I bought a 2008 Subaru Outback for my daughter 1 year ago at BAM (June 7 2022). It looked to be in very good shape. My wife and I had been leasing Subarus for 15 years and they've always been great.
We dealt with Sheldon, who was polite and helpful and he seemed very honest. The safety check seemed up to par. They apparently replaced the brakes and installed new tires and gave it a clean bill of health. My Daughter was away, so it wasn't driven until mid July, except to start it from time to time.
She took the car to our usual mechanic (for 30 years) in July, to check it over, because she planned to drive to the east coast to be in the wedding party of her best friend. The mechanic called and told us that both control arms on the front wheels were no good and they had to be replaced along with the ball joints. Then it obviously needed alignment. The radiator hose was leaking and the radiator needed replacing. The oil and filter had not been change in a long time. There was an oil leak and the oil pressure switch was not working. The safety mechanic had said that he had changed the oil and filter, but this was obviously not true.
Total cost 2 months after getting the car $1722.
I called Sheldon. He didn't call me back, so I sent an email in mid July and eventually spoke to him. He said he would check with his mechanic and see about taking care of it. I told him I didn't want to go to his mechanic after his sham safety check.
I never heard back from him. I had the repairs done. My daughter had to fly to the east coast in the meantime, since the car was not ready.
I called and I emailed him a few times in August and September. And I even sent a video from my mechanic of the ruined control arms. These could not have been missed by the mechanic if he had it up on a hoist. Sheldon never got back to me and was never "there" when I called. I should have pursued this more aggressively, but didn't.
In November the brakes failed completely. The fluid would leak out quickly whenever it was filled. I needed to have it towed 150 Km to my mechanic. Luckily that cost was covered by CAA.
Cost of repair $277.
Then in December, it started making loud noises when braking and the rear brakes (shoes, pads, calipers, rotors) needed replacing. I was told this was done at the time of the safety check.
Cost of repair $1494.
One brake started making noise. It was fixed, then refixed, but I was told then that I would need some major work in the future because the back plate on the right real wheel was rusted out and needed to be fixed or the brake would go again. I don't know yet what that's going to cost.
My daughter is leaving to complete her Medical studies in July or August. I don't trust this car anymore. In view of the above issues, I believe it's a lemon and is likely to have more expensive occurrences.
I strongly feel that this car should be replaced. I bought it for $9435. That was more than most similar used cars that we researched, but we trusted Sheldon, who seemed very honest. I spent another $3500 on it with more to come, so now the total for this car was so far $13,000.00. This would have bought me a much better car. I can't keep plugging the dam. I should be reimbursed that money so I can get my daughter a trustworthy car.
I plan to send this letter to Weins, the parent company and to the Better Business Bureau.
Bought a used Audi A3 from. BAM. The salesperson Jaz was great. Returned every call in a timely manner....was not pushy and made the experience a great one. The car is great.....the car was sold certified and was in top condition....when I picked it up....all new brakes right around....cars are sold certified at 0$ certification fees. I felt like I was stealing great this car from them...great price already and certified at 0$!!!! I would do business with them 100% again!
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