This is my experience with Warranty Auto. I inquired about a Honda Element which I saw on the lot, but not advertised on their website. Jerry (owner) quoted me a price in the $9000 range and said it comes with "snows". I went to test drive the car and take it to my mechanic. Kevin (sales manager) said, "no, we will do necessary repairs, if needed, here." (first red flag). As we were moving forward with the purchase, I asked about the current tires on the car. They looked like they had good tread, however Kevin said he didn't know much about tires. Imagine that coming from a used car salesman. He neglected to tell me they were summer tires. He knew that, but never mentioned the "snows" that Jerry had. I asked about a tune up, fluids flushed, etc...things that a reputable and honest dealership would do for a customer. Kevin said those will be done. In their ad, it states, the car will be fully maintained and detailed...BS!!!! They gave me a car, AS IS. It had only one key, so I asked if I could get a 2nd and Jerry said they would do it. I never got it (paid $90 to get it elsewhere). They wouldn't even reprogram the radio. I had to get the code from a Honda dealership and do it myself. Not knowing the car had summer tires, the ride was bouncy. I went back and inquired about that issue as well as the engine light. I asked if I could get an alignment done as the car was swaying. Jerry said "yes, we can do that". A lot of their work is sourced out. He pointed down Lawrence Ave. East. But sadly, that never materialized. He never mentioned the summer tires. A nearby auto shop came up in a conversation between Kevin and I, and he trash talked the place to me. When I asked one of the mechanics where they take the cars for an alignment, he pointed in the other direction and told me they used the same auto shop that Kevin just trash talked. The same mechanic came out with his oxygen sensor to determine the engine light issue. He said it was likely a minor issue, and Jerry said that too.....knowing full well that there was a huge issue. I took it to MY mechanic, and using his sensor, he said "it's toast, there is no minor issue here, you need a new catalytic converter". Warranty knew this all along, however they did fix it at a cost of $450. Prior to this, Kevin said all the car needs is a brake job, which they did as part of the safety. The brakes squealed like hell. Kevin said "you got a $900 brake job, give it time to settle". I'm sorry, but when you get a proper brake job, they are not supposed to squeak!! Again I went back, Jerry said they'd redo the back pads. The squealing stopped, however when I took my car to my mechanic, he said one of the pads was down to a thread. He said low quality parts were used. So I went back to Warranty and they replaced the pad for $67. I was having a tough time in the snow. Thought these were all season tires, but as I mentioned, they were summer tires! They never said a damn thing!
Cha-ching, I paid $1000 for proper tires at my mechanic. Recently I took the car in for a tune up at my mechanic. He said you need new spark plugs, a steering, tranny and coolant flush. He said there is NO WAY these were done when I purchased the car, like Kevin said they would be. Cha-ching, $600. My mechanic said the plugs were a weird shade of black and the fluids were maybe changed 100,000 km's ago. For an entire year I was driving with dirty, old fluids. Likely the oil change I requested, wasn't done either.
I find it hard to believe all these so-called good reviews on their website. I seriously believe they pay people to write "good" reviews. Read 'em, they all sound the same. I had one of the worst experiences buying a vehicle from this dishonest establishment. They are not transparent and will LIE, LIE, LIE to you. I would NEVER EVER recommend this place. However if you are desperate and want a car from these dishonest people take the car to a reputable and honest mechanic for a thorough inspection. read more
