CarWise Gurnee

If you are standing in their showroom or lot right now reading this: this is your sign. Run. Get out of there and leave now! Warning to all buyers: shown clean CarFax, concealed severe structural damag reading this: this is your sign. Run. Get out of there and leave now! Warning to all buyers: shown clean CarFax, concealed severe structural damage report for 5 months! Engine light came on day 1. CarWise Gurnee (Elite Motors Inc.) showed me a CarFax with minor damage at the desk to justify $38,170 on a 2019 Toyota Tundra. They withheld my signed deal copies for 5 months despite my written requests from February through May. When the documents finally arrived on July 15, 2026, they included an Experian AutoCheck revealing severe structural damage, with my signature at the top margin of a standalone printout that had no disclosure text or signature block (see both reports side by side). Check engine light came on day one. I bought the truck at 73,031 miles; the light came on at 73,171, only 140 miles later. Day 2 revealed what I see as zero pre-sale inspection: when I brought it in, they simply turned off the engine light without making repairs and told me to wait 30 days before filing warranty claims, past the 15-day/500-mile Illinois warranty window. They also told me the factory filter wouldn't fit, it's a cone filter, and I discovered it was detached at an auto parts store I went to for a new cone filter just 2 blocks away right after I left the dealer. It had been rolling around in a dirty air box so long it also broke the wire screen on the air filter (see photos). I took my findings back to the dealer and nothing else was done about it. Two days later the light came on again with a Fuel Too Lean code, indicating an injector problem. They turned off the engine light again and told me to rely on the warranty if it came back. I viewed the truck at night in snow, and management repeatedly refused my requests to bring it into a lighted bay for inspection. Snow packed in the treads hid dry-rotted tires. Sold a warranty the truck could never use: A high lift or huge tires can void a warranty. This truck had both. Two red flags, ignored. That was no accident. Paid $4,590 for warranty, refunded only about $3,890. I've shelled out $5,321.83 in repairs thus far. Unsafe and forced $1,098 GPS add-on: I was told Wells Fargo required a $1,098 CarChief GPS device. Wells Fargo later told me it was not required. The unit sat unanchored about an inch from my left foot, next to the pedals, despite its own FCC label warning to keep it 20cm from people. Engine knock: On the last cold day of last year the engine developed a knock that goes away when warm. The dealer calls it an exhaust tick and says it is normal. It is loudest on the driver side, and Tundra owners and fan pages say this is a known timing chain tensioner problem. Fixing it means removing the whole front of the engine, and while you are there you might as well do the chains too. Illegal gag clause: The contract tried to ban negative reviews, which federal law (15 U.S.C. 45b) voids. That is part of why this review exists. Tax discrepancy: My Buyer's Order bills $3,102.88 in tax, but the state form reports $3,183.00. That is an $80.12 gap between the dealer's own documents, and tax filings are supposed to be accurate. Estimates so far for needed work, not yet done: $4,187.27 for fuel injectors and $10,080 for suspension replacement. Formal complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General on Oct 22, 2026 and the FTC on Oct 24, 2026. Demanding full contract rescission. Prospective buyers: Run both CarFax and AutoCheck reports on-site, require all figures in writing, insist on indoor bay lighting, and get a third-party mechanic inspection. Advice to management: Never underestimate a customer with the time, financial resources, and legal backing to hold you fully accountable. I have all three, and I will see every process through to its conclusion. If this helped save you from a bad deal, please mark this review as "helpful" so other buyers can see it before signing paperwork! More

"I bought a 2017 Cadillac Escalade from CarWise Gurnee on May 12, 2026 for $35,000. The AC was not working at purchase. They took it back and did a temporary fix, then the AC failed again with the same issue May 12, 2026 for $35,000. The AC was not working at purchase. They took it back and did a temporary fix, then the AC failed again with the same issue — their own service manager acknowledged it was the same issue — and they refused to repair it further. On October 3, 2026 I sent a demand letter for a proper no-cost repair. That same day Claire Ingram emailed me in writing promising a service adviser would follow up. That follow-up never came. I followed up on October 13 and received no reply. On October 18 I sent a final notice giving CarWise until Wednesday, October 21, 2026 to contact me and schedule the no-cost repair. That deadline passed in complete silence. They sold me a $35,000 vehicle with a broken AC, patched it, and walked away from their own promise. I am still waiting for the proper no-cost repair." More

