When I bought the car in February, I already knew there were a few minor issues with it. However, it fell into my price range, looks and drives good, and the dealership uses my bank to run all their car loans, so that really helped out. The car? A 1995 Volvo 850 Estate (That's a station wagon). I pointed out a few items on the car while haggling, including the cracked driver's side headlight lens, and they did manage to come down on the car price some for me. Of course, the car still had to pass inspection before I'd be willing to purchase!
It passed. So, I bought it. That was in February. I simply transferred the plates from my old Geo, meaning I had to inspect again now, in July. Two things wrong: A piston in the rear right caliper was stuck (no telling if it'd been stuck a week, or a year), and the crack in the headlight lens, either of which could have stopped the car from passing.
I ordered (and eventually had installed) a new caliper and brake pads, and went straight to Tim's to see about that headlight lens. After all, I wouldn't have bought the car if it'd failed the inspection! Tim said he'd see what they could do about it, and that he'd have his mechanic find the part. I just got the car back from having the caliper and pads put on this morning, and went over to Tim's, to learn that the new headlight arrived this weekend! The mechanic took the car around back, installed the headlight, plus fixed the overstretched mounting spring for the right side front turn signal so it'd stop falling halfway out all the time, and brought the car back to me.
I like my car. And I definitely like the dealer who sold it to me. Minus one star for the inspection station that rubber-stamped the car - how'd they possibly miss that headlight lens? - but that's all. The employees and sales staff are not only friendly and helpful when you're buying a car, but they're still friendly and helpful 5 months later, when it really counts! Next time I buy from a used car dealer, Tim's will be at the top of my list. read more