RIPOFF REPORT!!! Do not trust the backpacker car company SIDINES. Sid and Ines may seem like they are fun people who "get" backpackers but they are not. They are con artists and will make whatever false promises they need to in order to make a sale. Short story: Sid agreed to refund us for a $250 repair (broken back door handle) multiple times then after a month of avoiding phone calls Ines finally replies "sorry we aren't going to do that". Beyond that their trusted mechanic, West Motors, issued a fresh WOF illegally for a car that should not have passed due to a cracked exhaust manifold and broken windshield. This is an additional $1300 worth of repairs which they refuse to address. Long story: Once arriving in Auckland we met with Sid and Ines on their lot and found a beautiful looking van. We were assured that all vans go through a rigorous testing process done by their trusted mechanic West Motors to ensure any and all problems are fixed. Sounds great! On the surface there is a broken back door handle, a broken wiper, and a broken window. We are promised these will be fixed and our car will be ready 3 days later. 5 days later we finally get the car but unfortunately West Motors could not source the door handle because it is hard to find. Unfortunate but no big deal considering they promise the door handle will come in within a week tops. After a lovely road trip to the northland which we find out the rear wiper wasn't in fact fixed and also notice a strange light coming on we arrive back in Auckland to be told that it will be 1-2 more weeks tops for the door handle. As annoying as it is to not be able to access the kitchen in your home, fine whatever. Sid seems like a nice guy and cooks us a meal and shares beers with us. 2 weeks later no sign of door handle. We find out that strange light indicates a leak to the radiator so we return to their trusted mechanic West Motors to have them take a look at it. They tell us it is a major crack and that it will be a $700 fix. They also have no memory of ever trying to fix a rear wiper and don't know what door handle I'm talking about. I speak with Sid and he is his usual charismatic self. He has his best people on that handle and they are looking as far as Queenstown for it. Problem is we have to leave within 4 days for work. We are assured that the radiator will be fixed and that if they can't find a door handle we will be reimbursed in full if we can source one. Fine. 4 days later we pick up the car, Sid tells us all is fixed and sorry mate but no door handle but find one yourself and you'll get the money for it! 2 hour drive later and the radiator light turns on. We call West Motors but they have no recollection of fixing a radiator. I call Ines and in an aggressive tone she tells me West Motors is the best and they said there was no problem. Guess what, there was. One week later we go to a mechanic in a town of 4000 people and within 5 minutes they have sourced the door handle and it is on the way. We pay out of pocket and send the invoice which we are told we would be reimbursed for immediately. This is one month ago. 3 weeks ago we take the car in to check on the radiator before a long drive and there was a leak believe it or not. Beyond that the car has a leak to the exhaust manifold meaning that toxic fumes are leaking through the seat into the cabin into the car every time we drive it and the windshield has too many cracks to pass a WOF. Funny considering the trusted mechanic West Motors issued a fresh WOF the day we arranged to purchase the car. This is $1300 worth of repairs. Upon confronting Sid about this from a different number (he stopped answering mine after requesting money for the door handle) he dismisses the issue and says we will sort it out no problem after the door handle is taken care of. Fast forward to three days ago. After 3 weeks of ignored calls and emails I finally receive a message from Ines saying that they will not pay for the door handle and not even acknowledging the fact that their mechanic West Motors passed a dangerous and illegal car in order to help them make a sale. Sid is a fine guy to have a beer with but not much else, and his word is trash. I appreciate the drinks but I would prefer a working car and the money I am owed. Take your business elsewhere and if for some reason you absolutely must purchase a car from this sham of a business get it inspected by an independent mechanic. read more