Carriage Shop-Autobody Works

Great experience, very honest professional peopleIt was a Pleasure doing business with these guys

Review: I bought a used car from this dealership about 4-5 months ago. They told me that it had new struts and I was to receive a full tank a gas with it. When I drove the car off the lot I had a quarter tank of gas. 2 days later then struts where rubbing together and making a squeaking sound. About a few weeks later I went to open the hood and it was wired shut. I was a little upset with this because the dealer said it "past the safety test" when at any time that hood could of came unwired and few up and blocked my vision and I could of crashed and had an accident. Recently my car began to raddle in the engine area. I lifted the hood and realized I had no oil (the check oil light never came on) so I went and got oil put in it. The raddling got worse. The car then died and was un drivable. I took it to my shop and they said there was metal in my engine and it was done, also a piston shot thru the engine. I haven't had this car for 6 months and only put 7,000 on it and its already costing me 1,100 for a new engine and probably alot more to get the struts fixed. I am not happy bout this because the company said there's nothing they can do about it.

Product_Or_Service: Car

Order_Number: N/A

Account_Number: N/A

Desired Settlement: I would like them to either pay for the cost of all repairs or give me a new car that cost as much as I paid for the car, and also the repair amounts

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2013/04/23) */

Dear Revdex.com. This referenced complaint occurred approximately 5 months after the purchase date last year of 11/2/12.The 2002 Toyota had 130,347 miles on the odometer.The complainant called me a few weeks back stating that he drove the car approximately 7,000 miles, between Boston,and NY with no issues.He also stated that he had performed one oil change in a 7,000 mile period. There are many factors which could have led to what happened; whomever changed the oil, may have neglected something i.e. oil plug, faulty oil filter,leading to this circumstance; He could've driven over something damaging the oil pan, causing the vehicle to lose oil; there are many possibilities, since we originally performed the oil change prior to purchase, the car was checked over in perfect running order,and this happened approximately 7,000 miles later. He also stated over the phone conversation, that after the car shut down, he managed to start it again, and drive it a short distance where it later would not start, which probably caused the final damage which may have been prevented if he hadn't re-started and driven.In reference to the hood-latch, upon delivery of the vehicle, the hood was in fact shut properly. There were in fact remnants of a wire down by the lower radiator support, because I recall seeing it when the car was on the lift; it wasn't connected to anything, it was NOT connected to the hood, it was not wired shut.The hood was snug, and tight as it should be, because when the car came back from it's safety inspection, and personally washed for delivery by me, if it was ajar, we certainly would've corrected it immediately, as we have access to a body shop, and a hood latch is very inexpensive (around $40) it is further false that was "wired shut" because if it was, the hood would still vibrate and have a noticeable gap which would be obvious when he picked up the car; he did not tell me the hood did not close properly until a few weeks after. And what he said about that is not true. The reason I heard about the latch subsequently being faulty, was the fact that the complainant alerted me of this when he opened the hood a few weeks later, last year in November and had trouble closing it. He had a bullying, response to this which made me upset because this is not how we run a business,and it could've easily been corrected immediately. After this, I contacted a local Toyota dealer, priced out a brand new Toyota hood latch, approximately $40, had it ready to ship, and never again heard from him until recently. He also discussed to me how he found a new hood latch for "only $20", had it installed and since has been fine, rather than contacting me to cancel the order of my more expensive latch. As far as the vehicle inspection goes, I can furnish receipts from Firestone prior to sale showing such work done: Fresh oil change, four brand new tires, new window regulator. And receipts showing installation of 2 new front struts, strut bushings, brake inspection,and sway bar links, also he signed the applicable Connecticut K326 inspection form. This, upon delivery was an inexpensive 130,000 mile 10 year old quality Toyota Corolla that ran very well. I personally drove it over 100 miles when it came in, because that's another step to make sure a car is fit for the lot.I am not sure what happened throughout the 7,000 miles of driving. At the time of the sale, the car was completely set up to meet or exceed Connecticut standards of an "AS-IS" used vehicle. Connecticut Used Car Law states that any used car that is older than 6 years, is sold "as-is" with no implied warranties. I also stated to him, when he notified me of of the issue, I couldn't pay for it because it was As-IS, and he put a decent amount of mileage on the vehicle over a period of over 5 months, and that I would gladly have the vehicle brought to my shop, find a quality used motor, and extend my savings of 50% wholesale parts and labor to him, to remedy his problem, so he wouldn't be taken advantage of or pay a lot of money. He never took advantage of this because I never heard back. I fell this shows a degree of integrity on an as-is vehicle he purchased last November, drove 7,000 miles, and had the oil changed, and driving habits which again could have led to these circumstances. At this shop, we sell many vehicles a year to many repeat, happy customers. There are only 2 or 3 inexpensive vehicles on the lot like this, which we completely go through, as I did this Toyota, and find it disheartening that he would insult our integrity, when I was willing to offer my savings to him and help him. I also allow customers the chance to take a vehicle to a person's private mechanic, prior to purchase, and also offer aftermarket warranties, which we sell at cost, not making profit, so people who purchase warrantied or as-is vehicles have peace of mind. I'd like to also add, that during the purchase of the car one of his family members implied that he "is hard on cars." I don't know if this means anything but would like to express that. Thank you for your time in hearing my side of the story, because I go above and beyond to sell a quality car, and truly believe this Toyota was completely set up properly, with the work performed, and was in 100% perfect running condition at time of sale. Please take into consideration all of this. Thank you sincerely for your cooperation in this matter.