I paid off a car through Drive Time in 2006 never reported late on my credit, they bugged me to get another car I purchased another car for my daughter my daughter has had her car for a year and a half never reported late to the credit bereau, my work is slow my daughter lost her job she just had repairs on the car in August 2008 they won't approve me for an deferment because of a nsf and the car is a peice of junk I still owe a good $18, 000 on it the roof leaks I believe the car came from Hurricane Katrina. Lamont Young is the manager of the finance department he is a very big jerk him and his partner John I have contacted a lawyer also and the Better Business Bereau. Never purchase a car from them their some big reap offs but they will pay for everything they do they know its hard time and people are in recession and they can't help a customer that has paid a car off through them and has did pretty darn good on the second 1 if thats not bad customer service I don't know what it is.

I needed to find a reliable vehicle, and with not having very good credit, was kind of limited on where I could go. I was pre-approved by drivetime, and was contacted by them, and made an appointment with a manager on a saturday at 10 am. I get there, and this appointment with the manager is a handshake, and sit me down with a salesman.

Comes to find out I was not really pre-approved. I had to do another application. I came prepared with all the documents they requested, and after a half hour of waiting, they told me I was approved for 4 of the cars on the lot. 2 04 Chevy Malibu's, a 04 Pontiac Grand Am, and a 05 Ford Taurus.

I wanted to take a good test drive of all the vehicles. I am a decent heavy diesel mechanic, and wanted to get a feel for any problems with the cars. Drove the taurus, brake master cylinder was shot. Car would barely stop, petal goes all the way to the floor. Even after this, the salesman kept pushing me to buy this one, which was the most expensive I was qualified for.

Was going to test drive the Grand Am, but AC did not work. Didn't bother. Next was to the malibu's. Both were identical years, models, color. The one I test drove was a little more expensive, but in worse shape. 85k miles on a 4 year old car, not much power, exhaust LOUD, burn holes all over the car, smelled bad, you name it. I test drove that one, wanted to test the identical one, but when I got back, the identical one was 'sold'. (drove by a week later, and BOTH cars were still there).

Then came to the negations. Or lack there of I should say. They showed me some off brand car history report, and everything came back fine. Then showed me the preliminary price offer, which he wanted me to sign no questions asked. I think not. 14k for that car was high. I said I did not think it was fair that this car in worse condition than the other is higher priced, and wanted to negotiate the price, to which I was told that the prices are firm, and the prices are set on how much they are picked up at auction. AH-HA. I asked him 'Oh, you get your cars from Adesa Auctions? They are one of my customers.' and he said yes.

Adesa Auto Auctions sells a lot of used rental cars, corporate fleet cars, and trades from other car dealerships. The red light in my head went off. 4 year old car, 85, 000 miles on it... used rental car or used fleet car! Considering they had identical color, model, year, more than likely, used rental car. Now, they're history report said nothing of the sort like that, but all the pieces fit.

At this point I wanted to leave. I told him that I want to do a separate car-fax report, get quotes on insurance, and double check my financial situation, and would call him back later in the day. He logged me onto a computer in the office and told me to do it there, and he would be back in a few minutes, also told me (more like ordered) to give him my debit card to put a 300 hold on the car, which I said no, not until I find out what I need to find out. He played the 'another customer is wanting that car' game, but I was firm. He closed the door to the office, and I was getting annoyed, so I was going to get up and leave, but the door was LOCKED!

I banged loudly on the door, and yelled at the salesman 'Open this F@$#ing door in 5 seconds or I am going to break the glass and open it myself. He didn't move until I went for his metal desk name plate. He opened the door, and I walked to the door, trying to catch up to me. Nearly had to push him aside.

Went with another company, which happens to be on rip-off also, but had a much better experience. I still get called by drivetime all the time at work on my cell, telling me to drop by, even though I bought a 99 Ford F250 Superduty 4x4 with an International DT444E (ford 7.3L powerstroke), 3000 LESS than that little chevy mailbu, and in much much better condition.

My advice to anyone considering Drive Time... NEVER, EVER be late... not even one day!!! I had an unfortunate circumstance where I had to go out of state for a funeral-my aunt passed away. Honestly, my finances are tight. My payment was due right before I left. I called and told them I would be a day late, and got a lecture. The day that I was supposed to go in and pay, I found out that my aunt passed away. I stuffed some things into a suitcase, got the neighbor to watch the animals, and off I went on a 14 hour road trip. I used my payment money to get to the funeral.

I got back into town, and the repo guy had been calling the clubhouse manager of the condos where I live, wanting to take the truck. I called him back, and he told me he wasn't allowed to accept payment, that they wanted the truck back. This was the first payment I had been late on-so I called the dealership.They told me to come up and talk to one of the 'managers'-and told me they wanted the truck.

I went to talk to this manager-she was in a closed door meeting at the time with another employee. They were in a glass office-the cashier called her and told her I was there to see her-she took almost an hour to get to me. The two ladies in the glass office kept staring at me, one with dirty looks. Then they emerged, and the lady I talked with went to her manager, or that's who he claimed to be.

To make a long story short, they told me that I may not be able to keep my truck, even though I guaranteed the one late payment and the next one that was due. This is the kicker:

THEY ARE DEMANDING DOCUMENTATION THAT MY AUNT DIED... Like I'm some wayward infant. They completely humiliated me. I kept explaining my situation, and they are still telling me that they can't guarantee I can keep the truck. I think they believe that just because my credit is subprime, I deserve to be humiliated and treated like a 2-year old. I felt like a scolded child who was completely helpless while the two 'managers' sat there and browbeated me for 30 minutes. It was all I could do not to bust out crying.

They didn't seem at all satisfied until I told them that if I ever had to make that choice again, I would not go to a funeral of a close one. Instead, I would make that payment-the hell with my family. They are telling me it is up to corporate to determine if I can keep the vehicle. When I talked to corporate yesterday, they told me that it is up to the dealership. I am being given 24 hours to produce whatever documentation they deem necessary to prove my aunt died. I wonder if they can exhume my aunt's body and get the DNA??? Wonder if that's what they'll ask for next...

I've been lucky-the vehicle I bought is actually in good condition and very nice. From what I've heard, not everyone has been lucky. Most of us go to this type of dealership for the same reason-our credit is messed up. They need to learn to treat people with dignity. I really can't believe that they are making me go through all of this. I'm ready to just tell them to come get the truck, rather than having to endure another verbal spanking from anyone at that dealership who thinks it is necessary.