I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel other buyers should know about our experience.
We purchased a 2024 Honda Pilot from EchoPark because we were looking for a great value on a newer vehicle. We keep our vehicles for a long time (our previous cars were 11 and 16 years old), so reliability and proper maintenance were extremely important to us.
Before purchasing, we specifically asked to take the vehicle to the nearby Honda dealership for an independent inspection during our test drive. EchoPark would not allow it. Looking back, that should have been a red flag.
During the test drive, we pointed out a loose roof molding and an unusual noise. Instead of addressing our concerns, we were essentially told they would "just cut it off."
Immediately after purchasing the vehicle, we paid for an inspection at Honda. The inspection found over $2,000 in recommended maintenance and repairs, including a roof molding repair costing more than $700, maintenance items that should have been completed based on the vehicle's mileage, an alignment that should have been performed when new tires were installed, and a faulty second-row seat belt sensor that causes the warning chime to beep intermittently whenever someone sits in that seat.
The buying process itself was also disappointing. We had a scheduled appointment and a written out-the-door price, yet the vehicle wasn't ready when we arrived. EchoPark advertises a quick buying experience, but we spent well over three hours there. We even had to arrange another ride for our children because we weren't finished in time to pick them up from camp.
To make matters worse, they initially tried to charge us more than the written out-the-door price I had received by email. They eventually honored the agreed-upon price, but it should never have been an issue.
The dealership also lacked professionalism. During our purchase, our salesperson repeatedly discussed Kim Kardashian's sex tape--an entirely inappropriate conversation while selling a family vehicle. The waiting area was poorly maintained, with empty refreshments and bathrooms that weren't stocked with paper towels for much of our visit.
Most disappointing has been the lack of customer service after the sale. I emailed EchoPark immediately after receiving Honda's inspection report. My husband has called multiple times. Each time we've been told someone would call us back, and no one ever has.
We chose EchoPark because we believed we were getting a thoroughly inspected vehicle at a fair price. Instead, we've been left with unexpected repair costs, unanswered calls, and a dealership that has shown little interest in standing behind what they sold.
If you're considering purchasing from EchoPark, I strongly recommend paying for an independent inspection before committing to the vehicle--or purchasing from a dealership that allows one. I wish we had. read more