Complaint Review: Top Notch Automotive Services

On 9/28/08 I purchased a 1998 used Saturn SL2 from Top Notch Motors for my son. I knew of the owners through my son and my late husband. The car was advertised with a 12 month local parts warranty, used in Arcadia only. I spoke with Melissa before the purchase and inquired about the milage and vehicle. She stated the engine had been replaced with a used Saturn engine that had approximatley 75,000 miles on it, that it had been thoroughly checked and the vehicle was sound. My son and I both test drove the car, and it seemed to be good. Based on the assurance that the car had been compleley checked out, and the warranty, we purchased the car. On the back of the bumper is a sticker that says "Built and Backed by Top Notch Motors'.

Within one week my son noticed the oil light flickering and it was beginning to make clicking or knocking noises. He drove the car 80 miles a day to and from work. He put oil in the vehicle and engine treatment, which seemed to clear up the problem. For a couple of days. The oil light again started to flicker, the car began excessive smoking and knocking. He again added oil. Between the two times he added oil he had put in 4 quarts of oil. He contacted Top Notch Motors and told them of the problem. Melissa said to drop the car off and they would look at it.

On October 10, 2008 my son went to pick the car up and Joey told him he had done a 'seafoam' treatment to the car because the rings might be stuck. If this engine had been checked out, they would have known that in the beginning. Secondly, Joey handed my son a long letter stating that in the time my son owned the car he had driven it 'abusivly by redlining and over revving the engine' causing the rear main seal to leak. He then stated he also test drove the car and found the shifter cable was 'notchy', and that was from customer abuse. He stated he had taken an oil sample and was going to 'send it to his lab' to have it tested to prove his point. He also requested my son drive the car a week, document oil usage and bring it back for another test and possibly 'seafoam' treatment.

On October 16, 2008 I requested my son take it to another dealership and have an estimate done on the condition of the vehicle, as it was still smoking in excess. We then went to Top Notch Motors and showed them what the second dealership had discovered. They later called our son and and were angry we had gotten a second opinion "questioning the word of a 14 year Saturn expert, court appointed to testify in trials' and my son was a 'petty a__h___.' My son told them he would be back to pick up the car, as he did not need to be called names and further insulted. When we got to the dealership I told Melissa I was the one who requested the second opinoin so I guess that made me the 'petty a__h___'. She stated Joey didn't mean it, he was just in a bad mood. I said, his bad mood should not reflect on customers and it was an insult. Joey then came out, and as the conversation continued as to what he would to do repair the car, he kept trying to intice my son into an altercation. He showed us a coca cola bottle with some oil in it, stating it was from our Saturn, and that was to prove his point that there was no water in the oil and it did not have broken rings, possibly a cracked head or a leak in the seals that were stated in our second opinoin. We have no way of knowing where that oil came from. He even tried shutting the door and not letting my son out of his office after I walked out. I opened the door, and stepped in again, telling my son just to leave. Joey followed him out to the car still stating that my son was threatening him all the while getting right up nose to nose with my son, trying to get him angry. He wants us to bring the car back next week to have the seal repaired, at a huge cost, but at this point I am afraid to go there. And I do not want my son to go there without a witness present and I fear as to what may be done to the vehicle. I feel this is totally deception and unethical.

Jackie
Arcadia, Florida
U.S.A.