is a swindle, pure and simple! When I signed their estimate I agreed to pay for repairs done, and they in turn agreed to do those repairs. They did not live up to their part of the agreement, but still have the audacity to demand I pay them $624 just to get my car back the way it was when I drove it in."
ROYAL AUTO-GM, Fulton, Missouri - "We took our 2005 Chevrolet Equinox in for its first oil change at 3,000 miles. We were told at this time that the General Motors factory had left sealant pellets in the cooling system. Royal Auto-GM flushed the system. Two days later, in a heat index of 110 degrees, this brand-new Chevrolet's radiator boiled over and the engine light came on. Royal Auto-GM told us that the engine light indicated nothing more than that there was air in the coolant system, not that the engine had overheated. I asked the service manager to put this in writing, and after going home I checked the code entered on the service paperwork Royal Auto-GM supplied. The code was p1258 which means that the engine temperature had exceeded 268 degrees Fahrenheit. We asked Royal Auto-GM to replace our brand-new Chevrolet Equinox because we knew what damage overheating does to the internal parts of an engine.  Instead of trying to help us or accept responsibility for his service department mis-diagnosing the overheating problem,  Owner John Reddis told us that he'd give us a free tank of gas, but that if we wanted anything else more to "...take it up with General Motors." Our new Chevrolet Equinox is now going in for its 5th repair at 5,000 miles due to a possible warped engine head, all due to Royal Auto-GM's mistake back at 3,000 miles."
SAL'S CHOICE CARS, Toms River, New Jersey - "I didn't know it, but the car I bought on EBay was being sold by a car dealer. Almost everything this seller said in the EBay ad was untrue, especially that the car was, 'A 1992 Honda with only 110,000 miles. Very clean. It was owned by a mechanic so I know that it was maintained well.'  Actually this "very clean" car had rust spots and was filthy inside. The seller said that the front end had recently been repaired, the car had body work that was so good you couldn't even tell it. Actually, the hood and left fender don't fit properly. The passenger front door and front q-panel don't fit properly. There's an engine or front-end support bracket that has been replaced. The back seat is stained by a blue, melted crayon, and the seats and door upholstery have cigarette burn holes. The front passenger window (electric) doesn't close properly. The seller also said that everything worked, but I had to replace a wiper arm and switch. Both CV joint boots are torn, and so far I've replaced one of the CV axles. A headlight had a burned socket that had to be replaced, and the engine compartment was filthy and completely covered by black film, oil, dirt, etc.,. The seller did install a new battery and change the oil, but charged me another $100."
SAMES AUTO DEALER, Laredo, Texas - "I bought a Dodge Intrepid from this dealership. After having it for only three months, the transmission became defective. At first Sames Auto Dealer refused to do anything, but after I insisted they finally took the car into their shop. They had it for 1 1/2 months, all the while calling me repeatedly about making my payments, which I continued to submit. Finally my car was 'repaired' and returned to me, but it malfunctioned again after only two weeks. I wanted to pay off the $4,000 I still owed on the car, but Same Auto Dealer insisted that all additional charges (finance, early-pay penalties, etc.,.) be paid."
SANTA MONICA BMW, Santa Monica, California - "I was lied to and treated very poorly by the staff at Santa Monica BMW. I'd made an appointment with a salesperson, and when I went in to meet it I took along my current credit report and that for my wife too,  from all three of the major credit-reporting agencies. The salesman, though, said that Santa Monica BMW would still have to run their own credit check on us. I told him that everything that they needed was in the report I'd supplied; all I wanted was for their credit manager to take a look at it and tell me how I stood with Santa Monica BMW. I was concerned that running another credit report on us would adversely affect our credit rating. LIE #1 -- the salesman told me that this wouldn't happen. LIE #2 -- he also said that the report I'd brought in didn't tell them everything they needed to know. I then gave them the okay to run the report. They also ran a report on my wife, although she'd never given them authorization to do so. After waiting and waiting for a long while, the manager told us that our credit wasn't good enough for Santa Monica BMW and that they didn't do business with people like us."
