I bought my current car from 'Car Castle Inc., Floral Park, NY 11426' and feel that I got ripped off. Not that I paid more money. But Yes that I got a lemon for that price. Being an eduacated guy, I can't believe myself that I bought a car from a dealer who doesn't have a website or any internet link. So I'm writing my review here to share my experience, so that no other person gets ripped-off like me. BEWARE of this used car dealer!!!
When I initially saw the 2007 Nissan Altima, I noticed that it had been worn-out on the inside in a short period of time i.E., the seats and seat belts were dirty, the car had scratches here and there, etc... But I really liked the model, technology, engine, price tag and color of the car and mentioned to the the dealer that if he can clean the car well (i.E., make it more presentable) and if he can show me the CARFAX I would buy the car. He did make it more presentable and he printed the CARFAX (which gave a clean history).
I bought the car happily trusting his words and with a year's dealer warranty. Later, when I was driving the car back home I started hearing a slight wheezing noise when I drove above 45 miles, which bothered me. I called him and explained the problem, he said the car has been parked for quite a while, so I should drive for a day or two and it will be fine or else I should call him back. After a day the noise still persisted, so I called him again and he said he would get it repaired if I dropped off the vehicle at the place I bought it.
I dropped it on a Saturday making note of the odometer reading. The agent said he would return it by Monday evening after diagnosing the problem and getting it repaired. On Monday I called the agent repeatedly, but he was unavailable at the office and his cell phone was switched off. I was getting worried about the car, when I received a call from him that the car would be available for pick up on Tuesday. On Tuesday I called again, he was unavailable and the people at the company were very rude, they kept telling me to deal with the agent as it was him I bought the car from.
In the evening I called again, but again the agent was not available, but thankfully this time the guy on the phone said I could pick up the car as it was ready. When I picked up the car, I asked what had happened to the car for which they said 'Nothing is wrong and we don't much so ask your agent'. Before I started driving from the dealer I saw the odometer reading and realized the car had run 170 miles during the two days I left it at the dealer. And on the way back home, I even heard the noise again.
So I called the agent and asked him why the noise had not gone, he said that his mechanic said there is nothing wrong with the car and he couldn't hear any noise. Out of anxiety I decided to take the car to the mechanic (pepboys) who in 10 minutes diagnosed there was a noise and it was coming from a tie-rod bent and the pepboys mechanic even said that there were alot of bruises at the bottom of the car, (like it was towed or run on a railway track) the front mud guard was broken and someone had painted the bottom to cover up the bruises.
I called my agent (dealer) back and told him firmly that there was a mechanical problem and he should get it repaired. He obliged and said he didn't have the tie-rod yet and it would arrive the coming monday and promised me this time he would pick up the car and drop it off the same day with the problem solved for sure. He didn't come on Monday, but came on Tuesday and took my car promising to return it that evening. That evening at 7:00 pm he informed me that it was not the tie-rod that was making the noise and didn't need replacing, but a bearing had worn out and he would replace it, but the car would be available on Wednesday.
Wendnesday evening I again called and he said it would be available on Thursday by noon. Thursday noon he said its still with the mechanic and as soon as he gets the car, he will send it to me. Finally, after me yelling at him on the phone, the car came to me at 4:30 pm on Thursday again with a 100 miles extra put on the odometer reading with no written report of what was repaired or unrepaired in the car. But, the noise had gone and I decided not to call him anymore even if I had any repairs as it was better to spend my money, then trying to contact him.
The next day, I took a few friends out in the car and they tried to open one of the rear window, it wouldn't open!!! I took it to my mechanic again and after inspecting it the door and window, he said that the car has definitely been through an accident and I should consult a body shop person to confirm it. The body shop guy agreed that the car had been through an accident as the driver door and rear passenger door was rebuilt. Also, the paint job on the two doors was very shabby (light shade difference, the sticker with the VIN # on the B-wall panel was taken out and restuck, the external black border of the driver side window was completely grayed out, etc...). But he mentioned that all these repairs could only be seen by a car expert, not by a unaware customer.
We called the dealer to ask if he knew anything about the accident, he said he didn't know and that the CARFAX was clean. Also he said the dealer warranty only covers mechanical and auto part repairs, not the body parts.
The only mistake I did was not getting it checked by a mechanic before I purchased it, as I trusted the dealer and CARFAX report. I got ripped off from both of them. I can't even trust CARFAX now as it says clearly that the report is just an additional help before you make a big decision to buy an used car. But that does not garruntee that the car has not accident history.
Be careful with these guys. They seem nice until you buy the car. You will see their other face after you buy it. One important thing I would like share with you here.in Car Castle Inc. No one takes responsibility of your purchase once you deal with one agent. You should stick with him. No one listen to you whatever the problem you have and the agent will be very selective while picking up customers call.
Horrible experience. We are planning to file a lemon law suit against this dealer.
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