AutoNation

AutoNation

 3.8/5 (571 reviews)

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Overall Rating3.8 out of 5
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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
Verified Reviewer
Original review: May 17, 2023

This review is a few months in the making. Not a buyer's remorse issue. I've just been too busy to do this, until now. I purchased a vehicle from AutoNation in Colorado Springs, CO, last December. The vehicle I purchased is not the same trim level as the one they advertised to me. I wound up buying a standard Lexus RX 350, but the dealership represented it as an "F Sport" model. Being a new Lexus owner I had limited knowledge of how these models are reported - which is what any buyer should expect from a dealership: product knowledge. In fact the sales manager told me Lexus did not badge their F Sport models during the model year that I was buying.

Fast forward a couple of months with lingering suspicions in my mind. I went to the Lexus dealer across the street from Autonation, ran my VIN and they came back and unequivocally told me my vehicle was NOT an F Sport. I wonder why the staff at Autonation didn't verify this before advertising the vehicle incorrectly. I went back to Autonation and told them what transpired and asked for an exchange into another vehicle. The salesman was the only one who took my concerns seriously and realized the mistake the dealership made. Unfortunately, he was in no position to make things right. So, I wound up talking to the sales manager (the same one who claimed Lexus did not put "F Sport" badges on 2016 model vehicles) and asked to exchange the vehicle for one of two others I was willing to buy instead.

After much hemming and hawing, he comes out and tells me nothing in my contract states that the vehicle I purchased identifies it as an F Sport. This opened up a huge grey area in how Autonation promotes their inventory. The CarFax shows it as a "Base/F Sport" model. My final sales paperwork (after sitting around in the dealership for a few hours, of course), doesn't specify if it's a "Base" or "F Sport" model. It only identifies it as the vehicle model with no additional specifications. However, the Carfax report they asked me to initial so they could file it in the sales file, states the vehicle is a "Base/F Sport". This is easily construed to mean the vehicle is a base model, with F Sport upgrades.

Additionally, the fact that the sales manager made it a point to falsely claim that Lexus did not badge their F Sport models for that model year, strongly indicates he knew the actual vehicle trim level and tried to re-direct me toward buying the vehicle regardless of whether he was selling me the vehicle I WANTED, or not. The final outcome is that I'm a less-than-satisfied Autonation customer. I know the whole "buyer beware" and "car dealers are all the same" and I did my best - considering the circumstances - to ensure a fair transaction. With that said, clearly there are plenty of cracks in the transaction process some automotive enterprises are willing to exploit and there is little chance consumers can cover all of them to protect themselves.

When it came time for the staff at this Autonation dealership to correct the mistake THEY made, all they were willing to offer me is a whole new trade on another vehicle (costing me over $4K in lost expenses), and a whole lot of weaseling to try and disassociate themselves from a botched transaction. This amounts to them saying "Our mistake, but your loss anyway". They mis-represented the vehicle they offered for sale and refused to correct that mistake. Plain and simple.

I would NOT recommend this business to any car buyer. In fact this type of misrepresentation is illegal in my state. My only barrier to pursuing legal relief is that I didn't record the entire 5-hour experience as evidence. Nor should I, or anyone else, have to go to these lengths to protect themselves. Autonation promotes its business as a conscientious one, standing by to serve their clients' needs. I have found them to follow in the same footsteps as any other car dealer - all negative implications included.

I strongly recommend anyone who intends to purchase a vehicle from Autonation, conduct painstaking research on what this dealership is selling them and cross-reference their information with a manufacturer's dealership, before signing ANYTHING. There are still plenty of loopholes businesses like this will exploit in order to part you from your money. Otherwise, find a more reputable dealer where you can buy with confidence. Caveat: my salesperson was decent and made his efforts to assist in fixing the issue. I just wish he worked at a more reputable enterprise than Autonation.

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Verified Reviewer
Original review: May 9, 2023

I purchases a vehicle from Autonation and it already had engine problems. Take car back. Three day later I even paid for the best warranty plan. Engine wasn't covered. I don't know how these people sleep at night knowing they could burn people.

3 people found this review helpful

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    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 5, 2023

    Tried to buy a Tundra from them, agreed on price and payments, didn't hear from them for a week, they called me back only to tell them that they sold the truck. They offered me another one, agreed on the price and NEVER GOT BACK TO ME. Gave them another week until I went somewhere else. Worst sales ever. Won't recommend to anyone.

    3 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 3, 2023

    Do not be fooled. They look good on the outside but looks are deceiving. Wait for a service technician is almost a month and then takes another week to diagnose the problem. If at that time, the work is under warranty, they will give a loaner if ones available.

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    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: March 5, 2023

    We bought a jeep, that was in 2 accidents and they choose not to show us a Carfax- They have in their ads how this is one of the things they do, yet we ask several times and all I heard was, "Oh yeah we will get that for you," then the manager insisted, "Yes you signed a Carfax!!" No we did not - If I would have see it had 2 accidents, I would have leaned towards the other Jeep at the other dealership that I lost out on cause I went with this one!! Never Again - This deal was a nightmare- WE did finally see the carfax, it was folded up and pushed under a seat in this Jeep, That's how it was found out about the 2 accidents.

