My experience AutoNation: (Read full story, it's long but worth it) January I went to Autonation to purchase a car. They asked me what I needed, I told them it just needs to be reliable i live in the country and don't want to be stuck on those roads at night because of the car breaking down. I definitely made it clear I wasn't picky. They brought me a Chrysler 200 with 70,000 miles. Seemed like a nice car. & Even when I did the test drive the car salesman (which later I find out he wasn't even a car salesman) tells me that "he's had his eye on this car so I need to get it before he does" Great! I noticed that the breaks squeaked, and I mentioned it but they assured me that it has passed all inspections. Later when I'm finishing paperwork, the man who I was working with quickly throws in that this car is previously a rental. Wasn't too fond of the idea but I let it slide. I asked, if I don't feel comfortable can I bring the car back? They said ofcourse. Sounds good right? Boy was I wrong. Fast forward to a WEEK later: Issues with the car started to occur. The acceleration was weak, the brakes weren't as resistant, and then all of the sudden the heat stops working. Mind you, this is in the middle of winter!!! I was thinking why am I paying a fortune for a car that I got a week ago and I'm freezing!! Here's the best part, I guess they had forgotten to have me sign a paper for the car so later that day, I go to work and my job tells me that the sales manager from AutoNation has been calling my job and told them "I need to sign a paper or they are going to make sure my car is taken back" Excuse me? First of all, I was in trouble with my work because I'm not allowed to get personal calls. Second of all, you don't give out my personal information out like that. Third of all, how are you going to threaten to take my car back (basically repo) because YOU forgot to sign a paper! I was so upset. So I came in to sign a paper, turns out the paper they "forgot" to have me sign was acknowledging this car has recalls & they are not responsible! They swear they told me when I bought the car but I don't remember but whatever. At this point I was DONE, I NEEDED out that car. So another man comes up to me and tells me I can't get out of this car! I said why? It's only been a week. He says they have a 3 day return policy or something. I told him about the heat not working, the acceleration, and brakes. He assured me it was all normal and that he would fix the heat. I argued for about 4-5 hours to get me out that car and that I was not going to sign the paper. He told me if I don't sign the paper he is going to have to take the car back. Eventually after the back and forth, I finally looked at him said "Please. I can't have an unsafe car, I drive these back roads at night and it can't break down, and if something does happen to this car I am going to still have to pay the bank, I'm 20 years old" then I even asked if he would let his daughter drive this car, he said yes. I had a very uneasy feeling but at this point I had no choice but to sign the paper. One MONTH later: I am driving back home at night on a back road, all of a sudden the car is smoking! I couldn't believe it! I thought it was going to blow up, there was so much smoke coming from the hood! The car wouldn't start. I was stranded in the middle of the woods at night with no cell service. Finally a man drove by and helped me, VERY DANGEROUS situation but he ended up being a nice gentleman thank goodness. He checked the oil and said he didn't know what happened but there is NO reason the engine should have blown at 70,000 miles and I need to talk to the dealership! I was so surprised, I had told the dealership I didn't feel good in this car and to please get me out! But they didn't, so a month later my engine blows up??? I let AutoNation know, at first they tried to tell me my warranty was over and that they were sorry but there was nothing they could do about it. But I guess insurance covers it. Then at first they tried to tell me I am going to be stuck without a car, I made a big deal about that because I can't not have a car. So eventually found out insurance covers a rental so that's good. What an experience but I thought the hard part was over. I get a call a week later, saying they are going to have to rebuild my engine. I told them I did not pay for a rebuilt engine, I don't feel safe please trade me out. They told me eventually once the car is fixed they will trade me out. They also mentioned no money will be coming out of my pocket. I waited about a month later, I haven't heard ANYTHING about my car so I call, they said it's still being fixed. Ok. Two months go by and I finally get a call saying it will be finished Thursday, i take the day off waiting to pick it up. No call, so I call and they say it's not fixed yet. I was at my wits end, I've been paying two months for a car I don't have, I told them I was going to have to take legal measures. The man hung up the phone on me. So rude and unprofressional. Finally about 2 and a half months later, I get a call saying I need to pick up the car now and bring back the rental! I was out of town for my career and didn't get the message. Finally when I get home I found they called my references and my job! AGAIN they called my job after me telling them they CAN NOT do that. That is a big penalty for me. I was upset. So I called them and they told us that it's a good thing we called today or else he was going to call the police and make matters worse! I could not believe the way I was being treated after everything I have been through. So come to find out the car isnt even fixed yet, they just wanted their rental back, there is going to be a $2,000 fee I will have to pay after being told no money will have to come out of pocket OH here is the best part, they are now saying they will not trade me out of the car. & if I don't get the car out they will auction it off and I will be stuck laying whatever is owed. I can't have that on my credit and I can't risk my checks being garnished. Oh, guess what the guy said to me? Lol "You know if you are good to this car, you might be able to get another 70,000 miles out of it". I am SO shocked that this happened to me. No matter what I'm going to be left paying a fortune for a car I won't have. I only had the car for a month, knew something was wrong a week after getting it and begged to be traded out, now I'm stuck with no car, $2,000 fee, and a rebuilt engine if I decide the car is worth keeping. I've talked to my lawyer and he says the best thing I can do right now is get my story out and let everyone know my experience with AutoNatio. Please share.
Hali Vaye
Jul 1, 2017