Complaint Review: Gettel Nissan Gettel Automotive Family Of Dealerships Gettel Supercenter Gettel Hyundai - Sarasota Florida

They saw me coming! I am an older handicapped woman, who thought I was pretty savy about auto rip-offs. These guys were pros. I went to the largest used(and new)auto dealer to trade a beautiful Saturn 2002 LW200 wagon in exceptional condition for a small used SUV. I had researched Hyundai online, and they had a good rep. I wanted only a 'Hyundai Certified Used Car", and an SUV which is easier for me to get in, and higher up for better vision.

Salesman said they 'just' took an '01' in trade, but hadn't been cleaned or inspected yet. I said I wanted to drive it anyway. It was filthty, smelled of urine, had 4 bad tires, a screaming Power Steering pump or unit, problem with engine running very rough(to the point of stalling), no accel power after turning a corner and having to pick up quickly & often a metallic 'clunking' noise upon start up, and a front end that pulled to the right & hit hard in front on small road bumps. These were the 5 issues the saleman promised to have finished before I took delivery. Knowing a bit about cars myself, I thoght all could be corrected, but not at my expense. Sales assured me they would be done.

Salesman told me I could purchase an "extended warranty 12,000 mi/12 mos." for $1600. dollars.(car had 76,000 miles)Said it was "the exact same warranty that came with their new Hyundais", and covered everything "bumper to bumper". NEVER mentioned it was a mechanical failure contract.Shame on me for not reading it at 8:30 at night when everyone was trying to close up, so I said ok and chose the "Gold Plus" level of protection, and was told I could pick up the car the next evening. He said if it wasn't to my liking, I didn't have to take it.

He called me at 7pm that it was ready, and I got there by 8pm(it was dark).

The car sure looked and smelled different, like brand new! I only had a quick ride around the block, and noticed the Power Steering was still screaming, and although better, the engine was still rough, and front end pulling and still hitting hard. He said not to worry and pointed to the "Gold Certified" sticker that was on the window. He said drive it a few days, then come back, and the shop would fix everything. NEVER EVER mentioned there was $100.00 deductible everytime I brought the car in. When I asked him if I needed to call GMAC or make my payment due in 7 days on my trade-in, he said "No we will handle everything, there is plenty of time". He was wrong, and that was another nightmare.

I signed and took the car home. Didn't drive it until the 2nd day, but went to check all the fluids first, just to make sure, as the P/S unit was still very noisy. There was absolutely not a drop of fluid in the reservoir! I though maybe it was an oversight as sales told me they replaced the P/S pump. I thought they just forgot to fill it back up. I called the service manager anyway, and he said they had only replaced a hose, but to keep an eye on it. Sure enough in 2 days it was down again. I filled it up and made an appt. to have it looked at. Unfortunately it was around Christmas, and I was sick for the entire month, but I didn't drive it much either.

Now to try and speed this up, after 5 service visits and 54 days without my car, 4 of the 5 issues were dealt with, although along the way, the steering wheel was put back on upside down, and a tech had a "minor fender bender" backing it out of a bay, so they had to repaint the bumper. The minor charges like bushings, and alignment, and Low and behold a catalytic converter EGR valve were billed internally as they were pre-delivery issues. But almost $1500 for a Power Steering Pump and Rack were billed to my mechanical insurance plan when they should have been paid by the dealer, as they also were supposed to be fixed BEFORE I took delivery, but they were not billed to the dealer. S N E A K Y!

The one last thing that needs to be done is replace the Catalytic Converter, but since it is not covered by the insurance, they are stonewalling me and saying there is nothing wrong, because they can't bill it out. I have had two other mechanics look at the car, the engine exhaust light on dash goes on and off, yet now they won't even talk to me, don't answer my calls or emails, and disappear when I show up in person.

Although it does say in tiny print somewhere on the buy agreement that unless it's in writing it ain't so, shame on me for not seeing that in the 2 minutes I had to read the contract at 8:45PM, but shame on any company who says this and thus gives it's employees free rein to say anything they want. I like the car, and just want it fixed as they promised.

Kathleen

Sarasota, Florida

U.S.A.

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