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I purchased a new 2007 Kia Sportage LX on 09/08/07 from Extreme Kia in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  On 9/14/07 I discovered an oil leak from the front of my new car with 400 miles on it.  I took the vehicle back to the dealer for service.  At that time I was given a rental car for use.  The dealer serviced the vehicle and replaced the seal on the oil pan.  I picked up the vehicle from service on 9/18/07.  When I picked up the vehicle ½ tank of gas was used and 136 miles was put on the vehicle.  

On 9/22/07 I discovered the vehicle was leaking oil again.  I brought the vehicle in for service on 9/22/07 and asked to speak with the Manager on duty because the owner was unavailable.  At that time I discussed my options with the Sales Manager, Steve Latin.  He informed me that I could sell the vehicle back to him at a loss of $ 4,000 because it was now a used car.  He recommended that I buy a Ford Escape because after all I did buy a Kia.

I informed him that I would like to have his service department inspect the vehicle and inform me of the problem.

I then informed Steve Latin that I would like a loaner vehicle while my vehicle was in for repair.  I waited 45 minutes for Enterprise to arrive at the dealership.  When I inquired again and again regarding my loaner vehicle I was informed by Steve Latin that he had no loaner to give to me because his used car manager refused to allow me to use one of “his” cars.  I informed both of them that was not an option.  I was then told that enterprise would arrive in 5 minutes.  Enterprise did arrive about 15 minutes later.

I returned home and looked at the Better Business Bureau website and researched Extreme Kia.  There are currently outstanding complaints against the dealer.  My error for not investigating the business prior to entering into a business agreement with them.

I contacted the Sales Manager at Schaumburg Kia who informed me he would notify the Kia Zone Representative of my situation and advise me of my options on Monday 09/24/07.




9/24/07 at 2 p.m. I called the service department at Extreme Kia to find out what the problem was with the vehicle.  I was informed that the rear seal was leaking and would be replaced.  I was then told that the vehicle would not be ready until the evening of 9/25/07.

I then contacted the Sales Manager at Schaumburg Kia who informed me that he notified the Kia Zone Representative of my situation and that Gene Strommel of Extreme Kia was supposed to get into contact with me.  I left a message for Gene but I never heard from him.

9/25/07 at 5 p.m. Tye in service at Extreme Kia contacted me and notified me that he would like to keep the vehicle overnight to ensure the repairs made were sufficient.

9/26/07 I received a voicemail that my vehicle was repaired and that I could pick it up before 9 p.m.  I picked up my vehicle at 8 p.m.   My service record included:
Oil leak around bell housing and bottom of starter.  Found rear main seal leaking, replaced rear main seal.

This has been the worst car buying experience I have ever had.  I expect to receive a new, upgraded vehicle from Kia due to the fact that the vehicle I purchased with 16 miles on the odometer 20 days ago has spent 10 days in service and is now a used vehicle.

10/11/07 Anita from Kia at 630-932-8500 called me.  She received my letter and is looking into this and will call me with a determination.

10/16/07 Left message for Anita at Kia to find status of claim.

10/17/07 I called Anita.  She has all of the documentation she needs and will take my case up for “discussion” by the end of the week.

10/18/07 Anita called back.  She offered me one month’s car payment as a “settlement”.  I suggested she could do better than that and she should call me 10/19/07.

10/19/07 Anita called, she offered one month’s car payment and if I didn’t accept it I would get nothing in return.  She is mailing a “release” letter before she can cut the check.  I can’t wait to see what it says.  

sorry to hear about your experience....purchase a better quality car on your next buy and cut your losses now....hopefully it all works out...  

Wow. Extreme strikes again. You actually got a better deal out of them than I did.
I purchased a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer in November 2006 from Extreme Ford. My purchase took a total of 2 weeks. I had a trade in that still had 2 payments left on it. They said dont worry we'll pay it off.FAST FORWARD 2 WEEKS.. I sat in the dealership for 3 hours. They test drove the Jeep I was trading in and went over it pretty well. They came in and said they were giving me $3000 for the trade in. I didnt think that was to bad. Then they had trouble getting a hold of the finance company that the Jeep was financed thru. They said no problem they would handle it on Monday and that wouldnt slow down the purchase process. We went thru the credit process, Nate, My salesman, said "good news, No money down". They pulled my Jeep around to the back and cleaned it out, also pulled the Trailblazer in to clean it out also. Nate said that I had a free oil change coming since I sat there for so long. As we went thru the paperwork, he came back and said the finance guy was looking for $500 down. After asking why he said he really wasnt sure but when the finance guy came back we could go talk to him. Then after another hour, I got tired of waiting and said that was fine, I'd put down the $500. Then we had to go over the warranty. I purchased what was explained to me as a full "bumper to bumper" warranty with $100 deductible. Now is where it gets good. Nate had the porter take the Trailblazer to put gas in it and pull it inside and let it run so it was nice and warm when I left. After all the paper work was done, we went in the back to take the truck home. I noticed a ticking noise, he said that was from the truck sitting in the cold and it would stop, and if it didnt, I could bring it back in. I took the truck home, mind you it was ticking like a time bomb,since I purchased on Saturday night I couldnt get a hold of anyone the next day. Monday comes and I call Nate to let him know the truck was still ticking and I wanted to bring it in for service. He said no problem. Steve, the service guy, then calls me and says that I should really take it to a Chevy dealership since they would know more about it. I asked for a loaner and was told that unfortunately they couldnt provide me w/one, no explanation. I took the truck over to Reichert Chevy across the street and had them look at it. Thats when I found out that the warranty I purchased was aftermarket and really didnt cover anything. They said that my fan clutch was bad. I called Steve and explained to him that it was the fan clutch, he said they would repair it for $800 parts & labor!!! I had the car for 2 days at this point. I fought with everyone I could to get the repair covered. They told me how sorry they were but there was nothing they could do. I had Reichert do the repairs for $800, they also informed me that the brakes were about shot and that the tires were patched and leaking. I then took the truck to Merlins for a 2nd opinion, they said the same thing. Had Reichert again go ahead w/the repairs which cost another $1000,brakes all the way around and 4 new tires. Two months later I called Extreme to schedule service because the heater core motor had gone out on the truck. They said again, I should go to a Chevy dealership. Again the warranty company covered nothing. The fan clutch has been replaced and now the fan motor is bad. The power steering pump has been replaced also. I've had the truck for a year now and it hasnt run since July of 2007. I had to purchase another car and I'm still making payments on this Trailblazer. I was told my only options were voluntary reposession or sell it on Ebay. They even backed out of my free oil change. On top of everything else, the Jeep that I had faithfully paid on for 3 years with no late payments ever, went into a reposession status because they never bothered to attempt to contact the finance company again, nor had they paid it off. I didnt get the $3000 for the trade in. I got $750, the amount of the 2 payments that I had remaining, two beautiful late payment strikes on my credit and hassles from a woman in billing about temporary plates that had been turned in to the sales desk 3 weeks before, that they couldnt locate....
On top of the $18000 I financed for the truck, total out of pocket expenses for repair have exceeded $5000 now...  

Hello!
        Sorry to hear about your sitaution.  Putting 136 or whatever miles while in service is extremely un called for.  There is absolutely no reason for that.  The last thing a dealer wants is trouble over an obvious mistake on their behalf.  Set an appointment with the manager and calmly go over details.  Then get nasty if you have to.  They will definately give in!  I would in a heartbeat!

~ Brad, TheCarMentor!  
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