Reviews about Auto Web Sites

jstew says "Misleading information on site & terrible customer service!" about Discount Auto Mirror

jstew — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:50:37 GMT

I ordered online a passenger door mirror for my 2000 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from Discount Auto Mirrors. The site seemed very user friendly and easy to navigate when searching for the part. It asks for the year, make and model of the vehicle and what specific part you are looking for and then brings up a list of the specific items for the vehicle. When I did the search, it brought up two manual mirror options -- one for the off-road package and one without. It seemed very matter of fact that since this is the one manual mirror that was listed for the 2000 Toyota Tacoma, that this was the mirror that would work on my truck. I ordered the mirror and when I received it realized that the manual mirror is only adjustable from the outside, not from the inside like I'm fairly certain is the case on all 2000 Toyota Tacoma trucks. The box the mirror came in even stated on the box that the mirror was for a 95-97 Toyota. When I called customer service to tell them that the mirror...

...

glenn007 says "CarFax is NOT worth it!!!!!!!!!!!! Dissatisfied!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" about CARFAX

glenn007 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:24:52 GMT

Carfax is not worth it! One of the cars I had carfaxed had a major engine overhaul from a Toyota Dealership and the carfax report did not show it! The owner of the car told me about it and showed me the paper work on it. It happened almost a year and 9000 miles ago. When I contacted carfax as to why it did not show up they stated that there are over 250,000 places in the U.S. alones that repair cars and some of them do not report it. I'm sure a major dealership would. When I told them I was dissatisfied and would like to have my money back "$39.95 for the carfax report" I did not get a return email or any response at all. I would have been better off to of had a mechanic look at it for $50 than have a report I could not trust. In my educated opinion carfax is a ripoff!!!!!!!!!! Glenn

...

smw013 says "Autotrader.com is the place to buy or sell a car." about AutoTrader

smw013 — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:30:35 GMT

If you are looking to sell your car, or buy a car, Autotrader.com is the place to buy and sell. This website is very easy to use, and it is cheap to list your car for sale. You can do nationwide searches, if you are willing to travel to get your desired car, or local searches to find vehicles in your area. You can search by brand, or style of vehicle. You can search for specific attributes you would like you car to have...color, options, mileage. It's easy to find the car you're looking for. You can sell your car, list pictures of your car. You'll be selling to a nationwide audience, not just the people who read the local newspaper.

...

so-cal says "STOLEN CARS ARE RECOMMENDED HERE WITH THEIR "BUYBACK" GUARANTEE!" about CARFAX

so-cal — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:46:09 GMT

But don't be fooled. If you do happen to buy a stolen vehicle, CARFAX will not honor their
"BuyBack" guarantee. It's misleading. They only guarantee certain categories of information, yet with all of these guarantees, no one would suspect that they could be purchasing a stolen car! I am particularly angry because my car was stolen and when I put the VIN numbers in, it comes up as a highly recommended one-owner car with their Buy-Back guarantee! They are helping the thieves to sell my car! When I emailed to them about this, they didn't have much compassion or interest in the matter. I think that if they are going to recommend cars, they should be guaranteeing that they are not stolen! And they shouldn't be assisting thieves with selling stolen vehicles by recommending stolen cars!

...

ROBIKINS says "These peolple are completely unreliable." about American Restoration Parts

ROBIKINS — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:18:03 GMT

So I recently got a 1978 Chevy Camaro and am in the process of restoring this car so that it once again resembles the beautiful automobile that I am sure it once was. For anyone whose never restored a car or truck or been privy to this it's a process of replacing, rebuilding or refurbishing any part of the vehicle from the body, frame, upholstry and accessories. All with the end goal being that this auto ends up as good if not better than when it first rolled off the lot. I've been using various website to acquire the parts neccesary for this project and in this case there are many. My car was obviously neglected for a long time and then was "gutted" inside creating a need for all new seating, upholstry and interior accessories. I ordered an item from this web site and they sent me an order confirmation, and billed my credit card. Two weeks later when I still hadn't received the part I e-mailed and tried calling customer service to find out what was going on. Customer service kept me on......

gordonsalive says "Everything you need to know about your car in one easy site!" about DriverSide

gordonsalive — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:06:19 GMT

There is no shortage of great websites to check when wanting to find information about a car, but the problem is that you will have to check out many different sites in order to really get a good understanding about a specific model. All of these sites are configured differently, take time to learn how to use, and can provide you with conflicting data.

DriverSide.com was created to make researching a car easier than ever before.

When you enter a desired year/make/model/trim into the easy to read drop down menu, you can check just about any information you could possibly need:

Original MSRP
Invoice Price
Fuel Economy
Annual Cost of Ownership
Quality Ratings
Similar Cars in the Category
Maintenance Log (user created)
Maintenance Schedule (dealer service)
Selling Estimate (for both trade in and private sale)
Pars & Accessories List
Reviews/Questions from Owners
Cars for Sale
Possible Recalls/Safety Issues
Value Forecast
News Articles

But what DriverSide.com...

