This was one of the worst car buying experiences I've ever had in my life!…read moreThey "pre/owned used car sales manager" at this location was condescending, arrogant , and or dismissive during every communication.
Two out of the three cars shown to us were filthy; the inside littered with trash and debris.
We decided to go with a recently traded ford escape.
We were very apprehensive about buying a ford and expressed those concerns, verbally and printed recent recalls, most common defects and problems reported from ford escape owners; one being that after 100k miles, the transmission and or engine on the model we were looking at fails.
The sales manager and the original sales person repeatedly promised and assured us that the car would receive a rigorous inspection
Every concern we mentioned received the following " before it leaves our lot , every car is inspected to fullest extent, we will know if something is wrong have it repaired before we take your money"
The car was not cleaned as promised;the windshield had wet wipe streaks, dirt in the cup holders etc.
Not even 24 hours later, the under carriage comes apart from the car.
No apology, or accountability but the bolts they didn't initially put back were installed.
Less than a week later, the car shakes, stalls and turns off at a red light. This issue escalates and becomes so severe we aren't able to put the car in reverse or stop at stop signs without it violently shaking and turning off .
When we call the dealership to report this, the customer service associate says that they do not repair nor will they inspect the car as it's not a Toyota, and to follow the instructions in the extended warranty package we purchased.
After a week and the car becoming a safety hazard, we take it back to the inver grove .
This time, we meet Zack, the new car sales manager, and tell him what's been going on with the car. Unable to back out the parking space and drive 50 ft to the service bay , without the car turning off, he immediately has a conversation with service department and gets us set up with a loaner until our car is, diagnosed and repaired all within 20 min.
The next day we reach out to the original sales person and give him an update and ask that either him or the manager please follow up when they have any news on the car.
After two or three weeks, we started calling for updates. We would call once or twice a week, asking to speak with the manager, leaving messages asking for a call back with an update on next steps.
After two months, we thought it would be our best bet to try to catch the manager in person.
When we finally see him, we asked if he had received any of our calls or been notified about what had been going on with the car.
He said he received our messages, but had been busy, he was aware the car is having some transmission issues and is in the process of being repaired . What else was there to discuss, and or what did we want?
Taken aback from his tone, one of annoyance, I was perplexed that he would acknowledge his lack of communication without an apology or plan of action moving forward.
I expressed our disappointments with the process this far: the lack of communication, missing sense of urgency from him and his team. Our main concern, and reason for wanting to speak with management is to discuss how a failing transmission, that we discovered within 7 days of purchase, was missed during the " rigorous inspection", and what other options were available to us.
His response in no particular order "that's how the car buying process is, these things can't be predicted, they have several good reviews that refute the poor experience I've had ,so he doesn't see where him or his team could improve, they're doing what they can, they can't do anything more for us "
I told him I felt he was being dismissive, flippant , and would he want to or have a loved one be treated this way. he said he had a similar experience and he was fine with it. I
We purchased the car 4/6/2026 and got it back with a refurbished transmission the first week of July.
Since then we have needed an oil change and were told the car needs brakes . Two basic repairs, that should've been done at the time of the original promised inspection , or during any of the 4 months they had it in their possession.
I've had better experiences buying a jalopy in a
Grocery store parking lot.