Reviews

Review Details

• Review fromC. F.

  Date: 11/20/2025

  1 star
  Drive Appeal in *************** sells Lemons of cars I spent ****** on a car and have it for a month and has transmission trouble and engine trouble and they wont make right very bad company and business

  Drive Appeal

  Date: 11/24/2025

  On October 4, 2025, the customer purchased a 2019 ******* ****** with ****** miles from our ************ location. This vehicle was sold As Is, which was fully disclosed in the Buyers Guide and acknowledged by the customer at the time of purchase. As part of our standard process, the customer was also offered an extended service contract for additional protection, and they declined this optional coverage.

  Even though the customer declined to purchase an extended warranty, Drive Appeal still provided a complimentary AllState 3-month/3,000-mile limited warranty at no cost to the customer. This warranty is designed specifically to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses in the event of unexpected issues shortly after purchase.

  The vehicle was inspected before sale and had no documented transmission or engine problems at the time of delivery. Any mechanical concerns that arose after the sale occurred during the warranty period, and the customer was informed that they could file a claim under the complimentary AllState warranty for further assistance. This process allows an independent third-party warranty company to evaluate the concern and determine coverage based on its terms and conditions.

  We understand how frustrating mechanical problems can be,which is exactly why we provided a complimentary warranty even though the customer declined additional coverage. However, because the vehicle was purchased As Is, and because mechanical failures can occur unexpectedly, especially in higher-mileage vehicles, we depend on the warranty claim process to determine appropriate next steps.

  Drive Appeal remains committed to honest business practices and transparent communication. We encourage the customer to contact the ******** warranty claims department so they can review the issue and provide direction on what repairs may be covered.

  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

  C. F.

  Date: 12/02/2025

  That's a lie I was never offered an extended warranty for my parts and labor on the car. The only thing they offered me was for more of a higher coverage of insurance on my car. So no, you are lying. Because I would've been considered that real hard. If, the price was to be decent. Quit lying about all this

• Review fromChavon S

  Date: 11/15/2025

  1 star
  They sold me a car that they knew had engine problems. I only had the car for 35 days. I called and asked what they could do to help correct the problem the owner from the *********** location stated that he will get back to me. I waited and heard nothing. So I decided to drive to the *********** location where I purchased the car to check in. The owner approached me and my child who I happened to have with me in a hostile manner and told me that he was waiting to hear back from their mechanic and that he had no news to tell me. I waited another week and tried calling the Owner again at the *********** location to find that my phone number was blocked by the owner at the *********** location. This is not an upstanding car dealer that decent people want to spend their money at!!!!!!

  Drive Appeal

  Date: 11/24/2025

  On September 11, 2025, the customer purchased a 2018 **** Edge with ******* miles from our Bloomington dealership. The vehicle was sold As Is, in full compliance with state and federal requirements. The customer acknowledged this As-Is status by signing the federally mandated Buyers Guide at the time of purchase.

  The customer was offered the option to purchase an extended service contract for additional protection. The customer declined this optional coverage. Nevertheless, Drive Appeal provided a complimentary AllState 3-month/*****-mile limited warranty as a courtesy, despite no obligation to do so.

  Timeline and Warranty Facts

  10/17/25 ******* miles
  The customer returned to our *********** location and met with our manager, ****.The vehicle was then inspected at our service facility by *****, who diagnosed a leaking head gasket. At this time, the customer had already *********************** over ***** miles since purchase, meaning the vehicle was outside the mileage limit of the provided AllState 3-month/*****-mile warranty.

  The customer declined to have the recommended repair completed and chose to take the vehicle back without initiating a warranty claim.

  11/13/25 ******* miles
  The customer returned again, now having *********************** nearly 900 additional miles after the head-gasket diagnosis. At this point, the engine had completely failed and required replacement.

  At the time of the initial diagnosis on 10/17/25, the customer had exceeded the ********** limit of the complimentary AllState warranty. The warranty, therefore, was no longer active under its stated terms.This was communicated during the visit.

  A leaking head gasket is a progressive issue. Continuing to operate the vehicle without repair leads to overheating and, ultimately, total engine failure, as occurred here. The customer made the decision to continue driving the vehicle for approximately 900 additional miles after being advised of the head-gasket problem.

  Because the vehicle was sold As Is, already outside the mileage limits of the complimentary warranty at the first sign of failure and driven extensively after the mechanical issue was identified and repair was declined, Drive Appeal has no legal or contractual obligation to replace or repair the customers engine at our expense.

  The customers allegations regarding hostile behavior and phone blocking are unfounded. Our manager, ****, communicates updates only when verifiable information is received from our service personnel or independent mechanics. Communication delays while awaiting technical reports are not unusual and do not indicate misconduct. Drive Appeal does not block customers'numbers.
  
