At first, my experience was very pleasant while there. Great interaction, felt I was being listened to, concerns addressed. I said I was very wary of dealing with a lemon. I was told about the company's reputation, how every vehicle is inspected, etc. Test drive, everything was great: ac, brakes, engine start up, smooth quiet ride, no warning lights... Casual conversation, joking around, laughs all put me at ease as I was nervous - and a novice - attempting first solo purchase. I was so happy when, as a person who's working on her not so great credit, was approved for financing! My time at the dealership was smooth, even sitting with the finance manager. Everything seemed perfect. I was in disbelief, part of me kept thinking it's too good to be true... I don't remember discussing or being offered an extended warranty; vehicle is "as is" and "no warranty". Again, in the excitement, I don't remember anything re: extended warranty. Before the car was released to me, I was told the oil light had come on. They checked it out, it was the sensor. Put a new one on. Car keys handed over. That was a Tuesday. Same week, on Saturday, 4 days later: coolant light comes on, ac starts blowing warm air, oil light comes on, engine light comes on. Those lights do eventually go away at next car start up same day. But now the engine light is on.. I'm thinking it's coolant, ac is still blowing warm/hot. Nope not coolant or oil, there's enough a family member tells me on Sunday. Monday, same - warm ac (I only turn it on to see, but turn it off because what's the point) and engine light is on. I go to my appointment. I get done an hour later and turn the ignition. Now I get a message "Engine fault service now". Sunday I emailed the rep everything that had happened up to that point as they weren't open. He did email me back on Monday. I got in touch with him shortly after the newest message and was going to head over there. At one point, with the message, the car wouldn't turn on, but one more try it did. New to car buying, a novice, and new in town, I was scared and did my best to focus on the road not the situation. I was told to bring it to autonation ford because they can better do a diagnostic. That made me wonder and ask, if autonation honda couldn't do an exact diagnostic of the current issues, how could they have done so at the time of car sale or to prepare it for sale? Even with the car waiting to pull up under the service area, autonation ford couldn't put into drive at one point because of the engine fault message. The guy at autonation honda kept saying it's as is. He did later say he spoke with his manager and they're going to see what they can do (imagine my expression). The vehicle is awaiting diagnostic and I'm told it'll take weeks. So I'm without a much needed vehicle. I recently moved into town. I don't have the funds for major fixes. I don't know what happened or even when I'll get the vehicle back if I can even afford to. At this point, I feel like being new (and as it says what happens to women at dealerships) my lack of knowledge had me taken advantage of. I am hurt and disappointed. From Tuesday to Monday, I had only put 36 miles on the vehicle. Thirty-six in 6 days and this happened. This is a present situation and I don't know how it can be rectified, if at all. This is my honest account of what's happened and review. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, this is mine.
Trina J.
Sep 14, 2021
