Nicholas Retz

I put the deposit on the vehicle 2 weeks prior to coming to Helena to pick up the FJ. After I had shown up at the scheduled time to test drive and pick up the FJ Cruiser I waited for 4 hours in the lobby be to Helena to pick up the FJ. After I had shown up at the scheduled time to test drive and pick up the FJ Cruiser I waited for 4 hours in the lobby before looking at any paperwork. All of the information I had submitted for financing approval was incorrect. As I was talking with the Salesman about concerns I had about the vehicle I was assured that the issues I seen evidence of (permanent brake dust deposits on rims, possible rust issues, and a cracked and chipped windsheild) were checked out and it was a, in the words of the salesman, "a certified pre-owned vehicle and was thoroughly checked out." I was also told that the vehicle was in Montana it's entire life, which eased my rust issue worries. This was a lie. I found out after I had insured the vehicle and had gotten a carfax report that the vehicle had spent most of its life in New York state and the Northeastern United States. I was talked out of any extended warranty of the vehicle because of being told the only warranty available would only cover the motor and transmission, NOTHING ELSE. This vehicle was also covered in dust, water spots, and had a substantial bird droppings deposit on the passanger side door. There was also, what i am guessing, is some finger nail clippers, hair ties, random papers, some candy wrappers, a lighter, and other random items under the seats and in the center console that did not get cleaned. Fast forward to 1000 miles or 2 weeks later. I had contacted the salesman and the financier because my front rims were already covered in brake dust. I was told they were working on it and would get back to me. I would hear nothing back from either of them. I would receive a post card from Lithia saying they forwarded my paperwork to Walla Walla County for title work and registration two weeks after I has signed the paperwork and taken the vehicle. I have still not seen or been able to track down anything on getting my vehicle licensed through the state of Washington, as of yet. I was pulled over by a Walla Walla Country sherriffs deputy and informed that the cracks in my windsheild were not legal in the state of Washington (which was something I brought up to the salesman and he assured me it was legal). I was given a verbal warning and told to fix the cracks IMMEDIATELY. This is a $250 deductible through my insurance. Back to the brakes..........the back brakes have gotten to a point of complete failure, the front brakes will need completely redone (pads, rotors, and calipers). The issue with the back brakes can possibly be a master cylinder issue, or best case new rotors, pads, and calipers. I took it to a trusty notable local shop in Walla Walla to get an idea of a price I would have to pay to get this vehicle roadworthy. They stated it would be over $1000 in just parts to fix issues I was assured were not issues and were thoroughly checked. A few days ago there is a squealing and grinding sound coming from the front driverside tire that is worse when turning right and lessens when turning left. Unsure what is causing this new issue, but more than likely it is a bearing issue. I contacted Lithia AGAIN today and was lucky enough to talk to another salesman today. He told me due to me signing an AS IS paper there is nothing that they would do, said goodbye and hung up the phone. I have put less than 2000 miles on this vehicle, not even made the first payment yet, not been able to license or pay taxes on it, and I am looking at between $1500 and $3000 to make it roadworthy and legal to drive down the road. I understand that I did sign an AS IS document, but I was also assured it had passed all checks and I could "drive it across the country", when I left the lot. There is also 4 open recalls on the vehicle that could have been taken care of by taking it literally next door to the Toyota dealership while it sat for 2 weeks. This is a unforgivable experience. More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

Don't honor sales agreements, then refuse to keep contact with you. They hide and lie, and steal from you. They just count on the fact that you can't afford to spend 100k on attorneys to go to battle with th with you. They hide and lie, and steal from you. They just count on the fact that you can't afford to spend 100k on attorneys to go to battle with their legal team over a 65k automobile. More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

