I want my experience to bring awareness so people who are - Mandybel9906
I want my experience to bring awareness so people who are looking to purchase used, don’t make the same mistakes that I have. I found a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace, purchased it from a smaller LLC, Elite AA Auto Group. The owner, Anderson Ayala or Anderson Ayala-Esteban (he uses both names) listed the vehicle, saying it had 1 previous owner, Bluetooth, electric liftgate, backup cameras, among other features. My husband went by his dealership to check the vehicle out, but upon arrival, it was on jacks, Anderson said he wasn’t satisfied with where the temperature averaged, so was changing the water pump. My husband returned a few days later with a friend who is very knowledgeable in mechanics. They unfortunately didn’t test drive it, they just checked for certain things. No check engine light was on, so never suspected there were any issues with the motor. We purchased it, a 2009 Buick Enclave CXL. Anderson bragged about his mechanic and said if we have any issues, his mechanic can fix it. With many used cars, it was sold “as is”. We purchased a limited warranty through a third party. As soon as I left the dealership I noticed no sound from speakers in the rear. How can you use Bluetooth with only tweeters? Being reasonable, this doesn’t have anything to do with the engine, it can be easily replaced so I couldn’t be angry. A few miles later, “service airbag” and “service tire monitoring system” showed on my DIC, along with the check engine light. Knowing airbags are important, I assumed that’s what made my engine light come on. 2 days after purchase, I get “Low oil pressure. Stop engine”. My heart sank. I immediately took a photo and contacted Anderson, showing him the photo and expressed my concerns about the oil pump possibly malfunctioning. He told me to bring it to him at his dealership the following day. On my way I stopped at an Autozone to get the codes that signaled the check engine light to come on and it stated O2 sensor. They printed it out, I was giving it to Anderson to look further than the oil pump. I arrived at the dealership, his mom (Elizabeth, also his assistant) informs me that he’s not there and asked if she can help me. I told her “my vehicle I purchased here just 2 days ago is breaking down and Anderson told me to bring it in so his mechanic can look at it.” She called him, he asked if I could leave the keys there, I agreed. Later messaged him asking if I should stay near (I live 45 minutes away) or if it could take a few days. He tells me they are fully booked and he won’t get a chance to get to mine until Monday. I message him Monday asking for an update, he tells me “no update”. Waited another 2 days, messaged him again, this time he says “it’s not good news, call me”. He tells me that he changed parts X,Y,Z, And that the work they done would greatly extend the life of my vehicle. I was upset! As a woman that knows nothing about vehicles, but I’ve always been told to make sure and scratch or leave an obvious (yet conspicuous) marking on what part will be replaced and have them give you the parts they replaced to ensure you see your identifying mark. I wasn’t given the opportunity because there was no work order, no paperwork was signed authorizing him to do any repairs. He proceeds to tell me he’s not charging for labor, only charging for the parts. Still, I was shocked, did not anticipate any bill because the vehicle was failing just 2 days after purchase. He tells me I owe him $550 or I can’t pick up my vehicle. I had to drive out of state the next day, so I just paid it because I needed it. I went to pick up the vehicle and Anderson was not there. No invoice to show what was done, Elizabeth simply had a sticky note with the total and vehicle make and model written on it. Paid with a check and left. Before I made it home the check engine light was back on. I got the codes and this time it shows both catalytic converters. With no proof (no invoice) that work was done, going by him claiming he changed 3 O2 sensors, knowing those are physically connected to the catalytic converter, I immediately stopped payment on the check. Had to get a rental for my out of state drive the following day. He contacts me the next day saying my check bounced. I’m at a wedding, not wanting the stress and wanting to enjoy the ceremony, I waited until we were back in town to reply. I explained that he didn’t provide an invoice, the check engine light came on immediately after leaving, so my husband would contact him during the week. He finally emails my husband the invoice. 3 O2 sensors, 3 spark plugs (it’s a V6, so why not 6? Maybe because 3 are harder to reach?), water pump (didn’t he just change it the week before? Plus I told him OIL pump, not water pump) and Lucas oil stabilizer, along with $185 service charges. Knowing how sensitive spark plugs and sensors are, I’d never approve of aftermarket parts, I would gladly pay more to ensure it’s OEM, made specifically for my vehicle. Aftermarket parts are fine for most, but not something like oxygen sensors! Misfires! How did this “great” mechanic” not know this? Anderson emails my husband saying he knew we had no intentions of paying considering the check bounced. How insulting! I would have gladly used my card if he had a machine. They told us cash, check or cashiers check only. I decided to buy a history report and found out that there were 3 previous owners, not 1. The backup camera he claimed in the advertisement? It’s not there! The electric liftgate? It opens, it attempt to close but fails to latch. The Bluetooth is there, but you can’t use it because the speakers don’t work. I brought it to a certified Buick dealership for an estimate, for just replacing the converters, it’s a few dollars shy of $3,000. Comparing the Advertisement to the history report, there are many inconsistencies. Anderson sends me a message saying he contacted our credit union that financed the vehicle (who currently are the title holders) and they gave him the “ok” to proceed with getting a lien. I did not respond. I went speak with our agent and she was shocked, told me he did call and spoke to the supervisor, who told him he had no chance of getting a lien.
I know this is a long review, but I want it to be clear. I admit that my lack of knowledge on purchasing a used vehicle resulted in me not seeing the many red flags. I hold myself accountable for that. But he needs to be exposed for all the lies and unfair business practices. Trying to charge me over $500 for a vehicle that defaulted 2 days after purchase? It is obvious those defects were there, but hidden. Knowing anyone has the ability to remove the check engine light, the fact that the only time that light wasn’t on was at the dealership, extremely suspicious. But I will not accuse him of tampering with it without proof.
In conclusion. I would rather walk than purchase a vehicle through Elite AA Auto Group. Anderson lied about so much, I wouldn’t believe him if he said the sky is blue. All communication was via email or Facebook messenger, we only spoke on the phone once. I have time and date stamps for proof that everything stated in this review to be 100% accurate. I strongly urge anyone who is seeking to buy used, do research! Buy an OBDII reader to see if the check engine light is off, but there are codes showing. If that happens, RUN!. Paying for a history report or Carfax isn’t completely necessary due to inaccurate reporting. Use that money to pay a trustworthy mechanic to fully inspect it before purchase. You can also (In addition to hiring a mechanic) find videos on spotting red flags, things to look for in the interior and exterior that can tell you if it’s ever been in an accident. Example, my vehicle did in fact originally have a backup camera, but where the camera is placed, that part was replaced, they replaced it with the cheaper one that doesn’t include the camera. They also replaced the rear view mirror in the interior with a cheaper one, I can only assume this was an attempt to hide the other part being replaced. The report states it has never been in an accident, so I don’t understand why it would be replaced to remove safety features that would bring the value (slightly) down. Something is very fishy, I may never have answers. I don’t believe Anderson was involved in that situation, despite the spoonful of lies he’s fed us. A bulb attached to that replacement part was burnt, so I’m confident he would have replaced the light to hide that. I believe it was done long before he ever had possession of the vehicle.
Please, research research research!!!!! Pay a mechanic to fully inspect it. A few hundred dollars can save you from thousands in repairs. I would even urge you to pay for a background check on the seller to see if they have any type of criminal history or have been sued in the past. Let my unfortunates be a lesson and protect yourself. I hate that trust is lost, resulting in honest dealerships losing business because of the the bad ones.
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