Be careful when shopping for other cars - true story

I have been looking for a car to replace my 99 C4 and I found something that got my attention at Aristocrat Motors (local Porsche dealership in Mission, Kansas). I went it and talked to the sales guy, which was a very nice guy, and everything seemed to be going well. They offered to look at my car, which I had originally not thought about trading in as I knew I would get robbed, but, upon much insistance, I did. The salesperson took the car to the service department and that was it. I expected them to come back and ask me if they could take it for a drive which I would have allowed as long as I would have been on the car. I waited and waited and waited and nothing. Finally I saw my car pulling in from the street. Ok...? Did they just took my car out for a joyride without my permission? Hmmmm. Well...it is a car I guess. As expected, their offer was less than impressive so I would go home to think things over. Upon getting to my car (I was already running late) I noticed there were fingerprints, smudges, and obvious "handling" of the car, which again, I fully expected as they have to check for repaint, fender alignments, etc...etc...etc.... So, I arrive home and pull the car in the garage where there is a lot more light. I wanted to clean all the "smudges and prints"...but what do you know...these were "rubbed" and "scrubbed" deep. I have spent $ 300 to have these polished and removed from the car. But wait...there is more. A few minutes after this I get a call from one of my friends asking me: "Had a little fun today"..? Er...no? He claimed he saw my car around the dealership being driven recklessly, cutting through traffice and he tried to catch up with me but then "the car" got on the highway and he heard the revvlimiter hit twice as it got on it...I explained the situtation to him and he ellaborated further...needless to say, at that point, I was beyond pissed off. I got a call from the salesperson later that evening and explained the situation. He apologized and said I should send him an email detailing the occurences of the day, which I did. To my surprise, there was NO REPLY for a week. I got a call from the salesperson again, and I simply told him I was no longer interested in doing business with them regardless of what they were trying to sell. I then got a call from the HR director (why HR?) and from the used car sales manager to apologize. Aristocrat Motors have left a really bad taste in my mouth. I did get an email from the person the test drove the car explaining "why" the car had to be driven to "its full potential" to check for clutch slippage, transmision problems, gearing, performance and stability. Well, if checking for those things means driving like a jackass, IN A CAR THAT DOES NOT belong to you, then I don't want them to take my car for a test drive. The salesperson should have made me full aware the car would leave the lot. Anywho...all done, just venting a little bit. Cliffnotes: DON'T take your car to Aristocrat, they will treat her like a prostitute and tell you she is only worth $ 25.

Well, it sucks but it wont hurt anything (except the overrevs being stored in the computer). To me, it would be a bargaining tool to get what you want and I would of milked it until it was dry. Afterall, you are trading in the "abused" car anyways.

Wow, sorry to hear that happened....

I thought about that as well, however, all I would be doing would be "make them money" which at this point, is the last thing I want to do. I am actually going to write a blog to kick them where it hurts.

Time to test drive one of their cars

Dell, i love the way you think outside the box..... That is a great idea, find there best ride, rape it, then tell them to shove it...... Im not sure whether you race much or not, but if not bring someone that can truly romp on it and survive.

Wow they did give it to you bad....

Just venting a little bit? I'd be venting a lot bit. That is bullsh!t that they did that, especially without your knowledge. The car does not need to be tested like that. I think you have a good case to get them to pay for the $300!!!! They seem to acknowledge their responsibility in the matter. Don't let them get away. I look at what they did like I look at a thief - with no regard. My 2 cents.

I'm with Dell. Head over and get a test drive with one of their cars. If a salesman comes along for the ride and gets upset about your "test", show him the e-mail and explain that you were just testing for clutch slippage, trans problems, gearing, performance, and stability.

Wow. You seem amazingly composed after finding out how your car was abused. I would have gone ballistic! Andreas

Better yet, if it just happened take it to the dealer and have them pull the rev limiter info and print it and show based on hours usage apprx when it was done, in addition you have tech's admittance of pushing the car!!! Then you have reckless driving, damaging your car, and take it to the owner of the dealership. I say make their lives miserable by threatening to sue them for something or other.... you know new clutch they fried.. A$$holes everywhere huh...

kind of the "don't do unto others"...right? I should probably check their paint REAL good too and leave scuff marks on their GT3...yeah, that would be super...what do those hit the revv at again?

8200, bang it against that a few times Check the paint with steel wool for smoothness.

Funny is, I called them to find out the name of the owner of the place and the HR manager (again, no idea why the HR is the one taking care of these sort issues) claimed he did not the owner as the company is a "We are actually part of a larger corporate entity with numerous holdings but you are welcome to contact our HR Director by phone. His name is XXXXXX XXXXXX" What kind of bull**** is this? There is no "owner"...WTF? And aren't you the HR Director....oh, no? You are the HR Manager...you guys are not worth my time...I am done...

Apparently they belong to the Soave Automotive Group which also has a few MB dealerships in the KS area. Time to have some fun?

whow, I'm surprised.... I bought my car from them (I'm living in NC and flew to Kansas) and they were just fantastic. Did you contact their president... Michael F Maurutto. Personally I would be on to him in a nano second and demand from him to make this right. Make sure you tell him about this forum and that you are telling a lot of future buyers how disappointed you are with their dealership!

And so it shall begin.... Before I wouldn't have believed that a forum could change outcome of interactions with the dealerships, scammers and part companies. But with what I've seen these past few months, I'm sure it'll make things right.

i like that idea. the whole situation is just ridiculous. i'm glad your friend saw them doing it too

I know...otherwise I would have never known. Makes me wonder what kind of abuse are a lot of cars put through before they are sold to the next owner...BY THE same very dealership that took them on trade... Dutchie...I am not surprised they were nice to you...I am not saying they were not nice...quite the contrary - they were VERY welcoming and nice...because I was willing to buy. As soon as a problem arises, well, they just would not show face for a week... Thanks to all for the feedback.

Just give their president a call and take it from there. Talk to the decision maker, not the worker bees!