I purchased a 2010 Pontiac Vibe from Garza Motors on 6/12/2020. Mr. Bob Dittel, representing Car Buyer's Advocate Service, and I dealt with Mr. Victor Garza for this purchase. Mr. Garza explained that the vehicle previously had a salvage title, that Garza Motors had made all the repairs necessary to convert the title to "prior salvage," and that the State of Minnesota had performed all required inspections and granted all the applicable approvals.
When Mr. Dittel and I test drove the vehicle, there was a rattle in the steering column that Mr. Garza claimed neither he nor his mechanics had noticed. It was actually very obvious. He said he would fix that and he did. He assured us that the suspension and everything underneath the vehicle was fine.
On August 20, 2020, when the vehicle was due for an oil change I took it to a repair shop that I have used for a few years and trust. I was interested in possibly having the coolant flushed, an alignment done, and any minor services that they felt the vehicle needed performed. They offered to do their standard vehicle inspection for $125.00, which I thought was very reasonable.
Their findings are summarized on the attached invoice. The service advisor asked me where I had purchased the vehicle and I told her. Without me even asking, she called Garza Motors and talked to Mr. Garza, explaining what they found and trying to understand how a vehicle could be sold with these problems. She said Mr. Garza told her that he out-sources his maintenance and apparently claimed he was not aware of these structural issues, which I find very hard to believe. The service advisor said that Mr. Garza told her he would take care of these problems.
I sent an email to Mr. Garza along with the repair shop's invoice, but received no response. I sent a follow-up email on August 31, 2020, requesting that Mr. Garza respond and, again, he did not.
Bob Dittel contacted Mr. Garza and was also told that Garza Motors would take care of these repairs.
I still have not received a title or license plates. The temporary registration expired July 12, 2020.
The deficiencies in the vehicle's condition should have been clearly obvious to someone in the business of buying and selling vehicles and should have been disclosed by Mr. Garza. I doubt this vehicle would quality for a "prior salvage" title given its condition. If Mr. Garza refuses to make things right by making the repairs necessary to ensure the vehicle is safe and able to be maintained, I expect him to take the vehicle back and refund the money I paid him. read more
