Here we go. I've been on a hunt for a 14-15 LS460 for awhile with a particular color combo and specs. Well, story #1--About 2 months ago, I lucked up and found that car at the local AutoNation. I hate dealing with those 1 price non-negotiable dealers, as the cars are always over-priced. It was exactly what I wanted. I picked that one apart with flaws, and magically the sales manager came down a grand or so. I had the manager run it to the body shop to get some estimates to repair a couple of things and said I was going to lunch. While at lunch, that's when they sent the new buyer's order with the reduced amount. I said that sounded good; let me see it on the rack to check the control arms before I proceed. Sure, no problem. I get back from lunch...the car sells. Within an hour and a half. Crap luck, ok.....2nd time this happened at this point. The first time was in 2018 when I was on the hunt for an ES350 UL. Signed a buyers order on one in NJ on a Sat. Told them I'd wire them the $ first thing Monday. Wired them the $ and they said it sold. I had to deal with getting that back...you'll see a trend. I wound up finding one in VA--bought it after a friend looked over it, flew up, drove it home 12 hours. I got lucky...one time. Still have the car, 194k and looks/drives great.

Story #2. A few weeks ago, I found THE car again....Audi Plano, TX (AutoNation), ugh AutoNation again? Of course, it was overpriced. I told them where it needed to be. It sat...and it sat. They dropped it a grand. I let it sit, walked away from texts from the salesperson. Came back after a bit asking if they'd drop the price anymore; if so, to let me know. Sales guy said no more price reductions for at least a week. The next day, they dropped it a grand. I'm in at this point. I make sure the car is still available, and I set up a 5 star rated PPI company in Dallas. This guy will truly get a 5 star review from me. So, this morning, I confirm availability of the car and have the inspector coordinate with the salesperson. He gets out there to do his thing late in the morning. I text the salesperson to confirm he made it and she said he was there now...great! I'm getting excited to finally buy this thing. After waiting maybe a year or close to it trying to find one, I get a call from the inspector today around 4pm saying that as he's finishing up, someone comes and tells him the car has sold! WTF!!!! At this point, I'm livid---3rd time this has happened. Now, the salesperson I was dealing with suddenly quit yesterday and turned me over to someone else. I asked them how did the car sell when it was available and made available to the inspector, and he's had his hands on it the whole time? "Well, unfortunately that happens". I told them I paid $300 for this and someone didn't communicate. If they'd sold the car, why hadn't the keys been taken and the car pulled around back with "sold" on it? If the person was bringing a check that day, wouldn't someone have communicated to the inspector or myself that they had a buyer on the way? They wouldn't take a deposit or even offered me first right of refusal since I had a guy there on the spot doing the inspection. If I weren't a serious buyer, I wouldn't have had that done in the first place. Instead I wasted $300 and got screwed over a 2nd time within a 2 month period by AutoNation. While I do understand it's the "whoever gets here first with the money gets it" scenario, I thought it was poor taste. In addition, their "comprehensive inspection" paled in comparison to the guy I used. The online photos were doctored up, concealing poor paintwork on the rear bumper, and other large scuffs/scrapes. I ended up calling and chewing the salesperson and manager out, demanding my $300 back or I'd post horrible reviews everywhere. Maybe that's a childish move, but after my experience with them and the local dealer, I'm done. That's twice.

I am livid about this situation and just needed to vent....sorry. Auto Critic in Dallas gets 10 stars. I've never seen a more thorough inspection and highly recommend Matt there. He spent lots of time with me on the phone also. If the report didn't have my name on it, I'd share it. The upper control arm bushings were starting to separate, car had some scuffs and scratches, hood struts needed replacing; but nothing major (unless that door scrape was in the paint--it was bad).

In the meantime, if anyone knows where I can find a 14-15 black on black, shimamoku wood trim, SWB, RWD, no air suspension, 19" split spoke wheels (not the fan blade multi-spoke ones), with ML stereo and under 90k miles, and no prior accidents or rust, please let me know. This one also had the comfort and all weather packages, LED headlights, and Alcantara headliner. Hard to believe I found 2 within a couple months and lost out on them. These cars are expensive to maintain and expensive when they aren't. I guess next time I need to gamble $26k and buy something on the spot and pray to God it's not a POS.

If you've read this long, thanks. I'm about to give up on trying to buy one.

 

Definitely would not ever use Automation again. Wow that is bad. I prefer individual dealerships and not nationwide chains.

Good luck in your search for a well maintained vehicle. One will turn up at some point.

 

Update. I emailed the GM about the situation and he agreed to refund me for the inspection fee I paid, which was nice. Turns out the car was very rough on the outside, so it was good I didn't wind up with it. Always get a PPI, folks!

 

I Agree 100% with your position, DO NOT PURCHASE FROM AUTONATION for they sell faulty vehicles under false pretenses!! This place lacks integrity, and they have cheated me and many others! DO NOT PURCHASE from AutoNation USA, Charlotte NC. I purchased a 2017 Lexus IS 300 back in July of this year 2024, and when I took it in to my local Lexus dealership for what I thought to be an oil change, not even 5 months later, I found out that it had 10 critical issues, one being a damaged wheel bearing which should have been disclosed to me; another one was a leaky exhaust which also should have been disclosed; one other was leaking pinion seals which also should’ve been disclosed……to the tune of over $7000 to repair!!!! All of this was brought to their attention as well as customer relations and NOTHING was done just a bunch of lies. GM Cameron Hudson lied soooo much, and GM Colin Rundell was no better! These people cannot be trusted!! Check all Google reviews, as well as Yelp, Consumer Affairs and the BBB if you don’t believe me.