Complaint Review: kars 4 kids

To put some people's minds at ease… I obtained a 91 Lexus LS400, Kbb value $1500 or so, from auction, that had been donated to Kars4Kids. I paid $225, and a buyers fee of $165 which made the total price $390. So, when they give you a receipt that is very low, it's probably accurate.

However, the very bad to report to those of you who have given your cars to this organization….

The reason I attempted this purchase is, i lost my house to foreclosure, I was laid off after medical leave, I have gone through my savings paying copays, and now I am homeless, seeing as I don't have retirement since I worked for small owner companies for 22 years. Even though yes, I was into computers, they were nurses and they didn't have a lot to pay. Certainly no retirement capability.

So now, not only did someone give a car to this fraudulent place, I also am out the only money I had, to try and purchase a vehicle so I wasn't living 'on the street' and instead would be in a car. I wanted a van, but they were all too expensive. All of the Lexuses were going for so little I figured with the backseat it would probably work and be at least relatively comfortable. But, safe is also a very important factor since I need to drive to and from medical appointments.

So, the bad:

Misuse 1: I received all the previous owners information. The title was not in Kars4Kids 'name'. I have no reason to use this information, however someone else who knows this person was so generous and in a similar situation might actually think they were a mark for being so 'nice' and also being able to donate a car. Especially a Lexus.

Misuse 2: The car was nightmarishly dangerous. First the struts were so bad that once on the freeway it literally wanted to switch lanes, even though I was well within the speed limit (actually five to ten miles under the speed limit, which in itself isn't very safe.)

The brake lights which were working well, ended up going out halfway through the drive home. Thankfully I had a driver drafting me to insure my safe return home. After all, at an auction one doesn't know precisely what might be up with the car, especially since the auction place wouldn't allow under hood checks, or listening to the engine pre auction. (Which I didn't know at the time.) I did insure there was water and oil in the engine, as well as gas before I left. All just smart precautions to take.

When I finally got home, fairly shaken, the car had locked me in! Not even my drafting driver could get me out initially. Which caused an anxiety attack because I was already shaken, and with the way the vehicle handled I could picture an accident, and then I couldn't have gotten out, on the freeway! That could have easily been my death. Which would have orphaned three children.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, I went to get my purse from the car after having calmed down and the lock had engaged again. It constantly locks, no matter what. And, you can't get out of the drivers side at all without opening it from the outside!

This car, should have been scrapped or sold as pieces parts, never, ever should it have gone to auction.

Oh, and the next day, the check engine light came on. That was today.

So, not only did I use the money I had to purchase a vehicle, I will probably have to take a loss and give it to a junk yard, because it's too old to sell to them.

Misuse 3: They were given a vehicle which by rights was unsafe to sale, and sold it anyways, therefore they received both a vehicle from a kind soul and money from me, instead of a wrecking yard, or someone who wanted parts for their 91 Lexus. :/ I am out, but they had a win win. Seriously I am so depressed I am crying right now.

I did write to them to insure they knew what a catastrophe they sent off to market. I do slightly think the person who donated it should have probably been the one to send it to the junk yard. But, there are many people who can't part out a vehicle. I am one. Parting out vehicles is often far more cost effective than selling them. But, I have no where to part it out. The person who donated it probably didn't wish to bother.

Thanks for letting me vent. Though, please, don't donate cars to this company. For your own personal information safety and for the fact that they aren't what they say they are and then they don't do proper safety checks to insure the vehicles they sale at auctions are truly safe.