SATURN, Inc  Alma, Quebec, Canada  -  Saturn SL2 1992 [04/17/00]  "In March, 1998, I submitted my rust problems to the Saturn Company.  There was rust on the two back window slide brackets.  Saturn said that only the undercarriage was guaranteed against rust perforation.  Presently, the two brackets are perforated,  and the rust is starting to show up around the door panels near the floor.  Here in Canada, the Saturn Company advertises that it sells rust-free cars.  My complaint to Saturn was handled by Ms. Mary Leocada in their Customer Assistance Center, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada."
SATURN, Inc  Brooklyn, New York  - Saturn SC2 1996 [07/03/00] "When I purchased this car less than one year ago I was assured that it was a high-quality vehicle because it had undergone a 75-point inspection.  I requested documentation about this inspection but was told that I didn't need it.  Since then, though, I've had the car in the shop many times due to problems with the engine stalling and oil leaks. Also I've had three flat tires (..none related to road hazards) even though the 75-point inspection supposedly checks for safe tires. I've tried to contact Saturn corporate headquarters to no avail."
SATURN, Inc
SATURN of DECATUR, Decatur, Georgia - "I traded in my 1997 Mercedes SLK 320 for a 2000 Mercedes ML 320. Saturn of Decatur paid off most of the balance remaining on my trade in, and I was to continue payments on the remainder to protect my credit. After completing the trade with this dealership they failed to send me the emissions paperwork or the letter to get my license plates. Consequently, since January 12,2006 I've been driving the car Saturn of Decatur sold me with expired tags. Now I've learned that they sold my trade in without its title, and that's illegal. All I can get from this dealership is the run around; they repeat over and over when I call that '...their part of the pay off was sent, and the rest of the paperwork is at the tag office...' What I'm left with is an unregistered car and someone else driving around in the trade in which is still in my name."
SATURN of HADLEY  Hadley, Massachusetts  -  Saturn Coupe 1995 [07/13/00] "Purchased this car brand new.  Recently I suspected something was wrong with it because it was burning oil and barely passed the emissions test.  While still under warranty I brought the car in to this dealership, but they refused to acknowledge that anything was wrong.  When the car was just 2,000 miles out of warranty the engine began knocking because it was out of oil, even though it had been full just a week earlier.  I had to force Saturn of Hadley to even do a compression check to recognize the problem.  It cost me $1,400 in repairs.  One month later the oil pump failed and I had to pay another $600.  Two other companies told me that the oil pump had been overlooked earlier and thus damage was done to the engine. Now I'm stuck with a car that has only 50,000 miles on it and the engine is going bad.  Saturn refuses to acknowledge their mis-diagnosis.  I wouldn't recommend a Saturn or this particular dealership to my worst enemy."
SATURN of PLANO, Plano, Texas - "In May of 2000 we bought a 2000 SaturnLS2 from Saturn of Plano, the third Saturn we'd bought from them. The LS2 was a demo vehicle with 4,000 miles on it, but they told us that they'd treat it as a new car since it was just like brand new and nothing was wrong with it. At the time we bought the car we found that the rear bumper was damaged; Saturn of Plano replaced this before we took delivery. Shortly afterwards I noticed that the car had a bad vibration at around 70 mph.  I took it back and they replaced all the tires, but it still had that vibration, plus it made a strange noise when turning corners. After taking the vehicle in again, Saturn of Plano found that a part on the front suspension was broken. They also found that the coolant reservoir was cracked.  After the service department completed their work, the car no longer made the strange noise and the vibration was gone too. Then the air conditioner failed. The service department said that the controller had gone bad, whcih they fixed.  Next I noticed that the car was now making a strange sound when it was idling. I looked under the hood and found that the muffler wasn't mounted on the rear of vehicle as it should have been. When I went back to Saturn of Plano they said it would cost me $700 to repair. This on the vehicle that they promised me they'd treat just like a brand new one. The dealer's answer was that we must have backed into something since they'd have noticed such a problem before selling the car (just like they'd noticed all the other problems!) Saturn Customer Assistance said that they couldn't do much since they didn't own this particular dealership, but they'd contact them and try to resolve the problem. Saturn of Plano's 'solution' was for me to file a claim with my insurance company and the dealership would pay $150 of the $500 deductible. My insurance rates would increase though. Another call to Saturn Customer Assistance failed to resolve the situation, so I contacted the Better Business Bureau. They couldn't do anything either. In the end I sold the car, taking a loss of about $4,000. Saturn can spend millions of advertising dollars to attract customers, but won't do the right thing by those who have been repeat customers in the past."
