David Meents

Review of Autobarn Mazda - Evanston,IL

They sold me a Mazda RX8 some years ago with exhau...

They sold me a Mazda RX8 some years ago with exhaust modifications that they didn't tell me about. Whether this was knowingly done, or just an example of their incompetence, I do not know. These modifications not only voided the manufacturer's warranty but also the extended warranty they conned me in to.

Of course, not even a year later the car wouldn't start. So I towed it in to my local Mazda dealership, who told me the engine was "bad" and I needed a new one. Mazda Manufacturer refused to cover it because of said exhaust modifications that I was unaware of. The extended warranty refused to cover it because it was the manufacturer's responsibility to do it. Three months, two lawyers, and plenty of annoyed chauffeurs later, I still did not have a working car. I then get a phone call from Autobarn saying they drove down and towed my car all the way back to Evanstan (three hours north of me). This came as a surprise since I didn't authorize, or even know about this, at all. An even bigger surprise came when they told me the car was fixed (it was just spark plugs) and that I owed them $2000 for the parts/labor and tow (that I didn't authorize). They wanted me to come pick it up, which I couldn't do because I had no car. If I wanted them to tow it back down to me I was going to have to pay the several hundred dollars for it.

All through this time life was happening. I lost my job, couldn't make the payments on the car let alone fork over $2000. I couldn't find reliable transportation to get to job interviews. Eventually the car was repossessed. I can't begin to tell you the amount of time, work, and stress I put into resolving this. I spent dozens if not hundreds of hours on the phone with Autobarn, with lawyers, the manufacturer, the warranty company. 3 months worth.

I singly blame this dealership for a number of significant and recurring situations in my life. I take it with a smile now, a number of years later, but a few of the inconveniences this has cost me include: an irreparably damaged credit score (and all the fun that brings), denial for a new checking account, inability to get another car, and my current situation where I need to dig up this information for a background screening (which is why I'm revisiting this horrible experience).

In recap: they sold me a car with significant engine (exhaust) modifications without telling me. This voided both the manufacturers and extended warranties. When the car broke shortly after my purchase they stole the vehicle from my local dealership and held it for ransom.

Should this prevent you from buying here? I'll leave that up to you; I'm notoriously unlucky and this was some time ago, so I was stupidly naive and extended beyond my means with this purchase. Just make sure you have a third party inspect the vehicle thoroughly before buying. Then have the salesman swear an oath that they're not selling you a warranty that your car will never qualify for. And maybe bring a lawyer.