Eight days after I picked up my car, it chugged to a stop after overheating, leaving me stranded on…read morethe side of the highway with my kids.
In the eight days since buying it, there had been no coolant leaking at my house. I had actually been checking the driveway regularly as part of my new-to-me car routine and had seen nothing.
I used my own CAA membership to have the car towed back to Redline. Their mechanic found the coolant extremely low and had to add a significant amount--about a jug and a half. There was no visible leak while the coolant was being added. To the mechanic's credit, he did not minimize how much coolant the "thirsty car" needed.
Three days later, the situation changed dramatically. While I was at the grocery store, a significant amount of coolant began leaking underneath the vehicle. I have attached the photo I took at the time. By the time we made the approximately five-minute drive home, the car was overheating again.
That leaves me with some serious questions. If the coolant was checked and topped up before I took possession, where did that much coolant go during those first eight days when there was no visible leak? If it was not checked, how long had the vehicle been operating with insufficient coolant before I bought it? I cannot answer either question, and that is precisely the problem.
What also concerned me was the initial response. I was told there was no chance this could cause further issues. Dave, the salesman, told me that low fluid levels can be normal and suggested it could be air in the engine, which "happens and is fine." Interestingly, those explanations were not repeated when I later returned with my boyfriend, who is a mechanic.
My trust in the company at this point is shot, but I want to distinguish that from my opinion of the mechanics. I still question whether something was missed during the inspection or preparation of the vehicle, and they have not been perfect throughout this. However, making a mistake and being dishonest about one are two very different things. I trust the mechanics to be forthcoming about what they find and am comfortable having them diagnose the vehicle.
I also do not want the mechanics or service department to become the scapegoat for my overall experience. They are not the reason this review is as negative as it is. Had the entire situation been handled with the same straightforwardness I have experienced from them, this would be a considerably higher rating.
I bought a used vehicle. I did not expect a perfect vehicle, and mechanical problems can happen. I did expect reasonable confidence that basic fluid levels had been checked before it was handed over to me, and a straightforward response when it broke down eight days after I drove it off their lot.
UPDATE: After my initial negative review was posted, I received an email from the General Manager asking me to remove what he described as my "deceptive reviews" and reminding me that you "get more bees with honey." I have attached the email so readers can see exactly what was said, in context, and draw their own conclusions.
Since then, there has been a positive development. Redline has agreed to collect the vehicle with their own tow truck after all. They were willing to look at it the same day if I could get it there myself last friday, but I have exhausted the towing kilometres available through my CAA membership. They have now offered to collect it on Wednesday if I am willing to wait.
I appreciate them doing that and have agreed to wait. I want this review to reflect positive developments as accurately as the negative ones, and they deserve credit for resolving the towing issue.
That is where things currently stand. I will update this review again once the vehicle has been inspected and I know what they find and how they handle things from here.
