My wife and I overall made three trips from Houston to Sterling McCall Honda Used cars to purchase what we was advertised on the web as a "Honda Certified Pre-Owned" 2006 S. On our second trip to the dealer, we questioned an AS-IS window sticker and were assured by the sales manager D. Barrett the vehicle was "Honda Certified" as advertised. The final sales price was negotiated between my wife and the salesman over the phone prior to our final visit and purchase. While signing the paperwork, an AS-IS paper was present in the file. Again we questioned this, and we were told that if we wanted a the Honda Certification, it would cost us an additional $500.00. Although at this time we felt that we were being taken for $500.00 there were no other "Honda Certified S's in the Houston area and we closed the sale on the car. We were given a key and remote and left at 9:30 P.M.
Little did we know that the $500.00 extra dollars spent was far more than the dealer spent on what Honda of North America claims is a "meticulous 150 Point inspection of and mechanical systems by a Factory Trained Honda Technician scrutinizing all systems to include fit and finish. Thats is what we thought we paid several thousand dollars over non certified cars for.
After actually getting to drive the vehicle under varied conditions beyond the 5 minute road test, many mechanical issues were present. After another review of the Honda web checklist, I also became aware that we had none of the items listed on the 150 Point inspection list due at time of delivery or put in vehicle at time of delivery. These included extra key and remote, service records, warranty manual etc, radio code. I was now aware this car was not what we thought it was. A trip to the car wash yielded more issues with the front bumper paint peeling off. Mechanical issues included transmission shifting problems when hot, pitted head lamp, worn floor mats that were supposed to be replaced, noise from the A/C at low blower speeds, exhaust rattles dirty cabin air filter, worn front brakes.
Bottom line, Sterling McCall sold an AS-IS car with fabricated Honda Certification inspection. Four months of constant arguing with Honda Customer Service and six days in another dealers shop got me keys and two headlights. The car has several thousand dollars of problems and a recent visit with a Honda Zone rep. Has me back at square one as they are supposedly negotiating with Sterling McCall to get the items repaired. I was to be contacted the Monday after Thanksgiving, no word yet. Don't expect any.
My early attempts to settle this with Sterling McCall Group G.M. Mike Collins only got me more lies. When I inquired about the missing keys and manuals, I was told I would need to return to the dealership to make the keys, and pull the radio for the security code. Again, the inspection list for my vehicle clearly shows all these items were accounted for. Collins also claims that they make Certified Honda Warranty optional @ $500.00 to save the customer money in tough economic times. My question to Collins was if the car was actually "Honda Certified", how can you UN-Certify it I didn't pay the additional $500.00. It either is, or isn't.
Collins also stated if I wanted a luxury car I should have bought a Lexus, BMW, or Porsche, and a Honda as old as mine will have rattles. Mr. Collins was dumb enough to send me the service records that show only work done to my car was an air filter, oil change, and brake flush. Remarkable considering all the issues I have.
The most reoccurring theme from both the dealer and Honda Customer service is that "I should have inspected the car more throughly" defeating the entire purpose of buying a Honda Certified vehicle. Honda Customer Service also stated that there is no system in place to ensure that dealers actually carry out the Certification process.
I will most likely have to find an attorney and sue for breach of contract to get an actual "Honda Certified car, or under Texas Deceptive Trade Act. Until then, I have started my own web site @ Google www.myjunks2000.com. I have included the correspondence and documentation from Sterling McCall for humor.
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