Performance Auto Car Needed $3500 in Work After I bought It. Bohemia New York
My father and I purchased a vehicle from this "dealership" in February. We paid almost full asking price, but wanted the car so it was fine. They were to do an NYS Inspection, put new tires on since the tread on existing tires was horrible, and put a new battery in.
I don't live in NY, so my daughter drove the car to Vermont where we live. The car shook the whole time. Took it to a 5 Star Dodge/Chrysler dealership in my area for a VT State Inspection and to look at the shaking issue. We were told that the car wouldn't pass NYS Inspection because of the tie rod ends and one shock was busted. Ok, $1200 worth of work there...plus the inspection.
The car still shook. Took it back in and the engine mounting brackets were broken...seriously? Apparently not something noticed unless they were looking for it specifically. Ok, $770 worth of work there...plus rental. Ugh.
Still shaking!!! Ok, so the dealership locally should have maybe found all this to fix in one shot but that is neither here nor there...the work done NEEDED to be done regardless. Take it back one more time...the "new" tires Performance Auto had put on the car...crap. No name tires that were not round, had flat spots and were a hot mess. Ok, $1100...plus another rental. Oh come on!!!
I have tried to contact Performance Auto tons of time....with no luck. Not a return call or a return email at all. Car $6000 + repairs $3070. Wonderful. And to boot....did not replace battery - there was corrosion on the leads when I got the car.
Oh, one more thing....they said they were going to overnight all the paperwork, after a half a dozen phone calls and three and a half weeks later it showed up.
BEWARE OF THIS DEALERSHIP. Put inspection stickers on cars that wouldn't pass inspection anywhere else. Don't do what they are going to do. Sell dangerous vehicles.
BEWARE OF THIS DEALERSHIP. It's too late to return the car to them...no returns...plus, we have fixed all the problems with the car so it's a good and reliable car now. We just want a refund for all the repairs.
BEWARE OF THIS DEALERSHIP. No customer service.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
14 Months Later
#3Author of original report
Thu, April 21, 2016
It is 14 months after purchasing this car from Performance Auto of Bohemia NY. In July, when I posted the update, things had looked good. We are now over $5000 in repairs since we purchased this car. This does not include regular maintenance type things. I have tried time and time again to contact John...to no avail. I do not want a free car. All I want is either a suitable replacement or a refund of the purchase price.
Maybe time to find a lawyer? Is that even possible?
I am a single mom with three kids...one graduating high school and shipping off to boot camp in less than 9 weeks from now. I cannot afford a car payment at this point but I need a reliable mode of transportation to and from my nursing job that is over an hour away from my home (no, there is no public transportation or closer jobs - I live in the northernmost part of Vermont in an exrtremely rural area).
I just need help!!!
Update for 7/15/15
#3Author of original report
Thu, July 16, 2015
after this report was filed, and one last ditch email to the company, John returned my call. Not only was he willing to look at all my documentation, he researched his own. After that, we agreed upon Performance Auto reimbursing me for all the parts that I had to purchase....which was just shy of half. At least he was willing to work with me and it was so appreciated. If you have any issues at all or want to speak to someone that will really listen to you, he's the guy!! Thanks John!