We traded our vehicle with one from Genuine Motorcars. Their ad indicated that their vehicle was…read more"certified" and in excellent condition. We dealt with the owner, Jim DiGuiseppe, who also assured us that their vehicle was inspected and there were absolutely no issues with it! Being out of state, we purchased their vehicle based their assurances - a big mistake!
Before shipping our trade vehicle to them, we had it detailed, filled the gas tank, and included all the receipts and documents with our car. However, they didn't even put enough fuel in their car so we could drive it to a gas station after picking it up! On the way to get fuel, the car died due to lack of fuel, stranding us!
The owner told us that he had a buyer for our car and we agreed to the trade at over $40,000 loss. Upon receiving our vehicle, it was listed on the dealer's site for sale at $10,000 over what was given to us in trade! A total misrepresentation! Regardless, we hope that they'll be able to profit from selling our vehicle.
We immediately noticed many issues with the vehicle: altered and inoperative speedometer, missing keys, missing the wind deflector and missing battery charger. Old engine oil, broken dipstick neck, clogged air filters, bald tires, damaged wheels, severe shakes, numerous rattles, and etc. We brought all these to the owner's (Jim DiGuiseppe) attention immediately. He promised that he would look for the missing keys, but he never provided them! Later, he refused to accept any responsibility claiming that he sold the car "AS IS"! He also accused us with trying to coerce him to compensate us in exchange for a good review! All we asked him was if he would cover some of the unexpected and hidden repairs so we wouldn't include them in this review. Photos of the speedometer and the tire attached.
So far we have spent over $4,300 and anticipate to spend another almost $16,000, totaling over $20,000 on the car that the dealership and the owner, Jim DiGuiseppe, claimed to be certified and in perfect condition!
We are planning to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Dealer Services. No dealership should be able to sell a vehicle with dangerous and unsafe tires and altered speedometer, among other issues!
These are what we have spent so far on their supposedly perfect vehicle!
- Replacing the missing keys; $ $1,752.
- Repairing 3 wheels; $ 420.
- Balancing the wheels $88.
- Tires; $757.
- Alignment $250.
- Oil/filter change: $550.
- Air filters: $200.
- Missing battery Charger, $210.
- Battery connector cable: $94.
- Dipstick neck: $18.
Ongoing anticipated repairs and replacements:
- Wind deflector: $8,083.
- Instrument cluster:$6,720, plus $975 labor.
- Checking and correcting door rattles by removing door panels: $800 to $1,200.
- Other possible issues...
To the future buyers from Genuine Motorcars, do not take their words and their ads about the condition of their vehicles!
UPDATE:
The dealer responded that the car was inspected and not an "AS IS" vehicle!, coming with engine and drive train warranty. We had no problem with drivetrain or engine.
If the car was actually inspected, how could they have possibly missed the bald tires and stuck speedometer? We immediately sent the photos of the above to the dealer, but Jim DiGuiseppe's response was that the car was sold "AS IS" and refused to accept any liabilities!
Why would anyone replace good tires and clean engine oil, or repair good wheels, cause rattles, and replace clean air filters? If he actually paid for inspection, he should demand a refund. We have receipts for all these and other repairs and replacements.
Please see the photos we sent him right after the purchase showing a bald tire and the speedometer stuck on 60 mph when the car is parked!
We have purchase many vehicles from out of state. However, we never had any issues with any of them except with our last purchase from this dealership, Genuine Motorcars and the dishonest owner/manager Jim DiGuiseppe.
They clearly sold us a LEMON for over $116,000!