Complaint Review: Mario's Used Cars

I stopped at a Mario's Used Car's location off of Gulf freeway in Houston Texas, after seeing $495 down on every single windshield of every car. I go in to inquire about getting a vehicle for me and my three children. They tell me that not all the vehicles are $495 down.

I think to myself there is no sign that says otherwise, that is false advertisement. So I say okay what can I purchase with $500 down. They show me, i believe a 2003 Kia Rondo. Looked okay, wasn't what I really wanted, but I guess it can do. 

So I say okay I would like to get. Paperwork is done, vehicle is purchased. I get in the vehicle and get ready to go. Radio didnt work but was later fixed. As I'm driving the highway the Kia is shaking tremendously. I make my to Texas City, and stop by a tire shop. Had to have the tire changed because it had wires sticking out. 

I then come home and examining the vehicle more. I pull the seat belt buckles out from being tucked in the seat, and they are broken. My children could not even buckle up. One of the laws to sell a car legally is it has to meet certain regulations to be sold which would be working seat belts. Non working seat belts, which means it was illegal for them to sell me the Kia.

I call the dealer and tell them. He says I have to order the parts and pay for them, I said No they should have been fixed before ever selling the vehicle. He says well you can come up here and we can just take them out of another car. I said you can't do that either, they have to be manufactured for this vehicle.

He goes on to persist he isnt going to fix the seat belts. I mentioned well if I get in a wreck and my kids get hurt then what, he proceeds with not my problem. Not only did the seat belts not work, also the airbags were recalled and didnt work. Another law that has to be passed to sell the vehicle. Thats two laws they have broken. 

Tired of arguing with him and not wanting to put my kids in danger any more, I contact Mario's Used Cars on 411 Spencer Highway. They told me to come to their location and I could just trade the vehicle out. 

I go to that location on Dec 18 2012 to do a trade. They dont let me pick out what I want, they pick out what they want to give me. Weird, I thought car shopping was about what I wanted since I'm paying for it, not to mention they sold me a car illegally, they could get in alot of trouble. 

I test drive it, I tell him I really dont like it, its big, and horrible on gas, $15 every other day, and the air conditioner doesnt work. They persist its a good car, and they would order the compressor for the a.c.  Okay so I decide to trust them again. They make me put another $300 down, which is rediculous, everything says $500 down, plus why should I put more money down, this was yall's mistake not mine. Also gave me a free 3 month bumper to bumper warranty.

I get the vehicle, okay come home to Texas City.  I noticed the second day of driving it, the transmission slips going into second gear, and shakes badly when coming to a stop. I call them and mention this, they state they will get with the mechanic about getting me in to fix these issues. 

I never got a call back. The last couple of days I have noticed some horrible sounds coming from my transmission. When put in reverse to back up, up can hear clink clink, metal noises and it jumpes when I put it into drive. I cant go no more than 40 mph, or it will start making this loud noise and you feel a vibration. I have come to the conclusion the transmission is going out.

In the back seat, the seat belt where my son's car seat goes doesnt lock when buckled, so dangerous, it makes his carseat flip over sometimes. I cant understand why they would sell a vehicle like this. 

I dont know what to do about this company anymore. They obviously wanted to sell me this vehicle for a reason, they knew it was messed up thats why they gave me the 3 month warranty for free, they knew it would have to go into the shop. 

This cars blue book value is no more $5600, yet they want me to pay $12,230. I feel that is a rip off, they are a rip off. I would like for them to just give me all my money that I have given that company so I can just go find a different car somewhere else. I cant trust them, two times they have done that. To ask for my money back or take them to court? Would I win??