    4 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Feb. 4, 2023

    Brought my car in on 12/20 under warranty with a p0304 engine code. Service department fixed a fuel injector in cylinder 3 and said I was good to go. 3 weeks later, and only 4 days after my warranty expired, the p0304 code came back. Took it back to service department who says it’s a “new issue” and not covered under warranty or under their negligence to fix it the first time. Now I’m out a working vehicle because when I took it to a different mechanic they say it’s a piston- a very pricy mistake for Autonation to confuse for a fuel injector on a different cylinder. Autonation then contacted me again to do the check for free, said it was bad lifters, head, seals, gaskets, etc.

    Mind you this vehicle had been correctly maintained according to schedule since it was purchased according to all records and carfax. I’ve never even off roadbed it in the 2 years I’ve owned it. Still refusing to admit that the first time that I brought it in, they failed to diagnose the correct cylinder issue. They worked with Chrysler to try to come to a resolution, but ultimately said I was responsible for repairs. Repairs that should be covered under the initial warranty period since I did bring it in under the same code. They had cleared the code the first time and it only took a couple hundred miles to recur, telling me and any experienced mechanic that it’s the same issue I experienced and brought it in for. They are trying to hold me accountable for a repair they didn’t fix the first time.

    8 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Dec. 4, 2022

    Purchased a certified preowned from AutoNation dealer in lone tree Colorado. After few days started to have brakes issue, they fixed the front brakes but refused to replace the rear. Spend 900$ to get the rotors and pads replaced. 2 weeks later seat stopped to work, took it to the dealership. The claim was denied whereas they gave in a small piece of paper stating that 90 days warranty and seat will be coved. The claim was denied.

    8 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Nov. 10, 2022

    We purchased a Prepaid Maintenance Program after the Toyota Care expired on our Tundra. The contract provides for 3 services over a period of 2 years, unlimited miles. The language of the completed service states: "Multi-I multi-point inspection (MPI) included, battery test, visual brake inspection, visual tire inspection, battery test, visual brake inspection, visual tire inspection, Pennzoil platinum full synthetic oil and filter service 5 qt, Toyota maintenance contract - (3 visits) - oil change, tire rotation, and multipoint inspection ea ~|~toyota maintenance contract - (3 visits) - oil change, tire rotation, and multipoint inspection each visit. 3 year expiration date. ~|~, Toyota maintenance contract - (3 visits) - oil change, tire rotation, and multipoint inspection ea, tires - rotate, complimentary inspection, use precision part cabin filter."

    On Wednesday, 9 Nov 22, we arrived at our appointment early and told the service rep that we'll be waiting on site. The rep performed his intake and moved my vehicle outside and placed it in line. I watched the technician pull my vehicle into the service bay at 2:33 pm. (48 minutes after my scheduled appointment time 1:45 pm). I watched the technicians change the oil, made the under-the-hood checks, and looked at the cabin filter. I did not observe them rotate the tires, but I was reassured by the Assistant Service manager that upon review of the bay video, the technician moved the tires from front to rear on each side. They do not perform a true tire rotation that includes balancing (Consumer Beware). My vehicle was removed from the bay about 45 minutes later at 3:20 pm.

    This is my 2d Tundra and 6th vehicle we've purchased from this facility since 2005. We have always waited on-site and have enjoyed "in-progress" updates from the service representative during our service visits, these are no longer given. I looked for the service manager, Mr. ** several times, but kept missing him (he seemed to be in and out of meetings during the 3+ hours I was there). I will be searching for another dealership, probably in Colorado Springs, to perform my next full service and you can bet I'll be recording it for posterity.

    3 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Oct. 24, 2022

    I bought a Toyota Tundra in December 2021 and paid cash via my bank's money order. After receiving the plates and registration via the mail I noticed the registration was wrong. It stated that it had a lienholder on my truck listed as my bank. Since I paid cash I immediately called multiple times for a period of 3 months and was told by the finance manager Alex ** that the problem was being handled. I then tried to file a complaint with Toyota Motor corporation and they tried to reach out to the dealership basically telling me they can't do nothing on my behalf. It was up to the dealership and after 3 weeks the finance manager calls me and tells me they have submitted the paperwork to the DMV and that I should get my title in 3 weeks.

    A month or two pass and I get a registration from the DMV stating the lienholder was now the dealership. I then called back for more months of the same lies and run around. Saying they were fixing the paperwork and sending it to the DMV and it will be taken care of. Almost two months ago fed up I go down in person and I speak to Jesus in finance to gives me his boss who he claims is an acting finance manager Leo ** who has the title of customer financial service manager. Who claims he's handling things directly and it shouldn't take no more than two weeks and he will email me and call me. No word again, no return calls. I've also filed a complaint with the better business bureau which they promptly ignored as well. I'm at my wit's end trying to get the title of my truck that I paid cash for almost a year ago.

    5 people found this review helpful
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Oct. 18, 2022

    They checked out the car, gave me a price, lower than I expected but I eventually agreed to it. THEN they did the paperwork and found the title said 110K but the actual mile was 107K. Which means the car had less miles which should make it worth slightly more. Well I was not expecting them to give me a penny more and I was OK with that. BUT and it's a big BUT, they stated that because the actual mileage was less than the mileage on the title they are taking $1,000 of the price. Don't waste your time here, they are the poster children for Shady.

    3 people found this review helpful
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    AutoNation Company Information

    Company Name:
    Autonation
    Website:
    www.autonation.com