Complaint Review: Own A Car - Gresham Toyota - Salem Oregon

I went to Own a Car because I needed a car very bad that would last me for the next year. I explained to them my situation finacial and I needed their help finding me a reliable car. I figured since the are connected to Gresham Toyota I could trust them. I work two jobs and I am on the road alot.

They showed me a 1999 Ford Escort. It was a little beat up but it seem to run ok. I bought it for $4000. I signed a as is paper thinking little things could be wrong but I could keep it going. I bought it on sunday and the following sunday I broke down in Vancouver on the 205 bridge. I towed it to nearest mechanic and he said the engine is gone and it will cost $4100 to replace.

I was mad and called Own a car the next day. They said to have it towed to Salem and they will check it out. I refuse to pay for that. So all the sudden they had someone who could look at it in Portland. Dan (the salesman)told me to come down and look at some other cars. I told him I would come down on thursday after work. It takes me 1 1/2 hours to get there. I get there around 4:40 and they are closed, they closed early for a Christmas party. Thanks Dan for letting me know. So the next night I show up and talk to the finacial guy Ken and he tells me that I am locked in the loan and can't get out.

Ken tells the salesman to have me drive a nice Saturn with 65,000 miles on it. I liked it and told the salesman I wanted it during our test drive. When we got back to the lot another salesman approach mine laughing to give him the keys because he just sold the Saturn. That made me fuming.

So then they started to show me their really crappy cars again. When I was ready to leave they pulled up a 2000 Ford escort. It had 99,000 miles on it and I was really leary about it but they convinced me to get it. I had to put $400 more down and my family gave me some money to help me with it.

It drove fine until the 3rd day and then the Service engine soon light came on. I called Ken and told him and he said to take it down to his mechanic in Portland. I asked him what if something is really wrong with it. Ken laughed and said your on your own, like I said the other day I don't have a crystal ball. The car is running rich I was told and it will not past emissions.

Now I am in a more financial bind and I can't afford to get the car fixed to get it to pass emissions. Plus it is rattling all the sudden like the first car did. It really makes me mad that Ken thought it was so funny. My mechanic said that Own a Car turned off the light before I got it. And there are things they can do to the car to make it run ok for a little while.

I could understand if I paid $2000 for the car, but I paid $6000. I makes me mad that they took advantage of me and I feel because I am a women. They have devasted me finacial and mental. A person that is hit with identity fraud can recover a lot fast than I will be able to. Women beware, this place will take advantage of you and have a good laugh in the process. It is very odd that I got two pieces of junk in a row. I have a feeling all their cars are like that. I just don't understand why I have no rights at all and they can get away with screwing people like this.

Linda

Vancouver, Washington
U.S.A.