SAWICKIS of FREEPORT - Freeport, Illinois - "We recently went to Sawickis to test drive a Chrysler Pacifica, even though we were not planning on buying any vehicle anywhere on that particular day.  We left the keys to our car as security and took the Chrysler out for a test drive, and after returning to the dealership thought that we would just check to see what kind of price and financing were available. We stressed to our salesperson that we were not going to be buying that day. After we had waited 20 minutes, the salesperson came back with some figures, quoting a trade-in figure $2,000 less than other dealerships had offered. At that point we said that we would go home and talk things over, but they refused to return the keys to our car. We politely asked for our keys four times, but were refused. Finally my husband had enough and in a loud voice demanded that they give us back our keys. After threatening to make a scene, we at last got our keys back. We would strongly urge others not to visit Sawickis of Freeport." 
SHAVER AUTO CENTER, San Bernardino, California - "I purchased a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee on August 14, 2005 and was told by this dealership that Chrysler Financial had bought the deal. I traded in a 2004 KIA Sorento with only 11,425 miles on it that was, according to them, worth $6,600. I still owed $16,000 on it. Shaver Auto Center added the difference between the trade-in value and balance owed onto the price of the new Jeep. On August 14, 2005, I signed the contract. On August 26th I received certified mail from Shaver Auto Center stating that I needed to return the Jeep to them as soon as possible because I couldn't get any financing. I called Shaver immediately and they apologized for sending the letter, explaining that it was a normal procedure since Chrysler Financial still hadn't forwarded any money to them for my purchase. They told me just to ignore the letter. And then, on August 30th, the finance director at Shaver Auto Center called me at 3 pm to congratulate me because they had been able to lower my payment; they had, he went on, found a bank that would do my financing. I made an appointment for 6:15 pm that same day. After waiting 40 minutes, I was finally called in by another 'finance director.'  He said that I needed to come up with another $2,000 in addition to the $400 I had already put down, plus the $600 that comes due on September 3rd. That's $3,000! I told this 'finance director' that I was confused because I had already been called by someone named Nedra Aguirre (another 'finance director') who said that I just had to come in and sign for lower monthly payments, and that Shaver Auto Center had lowered the price of the Jeep to satisfy the financing bank. Subsequently I agreed to give them another $700 more, and the 'finance director' agreed; the dealership would just right off the remaining $1,300 they had wanted. The 'finance director' went off to "...finalize the deal." An hour later he returns and says that the arrangement won't work and that I had to return the Jeep to them. By now it's 8:00 pm. I ask for some explanation, but am ignored; he demands that I return the keys to the Jeep which I did. I next signed paperwork releasing me from any responsibility for the purchase. They returned my old KIA to me with an empty tank (I had put $50 worth of gas in before arriving at the dealership on the 14th), and it was filthy dirty. They squirted some water over it, but didn't put so much as a drop of gas back in. They also refused to return my $400 check, or the one for $600 that they were holding. I pointed out to the 'finance director' that California law states that an automobile dealership has only 10 days in which to rescind a contract, which they had not done and therefore were in breech of contract and violation of state law. I even showed where this is printed on the back of Shaver Auto Center's contract. They became very angry at this, but it's just one of the issues I'm continuing to pursue after being lied to and cheated by Shaver Auto Center."
SIMPSON BUICK-PONTIAC-GMC, Buena Park, California -  "I leased a brand-new car on a Monday, and Tuesday morning it wouldn't start. I had it jump-started and immediately took it back to Simpson Buick-Pontiac-GMC. They kept it for two days. I picked it up from their service department, and the every next morning it again would not start. This time I told them to come and get it, and that I wanted out of the lease. They said no deal...I had signed their contract and that was that. I left the car in their service department again but they have never called me about it. Two weeks later I began picketing the dealership. Since then Simpson Buick-Pontiac-GMC has harrassed me repeatedly and made sexual innuendos. While picketing, several people have stopped and shared their own awful experiences with this dealership. General Motors is currently investigating."
