Sorry this review took many months to put down due to just being busy with the current Covit19 circumstances. This story has a good ending for A2Z Auto Ltd. so read on if you search for a new second hand car.
We needed to replace our Honda Accord 1996 that was 215.000km and in perfect condition. An idiot with a V8 RAM truck had to rip the front off and it was an ICBC write off. 1st accident in my decades of driving, lucky not my fault, ICBC agreed and my photos put his error on the spot wrong lane wrong timing.
We panicked a bit, Covid19 and finding an unplanned and affordable car within days was going to be tough. We saw the car described below his Craigslist ad by A2Z in New Westminster BC Canada.
Matty the manager and his assistant at A2Z were most kind and helpful.
They had a Honda Accord 2007, V6, 3L, full house, black leather and all the factory bells and whistles and more. It had a near perfect body, few minor scratches, good dark gun metal grey blue colour, young and modern looking good for two gay guys with the pension at the now further horizon, thank you Covit19.
Semi low rims, nearly new quality brand tires, just few "declared minor problems" and a very sexy 10" LCD tablet stereo beside the 10000$ more in the shop, were a big plus added to the 186.000 km on the Odometer.Matty honoured the original Craigslist price, even though he had installed the stereo and had forgotten to change the price online and we appreciated and took a test drive.
At the start, a belt was making a terrible noise, he put that on the car standing in the rain for several weeks due to Covit and some spray would help and added a spray and off we drove smoothly for half an hour. Big roads, small roads, speed bumps, tight curves, strong braking etc. You get the picture.
The back window had a very badly applied shade film that he promised to remove and the trunk door would not stay open. So we paid the price 7.2K including taxes and a minimal insurance for some big parts just in case. (I'll come back to that later)The change of plate and ICBC insurance was done on the spot, VERY CONVENIENTLY in another office at the back of his, with a lady who has ICBC representation. It did not take more than half an hour.
So that out of the way, he lent us a nice SUV for one day at no cost and fixed the trunk door (really a hard job as that part needed the entire back seat to come out and removing the bubbly film wasn't a joy neither. The next day we drove home happy new owners of another sexy Honda Accord looking butch and shiny. Before leaving he said "Anything goes wrong let me know,I'll do my best to help go well."Only one day later, the belt noise was back with a vengeance. I must admit the word "lemon" came to our mind. Although I have driven Honda all my life and never had a Honda Lemon. But even rare, it may exist. We took it to our usual maintenance garage "VELOCITY" in Willingdon (a great service garage, if you are looking for one, talk to Byron the owner.) He said, "no big deal, just change the belt," it was done the same day C$350. I texted Matty, who offered and within an hour emailed 1/2 of the price of the bill fixing and part which left us with a smile and raised him in our appreciation. The man keeps his word, a nice thing to know for a car salesman.
Since then, one month later the Alternator gave in. OK, no one knows when that happens, but for the age of that car it was to be taken into consideration. Four hundred dollars later, the same day, that was fixed.
Now know that if you take small insurances like that read the fine lines. You need APPROVAL before fixing the problem. So much for that.I actually like a second hand car to show all its hidden problems a.s.a.p so it can be resolved right away without further worries.
Lately the ball joints squeaked a bit and the garage added some lube and said keep in mind that it is a thing that I need replacing within the next few years, considering the age of the car.
Currently we only drive in town due to Covit, the car is running great and smooth.
So if you need a "new second hand car", we say, honestly, look up A2Z Auto Ltd. online and then in person. I hope they have what you are looking for or ask them and they may find it for you. read more