Complaint Review: Memorial Auto Central - Adam Karol - Houston Texas

We bought a 1995 Lexus SC300 from this dealer off eBay. The dealer advertised the car was in excellent condition. Adam (dealer and salesman) personally told me the car was in excellent condition when I called, he said that everything worked on the car and it was a great car for our 16yr old daughter. Accordingly we paid fair market value for the car (kelley blue book) in excellent condition.

When it arrived from the shipper, the transporter Larry Arnold said, "I guess Adam told you the master cyclinder was shot and to be careful the car has very little brakes" to which I replied "NO". Then he gave me the keys and the bill of lading and vehicle condition report. The paint and exterior of the car was not the excellent condition Adam advertised and reported to us over the phone. There are over 21 cracks, dents, scratchs, chip marks on the car.

We took the Lexus to our mechanic for an over all servicing, and to repair the master cylinder ($400). The mechanic advised us that the spark plugs were filled with oil and the valve cover gaskets needed replacing, both rear tires were bald, the trunk lid needed a new hydrolic arm, the air conditioner condenser needs replacing (won't hold a charge of refrigerant - $1200.00 to fix), the electronics in the dash don't work (no tach or speedometer - all of this will have to be done at a Lexus dealership/repair center who knows what that could end up costing!), the engine is leaking oil from the valve covers (repaired at $400) and the rear and main seals need replaced (estimate to fix is over $1500.00). The transmission is also leaking from the rear main seal ($800.). We have already put $1253.00 into the car and it needs another $3000.00 to be safely operable for our daughter to drive.

The rear interior back seats along the head rests are ripped with 3 & 5 inch gashes in them. Adam stated the rear interior was in "excellent" condition. We have no idea how much this will cost to repair.

We have tried to work with Adam at Memorial Auto Central but he has not kept his word in contacting us. We contacted him on three seperate occasions. Adam later called back to argue with my husband about the car and offered to take it back at our expense with no reimbursement to the work we had already performed on Monday April 28th 2008. He stated during that phone call that he would send my husband a fax stating that if "we didn't leave any negative feedback on eBay he would reimburse us $800.00". We were to sign the fax and return it to him and he would send us the money. He did not follow through in contacting my husband on the 29th and now he avoids my husbands phone calls and if he answers says he is busy and will call back but doesn't.

I have spoken with other eBay consumers who related to me that had similar problems. We have filed a complaint with the BBB, the Texas DMV Enforcement Division Used Car Dealers.

We filed a report with eBay's VPPP (Vehicle Purchase Protection Plan) They have asked Adam to take the car back, at this point there are too many problems with the car to fix. He refuses since we left him "negative" feedback on eBay.

We are now locating attorneys to file a civil suit.

Kd of oklahoma

Edmond, Oklahoma

U.S.A.