I leased my MDX from Paragon Acura in 2004 before they established their dealership in the current location. At the time, I received the help of a Honda sales manager who introduced me to an Acura sales consultant and everything seemed fine until I returned to pick up my vehicle a couple of weeks later. They had me waiting in the manager's cubicle for more than 3 hours — we were awaiting financing approval from Honda Credit which was supposed to have been cleared prior to the delivery of the car. The same Honda sales manager and Acura sales consultant ignored me for the first hour or so until I became so furious that they decided to call the financing department to "figure out" what was going on with the paperwork. To my surprise, I was told that I needed to increase my down payment to get favorable terms on the lease. Mind you, I had already put $3500 cash down and knew that I had a good but not great credit rating. They assured me that they would do everything they could to make things work. So there I sat for another hour and in my moment of desperation, I decided to give them more cash. Without a ride back home to Long Island, I knew I needed to drive off with something and so did they... Another $3,000 later (they suggested this amount), I received finalization on the paperwork and I was off with my car. You're probably wondering what would possess one to do this but believe me, if they know that you desperately need a car and want the car, they'll do everything to hold you back and make you feel helpless. After realizing what I had done, I vowed never to go back there again and warn everyone and anyone I know about their scamming practices.
The thing that made me over-the-top angry was when I received a welcome brochure from Acura including all the financing agreement details and noticed that the extra $3000 cash down was NOT included in any of their paperwork. The sales manager and sales consultant took me for a ride, scammed me and got a nice bonus that weekend! After numerous attempts to clarify the situation, I got nowhere because there was "no proof" of the extra cash down payment that was made. I thought I would never have to step foot in this place again until just recently (read below)...
2008: I was involved in a car accident (no fault) in late December last year and being my first ever accident with a leased vehicle, I thought that the best thing I could do to protect myself was to get the repairs done at the Acura service department. The day after my accident, I had a tow truck bring my car there. One month later - January, after numerous appointments with claims adjusters and estimates on repairs were made, I figured that it could take about another month or two for the car to be ready. The following month, I randomly drove out to Acura to take a look at the car and see how things were going when I noticed my vehicle parked in the corner against the garage doors in the same exact spot it was when the adjuster came to examine it. After nicely asking them to get their @sses to work, it took approximately 2.5 extra months before they told me it was done. When I went to pick up the car, I noticed the gas gauge was totally empty and there was a huge dent on the rear bumper - which they supposedly already fixed. I addressed the problem to the service manager and he told me he'd have it fixed. Two days later, I went back and guess what? They fixed the dent but now I had a crack in my windshield! At this point, the service manager got embarrassed because even he knew that he had morons working for him. The third and final day I went back (Friday), I left with my car. On Sunday, I noticed that my alignment was a bit off and my brake pads seemed different and not to mention the two lugs that were missing on my tires. I brought my car over to an independent auto body and they told me that I could've died driving my car - my tires could have rolled off the vehicle. Wowww, I thought... These guys are careless, incompetent ignorant assholes that only care about money. One phone call filled with screaming and cursing to the general manager the end of this relationship with Acura and Honda. I was completely fed up with not only the dealership but with the companies as well - so much so that I have returned my lease prior to the expiration and I will never again ride in those cars for as long as I'm alive.
Worst experience ever. I'm not just angry, I'm traumatized.
Leasemania
Long Island, New York
U.S.A.
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