Be very careful...

I'd like to tell you all about the nightmare I just went through with the new used car I bought. I got a 00 SS Vert that I have been looking for many months for. It is a GM certified vehicle but that obviously means they certify the price and never look at the car at all. It was bought at a certain dealership in West Hartford, Ct, that has a very good reputation (on New Park Ave, but I wont mention any names...). The day after I picked it up I noticed the tranny was especially hard to shift and 4th ground a little when shifted at any angle and speed. Then I actaully drove it with the top up and heard all kinds of noise coming form the rear end (my bad for not testing it with the top up), and was shocked. I called the dealership and talked to the sales manager and he blew me off. He said all the trannys are different and the noise in the rear was the tires. The 3rd brake light was broken too. So I brought it in and 3 days later they told me everything was fine and they replaced the light. They did nothing for the tranny or rear end. So the next day I went there and got into it with the sales manager again. He said they'd fix it. I said "great, but I didn't buy a certified vehicle to have in the shop for stuff that supposedly had been done before selling it". I never would have bought the car if I thought it hadn't been made like new as the advertising stated on the car. He got angry with me and made a scene so I asked him what a certified vehicle was and if it meant they certified the price before they immediatly put the car on the lot. He was none too happy. So finally after calling the owner of this dealership and 5 others in CT. many times and telling him of the situation I got results. They took the car and in 5 days replaced everything inside the rear end and the transmission. Funny how that tranny was "different" than others but now is the same as my 99 SS was.... I am sad to learn that a certified vehicle means nothing at all except they'll fix whatever YOU find wrong with it. I paid 20g for a car that should not have even been for sale and I feel robbed now. The day I dropped it off, it took them 2 hours to get me a ride home and they actually had to rent me a car for me to get home. I am less than impressed with this dealership and it's a shame because so many told me how good these guys are. It took them 8 days total to make the car right with jobs I have done in 1 day flat not withstanding parts (which can be had in 1 day delivered). I know this is not a long time but the car should have been as it was promised when delivered. I will have a car "certified" by a real mechanic next time before I do anything with a dealer. Sorry to have taken up so much room here but I had to warn you guys. This particular dealer sells Chevys and Hummers too. He has about 15 Vettes there but he won't be selling me one, that's for sure.

im sorry for ur ordeal. i guess i am lucky to not deal with something like that, but i have had issues before about a lien on an old car of mine, which was a pain in the nuts.

anyways, i guess that is why you should always buy an extended warranty. that way you always covered...especially since you spent $20K. it would suck to have your car crap out on you and still making car payments on it. its kinda like insurance.

well, im glad things are better, too bad the dealership had to ruin their rep. with you.

dave

I know exactly what dealership your talking about. Lets just say they did some service for me, and had to replace the part twice. Although i did argue my way to a free new window motor and regulator.