Let me preface this with an apology. If you read multiple Jeep Wrangler forums you will find this cross-posted. I’m just trying to get the word out to save other people from the bad situation I find myself in. Also if this post breaks some sort of form rules please delete it, thank you

I bought my first Jeep Wrangler from a Jeep dealership in Morton Illinois… Because of the situation and their refusal to even attempt to make it right I believe it is important to share with anyone who will listen my experience with the dealership and the 2008 Jeep Wrangler I purchased. Perhaps I can save someone else the grief I have experienced…

I intentionally chose to buy my Jeep at a Jeep dealership because I assumed, based on my previous experience both as a purchaser and working in new car dealerships, that the vehicle would have been examined by a technician certified by the manufacturer. I realize there is a premium in buying a used car from a new car dealer, but I believe the advantage outweighs the cost. Or at least, until I purchased a vehicle from Sam Lehman’s, that has been my experience. This being my first Jeep Wrangler so I was a little naïve as to how the vehicle should ride like and handle. Because of this my short test drive did not raise any concerns and my assumption that the vehicle was examined before it was put on the lot for sale blinded me to a couple obvious issues I would have noticed otherwise.

The long drive home brought to my attention some concerns about the way the vehicle handled and drove. I crawled under the front end and noticed oil leaking out of the steering stabilizer shock. Realizing I purchased the vehicle “as is” I ordered a new one with the intention of installing it. While installing the steering stabilizer shock I noticed the shock absorbers on the vehicle were OEM factory originals even though the vehicle had 73,000 miles on it and this was also adding to the unsafe handling characteristics. I ordered new shocks and when they arrived I installed them. Much to my surprise, while installing the shocks, I found the right rear brake caliper seized both rear rotors rusty and grooved. This prompted me to check the brake system in its entirety and, to be safe, I replaced front and rear rotors, brake pads, and rebuilt the rear calipers.

In addition to this the passenger side running board was rusted sufficiently that it partially collapsed while my wife was entering the vehicle. I replaced both running boards and treated/painted the rust on the frame. I used this as an excuse to buy new front and rear bumpers and installed them also though there was nothing wrong with the ones I took off. I still need to replace the gas tank skid plate and some of the mounting equipment for the tank. It is rusted to the point where I have some concern that in the future it may create an unsafe situation.

A little background as to why I bought a Jeep Wrangler. For the last 40 years my wife and I have ridden a motorcycle and explored the backwoods of all 50 states. For the last nine years I’ve been struggling with cancer and that this affected my balance and made motorcycling unsafe. Purchasing a Jeep was going to replace our much loved activity. I found, after owning this Jeep, that the cancer and the neuropathy have affected my ability to use a clutch and it causes pain. I contacted the dealership and sent them essentially what I have shared with you and asked them if they would help me in treating the vehicle back and perhaps even on the new one. I was told it was only worth $12,000 though I bought it in an unsafe condition for $16,000 just two months ago. I called the dealership and explained to the salesman the situation he spoke to his manager and they offered me just $10,000.
Just to reiterate, I am aware I bought the vehicle as is but my willingness to buy it “as is” was predicated upon the knowledge I was purchasing it from a new car dealership not a fly-by-night used car sales lot. However, my experience can only lead to one of three assumptions:
1. Their service department charged their sales department internally for an inspection that never occurred. If this is the case, I wanted to make their sales department that this practice is leading to the sale of unsafe vehicles. If it is true, I don’t believe they care
2. Their sales department had the inspection done and decided to sell the vehicle without any of the work being performed. This would surprise me for this practice is more reflective of the sales practices of the aforementioned fly-by-night used car lots.
3. The vehicle was put on the lot for sale without any inspection. This would also surprise and disappointment me.

No matter what the reason they are unwilling to do anything to rectify the situation so if you desire to purchase a vehicle in central Illinois I would suggest you stay away from the Sam Lehman’s dealerships.

 

Not sure what you expect to hear? You bought a 10yr old Jeep "As-Is". AS-IS means the dealership wants no responsibility and it is completely up to you to determine issues prior to purchase and agree that you will be responsible for any and all issues after purchase.
1. Why do you think that the dealer should now fix issues that you signed a form agreeing that you alone would be responsible for?
2. Of course it is worth less now... Dealers make profit. How is that wrong? They aren't charities.
3. Most likely it was put on the lot with only the bare minimum inspection which isn't wrong on their part. The whole point of an "As-Is" car is the dealer doesn't want to put 1 cent into it and will most likely be sent it to auction and end up in a buy here pay here lot. While waiting to go to action they usually drop it on the lot in case they get any interest form someone like you that understands they are accepting full responsibility for any and all repairs or issues... Just like you when signed the giant white form that says "AS-IS NO WARRANTY" on the top of the page. (FYI I speak from experience as an ex GM of three Ford Dealerships and one Chrysler Dealership)

The warning shouldn't be that you stay away from a business that did nothing wrong, but instead it should be a warning that when you buy a car listed is "As-Is" then make sure you understand what the hell that actually means.

 

Tend to agree with the above. Outside of buying some certified used vehicle, I wouldn't expect that some dealership when through some thorough inspection process with any vehicle sold as/is on their lot. I'm not certain why anyone would have some higher comfort level dealing with a large dealership than some smaller lot in that regard. Vehicle in, vehicle out. Outside of a quick wash, I wouldn't expect them to do anything further.

