Automax Atlanta

1/29 I bought a car from AutoMax. I worked with Shawn and his manager Lionel. I was ensured that not only was it in great shape but had also been inspected by their mechanic. 1/31 I wired them 8k for the down payment (the rest was financed). The car was finally delivered 2/7 at 10am by their logistics company. The car was backed off a flatbed and parked in my driveway by the delivery driver. I drove it ~30 miles after it had been delivered and noticed that day around 4pm there was oil all over my driveway and the engine light was on. I called Lionel and told him. He asked me to take the car for an estimate and send it to them. First thing the next morning 2/8 I dropped the car off at a shop. 2/9 I received an estimate for $3,600 (all urgent repairs needed in order for the vehicle to be safe to operate). I called the dealership and was asked by a person who identified himself as a sales manager to send the inspection report and estimate to their finance department's email. I was then sent to Omar Qureshi (manager) and explained the situation to him. I never heard back from him and had to text, email, and call for updates but was continued to be passed around. I authorized the repairs and planned to work with the dealership to hopefully cover a portion. 2/10 I received a call from the shop letting me know they found more engine damage as they began to take it apart to make the repairs. They informed me that I was easily up to 10k but had to stop working on the vehicle immediately because of how modified it is. The dealership made no mention in the ad or in any conversations about it having an aftermarket exhaust/intake/etc. I called the dealership Thursday late afternoon and told them to come get the car, return my down payment, and cancel my finance contract. After multiple emails I received a response Thursday evening from Omar letting me know the dealership would "make an exception" and come get the vehicle if I paid the transportation fees and a $599 "customer fee." Omar also stated that he would return my down payment once the car had been returned to the dealership and they had a chance to "inspect it for any abuse". I told Omar I would be happy to pay for transportation but I was not paying a customer fee and I was not allowing the car to leave my driveway until I had my money back. 2/11 I picked the car up from the shop and it sits leaking oil in my driveway. The shop also notified me that the catalytic converter and o2 sensor had been removed and the car had been tuned. The muffler(s) have also been removed (all documented in a detailed report by the shop). It is illegal for a company to sell a vehicle in the state of GA without a catalytic converter. I sent the manager the full report from the shop and explained to them that I'd be filing a lawsuit against them if they did not agree to my terms. They said it's a non-negotiable for them to return my money without the car being back with them; I do not trust that I'll see any of my 8k if I let the car go first nor do I trust their "mechanic" to inspect it truthfully. They have forced me to take legal action in order to get out of this fraudulent contract; meanwhile, I have a vehicle that's financed that I can’t drive.

On Saturday, January 29th, 2022, I signed a contract to purchase a vehicle (2016 Subaru WRX STI) from AutoMax Atlanta. I worked with Sajid (Shawn) Motorwala and his direct manager, Lionel Amachree. I specifically asked if it was mechanically and physically sound and he ensured that not only was it in great shape, but that it had been inspected by their mechanic. Monday, January 31st, I went to my bank and wired the dealership $8k for the down payment (the remainder was financed through Capital One). They confirmed it had been received late Tuesday afternoon, February 1st. I was told the car would be shipped to me Wednesday "at the latest" but that turned into Friday and then finally, Monday, February 7th. The car was delivered February 7th at approximately 9:50am by their logistics company, First August Logistics LLC (USDOT number 3637410). The car was backed off a flatbed and parked in my driveway by the delivery driver. I drove it approximately 30 miles total on Monday after it had been delivered and noticed that same day around 4pm that there was oil all over my driveway and the engine light had come on. I immediately called Lionel at AutoMax Atlanta and told him what was happening. He asked me to take the car to a shop for an estimate and send it to them. First thing the next morning, Tuesday February 8th, 2022, I dropped the car off at a reputable repair shop in Murfreesboro, TN. They did not have an immediate opening but were able to fit me in. On Wednesday, February 9th, I received an estimate for repairs in the amount of $3,600 (all urgent repairs needed in order for the vehicle to be considered safe to operate). I immediately called the dealership and was asked by an unknown person (who identified himself as a sales manager) to send the inspection report and estimate to their finance department's email. I had to follow up via phone and email with Lionel multiple times and was transferred from one person to another. I was then transferred to Omar Qureshi (who identified himself as the service manager) and explained the situation to him. He said the owner would be in "around 12:30pm" that day and he'd call me back "around 1". I never heard back from him and had to text, email, and call for updates but was continued to be passed around. I need a vehicle to drive so I authorized the repairs and the shop ordered the parts. I planned to work with the dealership to hopefully cover at least a portion of the repairs. Thursday February 10, 2022, I received a call from the shop letting me know they found additional engine damage to the vehicle as they began to take it apart to make the originally planned repairs. They informed me that I was easily up to $10k in repairs, but they had to stop working on the vehicle immediately because of how heavily modified it is (they only do stock vehicle work). The dealership made no mention in the ad or in any conversations about it having an aftermarket exhaust, intake, etc. I called the dealership Thursday late afternoon and told them I wanted them to come get the car, return my $8,000 down payment, and cancel my finance contract with Capital One Auto Finance. I was sent to someone's voicemail who never returned my call. After multiple emails, I finally received a response Thursday evening from Omar Qureshi letting me know the dealership would "make an exception" and come get the vehicle if I paid the transportation fee for both ways, a $599 "customer fee." Qureshi also stated that he would return my down payment once the vehicle had been returned to the dealership in Atlanta and they had a chance to "inspect it for any abuse". I told Omar I would be happy to pay for transportation both ways but that I was not paying a "customer fee" and I was not allowing the car to leave my driveway until I had my down payment back from AutoMax. Friday morning, February 11, 2022, I picked the car up from the shop and paid $350 for the repairs the mechanic was able to make (before finding more issues) and brought the car home where it now sits, leaking oil, in my driveway. The shop also notified me upon arrival that the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor had been deleted/removed and the vehicle had been tuned. The muffler(s) have also been removed from the exhaust system. This is documented in a detailed report completed by the repair shop. It is illegal for a company to knowingly sell a vehicle in the state of Georgia without a catalytic converter. I sent the AutoMax Atlanta's sales manager the full report from the shop, let them know they knowingly (since they "inspected it" and it was in "great shape") committed vehicle fraud, and explained to them that I'd be filing a lawsuit against them if they did not agree to my terms. They have replied to let me know that it's a non-negotiable for them to return my money without the car being back with them; I do not trust that I'll see any of my $8k if I let the car go first nor do I trust their "mechanic" to inspect it truthfully. AutoMax Atlanta has forced me to take legal action in order to get out of this fraudulent contract; meanwhile, I have a vehicle that's financed and I have to make payments on but can neither legally nor safely drive.

The buying process was easy and smooth. Arif was courteous and knowledgeable. I recommend this place.

Great people who really took care of us and answered every question that we had.

Arif and his co-workers helped me find exactly what I have been looking for. My car is in perfect condition, very low miles and at an unbelievable price! The financing department was very helpful with getting my payments at a very low monthly rate. I'm beyond satisfied with the costomer service that these gentlemen provided. They were 100% honest about everything!

I had a very easy experience from start to finish. Very kind and professional staff.

It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. Arif explained everything to me as far as the process and that helped to make it a seamless buy. Thank you Arif, Chad and Automax Atlanta!

I dealt with DJ and a few other managers who's names i unfortunately can not remember however they were absolutely wondereful. Very helpful and the fact that it was my birthday they made me feel even more special. Great lot and great people!

Air was great to work with, I will definitely come back for my next vehicle.

Very easy and helpful. Minimized in person visits . Streamlined the process. I give 5 stars