Five Companies and Dealers on the Naughty List

by Tim Healey

Published: December 23rd, 2022

five companies and dealers on the naughty list

Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe we're just paying closer attention as we trawl for news -- or maybe it's that phenomenon where when you see a story on a given topic, you start seeing more.

Regardless, we've seen a ton of "dealership behaving badly" stories lately. As well as "companies behaving badly" stories. Even wrote a few.

So, here's a quick roundup of five dealers who might be seeing lumps of coal in their stockings this weekend.

This Kia dealer got hit with a huge fine for deceptive practices. Like, over a million dollars huge.

Additional dealer markups are a problem, and this dealer is asking more than double for a Honda Civic Type R. Seems crazy to us.

Ah, Hertz. Hertz has been in trouble for years, and our Matt Posky covers the latest.

Apparently, you can buy tools that roll back odometers. Any dealer that does this definitely belongs on the naughty list. Apparently, this is a trend now.

And we close with one more case of ADM. In this case it's a used-car dealer on the outskirts of Chicago asking Ferrari prices for a Corvette Z06 that has about 25 miles on it. That is, well, rather excessive.

Merry Christmas to all of those on this list. Please use that lump of coal as a sign to be better in the new year. And hey, add a few more and you can use them to grill!

Let's hope for a nicer, saner 2023.

[Images: Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock.com, YouTube screenshot, Honda, vieninsweden/Shutterstock, Lamborghini, Volo Auto Sales]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 13 comments

Heavymetal_Hippie on Dec 24, 2022

Car manufacturers need to realize that American car dealerships are increasingly becoming *barriers* to the purchase of a new vehicle. 2022 was the year I finally decided I'm never buying new again, after buying a new car every few years for the last 20-25 years. I'd rather throw the $5,000 markup/profit a dealer makes into the trash than give a dealer a single dime.

2 Reply
- JMII on Dec 27, 2022
  
  100% accurate. I would have bought a Santa Cruz already if it wasn't for all my local dealers being such scum-bags. Over MSRP, no truth in pricing, mandatory BS packages, dealer fees and out right lies plus general being massive pains in the @$$ to deal with. I had one dealer put in $800 in government fees on a sales order. I asked what this was and they couldn't answer me especially after I pointed out per the DMV website there is only about $200 in fees. Another was proud of his $5k package because of the awesome value paint protection added to vehicle. Sorry your spray on wax isn't worth the $2 bottle it comes in. Same dealer wouldn't even give a price over the phone, claimed this could only be done in person. What idiots! I bought my USED Corvette in another state using this thing called the internet. I picked up in person but they would have shipped it to me if desired.
  
  Like
Analoggrotto on Dec 27, 2022

When is the bin laden chic going to wear of?

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Bob Hey Tassos, have you seen it with top down. It's a permanent roll bar so if it flips no problem. It's the only car with one permanently there. So shoots down your issue. I had a 1998 for 10 years it was perfect, but yes slow. Hardly ever see any of them anymore.
3-On-The-Tree 2007 Toyota Sienna bedsides new plugs, flat tire on I-10 in van Horn Tx on the way to Fort Huachuca.2021 Tundra Crewmax no issues2021 Rav 4 no issues2010 Corolla I put in a alternator in Mar1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 280,000mi I put in a new radiator back in 08 before I deployed, did a valve job, new fuel and oil pump. Leaky rear main seal, transmission, transfer case. Rebuild carb twice, had a recall on the gas tank surprisingly in 2010 at 25 years later.2014 Ford F159 Ecoboost 3.5L by 80,000mi went through both turbos, driver side leaking, passenger side completely replaced. Rear min seal leak once at 50,000 second at 80,000. And last was a timing chain cover leak.2009 C6 Corvette LS3 Base, I put in a new radiator in 2021.
ChristianWimmer 2018 Mercedes A250 AMG Line (W177) - no issues or unscheduled dealer visits. Regular maintenance at the dealer once a year costs between 400,- Euros (standard service) to 1200,- Euros (major service, new spark plugs, brake pads + TÜV). Had one recall where they had to fix an A/C hose which might become loose. Great car and fun to drive and very economical but also fast. Recently gave it an “Italian tune up” on the Autobahn.
Bd2 Lexus is just a higher trim package Toyota. ^^
Tassos ONLY consider CIvics or Corollas, in their segment. NO DAMNED Hyundais, Kias, Nissans or esp Mitsus. Not even a Pretend-BMW Mazda. They may look cute but they SUCK.I always recommend Corollas to friends of mine who are not auto enthusiasts, even tho I never owed one, and owned a Civic Hatch 5 speed 1992 for 25 years. MANY follow my advice and are VERY happy. ALmost all are women.friends who believe they are auto enthusiasts would not listen to me anyway, and would never buy a Toyota. They are damned fools, on both counts.