This was my second experience at a dealership (the first being Larry H Miller Used Cars - which was…read morea horrible experience), fourth time car buying, first time taking out a loan and investing more than $3000 in a car.
I found one within my budget, drove it, and loved it - 2009 Ford Focus with 56,000 miles. It had a salvage title, which I did not know about until I was in the process of purchasing it. The Car Fax showed that the airbags had gone off, leading to the salvage title. I was reassured that everything had been repaired to factory standard (by a third party).
The day after purchase I took it through the car wash and found that it had a small leak by the door. I took it to Chris' Auto Body in Murray to have them replace the rubber trim by the door. As they undid the trim (in front of me), we found that the car frame was partially collapsed and had not been correctly repaired. This car had been in a serious accident, much more than the airbags going off. With the passenger door shut, there was a one inch gap. It should have been sealed completely. If I had been hit while in that vehicle, the car would crumble in a way that would have caused death. This was really upsetting to me because I take care of my grandma and she is often with while I drive.
Upon further inspection we also found that the airbags were still defective. It should have not passed safety (Beehive Auto does their own safety and emissions). I do not trust the mechanics that work at Beehive Auto. The third party that repaired this car did poorly and did not care about the safety of the next owner.
**Before buying a car please take it to a second mechanic and auto body shop for an opinion. Many places will inspect a potential car for free.** I made the mistake of not doing this until afterwards.
I immediately took the car back to Beehive and explained what we had found. (I had the car two days). They didn't seem too concerned about the frame damage, commenting that the body shop was only looking to make money. However, they happily offered to switch it for another vehicle. I found one that I loved even more, but it was also $2,000 more expensive - 2011 Ford Fiesta with 44,000 miles and a clean title. I took it to the mechanic and auto body shop. It was 1000000% better than the last one.
I will never buy a salvaged car again and I highly recommend no one else does either.
Keep in mind that along with the price of the car you will have to pay for the following: Sales Tax (mine was $636.98) Dealer Doc Fee ($399), License and Registration ($72.75), Inspection Fee ($45), Filing Fee ($12), Uniform Fee ($110), and possibly other fees. I did not get the warranty that was offered - but it would have been over $700. The tax and the fees added $1300 to the overall price.
The people that work here are nice. Julio, the dealer that sold me the bad car and let me switch for the better car, was understanding and always answered his cell when I called - even when he was on lunch. This past week I felt like I was always bugging him, but he never once seemed agitated or annoyed with me.
Overall it was one of the most stressful experiences I've ever had, but now that it is all over I am thrilled with my new car. My family also loves it!
No matter where you go to buy a car, make sure you always get two or three more opinions from family, friends, and other professionals before signing away. Dealers are not mechanics or auto body experts. Mechanics are not dealers. In the end you are trusting strangers to sell you a car that will work, not break down, or kill you.