...

LoveisJoy says "RepairPal Lets You Know What Your Car Repair Should Cost" about Repair Pal

LoveisJoy — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:50:31 GMT

RepairPal.com is a terrific idea that is likely to become even more valuable as it grows in popularity. The concept is simple - a one-stop website where users can receive car repair estimates from local auto repair shops to know what to expect before taking a car in for service.

This independent resource is designed to be unbiased and provide its users with the prevailing prices for parts and labor based on the vehicle, type of repair shop (independent mechanic or dealership) and area of the country. It's a lot easier to drive by RepairPal.com for this comparative price information than to pull out the yellow pages and call different automotive shops to find out what your local mechanics charge for services.

The website is easy to navigate and even easier to use. The Repair Price Estimator will return a price estimate once you've provided a few simple details, such as Make, Model, Year, Service Type (Maintenance, Brakes, Drive Train, Engine, Exhaust & Emissions, Electrical & Lights,...

...

booboo2727 says "not what i expected " about CARFAX

booboo2727 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:54:02 GMT

After getting a new car and working on it the first time i noticed that things were bent and some parts replaced like it had been in an accident so i pulled up a carfax report. The report was not accurate at all and that made me kind of mad because i had just paid all this money for it (For an individual, instead of a garage or dealer who gets them in bulk ,its not cheap). But when i complained that the information wasn't correct they did give me my money back so that was one plus.

...

LoveisJoy says "Road Trip: How Much Will You Pay For Gas?" about AAA Fuel Cost Calculator

LoveisJoy — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:54:43 GMT

To fly or to drive? -- that is the question.

With the unprecedented cost of filling up your car's gas tank, many families have to decide if that annual vacation trip is in the family budget. Many families have clear budgets for food and lodging, theme park tickets, and souvenirs, but tend to wing it when it comes to guessing how much money to allocate for fuel. To help vacationers estimate fuel costs, the American Automobile Association has an online AAA Fuel Cost Calculator at aaafuelcostcalculator.com

The first step in the calculator is to select your criteria: Starting City, Destination, Vehicle Make, and Vehicle Model. I soon discovered that the starting city and destination fields are limited to larger U.S. cities and major metro areas. For example, if you are taking a trip from Sugar Grove IL to Maumee OH, the closest you can approximate is Chicago IL to Detroit MI. That's a big limitation, in my opinion.

Still, if you are planning a road trip between two major U.S. cities,...

...

jacqmoore says "poor service." about JC Whitney

jacqmoore — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:12:48 GMT

i didn't have a good experience with the site. I dont if it is just the employee or the whole company. The guy i talked to wasn't courteuos. And He made me feel dumb about cars. I dont know much about it, but i think a little courtesy would be helpful....

Steve1985 says "Sooner than expected delivery, great price!" about Auto Accessories Garage

Steve1985 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:04:36 GMT

After comparing prices from several leading automotive retailers for a new exhaust system for my corvette, I came across AutoAccessoriesGarage.com. Not only did they have the best price, but also offered free shipping! I was provided with a UPS tracking # via email and received my package sooner than expected. I plan to buy coverking custom seat covers from them next!...

AutoFanatic says "I hate JC Whitney!!!" about JC Whitney

AutoFanatic — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:55:31 GMT

of all the online stores I have used. this store is the worst. they don't give a damn effort on informing you how to get or recieved your product. last week i ordered for a Lift Strut. the operator who is on the other didn't have any idea of it. How could the entertain the customers if they are not knowledgeable of the products. Then when the product arrived they didn't assisted or instructed me on the product I bought. They are not like the other online store I been using . Jc Whitney is just a waste of time!!...

PaulH says "I got ripped-off. " about JC Whitney

PaulH — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:32:37 GMT

Ok. I will start on their website. When I was ordering, Its so hard to check where I can find the item. Ok. I saw my wanted part after 30 minutes, so I purchased a HIGHLAND Arched Aluminum ramp. They say I will get my item within the week, I waited for 1 week and no item came. I don't know now where is the arched ramp I ordered. I haven't got it. Thanks JC Whitney for ripping me off. I need my refund....

kid-kansas says "Blowing steam from under the hood? I can help you out!" about Radiator Barn

kid-kansas — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:16:33 GMT

Last year my pickup started overheating all the time and I had to keep adding coolant to it. Well it was a very small hole and was hard to find until one day in June when it was hotter than a lobster right out of the steamer! I finally found the leak and a 2 inch gash and bulge to go with it. Well I called around and was told $250 and 3 days to order it! I then said to my self.."SELF" Why don't you look online? So I listened to that little voice and did just that and after 30 minutes I found the perfect spot, then I gave them a call on their toll free number.