 

As I said my willingness to purchase the vehicle was based on their representative's word that the vehicle had received a "84 point" inspection and was "in excellent condition". This was a lie. I never asked them to fix it. I never asked them to pay for the repairs that I did or even to pay for the parts. I put new shocks, steering stabilizer, all new brake pads rotors and one caliper. I replaced the running boards, fixed the rust and electrical issues. I brought it up to the condition they told me it was in when I bought it without asking them for anything. So no, it is not worth less now it is worth what I paid for it and I was willing to take less. They made an offer and two days later they lowered it 20% because "the market is down", another lie... I never intended to get them to pay anything nor would I have any such expectations. my sole purpose is to warn others that they cannot believe what this dealership promises and perhaps they should consider another dealership.
so in answer to your bullet points
1. I do not think they should nor did I ask them to...
2. If it was worth what I paid for it in the condition it was in then it is worth more now and perhaps they should keep their word and give me what they offered.
3. if it was " it was put on the lot with only the bare minimum inspection" then I should have been told that not promising it had a "84 point" inspection and was "in good shape"

I agree with you in that if the vehicle was presented as it was without the lies then it is on me. Even with the lies, it is on me and I have not asked for anything. My only desire is exactly what the title says, "A Warning" stay away from a new car dealership willing to deceive to sell a car.

FYI I also, for 21 years, worked in new car dealerships in different positions (though never gm). It is because of that experience I trusted them. In many, possibly all, of the dealerships I worked in what happened to me would have been unacceptable. They would wholesale the vehicle or make it worthy of being on their lot. If someone resorted to deception to move an unsafe vehicle that person would not be with the dealership anymore. Perhaps your experience was different.

 

Man, I hate to say it, but you know what happens when you assume

 

As an ex-GM of a franchise dealership what would your reaction be to an employee who told a customer that a vehicle, which had not been inspected, had "past a 86 point inspection". Also I am curious what your response to the customer would be if, after taking the vehicle home (62 miles of freeway driving), found a seized caliper, cooked brakes, and 6 other safety related defects. I also have worked in several Ford dealerships when I lived in Pennsylvania and such behavior from an employee would have resulted in them being shown the door! No dealership I worked in would have refused to try and do something to make it right, even to the point of buying the vehicle back.
I would like to know how you would have responded in that situation as a General Manager.

All that aside to respond to your "points":
1. I never asked them to pay for any of the repairs. I do not expect them to now... I am unsure as to why you believe I am... I did not even contact them until I realized I would be unable to drive the vehicle and needed an automatic (the effects of cancer on the nerves in my feet). I made all the repairs myself at my expense and never asked them for a penny. (rockauto.com is my friend)
2. Actually it is worth more now... All the things I was told was done I have repaired at my expense (except an issue with the gas tank shield/mount. I hope to have that done next week) the vehicle is in much better shape than it was when I purchased it including treating the rust on the frame and painting it, new front and rear bumpers, and rock rails in place of those silly steps.
3. If it were put on the lot and presented as having only "the bare minimum inspection" done I would have not have purchased the vehicle without a more through inspection. But I was lied to and I am still surprised at that and the situation when I attempted to trade the vehicle back in... Despite the work I did to it I was willing to take less than I paid. The reason for my need to trade is in the original post... I was quoted a price but when I, 2 days later, went to test drive and finalize I gas given a value 20% lower... I was told "the market was down".

I do not expect to ever see them again. I expect no compensation for my situation, I know what "AS-IS" means. The sole purpose for my post was exactly what the title said, a warning to others for I have never had a new car dealership be so deceptive and disingenuous

Again I am curious how you would have responded in that situation as a General Manager.

Thank you

 

wow really guy?

 

In one hand, As Is, to me is taking a chance. Bought mine As Is. However, I expect the dealer to address safety realted issues before a sale, is the moral and ethical thing to do. But also... there is a fine line between Legal and Moral/Ethical.

I am a horrible salesman, if you buy a vehicle from me, I will tell you straight up and all I know about the vehicle. Some about if you screw someone over... it will eventually bite you in the ass.

 

I just bought a 2012 JKU from a new car dealer. Got the same "100 point inspection" BS from the sales guy. But I still crawled all around that thing before I signed the paperwork because it was AS-IS. And because I used everything I found as a bargaining chip. Imagine if you had pointed out all that rust and the OEM shocks beforehand. Could have knocked a couple grand off the sale price, or at least gotten a "we owe" to have it fixed.

When it comes to any used car, "caveat emptor"; buyer bware! That said, I assume Illinois requires a safety inspection in order for them to give you temp tags. So I'd be asking how those brakes passed and at least request reimbursement for those, or I'd be calling the state.

 

Well since you asked...

I actually refused to sell the crap cars going to the action to buyers because we were a "franchise" dealership and let's face it if going to court we would always lose so it wasn't worth the time. That doesn't mean that we didn't sell "As-Is" cars because any vehicle that was out of the factory warranty and the new buyer declined to purchase an extended warranty had to sign the all to familiar agreement of "As-Is No Warranty" form.

If I was in the GM of that store I would have made it right for you but then again we had the highest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and the 2nd highest Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) in the country. But lets be realistic here and understand that dealerships want to make money and some are just a$$holes and don't care about future sales from a customer.

On the same note customers are just as much a$$holes and have contributed to the problem over the last 30+ years. Think about it for a minute... If you went to the grocery store and when you got the total from the checkout you said.... Hmm $126... that is bullshit! You go tell your manager I'm not paying over $65 or I am walking out of here. They would laugh you out of the store. But this is the entitled attitude almost everyone has when going to buy a vehicle.

Now back to your point. I would not have put myself in this position on either side of the fence. As a consumer you must do your own diligence an not assume or expect that anyone else is looking out for your well being. As-Is means it's your responsibility to settle any items before you drive over the curb as the saying goes let the buyer beware.

I feel bad for your situation but again I see the warning should be for someone to be careful of "As-Is" vehicles and not necessarily a dealership that was upfront in stating that they were not going to do anything at all on the vehicle and then standing their ground on that.

my 2 cents