Drivetime - Ugly Duckling Ripoff, Deceitful, harassing employees; $$$$ spent on repairs; Repossession threats; need help Phoenix Arizona
This company is very deceitful! I purchased a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am in 2004 in Phoenix, AZ. The car was to my liking and was affordable. I left the lot and about an hour later noticed that the rear left passenger window would not roll up; completely fell.
On my way home up to Northern AZ, truly excited about my very own car, the engine light turns on and lights start blinking informing me that there was something not right with the cooling system. Lo and behold, there was absolutely NO COOLANT in the car. I was upset but purchased a $15 bottle of antifreeze and went on my merry way.
A month later the brakes went faulty - repaired the rotors, installed new pads ($200+). Minor repair after minor repair came and went after that; I spent $300+ on fuel pump/filter during the 2004 winter season.
In May 2005, the engine blew out. I spent $1500+ on engine replacement, parts and mechanic hours in July 2005. Started driving it again. At this time I received a one month/one time only extension on my payment. Spent another $200 on a power brake booster repair after this.
The car would not stop ruining... gas started leaking from the fuel rail. In November of 2005 I completely gave up on this car that is suppose to take me wherever I needed to go but only took me to mechanics and repair shops. The car sits in my driveway at home.
I stopped payments and asked numerous times for Drivetime to take the car back. I have been harassed numerous times and threatened with paycheck garnishments. I swear several times that these calls that came in I spoke with one person who gave me three different names (Sorayda, Katherine and Maria). I was so frustrated... at one point I agreed to take the vehicle in for repairs to their shop and get help from the finance department.
I tried to find a trailer and truck to tow my car in but could not find anyone to haul it for me. They called again and again asking me for payment; throwing their garnishment and "your credit will be ruined forever" threats. I have spoken with about 6 or 7 different "representatives" and asked nicely if I could only speak with one person. But I was told that that was not possible.
The last phone call I received was while I was at work (no personal calls) and I told the lady frankly that I am not paying for a worthless car and for them to pick up the car regardless of what they will charge me ($500-1000). Over and over I heard "do you understand that this will happen, blah, blah, blah", "don't you see, blah, blah, blah".
I was so over it and told her "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I DO NOT WANT YOUR CAR AND IT IS MY CHOICE NOT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT EVEN WORTH PAYING FOR!" She then told me that I will not be able to finance another vehicle anywhere and that I will be responsible for the full amount of the car. I did understand and told her again to pick up the car. So I am waiting and so is that poor car.
In conclusion, we have all been duped by Drivetime and its 52 point inspections. It is time that all is known about this company and its 52+ crooked ways. I did not know there were many people out there that have been deceived.
Proudly I can say I now have a beautiful 4x4 truck that is well conditioned and maintained by myself and have had it since two weeks after my car broke down in November 2005; it's backed by a 36,000 mile warranty and the company provides me with a discount card on lube and parts; and I know that I can drive safely and comfortably and not worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
Dani
Navajo Reservation, Arizona
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Donna
Universal City,Texas,
U.S.A.
Totally Different Experience with Drivetime
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, March 14, 2006
On January 14, 2006 I bought a 2003 Ford Mustang from Drivetime at the Live Oak, TX location. I found their staff to be very professional. This was and is my dream car, one that I thought I would never be able to own. Especially after going through a seperation/pending divorce with ruined credit.
I understood when I bought the car I would be paying insane amounts of finance charges etc. This is the price anyone pays to rebuild their credit. It is just the way it is. I also understood that by the time I finish paying for the car I will have paid almost 20,000 dollars for it. But it was worth it to me.
About a week after I bought the car it would not start. I was, of course, very upset. I immediately contacted Drivetime's repair shop and not only did they apologize profusely, they immediately came and towed the car to their repair shop and issued me a rental car through enterprise. It took a while for them to figure out the problem but they kept the car aproximately 13 days.
About 2 weeks later the car repeated the problem. Again, the car was towed and a rental car issued to me. At that time I recieved phone calls not only from the sales manager from the location I bought the car, but also daily reports from the repair shop on the status of my car repair.
When the car was retured to me, again, about a week later, the problem repeated itself. Now, I was extremely angry by this time and made it known. Drivetime again went out of its way to apologize and made a genuine effort to work with me. Another rental was issued to me and again the car was towed. This time they didn't attempt to locate the problem, but sent it instead to a Ford Dealership for diagnostic.
The car was repaired and I have had it for 4 days with no problems. While I am not happy about the fact I have had so many problems with the car, I am very pleased with the response and service I recieved from Drivetime and their associates. But, when Drivetime buys these vehicles they are USED cars, and sometimes, cars just have problems that are not easily known or found.
Drivetime has spent about 2500 dollars repairing my car, and probably 500 dollars on rental cars, and who knows how much on towing. I have never had to pay a dime to repair these problems. I have continued to make my car payments on time and am grateful for the fair way I have been treated.
I will not comment on what you may or should have done in your situation. I can only comment on my own and I am very pleased with the way my problems were handled.