BEWARE OF CAR LUX -- VERY DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE
We found a 2014 Cadillac SRX Luxury Edition advertised by Car Lux for $13,999, with 7.1% financing for 72 months at approximately $222/month for a FICO under 750. My FICO is close to 800. Before driving approximately 1 1/2 hours, we completed a pre-loan qualification application directly through Car Lux's website and made an appointment. We were also promised the vehicle would be cleaned and gassed up.
When we arrived, the vehicle was dirty, not gassed up, missing a floor mat, and had additional damage/condition issues that were not disclosed. We were told the price was nonnegotiable.
The biggest issue was financing. We were told that because it was a 2014, the finance companies they use would only finance it for 48 months, despite Car Lux advertising 72 months at 7.1%. I subsequently confirmed that my banks and credit union were willing to offer substantially better terms, including up to 75 months.
Even more concerning, after we left, Car Lux changed the online advertisement and removed/modified the financing and payment information we had originally seen. Fortunately, we captured screenshots of the original advertisement before it was changed.
There was also confusion regarding our online financing application. We were told by Mo that we needed to complete another application onsite because the first application was supposedly "not us" and had been sent to the wrong place. We submitted it through Car Lux's own website, so that explanation was extremely concerning. We are formally requesting that all personal and financial information we provided be deleted/destroyed to the extent permitted by law, and that Car Lux identify where our original application went and who received our information.
After driving 1 1/2 hours each way, this was an absolute waste of our time and a very frustrating experience. The vehicle condition, financing terms, and subsequent change to the online advertisement left us feeling that the advertised deal was very different from what was actually presented.
SAVE SCREENSHOTS of every advertisement, get the complete out-the-door price and financing terms in writing, and verify everything before making a long drive.
We walked away and cannot recommend Car Lux. Proceed with extreme caution. This is your typical BAIT AND SWITCH AND WE ARE FILING WITH APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. I intend to submit complaints to the appropriate regulatory and consumer-protection agencies, including the California DMV Investigations Division, California Attorney General, and Federal Trade Commission, so that the advertising and financing practices involved can be reviewed. read more