Assisted my girlfriend in her first time buying experience. Shopped for several weeks until we found a car to match the value and style she was looking for. We test drove a 2008 Subaru Impreza with 70,000+ miles. The car seemed well aside from a small noise and low rpm and idol. We went though the credit union to inquire about financing, and upon approval, contacted to the owner to let him know our interests and concerns. Said we'd be willing to make an offer, but a noise we heard concerned us. He assured he'd have it looked at and fixed by the time we went to test drive a second time. Went back to Colberts the next day and the noise appeared fixed (stated it was a heat shield). We purchased the car and had a near full week of no noise. On the 6th day, the noise returned. It was about 10 days later that we took it to another mechanic who showed us what the noise we heard was. The direct fit exhaust connection to the muffler was completely and visibly rusted through and not even attached. The mechanic said it was odd on a car with so few miles and it likely should not have passed inspection (less than 1000 miles earlier). I reached out to the owner at Colberts, referred me to his mechanic to look at the issue to end any "speculation". I instead drove it to Colberts and showed Charlie (employee) the exhaust and where it had rusted apart. Charles was very helpful and said his guy would take care of it. He called Adam at their go to repair shop and explained the "rattling" they worked on was "figured out" and it was actually the exhaust connection. He made an appointment for me to go see them mechanic so I left Colberts and went straight there. Showed the mechanic the issue, and he quoted me $65 (after initially saying it would need to go to an exhaust shop) to cut and sleeve the connection to stop the exhaust leak. I spoke with Charlie at Colberts and he told me that he would meet me half way, but that the owner wouldn't offer to pay for anything. I asked to speak with the owner, and sure enough, any previous offer of help was immediately taken off the table. With a heavy heart and little hope, I explained the situation to the owner over the phone from the parking lot of his mechanic. I was met with much aggression and raised voices, not once able to finish a point before I was interrupted despite listening to countless uninterrupted excuses of why he wasn't liable. When i finally got to explain the the noise I heard (and raised concerns with prior to buying) was agreed by Charlie (employee) to be the same noise we were currently hearing cause by an exhaust rusted in two, he shot it down immediately saying I was falsely making claims. I begged him to understand that I wasn't trying to swindle him or misinterpreted the facts. To which he implied that he couldn't help me this time because "Id expect him to help next time something went wrong". After several attempts to state my experience and being interrupted, he did finally ask almost rhetorically "what do you want me to do?" I began to ask for help with the situation that wasn't a temporary band aid and wouldn't hinder me replacing a direct fit muffler (which would obviously need replacing very soon), I was cut off as soon as I said "help" with "THATS WHAT I OFFERED YOU!" Resorting back to implying I was manipulating facts and making false accusations, I told the owner that I would drive by the dealer and show him the part personally. I was told there was no need and that I was not welcome there anymore. Continuing to accuse me of dropping false facts, I then revealed to the owner that I had no reason to lie and that he could listen to the personal conversation I had with Charlie because I had recorded it. He simply stated he wouldn't say another word to me again and hung up. VERY heartbreaking experience for my girlfriend and I. I have pictures/videos of the exhaust with the 30day tag still on, recordings of the conversation I had the only time I was allowed on the property to explain and will be getting written statements from independent mechanics.
Please be careful, and shop smarter than we did. read more