SIMS BUICK-PONTIAC, Euclid, Ohio - "Evidently this dealership advertises cars on the internet and other auto-related websites as 'bait.' I called Sims Buick-Pontiac about one such car and was quoted a specific price. Next day when I arrived at the dealership with a check for the quoted price, the salesperson said that the car wasn't available at that price;   per the sales manager the price was much higher. I asked to speak with the manager and was ushered into the showroom. The manager charged out of his office, screaming that I couldn't buy the car. In a threatening voice he invited me to '...step outside!' I asked why Sims Buick-Pontiac advertised one price, then reneged. The manager said he was going to call the police. I called the owner, but he was equally rude and threatening. Think twice before ever trying to deal with Sim Buick-Pontiac!"
MIKE SMITH TOYOTA, Paducah, Kentucky - "The check-engine light on our 2004 Camry kept coming on and then resetting. I took it in to Mike Smith Toyota under the terms of our bumper-to-bumper warranty. My wife later picked up the car and was told that the check-engine light never came on so they couldn't do anything about the problem (the error code is actually stored in the car's onboard computer and can be read with the proper equipment). The check-engine light came back on again and I returned the car to Mike Smith Toyota. They charged me $67.00 just to diagnose the problem (charcoal canister was plugged) and wanted $567.00 for repair work. I refused and instead took our car in to KENNY KENT in EVANSVILLE, INDIANA where all diagnoses and repairs were done at absolutely no charge. Mike Smith Toyota refused even to refund the money they'd already charged for diagnostics. I will never even go close to Mike Smith Toyota again!"
SOMERSET NISSAN, Somerville, New Jersey - "The service department at this dealership is the worst I have ever experienced.  For example---I have a brand new, $30,000 truck, but have to throw a fit in their office just to get a loaner when they have to take care of a warranty fix. Like it's my fault that the product they promote and represent has defects! Here are some other examples of terrible service I've encountered at Somerset Nissan:
1. Always have to keep my truck one full day just to change the oil;
2. I ordered an XM radio from the dealership. When it arrived I brought the truck in to have the XM unit installed. When I picked it up a Sirrus satellite radio had been installed instead;
3. The bed liner in my truck had a defect. I brought it in, but when I went back at the end of the day to pick it up they told me that it would take another two days for repair; they hadn't even started on it! These people have no concept of what 'appointments' are and how they function;
4. After an oil change I went to pick up my truck, but it couldn't be found anywhere on the dealer's lot. As it turned out, someone who worked at Somerset Nissan had taken it out for a joy ride.
Not only is this kind of slip-shod, shabby 'service' commonplace at Somerset Nissan, but no one anywhere in the organization cares the slightest."
JIM SMOLICH MOTORS, Redmond, Oregon - "Promises..promises..promises!!  But they never deliver. They seem to forget what they promised when you try to hold them to it."
SOUTH HILLS CHRYSLER-JEEP, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania - "I had bought a used Volkswagen with 43,000 miles on it from South Hills Chrysler-Jeep. Documentation that came with the vehicle told me that it's last factory-recommended service should have been performed at 40,000 miles. When I purchased the VW, South Hills Chrysler-Jeep assured me that it had received that service. After I'd owned the vehicle for only 3 months I took it in because of some problems. The dealership said that they wouldn't take care of the faults unless I paid for them myself. At this point I went to a Volkswagen dealer, and their service department told me that the car had NOT received its 40,000-mile service. South Hills Chrysler-Jeep had lied about this. When I brought this up to the general manager at South Hills Chrysler-Jeep he repeated that, even though I'd only had the vehicle for 3 months, I was on my own."
