Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

I wanted to let everyone know about my experience with Powerhouse Auto Group, Inc. which is located in Alhambra California and supposedly "specializes" in repairing salvage title vehicles. I was searching for a Acura TL-S and saw this ad on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300346458753&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:MOTORS:1123

Now what really got my attention was the 100% feedback and also that the lines "Powerhouse Auto Group, Inc. HAS BEEN SPECIALIZING IN RESTORING/REBUILDING SALVAGE VEHICLES SINCE 2001. WE STRIVE HARD TO DELIVER THE FINEST CARS AND PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS BY USING ONLY 100% OEM FACTORY DEALER REPLACEMENT PARTS. WE STANDS BEHIND OUR CARS AND PRODUCTS 100% OF THE TIME, WITH THE INTENT OF ONLY DOING GOOD BUSINESS. WE HAVE PLEASED MANY HAPPY CUSTOMERS, PLEASE CHECK OUR FEEDBACK."

I thought it sounded good so I got in touch with Ricky Hom who I believe is the owner. In one of my emails I specifically asked him if there was anything wrong with the car and how it was damaged. His response? " Prior damage was to the left fender, bumper, and fog lights only." Ok, sounds pretty good so far. I then flew to Alhambra and looked at the car and listened to Ricky explain how Powerhouse repairs the cars. He told me they "only buy lightly damaged vehicles" and that this Acura was fully repaired and ready to go. I bought the car and drove it home. The next day I noticed that the front left side seemed to be leaning. Another way to explain it is the the wheel arch gap on the left side was much smaller than the right. I immediately took it to an Acura dealership. The tech came and got me and brought me over to look at the car's underbody while it was on the lift. He then began to point out lots and lots of things that were bent and damaged including the steering knuckle, strut towers, braces, etc. Not good. He told me this car was involved in a major collision and the damage was definitely to more than the left fender, bumper, and fog lights as Ricky had told me. I told the Acura dealership to fix the car and make it right. I then sent an email to Ricky explaining the situation and asking him to do the right thing. He ignored me. I then called and he told me first that the Acura dealership was trying to rip me off. He then told me it was my fault for not having the car looked at and that I could do nothing about it. He told me to go ahead and sue if I wanted but I had no case as it was a salvage title car.

So cut to a few days later and I get a call from the dealership. They told me the repairs were done but that they had put the car on the alignment machine but it wasn't coming up with the right numbers...they were off a bit. They told me that they know suspected that the sub frames were damaged. Great. They told me that I would first want to take the car to a collision specialist so they could see if the car is even worth repairing as the costs are going to be extreme. Even if I have the sub frames repaired (at a cost of about $6500), the main frame may still be damaged.

Basically I have a really messed up and unsafe car that was sold to me by someone who claims to stand by their cars 100% and only wants to do good business. I have started compiling my paperwork for my lawsuit against Powerhouse Auto Group and my lawyer's advised me that I have a really solid case. I would advise anyone not to do any sort of business at all with Ricky Hom and Powerhouse Auto Group, Inc as he and I both know that he was fully aware of the problems with the car when he sold it to me and he continually lied to me about it's condition.