Venture Auto City

As a first-time car buyer, my experience with Venture Auto Collection turned into a months-long nightmare that ultimately cost me thousands of dollars. I found a vehicle on Cars.com that checked every Auto Collection turned into a months-long nightmare that ultimately cost me thousands of dollars. I found a vehicle on Cars.com that checked every box. I live in Virginia and the car was in New Jersey, but I was serious about buying it. I called nearly two weeks in advance and spoke with Kevin, letting him know I would be driving up specifically to purchase the vehicle. Nothing was mentioned about any damage or issues. When I arrived at 9am after coordinating a ride from my boyfriend and bringing a mechanic friend with me, the first thing I saw was a large crack across the windshield from driver’s side to passenger’s side. This was not shown in the listing photos and was never disclosed to me. Kevin casually told me I could replace it for $250 and they’d deduct that amount, or I could wait until 2pm for “his guy” to fix it. Since I had traveled from Virginia, waiting all day wasn’t realistic. I later confirmed with my local shop that the replacement would cost $500 with calibration. When I asked for that amount to be deducted instead, he refused. While I was signing paperwork, Kevin repeatedly tried making small talk about places I should visit in NJ, even though I had clearly stated I was there to buy the car and go straight home. The paperwork was heavily marked “AS-IS,” and when I asked about any warranty, I was told there was none. When I handed over my bank check, Kevin asked me who signs the check. I had to call my bank to confirm it was the dealership — which was embarrassing and unnecessary. I also asked how long before my bank would receive the title. I was told “a few weeks” because a third party handles it. After everything was signed and the dealership had cashed my check, I got in the car to drive back to Virginia and realized the gas tank was almost completely empty. After an out-of-state purchase, they couldn’t even provide enough gas to get me started. Once home, I discovered Kevin had listed my insurance company’s address as the address for the title. That began a three-month ordeal. My bank required the title within 30 days or I would face penalties. I called the dealership repeatedly — no response. My bank and I did three-way calls — we were given vague excuses, or told the only employee there was “too busy” to deal with us. Meanwhile, my temporary tags expired and I was driving with expired registration because the title had still not been released. The NJ DMV confirmed the title was still in the dealership’s name. I contacted the NJ Attorney General’s office. Still nothing. Only after three months did my insurance company finally receive the title. By then, my temporary registration had been expired for two months. Then came the worst part. Shortly after finally getting permanent tags, my oil light began flickering. When I brought the car in for an oil change, my mechanic informed me there was virtually no oil left in the engine — no leaks, meaning it had burned through it. I later learned that this specific engine has known oil consumption issues and was even involved in a class action lawsuit that the manufacturer ultimately won, meaning no recall was issued. I had researched the year, make, and model before buying and was told it was highly reliable — but I did not know about the engine-specific issue. Within weeks, I was adding five quarts of oil per week just to keep the vehicle running. I ultimately had to sell the car at a loss. Every dealership offered me at least $2,000 less than what I owed, putting me upside down on my loan. I now pay nearly double my original car payment for a reliable vehicle because of the financial hole this purchase created. From undisclosed damage, to title delays, to complete lack of communication after cashing my check, this experience was beyond stressful. As a first-time buyer who traveled out of state in good faith, I expected transparency and professionalism. I received neither. More

Dealership sold me a car that was rolled back 37000 miles and are blaming Carfax and DMV. I have been calling to fix issue and they are not returning my calls in reference to my situation. Looks like I gotta and are blaming Carfax and DMV. I have been calling to fix issue and they are not returning my calls in reference to my situation. Looks like I gotta do what I gotta do. Purchased vehicle due to me having a disability. Thanx 👍 More

Bin a week and a half no call back or response I called left 2 messages nothing left 2 messages nothing More

this dealer ripped me off buy a car for my son who is going to study at the university I renew my plates and registration twice and my wife and son passed by on a Thursday the owner told him to come to p going to study at the university I renew my plates and registration twice and my wife and son passed by on a Thursday the owner told him to come to pick up next Monday the title and the plates registration the surprise that the dealer was closed. I had to go MVD told me that they are involved because there are four more people with the same problem More

Very helpful and professional. Definitely recommend this dealer. Informative and easy to work with. Glad I ran across these guys. dealer. Informative and easy to work with. Glad I ran across these guys. More