My husband and I went to purchase a used minivan in the beginning of November. We stopped at the dealership "Discount Auto Inc" and we asked about the prices of two Dodge minivans. They both looked fine on the outside. We decided to come back the next morning to purchase the 97 Dodge Grand Caravan. When we got there the manager swore to us that the minivan had "never been in an accident" and that it was perfect for our family. We concluded the purchase and paid $2250 for the vehicle then I drove to my friend's house to show her my new purchase because I was very excited to finally have a minvan. While there I noticed that the wheel was crooked so I drove back down to my husband's work where we agreed I'd go and have an alignment done. When I went to pep boys to have it done they refused to do the work because they said it was damaged and to take the minivan back to the dealership because I needed to get my money back. I went back up to the dealership to speak with the manager and the manager just so happened to not be there. My husband then came to wait for the manager; I had to leave to pick up my children from the bus stop. They did offer to trade us the other minivan for an additional $400 but I said no due to that it had a New Orleans emissions sticker in the front window that I hadn't noticed until we came back. My husband waited roughly 2 hours for the manager to show up when my husband decided to come home. Surprisingly we got a phone call shortly after my husband came back home that the manager had showed back up. He told my husband that unless it's dangerous there was nothing he could do. His employee's had seen that there was serious damage. We thought there was nothing that we could do about it so we went on. A few weeks later I wanted to stop by a body shop to see how much it would cost to fix the toed in wheel because it just didn't feel right and there was starting to be issues with being able to stop, they expressed exactly how dangerous the condition of the minivan was and that the wheel could break off while I was driving it if I did not have it repaired and that the dealership was not legally allowed to sell a vehicle that was unsafe to drive. So I took it back up to the dealership and had words with the manager. He called the lots owner who then told him to have me take the van to their body shop to have an estimation done. When I showed the guy there he also said that they could not sell a vehicle in that condition. The engine cradle is apparently the break and is causing all the other damage and causing the car to be dangerous and for the tires to toe in. Help we be greatly appreciated. Also at 109 miles after we purchased the minivan the service engine light came on. Not only did he swear that the van had never been in an accident which was untrue he also did not bother to inform us that the car had failed emissions several years in a row.
After trying to get ahold of the manager for several days (of him just happening to not be there) I finally got ahold of him again. He said that the owner was willing to split the cost 50/50 not because they feel as though they are responsible for selling this dangerous car but for customer satisfaction. I have not called them back or had the time to do anything further about this.
In case there are questions on why it has taken me two months to complain on here it is because I have been going through various issues with my family and simply have had other things on my plate as well. If there is anyone out there who could help me I would be glad for any assistance.
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