SOUTH POINT NISSAN, Austin, Texas - "On a Saturday, my wife and I stopped in at South Point Nissan to look at new Nissans. We found one that we liked and subsequently ended up in the finance department where we signed a contract. No banks were open on Saturday, but on the following Monday we were told by South Point Nissan that the contract had not been approved because  my wife's credit was insufficient. South Point Nissan wanted me to sign a new contract. I didn't care for the terms of this new contract and opted not to take delivery on the selected Nissan. I asked that our trade-in vehicle be returned but was told that it had already been sold, even though I hadn't signed the title over to the dealership. The manager tried to convince me that we were legally bound to the first contract, so I asked for the name of the bank where financing would have been arranged. I was denied this information. I further asked for a copy of the original contract and again was told I could not have it. South Point Nissan has repeatedly called me about taking another vehicle; I responded by telling them that I had no desire to do any business whatsoever with them. I again demanded that my trade-in vehicle be returned, but South Point Nissan just told me to contact GM about that. I called them and left a message, but haven't heard a word in return."
SPRINGFIELD FORD, Springfield, Pennsylvania - "While at this dealership, I became interested in a 2003 Ford Explorer priced at $14,500 even though the tires were bald. My salesperson, Bill, said, "We can put new tires on it if you want." I drove the Explorer home, but after thinking everything over decided that I didn't really want it after all. Bill called and said that he really wanted the sale and offered the vehicle for $12,000. We closed the deal for that price, but the Explorer has been back in the shop at Springfield Ford for five out of the last eight days because the air conditioner won't work properly. Each time, the service department tells me the a/c has been fixed, but in every case it still won't work like it should. I had also contacted the salesperson, Bill, about the new tires he'd promised, but he denied ever having said that they would put new ones on the vehicle. Finally he admitted that he had indeed said that, but that because they'd lost so much money on the deal that they wouldn't replace the tires."
STADIUM MOTORS (dba POPULAR KIA), Brooklyn, New York - "I first returned to Popular KIA to refinance my 2006 KIA Rio. At that time they convinced me that I should just trade it in for a 2006 model. The car payment would be double over what I had been making, but Popular KIA told me that I could refinance in 3 months and the payments would decrease considerably. From that point on all I got from this dealership was the runaround every time I approached them about the promise they had made. They were quick to take my money, but after that have done everything in their power to avoid our agreement about refinancing."
STERLING LEXUS,  Arlington, Virginia - "After getting a phone quote on a new 2005 Lexus 430 which was far below other quotes I'd gotten locally, I travelled to this dealership. Once I got there, though, I was told that the car had 1,500 miles on it, but I signed for it anyway and took it home. In order to get insurance I needed the car's serial number, and while looking for it noticed a cracked window. Through our insurance company we next learned that the car was a 2004 model, not a 2005 as represented by Sterling Lexus; it had been purchased previously. Unless I pay for the car, Sterling Lexus is threatening me with felony charges for cancelling the payment check. The car is at the dealership.  I asked them directly about previous registration and was told that they wouldn't tell me anything, that the car had simply been used as a demonstrator. I'm trying to get some resolution from the national Lexus office. Hope to do so because court proceedings are a big hassle. I'm amazed by what a Lexus dealer would do."
STRAUB MOTORS, Inc, Keyport, New Jersey - "I took my 1992 Buick Century to Straub Motors to have water pump, ignition wiring, and spark plugs replaced.  They were going to charge me $750.00 for the parts and installation.  A friend of mine said that he could replace the parts himself much cheaper. I bought the needed water pump for $35.00, the wiring for $17.00, and the spark plugs for $36.00. My friend installed everything in his home garage in under two hours; for two hours work Straub Motors was going to charge me at least $662.00 for labor. That's equivalent to $331.00/hour. The average qualified mechanic charges only about $65.00/hour."