Bought a 15 dodge challenger that was advertised as "inspected certified pre-owned" I also ordered a 2022 Ram 3500, this will be important later. Turns out, the 15 challenger wasn't a certified pre o "inspected certified pre-owned" I also ordered a 2022 Ram 3500, this will be important later. Turns out, the 15 challenger wasn't a certified pre owned vehicle, and lithia had actually never even inspected it. What's worse is they had been doing regular service on it for 2 years for the previous owner, and didn't notice the driveline about to fall out, didn't notice the pcv valve had been bad. Long enough that the entire air filter was clogged with dirt and oil, I mean clogged. I still have the filter. Why that was missed in 2 years of regular service appointments is beyond me. The alignment on the vehicle was so out of shape that at 80mph it shook violently and pulled to the right hard. The tires unevenly worn. So to be sure it wasn't just a tire issue, I bought a new set of tires the day after purchasing the car. Turns out the issue was indeed the alignment, funny how this also missed inspection. The transmission was having trouble deciding what gear it needed to be in, and would not engage right away after a stop. The car has been in a significant accident, and had substandard repairs that were not reported to carfax. This would've been caught by any inspection at all. When I brought these issues up, I could get no return calls. Go to the dealership and the salesman hides from me. The GM refuses to speak with me, and sends out a salesman who tells me to call an attorney. They will not fix anything, or pay for repairs elsewhere. This car is under warranty! They then tried to claim the vehicle wasn't a certified pre owned inspected car. Luckily I have a screen grab of the advertisement to prove that's a lie when this goes to court. So the Truck. When you order the truck you sign an agreement stating that you can cancel the order up until the date of delivery, but doing so will cost you 1000 dollars. I figured if I only lost 1000 more dollars to not have to deal with them again, that it was a far better wager than risking 85 thousand dollars to see if they suddenly become ethical. They refuse to let me cancel the order. I now have an attorney involved, and am trying to get FCA to take action to pull their products from the dealership. Don't buy from these guys. They are crooks who hide behind attorneys. More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

Lithia of Helena was really great from having some inventory on the lot to working with me on pricing and financing! inventory on the lot to working with me on pricing and financing! More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

I’ve had/am having the worst experience with this dealership I bought a Ford truck from them that I don’t believe they ever even inspected. However when spending $60,000 on a vehicle I wanted to make dealership I bought a Ford truck from them that I don’t believe they ever even inspected. However when spending $60,000 on a vehicle I wanted to make sure that it was under warranty and I told Larry over in finance. As well as my salesman that I needed a warranty especially because of the aftermarket performance parts that were on the vehicle long story short my transmission went out after having the vehicle for less than a year they told me because of the performance parts that were on it at the time I bought the vehicle that my warranty was voided but that they would refund me for the warranty which was less than half of the cost of the transmission they’ve been extremely difficult to get in touch with very poor customer service bad ethics and almost 4 months later I am still waiting on getting my money back. If for whatever reason you do ever decide to work with Lydia I highly recommend you never buy any of their warranties or any programs from them. You will also want to check the price of the vehicle again once into finance I noticed after the fact that somehow between me agreeing to the price of the vehicle and me going back to finance the vehicle price increase by $3000! More

Helpful 1

Report | Print

We purchased a 2018 Jeep Renegade from Lithia at the end of August. After having the car for about a month, we took it to the car wash and were unhappily surprised when the sunroof began to leak. It did of August. After having the car for about a month, we took it to the car wash and were unhappily surprised when the sunroof began to leak. It did not just drip in, it poured in. We took the car back to Lithia to have the seal fixed, and were shocked at the quote they gave us, especially as we had purchased our car from them so recently. We called the Butte Chrysler, Jeep Dodge dealership, and they fixed the seal on the sunroof for two hundred dollars less than the price that Lithia quoted. They also gave us a two year, unlimited mileage warranty that would cover parts and labor! Thank you to Jessica and the rest of the staff, for their friendly and knowledgeable service! In the future, we will not hesitate to make the drive to Butte Chrysler Jeep Dodge for our auto needs. More

Helpful 1

Report | Print

Poorest excuse of customer service, integrity and service ever. Buy elsewhere.six months of waiting to get the key replaced that the dealership lost. Can't do the work they promised. Do not stand behind the ever. Buy elsewhere.six months of waiting to get the key replaced that the dealership lost. Can't do the work they promised. Do not stand behind the product they sold. More

Helpful 2

Report | Print

As always the guys go above and beyond. Repairs done as needed and in a timely fashion. They were very accommodating to the fact it’s a daily work rig needed and in a timely fashion. They were very accommodating to the fact it’s a daily work rig More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

Retz’s. Father/Son duo is the BEST in town. Wouldn’t deal with any other team. They always look out for their customers and strive for excellence. with any other team. They always look out for their customers and strive for excellence. More

Helpful 0

Report | Print

Happy with purchase Nick is a great guy and easy to work with. Everything was reasonably quick and hastle free. Glad with my purchase. Looking forward to the lifetime oil Nick is a great guy and easy to work with. Everything was reasonably quick and hastle free. Glad with my purchase. Looking forward to the lifetime oil change! More

Helpful 0

Report | Print