California Motors Direct - Santa Ana

I paid $8,000 cash out-of-the-door on December 1, 2025, for a used 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S (R55). While the young salesman was kind, the dealership’s management and service department operate in complet for a used 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S (R55). While the young salesman was kind, the dealership’s management and service department operate in complete bad faith. Once they have your lump-sum cash, you no longer exist to them. 1. Very questionable if not fraudulent Pre-Sale Reconditioning Claims. The Carfax report stated this dealership fully serviced AND reconditioned the vehicle in September and October 2025. This was a blatant misrepresentation. A post-purchase inspection just 3 days later revealed: Two leaking right-side shock absorbers. Broken sun visors and 4 dead exterior lights. A missing bottom chassis splashguard. A massive active oil leak which required me to leave the car there overnight for fixing because it was apparently such a "big job". While "as-is" protects against minor wear, a vehicle is legally expected to meet a basic minimum operational standard. Selling a car with these undisclosed safety and mechanical failures violates basic consumer trust. 2. Severe Inconvenience & Broken Promises The dealership agreed to fix the initial inspection failures for free. However, it took FIVE separate round-trips to get the work done. Living 71 miles away, I was forced to drive 355 miles out of my own pocket just to receive the roadworthy vehicle I already paid for. 3. Hidden Defect Cascade & Ghosting The nightmare didn't stop there: The Battery & Wipers: Less than a month later (January 2026), the battery died. Testing proved it was nearly 6 years old. The windshield wipers were also completely shredded and useless. I paid $400 out of pocket for a battery and new wipers. Management completely ignored my emails asking to split the cost (I offered to pay labor if they covered the part). The Missing Lug Nut Key: The car came with custom rims. The dealership failed to provide the mandatory wheel lock key. I now have to spend more money just to be able to change a flat tire. Major Mechanical Failures: In April 2026, the entire thermostat system failed, causing severe coolant drainage. I paid $550 to an independent shop to replace the water pump. Two weeks later, the system failed again. The car also consumes oil rapidly, requiring a top-off every single week. I am facing hundreds more in repairs. 4. Total Refusal to Mediate (BBB) When management ghosted my emails, I filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) seeking a simple battery reimbursement to offset my massive travel inconveniences. The dealership refused to respond, answer, or mediate with the BBB. Final Verdict: This business is hyper-focused on taking your money and abandoning you the second you leave the lot. As a Google Local Guide whose reviews generated over 10,000 views in early 2026 alone, I am posting this to ensure thousands of local buyers see how this business operates. Take your hard-earned money to a dealership that respects consumer law and stands behind their inventory. The cost and inconvenience and aggravation alone leave me no choice but to write this. This dealership acts in really bad faith. What a terrible experience! These are the kind of unfortunate and deliberate and avoidable experiences that give a stereotypical bad name and bad reputation to car dealers and dealerships. No wonder people hate going to a dealer! More

Everything went smooth, the employees know what they're doing. It's been a great experience working with George, who is knowledgeable, kind, also a firm and a great negotiator. And they have a very nice bo doing. It's been a great experience working with George, who is knowledgeable, kind, also a firm and a great negotiator. And they have a very nice boss, the business owner, Kifah, which rocks! More

The people in there are nice and easy to work with especially saleman Gorge great person!!! especially saleman Gorge great person!!! More

This was my second time going to california motors, and each time that i've went, the cells, rips, and the staff have always been professional.And knowledgeable. I have to give shout outs to the salesman w each time that i've went, the cells, rips, and the staff have always been professional.And knowledgeable. I have to give shout outs to the salesman who helped me. Ed Aguirre he was very informative on the vehicle that I wanted to purchase, which was a Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy. Thank you to California motors. Direct when it's time to purchase another vehicle.I'll definitely go to you guys.Thanks again5 More

I dealt with “JUNIOR” who had my back from start to finish. He naturally helped me and supported me for four days without me feeling bugged or any hassling. On the 4th day that it took my credit union finish. He naturally helped me and supported me for four days without me feeling bugged or any hassling. On the 4th day that it took my credit union and for me to shop and find a new insurance company he remained confident and patient before I took over the keys and placed my beautiful race red Mustang GT manual into my driveway. He even checks on me from time to time and that’s the type of service Junior gives and his young self with an elderly spirit is the type of service that’s rare and just about a dying breed. Honesty, shows you the facts, will take care of noticeable in-corrections from paperwork to the vehicle. Also the rest of his team will jump in and help you and not act like they don’t care or they don’t know when you have questions just because it’s not their sale. They take care of eachother meaning they will take care of you without even knowing if you’re buying or not. This was by far the best car dealership team I just happened to stumble upon in Santa Ana and decided to stop by and I’m more than happy I did. Thank you guys at California Direct Motors Santa Ana. Please ask for Junior you guys, -Richard S. Mustang GT 5.0 new owner More