SUBARU of  PUYALLUP, Puyallup, Washington - "I selected a 2005 Legacy GT wagon at this dealership, but there were some accessories that I wanted. One of them was a moonroof. After searching the lot, the salesman said that he couldn't find the year and model Legacy I wanted with a moonroof but that they would install one for me. I didn't like that idea too much, preferring a factory-installed moonroof, but I finally gave in. We proceeded with the deal, and three hours later were ready for signing. At that time I noticed that the interest rate had increased by 1/4 of a percent. If I hadn't wanted the wagon so badly I'd have walked out right then and there. Finally I was told that it would take 1 week for all the ordered accessories to come in. It took 3 weeks, and then some of the parts were not the right ones! When I at last dropped the Legacy off to have everything installed, including the moonroof, I was told I'd have it back in 2 days. That turned in to another 3 weeks! Not only that, but Subaru of Puyallup had farmed out the moonroof installation to Auto FX of Tacoma, Washington. They seriously damaged the exterior and interior of my brand new, $30,000 Legacy GT -- scratches, stains, a loud rattle, rippled and dented metal around the moonroof,etc.,.  Most of the exterior damage has been taken care of, but the interior still looks like a beat-up old used car. Subaru of Puyallup wanted me to leave the vehicle again, but I refused; every time they get their hands on it the car comes back in worse shape than when I left it. I argued for a total vehicle replacement, but the sales manager refuses; they'd lose too much money. They would do a one-for-one trade, but the ridiculous depreciation they'd levy against my Legacy would leave me on the short end of the deal. In summary, this dealership has absolutely no concern for the customer, even when problems the customer encounters have been caused by Subaru of Puyallup. Their tactic in this regard is to shuffle your complaints around and around in their organization until the customer is exhausted and just gives up.  For further details about Subaru of Puyallup, here's my email address: toni@conradfoto.com"
SUBURBAN KIA  Vernon, Connecticut  -  Kia Sephia 1998 [05/12/00]  "For the last month we've had nothing but problems with this dealership.  I took my Kia in to their service department because of a loud knocking noise.  We were told that it was the transmission, but it took them weeks to get the necessary part.  While waiting, the car wouldn't go over 10 mph.  I had it towed in to Suburban Kia where the transmission was replaced with a rebuilt one.  About one week later the car had to be towed in again because once more it wouldn't go over 10 mph.  Suburban Kia had a new excuse...some wire in the transmission wasn't connected.  This time, when we picked up our car, the windshield had been broken, and again it wouldn't go over 10 mph.  Another tow back to Suburban Kia where they claimed that nothing could be found wrong, that they couldn't duplicate the problem.  Now, only 5 days after getting the car back again, it won't start."
SUNSHINE TOYOTA, Battle Creek, Michigan - "We have a 1991 Toyota 4-Runner for which we received a factory recall notice about the steering mechanism. I contacted Sunshine Toyota but was told that they didn't have the necessary parts yet. They said that they would call me when the parts arrived. That was months ago!"
SUNSHINE TOYOTA, Battle Creek, Michigan - "I bought a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner from Sunshine Toyota last year (2005) along with all four of their so-called  'warranty' programs. One provision of this program was for physical disabilities. In March, 2006, my doctor declared me totally disabled due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). My doctor and I completed the paperwork required by Sunshine Toyota, but weeks later I received duplicate forms from them. When I called to ask about this duplication they told me to contact their insurance company. I tried to do this, but none of my calls were returned. Then I found out from my credit union that Sunshine Toyota and their carrier were saying that I lied on my application. Their claim is that I have a long history of heart and lung problems revealed by passed medical visits. I have been to the doctor over the years, but no visit had anything to do with my COPD disability nor with any heart/lung problems. My attorney advised me to contact Sunshine Toyota and have them send him every piece of paperwork involved with this issue. Sunshine Toyota refused to do so; they told me that it would take a court order for them to release my paperwork. Other indications of how Sunshine Toyota and their insurance carrier are trying to cheat me is that I was told by a representative of the dealership how to answer specific questions on the disability warranty application. Now they're using one of those responses to 'validate' their claim that I lied. Furthermore, I was told that my April, 2006 payment would be my last. Finally, I was NOT advised by Sunshine Toyota nor their carrier that my physical disability coverage was being cancelled; I found that out from my credit union."
