Blake Freeman

I am writing this as a warning to any parent or buyer looking for a reliable vehicle. We purchased a Chevrolet Equinox from Cole and Blake at Atwater Chevrolet on 6/17/24. We were told, "I would buy this looking for a reliable vehicle. We purchased a Chevrolet Equinox from Cole and Blake at Atwater Chevrolet on 6/17/24. We were told, "I would buy this for my wife" by the sales person. Instead, this car has been a recurring safety disaster that has twice left a young woman stranded alone in dangerous conditions. The Timeline of a Nightmare: The 4-Month Mark (Oct 2024): Only four months after purchase, the engine failed on I-94 near Minneapolis, leaving a young woman alone on a busy highway at night. While Atwater replaced the timing chain at no charge (to be fair), this was clearly just a "band-aid" for a catastrophic underlying problem. Maintenance & Misrepresentation: We’ve invested over $4,000 in new parts and changed the oil every 2,800 miles. At the time of sale, there was NO indication or disclosure of the severe oil consumption issues known to plague these engines. We were sold a vehicle with a fundamentally compromised engine. The Second Catastrophe (Dec 2025): Just before Christmas, the nightmare repeated. On a freezing morning between Duluth and St. Cloud, the rear main seal and block blew out, dumping oil across the road and leaving a young woman stranded in the cold in a terrifyingly unsafe location. The Current Situation (Jan 8, 2026): The car is back at Atwater, and the lack of accountability is staggering. Do you truly want the hassel when buying a car.   Atwater is demanding tear-down fees just to "investigate" the failure of this Chevy Equinox. THE WARRANTY IS WORTHLESS: TRULY, SAVE YOUR MONEY. This Value Max warranty is absolutely worthless. Despite the catastrophic failure, the warranty company claims it is "not their issue." They are a horrible company to deal with—their "protection" the truly if you read all the fine print truly covers very little. Financial Burden: We are currently bleeding $500 a week in rental fees while paying a large loan on a vehicle that is currently worth nothing. This $500 a week could be spent on the loan but it is not as the Dealership is blaming the Warranty company. Final Verdict: No parent should ever have to worry about their child being stranded on a dark, freezing highway. Between a dealership that sold a known "oil burner" and is now ghosting us, and a warranty company that refuses to help, we have been left with no choice but to involve an attorney. BUYER BEWARE: Avoid Atwater Chevrolet and Value Max warranties at all costs. They do not stand behind what they sell beware of buying from this dealer. More

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Excellent service provided by everyone. It was the best experience I have had buying a vehicle, and I have bought many. It was the best experience I have had buying a vehicle, and I have bought many. More

by ljbaloun Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Cole Cottrell and Blake were very knowledgeable and helpful. I appreciated the low pressure approach! helpful. I appreciated the low pressure approach! More

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I was a bit disappointed the first sales person didn’t call or email me as we discussed but I was able to work with Cole and he did a great job from start to finish. He seems like a quality person and tha call or email me as we discussed but I was able to work with Cole and he did a great job from start to finish. He seems like a quality person and that shines through in how he took care of all the pieces of the sale. Blake was great to work with as well as Josh. It was a great experience, I felt like I got a fair deal and ultimately happy with my pickup. More

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Tony and Josh were terrific in getting my new car replaced with a "new-new" car~! Tony responded to my concerns right away! replaced with a "new-new" car~! Tony responded to my concerns right away! More

by siouxcitysue Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Service team is always extremely friendly and professional. Easy to schedule. They offer rides and/or pick up/drop off service as well for people that are working. Service is thorough as well, in professional. Easy to schedule. They offer rides and/or pick up/drop off service as well for people that are working. Service is thorough as well, including a video review of work completed, assessment of vehicle and any recommendations. Top notch service department. More

by kwswede Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Fast service, Easy to schedule. Pleasant had my vehicle done in a timely manner. I would schedule my service again Pleasant had my vehicle done in a timely manner. I would schedule my service again More

by msaueressig Verified Customer Verified Customer

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They signed me in on time serviced me coffee and had my pickup ready and I was on my way. pickup ready and I was on my way. More

by renstrom_ Verified Customer Verified Customer

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