What started out as a very positive experience has devolved very quickly into a terrible one. We had been looking for a Ford Focus ST for our 17 year old son. We had searched for months and found one at Right Drive. We drove from Columbus OH to Muncie to look at the car. After test driving the car, we noted to Joey that the check engine light was on, to which Joey stated was due to modification to the air intake (this will be very important later) and that the Air Conditioner was not blowing cold air to which he said most likely was due to needing a charge. He repeatedly stated that their cars go through a 21 point inspection before being put on the lot, but he did mention leaving the car to get it charged or if we were interested in looking at a service contract, that could be a solution. After going over the service contract, and even discussing concerns about modifications being covered amongst ourselves front of Joey, we were assured it would meet our needs, Joey even knocked $200 off the car to cover the plans deductible to cover our costs for a repair. We paid $2500 for the service plan and drove home.
Upon getting the car to our mechanic we gave him the service contract information and he got the car up to work on it. He immediately noted that the damage to the AC compressor (see photos)was caused by an impact to that area of the car and the rust at the impact point shows the damage is not new . Not only was there damage to the compressor, but the radiator was also bent and slowly leaking. The mechanic stated that any service technician doing a vehicle inspection should have caught this and it be disclosed, it was not. The check engine light was due to a bad oxygen sensor, not the modifications. Yet another item not actually inspected, apparently. Moreover, when our mechanic contacted Ally, the service contract provider, told him the claim would be denied because the damage existed prior to me taking possession. Also we were told that because of their being modifications to the air intake system, the car wasn't eligible for a service contract and NEVER should have been offered one. A quick BBB search revealed that this is a common complaint with Right Drive. I won't speculate on their business practices, but beware.
Another piece missed during their inspection, was the fact that the car does not have a catalytic converter. It wasn't until 4/24 that we discovered that it is against both State of Indiana and Federal law to sell a vehicle manufactured after 1975 with its Catalytic Converter removed. It's also illegal in the State of Ohio to drive a car on the street without a catalytic converter. This was NEVER disclosed at any point during the sales process either in written or verbal form. I'm not a car guy, I had no idea it was missing nor where I would find it.
We contacted Joey on 4/16. He was out of the office. On 4/17 he started the process of "fixing" this by trying to get an exception on the service contract. No thanks as the contract would cover this repair only and not future repairs . We went back and forth all week when finally we had the car repaired and sent Joey a copy of the bill for $1646.02 for the repair of the AC, Radiator, and O2 Sensor. We requested a refund on the service contract and felt a fair compromise would be to split the cost of the repairs. On 4/24 we were offered $600 and then $655. This is not right. To blatantly withhold defects in the car, including a piece that makes the car illegal to drive on the streets, to gain a sale is unconscionable. To knowingly sell a service contract for $2500 on a vehicle you knew had modifications and would be ineligible is shady and deceptive. To do so on a teenagers first car is just disgusting
All communication has stopped, therefore we are left with a non street legal car and $2500 on a service contract that isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
Buyer beware, these guys will apparently do anything to sell you a car. Ethics be damned read more