LENNY CLIFTON

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

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Carwise Gurnee advertised a vehicle online at a specific price though upon arriving at the dealership, and proceeding to the final stages of the transaction, mandatory 3rd party service add-ons that exceede price though upon arriving at the dealership, and proceeding to the final stages of the transaction, mandatory 3rd party service add-ons that exceeded $1,000 were introduced at the time of signing. These charges had not been disclosed in the original advertisement, nor at any point prior to the execution of purchase agreement documents. These add-ons were presented as non-negotiable condition of the sale. This conduct is in direct violation of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Advertising Regulations, which expressly prohibit the sale of a vehicle above its advertised price and require all material terms to be clearly and prominently disclosed at the outset of any offer. It further violates the Federal Trade Commission's Combating Auto Retail Scams Rule, which mandates that all mandatory add-ons be incorporated into the advertised offering price of the vehicle. Advertising one price while requiring consumers to pay a higher price through undisclosed mandatory charges is, without qualification, an unfair and deceptive business practice under Illinois and federal consumer protection law. This experience has been documented in full. Complaints are being filed with the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Federal Trade Commission. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to demand a complete, itemized, out-the-door price in writing before setting foot in this dealership More

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This place is definitely worth recommending for emergency Jaguar repairs and other vehicle issues, like a scratching noise —the staff is very helpful. I want to thank Paul, who organized the entire diagnosti Jaguar repairs and other vehicle issues, like a scratching noise —the staff is very helpful. I want to thank Paul, who organized the entire diagnostics and repair process. More

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I enjoyed buying my 2019 RAM 1500 from Laron at EM. He was professional but chill and went above and beyond to find exactly what I wanted within my price limits. He was professional but chill and went above and beyond to find exactly what I wanted within my price limits. More

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I was surfing the sites for weeks, planning to purchase Murano 2019 and found one of the best offers at Elite Motors. If you are looking for a nice used car, check them out. I will definitely buy my next c Murano 2019 and found one of the best offers at Elite Motors. If you are looking for a nice used car, check them out. I will definitely buy my next car here. More

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Scammers. We agreed on a price and at the end they charged more( OTD price) We agreed on a price and at the end they charged more( OTD price) More

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The second that I walked into this fine establishment, I truly felt like family, (a long lost relative who was coming by for a visit). The Concierge Michelle, is a truly special person, who helped me to fe truly felt like family, (a long lost relative who was coming by for a visit). The Concierge Michelle, is a truly special person, who helped me to feel EXTREMELY Comfortable Immediately upon my arrival... Her Amazing Personality and Beautiful Smile really has the ability to brighten anyone's day... She was beyond welcoming and sweet!!! It didn't end there though, Michelle stopped by several times during the buying process to add words of encouragement, and to put my mind at ease!!! As for Antoinette, the Sales Person who helped me, she was unbelievably patient and kind through the whole process... I could just tell, Antoinette really wants every customer to have a laid back and stress free experience, of purchasing their vehicle... She has the natural ability to listen to what a customer wants and to help make that a reality... Her caring nature, made me feel like I had known her all my life, which in turn, we had some GREAT conversation throughout the process. She then brought over Lenny, the Sales Manager, who really worked with me, to negotiate the goals that I had mind, in purchasing my vehicle! Lenny truly helped to put my mind at ease, and reach the ultimate goal that I had in mind. Don't be intimidated by him, he really is a "Gentle Giant"... The Finance Manager as well, was very nice and out going... I received more than I had asked for, from her also... Overall, I was EXTREMELY Satisfied with this Beautiful Vehicle that I purchased, the process in obtaining it and the ENTIRE staff of this up and coming Dealership, "Elite Motors"... I recommend, everyone should check this dealership out, because with the team they have in place, their growth will be exponential... ~Brian B.~ A Grateful and Satisfied Customer~ More

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Michelle Schaps, Short and Sweet, Awesome Customer Service! 10/10 would come back for help ! Service! 10/10 would come back for help ! More

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Quentin Hardy was an excellent sales rep. Michelle was Phenomenal!She takes care of Everyone! Michelle was Phenomenal!She takes care of Everyone! More

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I test drove a 2013 Honda Odyssey back in August. After the test drive, I put down a $1000 deposit on the condition that it pass an independent inspection. The salesman assured me it was a refundable After the test drive, I put down a $1000 deposit on the condition that it pass an independent inspection. The salesman assured me it was a refundable deposit. The inspection revealed some minor issues that should have been caught in the 150-point inspection they said they performed - loud squealing on ignition from the rusted tensioner assembly and a 15-degree misalignment. Not big things. I asked Elite motors if they would fix the issues before I purchase the car. They wanted to charge me $250. I said I didn't want to have hundreds of dollars in unexpected repairs before the car was off the lot. They offered to make the repairs for $225. I asked for my deposit back. At this point they ghosted me. I couldn't reach anyone for two days until finally the salesman texted back that his manager now says the deposit is non-refundable. I called repeatedly and couldn't get anyone on the phone. One salesman finally picked up - he seemed sympathetic but unable to help. He kept saying he would get more info and call back in 10 or 15 minutes but I would wait for hours to hear anything. I called repeatedly without success until another sales manager, Joseph, answered. He immediately started yelling at me and told me I could "take the f***ing car or lose my thousand dollars." He also said that Elite Motors only performs the minimum amount of repairs required by law and that he isn't obligated to fix those issues. After a few minutes of heated exchange, he hung up on me. I filed a claim with the Better Business Bureau. It took several weeks to resolve, during which time I received one call from someone at Elite Motors, who left a voicemail and never called back, while I made more than 100 calls trying to get someone on the phone to resolve the issue. They misrepresented the quality of the vehicle and the work they did on it. They lied about refunding my deposit. They made no real effort to communicate with me. They tried to steal my money. More

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