My $25,000 fixer upper! - multifariousman
My $25,000 fixer upper!
On December 5th , 2024, I bought a used 2024 Camry with 10,000 miles on it for $25,255 from Stephen Wade Toyota. I am 75, saved 7 years to buy a car and feel I was lied to and taken advantage of by Stephen Wade Toyota.
Seniors and lower income people, I recommend that you do not do business with Stephen Wade dealerships. They will not disclose prior used car damage and in my case, they covered it up, The State of Utah seems to protect car dealers like Mr. Wade, because of the income they generate. The only relationship you will have with the Stephen Wade Automotive Group is one of predator and prey.
Stephen Wade Toyota claims "Our commitment is to build strong relationships with customers based on trust. This allows us to assist with the purchase of quality vehicles, parts, and maintenance services with transparency and honesty". This was not my experience!!!! If a dealer won't let you take the car to a mechanic to be inspected RUN! Remember "as is = no warranty" This includes the damage that they cover up and hide from you. Go to a dealer like Autonation that will let you have the car for five days; this way you can thoroughly check the car out.
Here were the issues I experienced.
1. I received only one key fob. This was hidden from me until after the sale. I never would have bought this car had I known this from the start. An extra key fob is $420 with no discount.
2. The car had smoke damage which Steven Wade Toyota tried to cover up. This led to bleached seats, plastic parts and floor carpet damage by them trying to clean the smell out. Such damage can't be fully repaired. The floor mats were taken out because of this smoke damage, I was given two used Volvo mats to replace them. Damaged mats $179.
3. An aftermarket alarm was put on by the dealer. The alarm goes off randomly day and night, so it has to remain off. The rear seat belt is malfunctioning. The alarm never shuts off unless it's buckled. They won’t correct the problem and want to charge me $170 per hour to repair or disconnect.
4. The window tint was damaged and can't be repaired.
5. The battery was dead from sitting for 3 months on the lot. The battery has been wrecked but is still functioning.
In addition, Steven Wade Toyota withheld my Nevada sales tax payment check for six weeks. Why??? (this is not required) especially when I gave them a $10,000 cash down payment. They got the use of my $2,158.25 (DMV tax money) and that stopped me from registering the car or even making an appointment at the DMV for six weeks. I had to call them to get my check. Do you think Steven Wade Toyota cares that I spent four hours at the DMV because of the incompetent staff that he has?
Even though they claimed they did a 100-point inspection, the result of that inspection does not result in telling you what they found. Instead, they try to cover up the problems so they can make the sale. What other undisclosed issues will I have to face with this car? All I wanted was a second key fob, the aftermarket alarm disconnected and a discount on some mats. Steven Wade Toyota was unwilling to do ANYTHING.
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