CARPALACE — Local services in South Riding

Wish there was a zero star for overall rating. This was by far the worst experience I have had with any dealership my whole life. I reached out to the dealership several times over a two day period. I made an appointment to come test drive the car. My appointment was at 6pm. I received 2 phone calls during the day confirming I was coming. 90 minutes before my appointment I received a call from Basir telling me someone put a $1000 down payment on the car I had an appointment for and that it was no longer available. I couldn't believe it and asked how that could be since I had been speaking with him and others for two days. I told the multiple representatives from the first time I called I was paying cash. Never once did anyone ask me for a deposit to hold the car pending my appointment.

Basir called me back 10 minutes after he told me the car was not available and said the other person agreed to wait to see if I wanted it since I was first.

I came to my appointment and took the car for a test drive. The first thing I noticed was a strange odor when I got in the car. The next thing was that the reading light on the driver side did not work. The worst thing was the left turn signal. It was blinking quickly and the sound was horrible. You could hear it over the radio. The right side blinker worked making the left side so noticeable. Other things wrong with the car was the USB/AUX cable did not work and when you stepped hard on the gas pedal, the RPMs would almost readline above 6000.

I came back from the test drive and asked about the left blinker and was told it was a used car that was cheaper than buying a new car. I requested to come back the next day since it was late and take the car to the Honda dealer to run a bumper to bumper inspection. This caused dealer representative Basir to raise his voice to me and say no as Honda was their competitor. When I tried to explain that I wanted to make sure I was not paying $13k before tax, tag, and title for a car that would need additional work. He continued to raise his voice saying I wouldn’t find a better deal, it was a used car, and if I wanted to have the car, bring a 3rd party person back to inspect it. He was so hostile and condescending that I told him I didn’t want the car and left. The person who was with me was completely shocked and concerned based on Basir’s hostile reaction to my questions and request.

I should not have been surprised by what happened based on other reviews. Buyers beware that any dealership that does not want you to take the car to be inspected should...

Edit: 10/29/25: DEALERSHIP KNEW CAR WAS BROKEN. DONT TRUST THEM. took it to another mechanic for a second opinion. $2500. That mechanic told me the best thing for me to do is to sell the car and cut my losses. Not even worth it to fix it. Mechanic also told me this dealership 100% KNEW IT WAS BROKEN.

Edit: 10/22/25: the repair cost is $3000 for an exhaust manifold gasket that is leaking. Technically, it should have never passed inspection. And it won’t pass inspection until it’s fixed. So I’m screwed on that. Was inspected in 1/25. Bought it 3/25. Was told by salesman they use a 3rd party shop. Dont trust any car they bring from another lot. They knew this car only did this at startup and was fine until next day. Once the car heats up, it seals the leak. It’s small but it’s there. Next day, first 30 seconds is a horrible noise. They knew. Don’t trust them at all.

Well after 3 months realized this place screwed us. It’s mostly my fault because I didn’t do my due diligence. First thing I should’ve suspected was something wrong is when they had to go to another car lot to come get the car so when they brought me the car, the car was already running. Come to find out every time you start that car for the first 15 seconds there’s a slapping noise where it has an exhaust gasket leak. $1500 Is what was quoted. Then come to find out my AC compressor is broken now. I find out why I thought I was getting such a great deal on the car because I definitely would not have bought that car if it would’ve made that noise every time it started up. They knew exactly what they were doing and that’s why they had the car in another lot so when I first started it up, I would’ve heard that noise and not purchased it. And I am by no means a certified mechanic, but I can work on my own car such as alternator and starters. So I did do a check. Just didn’t do it...

Sadly this keep popping up in my email. But its a zero stars for me. Setup up the appointment, waiting 30 minute for the car to be brought out to me. I had my cousin with me and I started inspections the car, and I notice the passenger fender and front bumper was not flush with the frame, I didn't mind the minor scratches. Then when me and my cousin open the car to test drive it there was a strong ordor of dog and dog pee. So we rolled down all the windows to do the test drive. While driving it we notice 3 noises one on the passenger side, something under the hood and we made a turn on the Nissan rouge it make a hard click noise. Dont get me wrong even though I wanted it i couldn't take it for 12,500 knowing that it was going to be a 250 dollar detail and possible $4,000 dollars in repairs needed. So when I told him about the issues he said the car never been in a accident, and it was 1 owner. I told him everything, and he kinda just argued with me. Told me the frames on a Nissan are like that. And I told him it look like it got in a accident on the passenger side and he denied it. Long story short I told him I can do $9.5k if not its ok I'll find something else. He said I wouldnt find anything thing better. (Which I did). He then just took $200 off for the detailing and said he would send it to the shop to get it repaired. Im not going to lie I didn't trust it because he brought up the basics as fluid changes etc. Long story short I ended up asking for the CARFAX and there was a accident listed under the CARFAX and other recalls and repairs. I drove a hours and 30 minutes just for the guy to argue with me. All I have to say is CHECK EVERYTHING under the car...