SUNTRUP MITSUBISHI, St. Louis, Missouri - "In February 2006 I purchased a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES from Suntrup Mitsubishi. From the start I've had numerous problems with the car and the dealership: (1) the wrong VIN number was entered on the paperwork twice, and still hasn't been corrected so that I can't get the vehicle registered and licensed; (2) independant mechanics have told me that the wrong tires are on the car, but Suntrup Mitsubishi continues to insist that they are; (3) the 'service engine' light is on all the time and the vehicle runs hot, but Suntrup Mitsubishi continues to insist that there's nothing wrong; (4) the first time I took the car in for repair I waited for five hours, only to finally be told that a part they needed was back ordered; (5) I've been waiting two weeks for the parts to come in, but now the warranty has expired. Whenever I try to contact the salesperson who sold me the car, or the dealer owner, I'm always told that neither is working that day."
SUNTRUP MITSUBISHI, Hazelwood, Missouri - "On 01/28/05 I purchased an automobile from Suntrup Mitsubishi, and when I asked about my copies of the documents I'd signed I was told that they would be mailed to me the following week. I never received them. My temporary tags would expire on 02/27/05, so I contacted Jerry Cardwell, Finance Officer at Suntrup on 02/25/05 about when I was going to receive my paperwork, or could I just pick them up. After being on hold for some time, I was asked if I owed them any money. I replied, "No!" Cardwell then told me that the earliest I could receive the documents I needed to obtain my registration and license plates would be Monday. By then, my temporary tags would have expired. I told Cardwell that I didn't want to get a traffic ticket for expired tags, nor did I want to keep the car parked over the forthcoming weekend, particularly since this was all due to their error. Cardwell seemed to take this affair as little more than a joke. I asked about getting an extension on the temporary tags, but that was illegal he explained. The best they would do for me was to cut a $25.00 check to pay for the penalty I'd be subject to from the licensing bureau. I asked if they would also pay for any ticket I got because of expired tags, but he just laughed and said that wasn't funny."
SUPERIOR CHRYSLER-JEEP, City of Industry, California - "My girlfriend found a car she was interested in listed on Cars.com. The listing said that Superior Chrysler-Jeep had the car in stock, but she called the dealership to confirm this. A salesperson named Sonny confirmed that it was in stock, and that the mileage listed on the website was 50,000.  We then drove to Superior Chrysler-Jeep and met Sonny. He seated us at a desk, and then disappeared without any explanation for several minutes. When he returned we asked to see the car that had been listed on Cars.com and that he had earlier assured us was in stock. Sonny then told us that it had just been sold, but that there were some other cars that he could offer us a great deal on. The price on the first one he showed us was $8,000 more than the vehicle we had come to see. He showed us other vehicles too, all the while not even listening to what we were trying to say. We finally managed to see the sales manager, who apologized for what he called a "mix up," and then he too proceeded to try and sell us other cars. We decided that we'd had enough of Superior Chrysler-Jeep's deception and lie and started to leave. On the way out, still another salesman waylaid us and tried to make a sale. Can you say "bait-and-switch?"
SUPERIOR CHEVROLET  Merriam, Kansas  -  Ford Taurus SHO 1992 [06/07/00] "This car was advertised as being in perfect condition and having had only one owner. It had only 49,000 miles on it.  In the first year alone I spent over $9300 in repairs (..28 rental cars and in the repair shop for 77 days)  After contacting Carfax I found out that I was not only the fifth owner, but that the car had sat immobile for 3 1/2 years.  The customer service manager at Super Chevrolet admitted that, '...yeah, sometimes we do get a lemon.'  He offered to trade this Taurus for another car, but only for 1/5th of what I'd paid for it.  I bought some neon-green poster board signs and wrote 'Superior Chevrolet Sold Me a LEMON' on them and drove around their dealership for three days."
SUTHERLIN NISSAN, Buford, Georgia - "Sutherlin Nissan owes us $2,200.00 from a trade in vehicle. Whenever we inquire about this, we've repeatedly been deceived and given misinformation by everyone from finance to sales management."
SUTHERLIN NISSAN (AutoNation)  Lithia Springs, Georgia  -  Ford Windstar 1996 [04/11/00]  "I bought this used vehicle with 37,000 miles on it.  After just 1 week the left-front wheel bearing went bad while I was driving, and I almost lost the wheel.  After having the vehicle 4 weeks the brakes failed..ABS locked up.  Five weeks after getting this vehicle, the right-front wheel bearing went bad.  Sutherlin Nissan refuses to talk to me, and Martha Swindle actually hung up on me.  So far I've made one payment ($311.00) and have spent $460.00 in repairs. We're now contacting previous owners of this vehicle to see if the miles have been rolled back."