Radiator Barn

I spoke to a very nice and knowledgeable young lady and she began by asking about my needs. I told her the year and make of my truck and then she asked me to measure my radiator. I gave her the measurements and she looked in her computer and found my radiator. I was told $189 and I would have it by Wednesday (this was on a Monday) and that Shipping was Free. She then told me about their Limited Lifetime Warranty, that I......

caparker says "I found a great used car and a honest dealership" about AutoTrader

caparker — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:42:43 GMT

I was very recently in the market for a reliable, stylish, nice used car. I have never bought a used car before, but my current financial situation made it my best option. I was extremely nervous because with a used car, it is difficult to know what you are going to get. I did a lot of on-line research and met with quite a few small auto dealers and private parties. I felt like I was being ripped off by almost every one I met.

When I started searching AutoTrader.com, I found some very nice cars and most of them were listed by independent, smaller dealers. AutoTrader gives info on these dealerships such as services offered, do they detail the cars, offer financing, etc. I had been searching Craigslist and mostly found a lot of shady characters.

I kept seeing one particular dealership advertising cars that looked great. The name of this dealership is C3 Automotive. They are located in Plano, TX. Not only did they sell me a very nice 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8s with...

...

kid-kansas says "Buying a car does not have to be a pain" about AutoTrader

kid-kansas — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:30:25 GMT

Looking for a vehicle to buy can be a daunting task to say the least, trying to find want you want can be difficult and time consuming. What if they had a place where you could search not only where you wanted to buy from, but also only the model, style and year you wanted to buy? Well they have just such a place AutoTrader.com, it will allow you to search the way it should be, a search that you determine and within the limits you're willing to travel in order to get what you want.

How it Works

The search feature on AutoTrader.com allows you to pick by year, model and price range you desire. Once you have done that the ads load and you can begin to choose among them. Want to get even more detailed in your search? Then just click on advanced search options and choose from engine, transmission, color, body type, accessories, fuel type, number of doors and even mileage on the vehicle.

Once the listings appear you can sort them by price (high to low or low to high) by year (same way as price)......

Tanheatsen says "Worst online order I have ever had to deal with!" about JC Whitney

Tanheatsen — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:00:07 GMT

2 months of dealing with these people for a simple order which they screwed up 6 times, plus poor customer service are making me want to pull my hair out! Incomplete parts, incompetent rude service, need I say more? Still waiting for my refund and an apology or maybe 10!...

viewkgr says "It is like having a Master Mechanic for your best friend." about TalkAboutAutos

viewkgr — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:55:51 GMT

Have you ever paid more for a car repair than you should have? Did they charge you for parts and labor your car did not need? Probably so. And, you can include me in that group. I am a woman and am not very knowledgable about cars and what makes them work. My husband is fairly knowledgable in this area, but he is not familiar with every single car in the universe.

When we purchased a used BMW several years ago, we had a horrible experience with the dealer. The car was a Pre-Certified BMW. That is supposed to mean that they have thoroughly checked out the car and it is in good running order. Well, about one month after buying my Pre Certified car, I noticed that the brakes were making a terrible noise whenever I drove the car. We took the car into the dealership where we had purchased it to have it checked out. About an hour later, the service technician called to tell me that the entire brake system needed to be replaced and the cost was $1,600. Needless to say, we...

...

sdun3 says "A plethora of information about vehicle fuel economy" about www.fueleconomy.gov

sdun3 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:29:32 GMT

WWW.fueleconomy.gov is an extremely useful and informative site. Initially, I stumbled on it while trying to research fuel economy for various car models as I was preparing for a lengthy road trip. I quickly discovered that I can compare several models/years side-by-side for fuel economy; additionally, I could compare passenger and cargo space among models as well.

This website also provides valuable information about ratings, gas prices, energy efficiency, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, and much more. I plan to use this site as an important tool in helping decide future vehicle purchases that I will make. Take a few minutes to check it out; you might save yourself money....

Bryan-Carey says "Carprices.com is an Unexciting Automotive Web Site" about Car Prices

Bryan-Carey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:40:18 GMT

Automotive web sites are among my favorite places to visit on the world wide web. Part of the reason for my strong affection for car sites is my love for vehicles and these sites rank among the few that I will logon to even when I have no interest in making a purchase. One site that I was unfamiliar with until recently is Carprices.com, an automotive site that specializes in buying/selling vehicles, financing, insurance, and warranty information.

Web Site Commentary:

Carprices.com seems to be an adequate service, but it's not necessarily the best one I've ever used. I originally logged into this site to shop for auto insurance. What I found was that the site was big on insurance facts and terminology, and it did a good job of explaining insurance. But there wasn't much in the way of information on actually buying insurance. I was able to get a quote from Progressive Insurance, and I filled out a generic form which was then sent to several different insurance companies for quotes. The direct...

...