I too am a victim. I bought a 2002 Chevy Cavalier at the location in Marietta, Georiga. I knew that my credit was less than stellar, and that I did not have much money for a down payment. I knew that the interest was going to kill me, but I thought that I was getting a GOOD, DEPENDABLE used car.
I paid $500 down, and my payments are $174.18 every two weeks. I knew that it was a lot, but I needed a car. I work two jobs, and take a friend to dialysis three times a week. When I bought this car, the salesman assured me that this car underwent a detailed inspection and that it was safe to drive.
Things went great. Then I did not make a payment on time. Not only did they harrass me, my boyfriend, my mother, and my family, but also my employers. How embarrassing. Let me mention, that I was only two days late. (It was a weekend)
Then I got sick, my roommate moved out, and the restaurant business was slow. I made arrangements to "break up a payment."
The harrassment began. Weeks and weeks. They stated that they could not find my money order for $200. I had to find my receipt by 3 pm or they would make a "business decision." They harrassed me for how much? $300? $100? $75? No. $35. It was one of three "late fees" they accessed my account. You know what? No problem. I understand they are a business and they have to make money.
Imagine my surprise when after having my car only 6 months, it breaks down on the interstate. Come to find out... It is the transmission. I have to now pay $2467.00 to have it repaired. It seems the previous owner either was towing something or was just a really bad driver. The torque converter dissipated, and broke down into the transmission, thus ruining my whole transmission. The transmission in that car is one of the best on the market right now. There is NO reason that under normal circumstances that this transmission should have any problems before 200,000 miles. How many miles do I have on my car... 61,000. This "problem" should have been caught under any thorough "inspection" of the major systems of the car. I was told that it had been under an intense inspection before I bought it.
My car is worth $10,000.00 Buy the time I pay it off I will have paid over $15,000.00 Now, since I have to put a new transmission in it I will pay over $17,500.00 The harrassment and embarrassment was bad enough, but now I can't even drive it and I am paying over $300 a month.
I can assure you that I would not have purchased this car, if I had known that the transmission was about to break down. Or even if I had knowledge that the transmission was not in the best condition. I would have moved along.
With a problem this major, someone knew about it. This was not a problem that "just happens". Someone lied. An inspection could not have been done.
I also found out that my friend went to the same place and has trouble with her car. She has a 2001 Kia Rio. After driving her car one week the check engine light came on. Drivetime stated that she could take it to a Kia dealer. She did. This car was in a wreck which caused the gas line to be off "kilter". It is very costly to replace it. She gave Drivetime the findings and they told her that it was not covered in her warranty. She was never told that her car had been in an accident. She had to pay over $1000.00 to get it fixed.
I know that my local office will not do anything. I am contacting the corporate office. I am also consulting the DMV, Office of Consumer Affairs, Better Business Bureau, Fox 5, CBS 11, and anyone else who will listen.
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