Import Auto Inc

Reviews 3

A

Anonymous User

I ran across Georgia Import Auto while searching for a used Honda Accord in the $6,000-$8,000 range. They had a 2000 Accord V6 Coupe, with only 130k miles, listed on Autotrader for $5,500, so I went to check it out. Upon initial inspection, the car seemed to be in really nice shape... but more scrutiny revealed obvious repainting, non-factory panels, and other tell-tale signs of wrecks and other abuse. Test driving the car was even more revealing; shortly after pulling out of the lot, a knocking in the engine informed me that particular car was in very bad shape, and had simply been dressed and cleaned up in the hopes that someone would purchase it on aesthetics alone. I went back and asked for a CarFax report, the dealer was quick to provide one - however, it contradicted his pre-test drive claim that the vehicle had not been wrecked. It, in fact, had been wrecked, bought at auction, and then put back together in a slap-dash manner. I was very disappointed at this, and would have left the lot immediately had there not been a very reasonably priced 02 Accord. I test-drove it before I left, and it drove remarkably smooth and had fairly low mileage on it. This particular Accord had a few dings and scratches, but otherwise (at least, to my untrained eye) looked to be in decent condition, and not rebuilt or repainted. I made an offer, they didnt respond decisively, and I left. A week or so later, I went back to the lot in order to take another look at the 02 Accord, and bring it to a trustworthy mechanic for inspection. The mechanic was quick to inform me that the front bumper, front-right panel, and right door panel had all been replaced and repainted. The car had been wrecked. To add insult to inconvenience, the mechanic also informed me that the timing belt had not been replaced, and several other basic mechanical issues with the car that had not been addressed. Basically, it had been fixed enough to look really nice on the lot, and run for a little while. That seems to be the modus operandi at Georgia Import Auto - dress up some wrecked or substandard car bought at auction, and make it look real pretty in the hopes that someone naive will stumble across it. When I returned the car to the lot with the mechanics report, the dealer was condescending, inflexible, and quick to dismiss the legitimate mechanical concerns I had - Even going so far as to tell me the timing belt (a $650 expense) didnt have to be replaced on newer Hondas until they reached 110,000 miles (this particular one was at 95,000). Thats not a blatant lie, but its close enough. I would recommend that anyone looking to purchase a used import car avoid this lot at all costs. They have a paint and body shop around the back, and as we were leaving I could hear the spray-guns running nonstop in the back garage. This place dresses up cars on the verge of death, and sells them "as-is". If you want a very large, overpriced paperweight with wheels and a fresh paint job, Georgia Import Auto should suit your needs nicely.

A

Anonymous User

My car is broken.. Its frigging broken. How do you take a car to a place that is supposed to fix cars and leave with you car making cracking and booming sounds and vibrating like you have a jack hammer in it. I took my car to import auto for 2 problems unrelated with what is going on with it now and (after several return visits) still have issues with it. As a matter of fact, each time I picked up the car, I had new problems with it. Its like I paid them to ruin my car! The first time picked up my car, it was squealing, vibrating and driving like it was possessed. They informed me that 2 parts that they installed were touching each other and werent supposed to be?. Ok, so I thought it was a fluke and the fix they would perform would fix all the issues. No such luck. The vibration got worse so I took it back - They worked on it (I think). Picked it up, the vibration was still there and now I had a cracking, booming sound in the rear wheel area. Took it back again. They blamed the sound on the road, the weather and the age of my car. Complete BS. They worked on it, I picked it up. The sound was still there and now the vibration was is there rear. I took it back again. This would be the fourth time they would be working on my car. At this point I was furious and in complete disbelief as to how this could be happening. They promised they would fix the car this time but alas, luck would not be my lady tonight. I just left this place and guess what? The booming, cracking sound and vibration is still there. They claim they put in new shocks and this should have fixed the issue (guess work at best). No it didnt. I called the owner back and he rudely told me that this sound was not caused by them and is most likely the fault of my car and that I would have to take the car to somewhere else to prove that the sound and vibration I was hearing was caused by the work done at his establishment. Are you kidding me? Seriously? His employee also told me there nothing else they can do with the car and that they want to put this episode behind them. What? So you ruin my car and because of your laziness, you put useless parts in it (to shut me up) and after your sub par work, you want to put this episode behind you - like I am inconveniencing you?. I am the one who is inconvenienced here. And you expect me to just accept you shoddy work and drive a damaged car? No Import Auto. I am reporting this place to the Better Business Bureau or whoever I need to to get justice. My car was driving properly before I took it to this sorry excuse for an auto shop. Now I have to take it to the dealer ($$$$$) to have them diagnose the issue? Insanity. This is unacceptable and no way any customer should be treated. Shame on you Import Auto. If you keep treating peoples cars like this, it will catch up with you sooner or later. P.S on top of all of this, they smoked in my car and left it filthy. I had to get it professionally cleaned to get the stench and dirt out...

JO

John Kerins

We have used them for several years and they have always been honest, reliable and trustworthy. The work is always completed on time and without any unexpected costs. We also bought a used car to them before we purchased it and their assessment was very accurate. Recently we had them install a new timing belt and water pump in a 2005 Toyota Sienna before a long road trip. While on vacation the timing belt began to make noise and I brought it to a mechanic in Maryland and he explained it would be a hefty labor charge to take it apart and diagnose the problem. I called Austin at import auto and he said to have it fixed and see him when we returned to Atlanta. The repair cost $500.00. We brought the defective part and the invoice back to Import Auto and they reimbursed us the full amount, apologized fro the inconvenience and hoped this did not alter out opinion of them. This incident has only raised our opinion of them for having such a display of integrity which is not easy to find these days. We will continue to use and recommend them to friends in the future.

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