On 12-28-02 I purchased a Black 2000 Ford Taurus Se from the DriveTime in Leesburg, FL. The reason I went to DriveTime is because I had less than $1000 and I needed a second car and good dependable car to get back and forth to work. The car was nice clean, 75,000 miles, rides good, very cold AC, no dents a few scratches thou. He said that it had been inspected by their mechanic, I was given the history report of the car, and I was told after two years from the purchase of the car that I could trade it in. I agreed to the terms and I drove off the lot.
A big mistake because the car have been given me problem. I have told them about it but they don't car
On Saturday in 9-03 I was out of town and I was driving the car I heard a loud boom and then the car started running hot, it stalled out and shut off, the ac quit working and it started ticking. Well I had to get it towed home. Well, I took it back to them to see what the problem was; they told me that they had to send my car to Sanford, FL to head servicing center. Once there they would us what the problem is then we will let you know. So I agreed.
After a couple of days I was told that the alternator, air conditioner condenser and water pump had to be replaced. All these parts went out at the same time it was very expensive to get fixed. I told them that I could afford to get all that stuff fixed and I told them to keep the car. They kept my car for a week. They called themselves given me a deal by cutting the cost in half they also offered me a repair repayment plan and I agreed.
I got the car back and it was making a chirping sound like birds were underneath the hood. I took the car back and the repair manger Mike along with his the mechanic said that it was the alternator adjusting and for me to get some WD40 and spray on it. I tried it and it didn't work. I continued to drive the car for about one week and the noise was getting louder. After that week I took the car by one of my friend's house who is also a mechanic he looked under the hood and told me it was the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt was about to break. I had to replace the serpentine belt and it wasn't cheap.
One Sunday after church I was driving down the highway and I heard a loud noise under the hood and I almost lost control the car thank GOD I was the only one on the road at that time. I had little control of the car. It scared me to death. I managed to get the car off the road. I pop the hood and anti freeze was everywhere come to find out the idle pulley tenser broke. That Monday I went into DriveTime and I showed the part to the manager Chuck. He said what do you expect, it normal wear and tear beside Ford makes cheap parts now and days. They don't make cars like they use too. I told him what if I would have wreck and one of my kids got hurt or killed then what. His respond was you didn't wreck and don't worry about it. I was furious.
Since I have had this piece of junk I have replaced brakes, 3 sets of rotors, brakes, bulbs, wheel cylinder, spark plugs, I have had some work done on the transmission, valves, 3 Serpentine belts one broke about three months ago while I was coming home from work during rush hour; radiator reservoir busted replaced on 7-26-04, tires, gaskets, you name it I have replaced it. Parts aren't cheap. Top it off it's burning too much gas. Had a tune up and it's still burning gas.
I am constantly being harassed about payments. My payments are current. When I make repairs it's kind of hard to make a full payment. However; I do try to pay something. However if you are a day late they are calling you. Even if you called them to make arrangement they constantly will call you Breakfast, lunch, dinner time, four, five and six times a day they don't care. They will even call your references and harass them. They even will use their cell phones to call my house and job. They even have DriveTime from Orlando, FL calling me.
On 7-19-04 at 6:01 I received a call on my answering machine from Dan/Leesburg, FL; DriveTime. When I got home I called returned Dan's phone call it was 6:30pm on 7-19-04. Dan wanted to know when I was coming in to make my payment. He said that I had made an arrangement for the 7-17-04 which was not true. I told him that I had not mad any arrangements with any one. When you make arrangement in person or verbally on the phone they still call claim that they don't have any information in the system. I said to Dan how stupid can you be I don't get paid until the day before my car payment is due. Why would I make arrangements when I didn't have any money? My car payment wasn't due until 7-24-04 and I was behind only $62.35. They harassed me one time for less than $20 one time and late fees. Late fees are another story. They don't give you a grace period like a real dealership. For everyday that you are late they charge you a late fee.
After I talked to Dan on the 7/19/04 I went out of town for a few days and when I got home I checked my Caller-ID and answering machine I had a total of 8 messages. Dan called from 7-21-04 thru 7-24-04 saying that it was very important that I call him. He even left several messages on my voice mail at work. It pissed me off I didn't even make my payment on 7-24. I waited Monday 7-26-04. I took my house phone with me to show them my caller ID and I was heated. I showed my phone caller ID to Jeanna/CSR in the finance department. I was pissed. She said I didn't call you that Idiot Dan called me. Dan was sitting in there when I walked in he turned his back to me. I told them not to call my house or my job anymore because I know my obligation. I pay my bills. I asked Jeanna about my balance which was $7000 and what's the requirement for a trade-in. Jeanna (Finance dept) told me that I had to get a balance of $2500 or less before they would consider a trade. I told her that I didn't want to trade-in the car with them. She said that I could take the car some where else if they would accept the trade. She said that the other company's probably wouldn't accept it because I owe too much on it. Another thing she said that DriveTime wouldn't release the loan or titles until after two-three years. I told her that was nonsense. I am tired of making repairs and payment at the same time. I am a single parent living from paycheck to paycheck.
I advise anyone if you need a car do not go to DriveTime in Leesburg, FL. Save your money and go to a real dealership. Look in your local shopping guide to purchase your vehicle. Some time a private owner is better. I have an 88 Pontiac 6000 that I bought in 11/99. I am the second owner of that car and it's still drivable it's in better condition than my 2000 Taurus SE.
FORD stands for Fix On Repair Daily or Find On Road Dead.
Theresa
Eustis, Florida
U.S.A.
0 comments