My Most Expensive Car
- Melissa L Watkins: Guidance 311
- Jun 18
- 7 min read
All I wanted was to purchase a reliable car to be able to transport my granddaughter to school, doctor’s appointments, groceries, parks, and my work. I wanted the process to be simple. I obtained the loan and then went shopping. The Used Car market is difficult especially because I had specific perimeters. So, I found the car that fit into the margins. It took an internet search and made the purchase in two days.
I knew that I would have my granddaughter for several months and it ended up being the better part of a year. This situation was stressful on its own. But I was confident that we would have a relatively ok time of it by keeping to a schedule and busy with spring and summer adventures.
On day thirty my check engine light came on, I called the salesman who put me in touch with their Service department. I was told as long as the light was not flashing I could continue to operate the car. Not Good. At least not the response I was looking for. I had been raised with a mechanic who took pride in his work and taught me a lot about cars, the parts, and how it all fit together. To be with my Dad was to be in and around the garage, and invariably handing him tools.
This stressed me out as I did not want to be scared this car wouldn’t get us home from any excursion, and it did not. I was stranded on two occasions with my granddaughter waiting for a tow truck and family member to pick us up. This was the first three months with three trips to the Service department leaving this vehicle each time for 3-5 days with no other form of transportation.
No explanation, no real communication about what the problem was, just take the car and go. I understood that a used car was going to have issues, but I expected them to be handled professionally and properly. No dice.
This went on for eight months. I sincerely expected the issue to be resolved. I was being gracious and patient as each incident was addressed. But I was over it, so I sent the following email:
Hello,
I am writing to document my experience and hopefully come to some amicable agreement. I purchased my 2017 Chevy Equinox on April 18, 2024 with 86163 miles.
On May 17th I called and spoke to service that the check engine light had come on. They told me it would be at least 2 weeks before they could see it. I was concerned about driving it as it clearly had a problem, and they, I believe Rob, told me as long as it was not flashing it would be fine. Unfortunately, it went off and came back on in that two week period.
On June 29th it came back on, the car gave a low power message and I limped it on 318 to the Geneva gas station at the corner of 318 and 14. I had it towed with my roadside assistance and it was in the allotted miles for free to the waterloo store. I received it back on July 1st under the belief it was fixed to 100%.
On Sept 2nd I had to call roadside again as it had the same message, bucking and stalling and engine light on in Baldwinsville NY. It was after 5pm and had to call for roadside assistance to tow back to the Waterloo location at $126 plus tax on me. (invoice attached)
Received car 9/3 all set, on the way home it bucked, stalled at light on 5&20 in Auburn.
BB came and towed it back 9/5 and I received it back several days later with new diagnosis and fix. Unfortunately, I use fix loosely as the problem has not been resolved.
Dec. 11th engine light, bucking, and trying to stall at lights on 5&20 in Auburn. When I called BB and explained the situation, I was told to bring it over but it would not be able to be looked at until the next day. I reiterated that I was unsafe to drive and they said to call the next morning at 9am for a flatbed to be sent to retrieve it.
The car currently is at 91371 miles.
I am beyond frustrated. This is my only form of transportation, so this is a hardship each time it is out of commission.
I do not have faith in this vehicle as I came to you for reliability and trust.
At this point, I would like to be bought out and either be offered something comparable or I will have to look elsewhere
I am beyond disappointed even as good as I feel your service has treated me...this car has issues that are beyond the scope of reliability.
Please refer me to someone who can speak to this matter with authority.
Sincerely,
You see I expected to be treated as I would treat others. I got the car back and for three months it ran well. Unfortunately, a week before I was having an NYS inspection done and muffler installed, it stalled out and through the code overheating and do not drive. It was diagnosed at the shop I was having the work done as water pump and thermostat. Again, I thought ok this is understandable for a used car. However, the more he, new mechanic, went into the engine the more it became apparent, the car needed an engine (drive shaft broke).
Months ago I should have proceeded with NYS Lemon Law procedure, but I was still expecting to be treated fairly. They, Service Department, took the vehicle in pieces from new shop to repair as this was the culmination of all the previous repairs, which were band-aids masking this larger problem.
Second email:
Update: 6/2025
Dec 2024 went in with same issue of stalling...again fixed and sent home.
March scheduled for an inspection and muffler...it overheated and quit before my scheduled appt ...had it towed to garage where appointment was made and with inspection and muffler, it was diagnosed with needing a water pump and thermostat...
When repairs were underway it was revealed timing chain also needed...upon further review it was revealed the driveshaft was broke...which would explain the engine issues plaguing this whole purchase...
Called your Best Buy service and you towed it to your shop...March 30th I stopped into Best Buy to check on my car and Rob indicated that it had just left on a flatbed to get the new engine installed.
Today, May 30th I called to check on vehicle as I had been told Tues. the 27th that they were fixing a seal problem before I received it. I could not get through as the phone went to voicemail with no room in the mailbox to leave a message.
No one in this whole month has reached out to me from your service dept...I have had to reach out and only once have I spoken with [manager] who seems to be the person with the authority. I would appreciate my vehicle back, problem corrected, and an end to this year long endeavor.
Sincerely,
I was so sure I would get resolution. I did get the car back. Do I trust it? Do I have a knot in my stomach every time I go somewhere. And why did I put myself through this? That is the bigger question, I clearly had a case. This vehicle fit all the parameters of NYS Lemon Law. You see I am a people pleaser, optimist, who believes everyone will treat you as you treat them. I did not respect myself enough to follow through with the consequences of my boundary setting. Therefore, I was not respected. Is this situation wholly on my shoulders, no. But, I am not blameless.
Also, my people pleasing was deep rooted and much of the work I have done to overcome this emotional block has helped but this situation illustrated I have more work to do. For me to go against authority or stand up for myself was always a punishment. I learned early on to submit or my situation would become untenable. The core fear of threat, to be loved, and accepted has always been an imprint that I work to release.
And, I realized that this situation really triggered me to an all-time high when I woke up in the middle of the night terrified this situation would not be resolved and I would be back to in debt and unable to pay for myself; the situation I had resolved to be able to purchase this vehicle.
Ironically, fifteen years ago, I worked for a small, independent finance company who financed used cars and sold a lot of cars for this organization. This lesson hit home because I did not stand up for myself then either, and I feel this is one of those full circle moments.
I still struggle with upsetting others, and believing people have nefarious or selfish intentions. I was taught the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would be treated. And, my dad was a man of integrity and his sense of doing the best no matter what, being your best through any adversity has been part of my core programming, so unfortunately, I still get surprised when the betrayal happens. I am still a work in progress. Hopefully, Lesson Learned. Chapter Closed.
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