Big thanks to Josh Great job Very professional and courteous Hope to do future business courteous Hope to do future business More

******* DO NOT GO HERE! !!! If I could give them a zero I would!!! Please and I mean please pay attention to this!!! DO NOT BUY FROM THEM!!! I went in to purchase a car on 04 !!! If I could give them a zero I would!!! Please and I mean please pay attention to this!!! DO NOT BUY FROM THEM!!! I went in to purchase a car on 04/27. As I complete the paperwork and get ready to leave the salesmen named Jesse whom lets me know the battery for the key fob is dying and they don't have the battery to replace it, but he says it's not a big deal I can buy a replacement, mind you l've been there for hours so I say it's ok I will buy one they're only like $6. The next day the key doesn't work even with the new key battery that I bought. I tried calling all day 04/28 but kept getting the run around. The person that sold me the car stopped responding to my texts and now here we are 04/29 and my purse is in a car I can't get into nor use and no one is assisting me. I'm being told to let them talk to someone or escalate to a manager? Like what??? I bought a car from you and the key didn't work and now I'm stuck with a car that I can't use and no one to help me. I refuse to pay for a locksmith. Update 5/19 the car continues to give me problems with no response from them. I've had to put out my money to get the car going. What a shame and this should be illegal, DO NOT GO HERE!!! More

Excellent Service, beautiful and tons of cars, Awesome prices, and Joey an excellent guy. 100% Recommended prices, and Joey an excellent guy. 100% Recommended More

I had a pleasant experience securing my ford fusion, I am really liking the car and I appreciate how fast the process was. Joey from the Santa Ana location was very communicative, prompt, and ensured I secur really liking the car and I appreciate how fast the process was. Joey from the Santa Ana location was very communicative, prompt, and ensured I secured the car that same morning. More

❌️Horrible Experience – Disrespectful, Arrogant, and Unprofessional Staff❌️ I went to this dealership on Saturday, and it was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. The entire staff, from the ph Unprofessional Staff❌️ I went to this dealership on Saturday, and it was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. The entire staff, from the phone assistant to the receptionist, the salesman, and even the finance manager David, were rude, entitled, and incredibly disrespectful. To make matters worse, the finance manager David openly talked about cocaine use and sleeping with multiple women while slurring his words, showing a complete lack of professionalism. My Experience When I arrived, I spoke a salesman, explained exactly what I needed, what I wanted, and what I was able to do. He thanked me for my honesty and said he would go inside to see what he could work out. 45 minutes passed, and the salesman was nowhere to be found. I was left waiting outside in my car without any update. I finally had to call the receptionist, who then had the finance manager David and another manager come outside to speak with me. At that point, the conversation seemed reasonable. The finance manager assured me that they would sell the car at the asking price with no extra fees—just tax, license, and registration. I asked if they could go lower, but they declined. I told them I would think about it and left. I returned the following day, ready to proceed with the deal. However, the sales manager and the other manager who originally spoke to me were not there. Instead of the agreed-upon price of $37,850, they gave me a purchase order for $38,323. I immediately told the salesman who handed me the purchase order that this was not the price we had agreed upon. He brushed it off and told me, “Don’t worry about it. If they told you a different price, we’ll reimburse you for it.” After the hassle of arranging an overnight check from my bank for $38,000, I returned to the dealership to finalize the purchase. As I sat there, I was completely ignored while waiting. Meanwhile, the finance manager David laughing and ignoring me started boasting about his weekend filled with cocaine, strippers, and how he was “the man.” then finally David said hey what's going on I handed them the check and then I excused myself to use the bathroom, and when I returned, a salesman I had never dealt with before aggressively confronted me and said, “Hey, you’re missing some money.” I was confused and asked what he meant. He rudely responded, “Yeah, you’re missing $323.” I reminded him that the agreed-upon price was $37,850 and that when I was given the purchase order for $38,323, I had specifically asked about the difference. Instead of discussing it professionally, he rudely snapped back at me, insisting I was short on money. At this point, I told him, “If you don’t want my business, that’s fine.” Without hesitation, he grabbed the check I had handed to the finance manager David, threw it back at me, and said, “Have a nice day.” My Final Thoughts This dealership is an hour and 45 minutes away from me as I live in Woodland Hills, and this experience was a complete waste of four days of my time. On top of that, I spent two and a half hours in traffic each way, every time I went. So I wasted over 20 hours of my life dealing with this place, only to be disrespected, ignored, and treated like I didn’t matter. The arrogance, cocky attitude, and blatant disrespect from the staff—combined with the finance manager's inappropriate discussions about drugs and women—made this the most unprofessional car-buying experience I have ever encountered. I don’t normally leave reviews, but this dealership deserves every word of this one. ❌️If you value Honesty, Professionalism, and Respect, Take your Business Elsewhere—even if it means spending more money at a different dealership. Do not waste your time here I promise you you will regret it.❌️ More