I bought an SUV for $16k from Carwise Gurnee, immediately upon reciving it there were issues with items I specifically asked about and was reassured were in good working order. I was told the vehicle was ins upon reciving it there were issues with items I specifically asked about and was reassured were in good working order. I was told the vehicle was inspected and was in great shape before taking delivery. I've now owened the car for 5 weeks, and put on less than $400 miles while spending a total of $5500 on repiars. Three of the repairs should have been noticed if it was a true inspeciton - one CV boot was ripped and the CV joint was completly void of grease, a wheel bearing was bad, and the "new" brakes were installed incorrectly and needed to be replaced. I tried to reach out to the dealer and they did help with the inital repair of the cruise control not working, but they are unwilling to help with the others. I still have not seen this inspection, but do not trust them with reapirs or transparency. This place is just our to make the sale, and will misrepresent the condition of the vehicle if they need to. When I reached out to the delaler, I mentioned I was told the tires were at 7/32 and 8/32, however two of them were at 5/32 and were almost at the wear markers (and there was a patch in the sidewall, which is a big red flag). They didn't see this as being shady and dishonest. STAY AWAY!!! More

Negatives: While the price, via CarGurus, was good, around $26,500, beware that the dealer has installed a number of security and other options under CarChief on all of their vehicles so that adds betw around $26,500, beware that the dealer has installed a number of security and other options under CarChief on all of their vehicles so that adds between $3000-$4000 to the price of the car and you cannot remove all of these fees. Its a bit misleading so buyer beware that the initial price is not really in the ballpark of what you would expect to pay. I understand adding a couple thousand for taxes and a couple dealer fees but did not expect the additional CarChief fees. We also had to wait a couple of hours to meet with the finance guy as they seemed to have only one working that day. Positives: The people who worked at the dealer were all nice. The dealership was clean and the cars on the lot all looked to be in good shape. More

William and Bill made the experience personal and enjoyable. They genuinely cared about getting me the best deal. I tested several Rover SUVs, And bought Range Rover at Carwise. Great experience. enjoyable. They genuinely cared about getting me the best deal. I tested several Rover SUVs, And bought Range Rover at Carwise. Great experience. More

Sales manager lost a costumer because he didn’t want too drop an extra 1k of the original price on the vehicle. Especially during these hard times where people won’t be spending on cars. drop an extra 1k of the original price on the vehicle. Especially during these hard times where people won’t be spending on cars. More

Checked out a Wrangler and a Wrangler Sport yesterday. I’m gonna go back with my pal, a techy guy, to check both out. It’s a little dicey to buy without another inspection, and they’re holding it for me I’m gonna go back with my pal, a techy guy, to check both out. It’s a little dicey to buy without another inspection, and they’re holding it for me for a week, no cost. Great so far, will add my further experience just as I visit them again. More

Alex was super patient with my wishes and concerns. We tested 3 autos, and one of them I liked so much, that bought it the same day. Amy handled my financing perfectly to let my purchase happened. We tested 3 autos, and one of them I liked so much, that bought it the same day. Amy handled my financing perfectly to let my purchase happened. More

William deserves thanks for helping me buy a good-looking and reliable hatchback. I chose the 2023 Rogue and am incredibly happy with my purchase. With pre-approval and all the papers ready, I was driving ho and reliable hatchback. I chose the 2023 Rogue and am incredibly happy with my purchase. With pre-approval and all the papers ready, I was driving home in less than two hours. More

Chatting with Antoinette was lovely. Then Thomas came to hear my needs, and between the two of them, they offered me several SUVs. The cost and appearance of 2 vehicles caused my heart t Then Thomas came to hear my needs, and between the two of them, they offered me several SUVs. The cost and appearance of 2 vehicles caused my heart to flutter. I am comparing F Race and Infinity CX60, both low mile age, around 5 years old, with the price of about $22 thousand. I found here an excellent choice of affordable SUVs. Took timeout to sleep over it. More