I bought a 2006 Matrix from the general manager of BrakeMasters a year ago. I inspected the car at the BM store, test drove it. II paid the deposit at the BM’s front desk. The manager guaranteed the car for 90 days. He charged me over $700 to fix and oil leak, and replace the brakes (The GM said the brakes were worn out so badly that it was a peril to Continue driving!) It continued to leak and he said it would cost another $700 to fix the ‘NEW’ leak! So far, the thermostat broke and the tensioner bolt snapped! He has been totally unprofessional, unethical and evasive! I wrote a review on Yelp and the GM had the review reviewed because BrakeMaster’s aren’t in the business of selling cars! The entire transaction occurred at BM, and I was under the impression that all I had to do was bring it to BM to get any problems I have with the car fixed there. Because of the leak I was down 2 quarts. He added the 2 quarts right away and told me about the oil gasket and brakes pads! He has ignored me for a year, and I contacted BMs headquarters in Tucson. There website claims they will replay within 48 hours. That was April, 2023! I was thrilled about getting a ar you highly recommended, and I was getting the car from the general manager who guaranteed the car. I thought it was a win/win situation!!! The car has already cost over $1500 to repair! I asked the GM if the car was gonna nickel and dime me to death He shrugged his shoulders and turned and walked away! I lived in Taiwan for 33 years. I was used to honest, ethical mechanics! This is my 1st car purchase in the states since I was 23!! The car repairs are too expensive, so it is parked on the street because the oil leak(s) on the driveway!
I bought a 2006 Matrix from the general manager of BrakeMasters a year ago.
You bought a then 17-year-old used car. (18 years old now.)
I inspected the car at the BM store, test drove it.
It's always best to have a prospective used car purchase thoroughly inspected by a good mechanic before you buy it to find pre-existing problems.
The manager guaranteed the car for 90 days.
What were the terms of the guarantee? Did you get it in writing?
The entire transaction occurred at BM, and I was under the impression that all I had to do was bring it to BM to get any problems
Impressions don't really count for anything. Written contracts do.
He has ignored me for a year, and I contacted BMs headquarters in Tucson.
Who did you pay? The shop or the manager? If you bought it from the manager as a private sale then BM would not bear any responsibility.
The car has already cost over $1500 to repair!
Needing repair of brakes and leaky seals would be common on a car that old. Same with the thermostat. Broken bolts are not uncommon on older vehicles, though that could have been caused by a careless mechanic.
I asked the GM if the car was gonna nickel and dime me to death He shrugged his shoulders and turned and walked away!
Old cars will generally require repairs to keep them going. Given the high cost of shop labor older vehicles are really best suited for people who do their own repairs.
I was used to honest, ethical mechanics!
Unfortunately the rule has to be caveat emptor - never believe anything a seller tells you, especially if it's not in writing.
You should have the car evaluated by a good mechanic (not a dealer, chain, or quick lube joint) to see what's really going on with it and to see what it would cost to do proper repairs.
