Complaint Review: SouthTowne Hyundai - Riverdale Georgia

July 13^th 2015: purchased vehicle 2012 Mini cooper with a little over 27k miles

July 14^th –July 22^nd: Same vehicle in and out of repair shop for a an undisclosed manufacturer issue

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIMES CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASE: 3 times

This is has been the most unrealistic and horrifying car experience of my life.  The even greater disappointment is that at no point did the dealership or any and/or all parties involve take ownership in this situation.  Before my repeated appeal of the matter, they were in many cases nonchalant, unsupportive, and uncaring.   My experience with South Towne Hyundai is one that I would not wish upon anyone, but from it I learned soo much, and feel it my duty to make this known to the public. 

For any consumer desiring to purchase a vehicle, please steer far away from the dealership entitled SOUTH TOWNE HYUNDAI, located  at 7665 Riverdale GA, 30274.   This is  not just a post from a disgruntle customer but, a warning to ensure what has happened to me and a many others in the past, does not continue to go on in the future. 

On July 13^th 2015 I inquired about purchasing a vehicle that I had saw online.  As it was one that I particularly desired, I ensured that I had done my researched before making the choice to buy.  Unbeknownst to the sales person, they were not my first choice neither were they the first location in which I gotten approved.  Therefore, what looked like an easy sale, was in fact a result of research done beforehand, this included the amount of money I wanted to pay, down payment, possible interests rate, loan life, financing opts and year, make and model of the vehicle.   

South Towne Hyundai only became an option when the previous chosen dealerships no longer had my vehicle of choice. After my inquiry it was confirmed that the vehicle I wanted was still available.  As a result of my research my decision to buy required less time.  I did a test drive to further confirm; it drove to well, asked a few more questions regarding the vehicle’s condition, the response was satisfactory, and soon after I made the choice to buy.  Numbers were arranged, credit was checked, and I was approved.  It didn’t require much money down and had the option to take the vehicle home the same day. It was not my desire to buy that day but, the offer presented an opportunity to save money on my down payment upfront, and therefore I went ahead with it.

After leaving with my purchase and halfway home the engine light comes on. I had recently gotten gas, and my first thought is that my cap was not placed back on correctly.  Before arriving home i pulled over tightened the cap and continued with my travels, the light unfortunately remained on. Shortly after i also noticed that my vehicle began to idle really heavy when at a stop sign or at a light; almost as if it were going to stall.   The next morning as a precaution i took my car to the nearest mini dealership and they disclosed to me that my car was “manufacturer buy back” aka lemon car, and that the issue that i was experiencing was the same issue that initially caused the care to become a labeled as a m.b. b. And it had been previously serviced by three other dealerships with no resolve.   Upon this alarming news, and my lack of knowledge of what a manufacturer buy back was until that moment, I quickly called my sales person at South Towne Dealer. 

As with any deceptive business, my issue was neither resolved nor apologized for, instead the repeated response was that because I signed the contract and the vehicle was purchased “AS IS”, that sadly there was nothing they could do.  This response quickly prompted me to seek out legal counsel, and my heart dropped after discovering more about this business and legal obligation they had towards me regarding the sale of this type of labeled vehicle. 

The good yet unfortunate news is that I was not the only person that South Towne Hyundai has done this to, but several others, some of whom have taken legal actions against them.   In addition the organization had a Legal obligation to disclose this information to me and deliberately chose not to, all for the sake of a sale, and a high commission. 

I have had repeated issues since the day of my purchase and it has only been 9 days since that day.  

I have made several attempts to resolve the issue on my own with the dealer, requesting them to either

BUY MY VEHICLE BACK or Cancel MY CURRENT LOAN, and REWRITE IT FOR A LESSER LOAN LIFE WITH LOWER PAYMENTS. 

After repeatedly making my concerns known to the dealer, with hopes of them making their bad right, The only solution they offered was the option to accept my recent purchase as a TRADE IN, and use it to buy another vehicle from their lot.  This solution as I expressed was not financially wise and would only place further financial strain on my already stressful condition.

As of today my situation is still waiting to be resolved either by my mechanic or through South Towne Hyundai.  I have requested and reached out to the owner of the business with no avail and the organization still takes not ownership in the wrong they did.   It is my hope that you don’t make the same mistakes that I did.   Always ask for Carfaxs, If you don’t have to buy wait till YOU feel like making a purchase, Read everything, and if a mistake still occurs don’t be afraid to seek legal counsel. 

Red Flags:

There were several things I did not pick up on until later that evening after I left the dealer, and this is mainly because I have never encountered such acts and never been the victim of a scam, but there are always warnings, always.

Inflated Vehicle price: The initial price of the vehicle was a little over $14k. The price presented to the lender however was over $20k.

Titled of Purchased vehicle never disclosed:  Instead of the original title I was asked to sign a power of attorney form

Deceptive use of terms/language: finance officer stated I had gap insurance and a warranty included in my purchase. They were not included but instead a tacked on fee which resulted in my inflated purchase price. 

These red flags were not immediately caught by me because I was led to believe that my purchase price and things associated with it all related to my credit.   Although my credit is not exactly perfect it was not the reason for these issues. 

Even as I continue in my battle with this issue, I hope what I have experienced helps someone else.