We purchased a 1997 Audi A4 from the Bob Penkhus dealership in June during an auto show held at The World Arena. The negotiated price of the car was not a small sum. Part of the reason we bought this car was Penkhus' reputation for selling quality used cars. After all, they have a Nobody Buys Just One slogan.
In September we put the car into your maintenance shop due to the engine suddenly running very rough. The spark plugs and an injector were replaced and we were told it was good to go. However, when I drove the car it still ran rough and I noticed the windshield had been cracked! I turned the car back into the shop and showed the service rep the cracked windshield with a spark plug at the base of the crack. She saw a 2nd spark plug and agreed the windshield had been cracked due to the spark plugs. She spoke to the service manager who agreed to replace the windshield. She also said she spoke to the sales dept who said they wouldn't do anything to cover any of the costs.
Subsequent attempts at repairing the car were made until the engines brain box was replaced. At which time the car was running better but the bill had gone from $175 to $1500. The car was their shop for 2 weeks and the windshield had not been replaced. Fortunately the service rep provided a loaner car during this time. Also, a windshield replacement company came to my office within a couple of days to replace the windshield at no cost.
On December 10 the car failed to start when my family and I were leaving church. I had it towed to a different dealership as I had received a Safety Recall notice from Audi concerning a starting switch needing to be replaced. They replaced the switch and the car continued to not start. They did an analysis to figure out what the problem was. The service rep called me and said the starter had gone out and would cost another $775 to fix. He also told me the old engine brain-box was found to be still hanging inside the engine rather than removed when replaced previously, the flange was leaking oil, and the brakes needed work.
The car has been nothing more than a lemon costing us an excessive amount since its purchase. I have no intention of ever purchasing another car from Penkhus or recommending them to anyone else. The service dept is questionable, sales dept has no morals, and the cars sold are worthless.
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