Usually I wait a few weeks after I make a big purchase, and this is a good example of as to why…read more If this was a star rating, I would rate it a 2.5. The following is the breakdown of my experience with John at Wholesale Motorcars.
On the website, I found a vehicle that was perfect for what I was looking for. A 2005 Buick Terraza minivan with very low mileage. I called periodically throughout the day to check and see if it was there, to no avail. So after I got out of work, I went to take a look at it. John was a very nice guy, easy to chat with. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I took a look around at the van, seemed to be in good shape. Asked him what was wrong with it, if anything, and was told the DVD player did not work. The van needed a jumpstart to get going, but because of the frigid New England temps in the previous week, that was understandable. I asked him what the price of the vehicle was (even though I was very aware it was listed for $4,999.00 on the website). He told me it was listed at $5,999.00. After mentioning I doubted I would have looked it as it was out of my price range, he saw that the $4,999.00 was an internet special.
I made him aware my budget was $5,000.00. After some mouse clicking, he asked if we could make it $5,100.00. Ok, I can pull that off.
The next few days are not noteworthy, the car is paid for, and ready for pickup pending a safety inspection. I expressed sincere flexibility towards that, and returned to pick it up on the upcoming Saturday. (The transaction occurred on Tuesday) There are no key fobs for the vehicle, but John makes me aware that if I purchase them, he will program them. Says that the tires aren't great, but if I want to replace them, he will give them to me at his cost. There is only one key he can find for the vehicle. John makes me aware that "Even though you got the deal of the century, I replaced the brakes as they were just below 50%". Gives me the paperwork, a few coupons for oil changes, and I am on my way. This is when the issues begin arising. When I got in the vehicle, it needed me to give it a little gas to start it up. I assume, after the "safety inspection" that it is due to sitting for a while.
I get back to my parents house to drop my father off, and my mom makes me aware that the same vehicle, from the same place, is on Craigslist for $4,600.00. That was disheartening to say the least, but in retrospect, with taxes and fees, it would have evened out. According to KBB, this is far from the "deal of the century" but is a fair price for sure. I spend the next few hours cleaning the interior.
Over the course of the following week, the following issues arise:
Front tire completely flat, passenger tire half flat (that happened the morning following the purchase of the vehicle). The guy that I brought the car to, to inspect the tires (longtime family friend) told me that under no circumstances should the vehicle have been sold to me with those tires on it, considering they were all full of dryrot. Not to mention, it would have been illegal to sell me the vehicle with less than 50% brake usage left.
The front drivers sideview mirror does not adjust
The windshield wiper fluid line is cracked in the rear of the vehicle, leaking out of the rear center brake light
The drivers side passenger door sticks, and will only open with force, sometimes not at all
The cause (to be determine this weekend) of the vehicle not firing up properly is either the starter or the fuel filter
The radio randomly shuts off and will not power volume on, and the dvd player randomly starts making excessive noise
I did text John to see if he was available for me to stop by to pick up the additional key, and to program the key fobs, to no avail.
Here is the breakdown of the cost of the vehicle:
$4,600.00 per craigslist for the vehicle
$292.10- Sales Tax
$147.00- Registration Fee
$5039.10- Total
In the interest of total disclosure, I am not positive what the dealer conveyance fee was. I am estimating a total cost of approximately $1,500 to bring the vehicle to good working condition, sans the DVD player and radio.
