I am a young mother of a 3 year old baby. My credit score is pretty low due to some debts (my husband lost a job, and got injured at the time) and also short credit history. I am not from this country originally. I am pretty responsible with payments. I never skipped a payment with DriveTime since i had a car.
I purchased a 2000 Nissan Maxima. I only had a car for 7 months, my warranty was only for 3 months. About 2 months ago, I noticed a noise in the engine, when I took it to the repair shop, they told me that my AC compressor went out. It costs $780 dollars to fix it.
I didn't have the money so I postponed that. then a week later, I my check engine light came on. I didn't go to DriveTime, understanding that my car is old and "stuff" happens. The problem was in the transmission. My solenoid pack had to be changed. It was $550 dollars.
Now 2 weeks later, I was driving to work and i noticed my temperature rising. I pulled over and I saw my engine steaming. To make the long story short, the estimate was for new fan, thermostat and radiator for about $800-900 dollars. I don't have that much money to fix the car.
I called DriveTime furious that I have to fix it every month, major repairs. First, Emily customer service manager told me that they can postpone my payments so that I can fix my car. Of course they were not going to take my car back or fix it.
She gave me the number to Los Angeles office and I talked to Don. He promised me that my payments would be postponed and I can put down 40% and pay the rest in installments. Several hours later and calling several other mechnanics, I called Don again, trying to take him up on his word and he totally changed everything.
Now he told me that my payments can't be postponed and he never promised me that. He said they they can offer free towing to their mechanic one way only. When I talked to mechanic, he sounded like he has no idea about anything in my car. He quoted me $650 dollars which can't be true at all, stating that it's all new parts. Give me a break!
I called several people and they told me how expensive the parts for Nissan were! He just wanted to get my business, but if he deals with DriveTime, he is probably just as dishonest as they are. I decided not to fix my car for the time being. I don't have the money nor I don't want to rush into another trap from DriveTime. I'd rather wait and go to an independent mechanic.
In the mean time, I think people who mistreated and lied to at DriveTime, need to report them to their local DMV, investigation department. Just call there and request complaint package. We can pull their business lisence and stop them at tracks.
I will call news, tell them my stories and I am pretty sure a lot of other people would come forward with that. I am not rich to throw my money away! I need to feed my child, I get up at 4am to be at work at 7 am every day. I work hard and I do not appreciate people lying and treating you as a dummy.
By the way, the guy who towed my car asked me if my car was in the accident. He said that there was overpaint in the front, but the report that DriveTime gave me doesn't show any accidents on the car. I am going to ask mechanics to investigate my car for accidents and have it in a written form.
I will do and go at great length to get justice. So DriveTime don't even think, that you can play me dumb just because I am a woman. I know how to do my research, and I will do anything in my power to bring you down!!!
Guzel
van nuys, California
U.S.A.