SUZUKI of TEMPE, Tempe, Arizona - "After about an hour of negotiating we worked out a contract where we would pay $22,000.00 cash. We also qualified for several rebates, and agreed that the final $22,000.00 would include taxes and license/registration. There was no trade in vehicle involved. We wrote out the check and left with our 2005 Suzuki XL7. One week later I got a call from Suzuki of Tempe telling me that I needed to pay another $500.00 because the dealership had included a rebate that they should not have. I told their finance person, Scott, that I would NOT pay them any additional money; they made the mistake, not me. The deal had been for $22,000.00, final. Two weeks later Suzuki of Tempe called again and told me that I needed to pay them $444.00 to register the car, and that the dealer was holding back my title and plates until I paid. This was in violation of the agreement I'd made with the dealership. After a number of telephone conversations with our salesman, Roger, who agreed that the rebate mistake was theirs, the dealer still refused to release the title and plates until I paid the additional $444.00. Since then I've learned that there are at least five other consumers who have complained about Suzuki of Tempe to the Better Business Bureau. I also found out that the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles has received no request for registration on the XL7 we bought."
TAMIAMI FORD, INC - Florida - "At this dealership my wife and I saw a 2003 Mustang Mach 1 that we liked. I had a 2001 Mustang GT for trade. After about 30 minutes of dickering with the salesman, we all agreed on my offer of the Mustang GT plus $9,000 cash for a down payment on the 2003 model. After all the paperwork was completed, I asked if it accurately showed our balance owed. The salesman assured us that it did. We put $3,000 down for a security deposit and returned home after promising to bring in the Mustang GT. My wife did that, also paying the balance of the $9,000 with a check. The paperwork was finalized and signed by both parties. A few days later, Tamiami Ford called and told us that there was a mistake on the paperwork and that we owed them an additional $1,000. I objected and pointed out that the mistake was theirs, not mine, and that they had signed everything. Now they said that they would withhold the title on the 2003 Mustang until we paid the $1,000. I called the general manager (Mr. Lowermilk). I introduced myself, and he responded by rudely saying, "Yes, and you owe me $1,000."  The critical point is that Tamiami FIRST charged my credit card and cashed our check before announcing that there was an error in the paperwork which they had prepared and signed, PLUS they sold the 2001 Mustang I'd used as a trade in. It's obvious that Tamiami Ford isn't at all concerned either with legal or ethical business practices."
THOMPSON CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH-JEEP  Edgewood, Maryland  -  Plymouth Voyager 2000 [07/14/00] "I agreed to co-sign for my daughter and son-in-law only if their credit didn't go through. It was also made clear that payments over $325.00/month were unacceptable.  Mike Lentz, sales consultant, called my daughter and said that the credit had gone through for her and I, and that she would be pleased with the interest rate and monthly payments that they were able to get for her.  We went to the dealership to finalize everything and were soon signing document after document without any explanation of what each was.  I asked why we hadn't been shown the actual contract and was told that they just needed to get these other things out of the way first, '...not that it means anything.'  We also learned that the monthly payments would be $404.  Finally we ended up in the office of Marty Ferris, the manager.  He pulled out the contract and without any discussion or explanation of the contents wanted my daughter to sign it.  He indicated that her signature was to go on the 'CO-BUYER' line and mine on the 'BUYER' line. I asked about this and was told by Ferris that this was how it had to be done in order to get the loan for my daughter and her husband, but that they were solely responsible for it, not me. He told me that some other document that we'd sign later would actually turn the whole thing around.  My daughter got a copy of the contract and we left. The next day, after finally getting a chance to think all this through, I called the dealership and objected to the way things had been handled. They said that it was too late to do anything because the papers had all gone through. Subsequently I've learned from the Attorney General's Office that if the sales person knew that I wasn't going to be the primary purchaser/driver of the vehicle, then it was illegal to proceed with the transaction."