  ********************** acted fully within legal requirements,transparently disclosed the As-Is nature of the sale, provided a complimentary warranty that the customer exceeded by mileage before the first repair opportunity, and offered proper diagnostic guidance through our service manager, *****.

  The subsequent engine failure arose after continued operation of the vehicle with an unrepaired head-gasket leak and after the expiration of the warranty mileage limit. There is no basis for dealer liability in this matter.

  Drive Appeal remains committed to fair and compliant business practices.

• Review fromJason M

  Date: 02/22/2025

  1 star
  I purchased a car on November 9, 2024. I purchased a car with a trade in. It is now almost the end of February and I'm waiting on my car title. I have filed four complaints. Two with state AGs and two with the CFPB and FTC. I hope something gets done.

• Review fromKelsey F

  Date: 11/24/2024

  1 star
  Very disappointed! We purchased a vehicle right before school for our 17 year old son, excited for his first car.. about a week later coil goes bad, we called in salesman was frustrating to even talk to. We had it fixed by our mechanic… 2 months later car totally dies and my son has no car. We go into dealership to share information to see if we can get any help and sends him information from mechanic… he was very defensive and rude… had no customer service value for us, did not give us any hope for anything. The manager emails us and is not helping at all. Now we are in a bind down a car and a devastated son. We DO NOT recommend Drive Appeal to anyone!!!

• Review fromRobert B

  Date: 08/01/2024

  1 star
  Buyer beware!!! Be incredibly careful buying any car from Drive Appeal!
  I bought an “As Is” vehicle from this company and two days after the purchase, the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and they ran a diagnostic test on the light which came up Misfired 8 cylinder. Drive Appeal’s answer to that was to tell me the vehicle was purchased "As Is” so there’s nothing we can do to help, no money back, no money off the price of purchase or the cost of repair, NO CUSTOMER SERVICE whatsoever! Clearly this is a company only looking for a sale and not striving for customer satisfaction nor caring about retaining a repeat customer. I’m writing this to inform others of this company's business practices in hopes of protecting others from the nightmare I’ve been through. Because of this, I am forced to be stuck in an unimaginable bind because not only do I have to work, but I am disabled needing to have a safe vehicle to get to and from medical appts and stuck trying to find yet another new vehicle in order to assure my safety but financially I'm completely tapped out paying for repairs and taking out a loan on this “As Is new vehicle” which we all know upon taking out the loan, one owes more than the vehicle is worth, causing an additional expense. I’m literally going further and further backwards with the purchase of this UNSAFE to drive vehicle. It’s not like a small scratch and dent making it an “as is” product, this is major safety “as is” issues. I do understand the (as is) laws but if the vehicle has problems within a week of purchase, the buyer should get a refund, or at the very least the option to trade the vehicle for another or allow Drive Appeal’s mechanic to repair it

  Drive Appeal

  Date: 08/02/2024

  ****************** purchased the 2013 Land Rover, which had ******* miles, for $8,990 on July 15,2024. We fully disclosed that the vehicle was sold "as is," ***************** was offered an extended warranty at the time of sale, which he chose to decline. Additionally, ****************** requested that the vehicle be taken to his mechanic for an inspection before finalizing the purchase. He picked up the vehicle on July 12 at 10 a.m. for his 2 p.m. appointment with his mechanic and returned at 4 p.m., indicating that the Land Rover had checked out and wished to proceed with the purchase. On July 22, ***************** contacted us to inform us that a check engine light had appeared,although the vehicle was still running fine. Our salesman invited him to return the vehicle to identify the code, indicating a misfire in cylinder 8. ***************** now reports that the vehicle has leaks and needs repairs. It is important to note that at the time of purchase, both ****************** and his mechanic confirmed the vehicle to be in satisfactory condition, with no immediate need for repairs. Mr. ******** spent more than five hours with the vehicle before purchase, and his mechanic independently inspected it. We understand that maintenance and repairs are a costly part of owning a vehicle, especially one of this age and mileage. Drive Appeal cannot predict future mechanical issues in any vehicle, which is why we encourage consumers to consider purchasing warranties to cover unforeseen expenses. If ****************** would like to use our shop for his vehicle repairs, we would offer him a substantial discount compared to what he was quoted from the shop he frequents.

• Review fromStan F

  Date: 10/26/2023

  5 stars
  Mike was awesome with helping me find the right vehicle! Drive Appeal Bloomington is the REAL DEAL! Upfront, and honest. I will be back! Already sent my sister to talk to Mike.
  Thanks!!!!!!!!

• Review fromTravas R

  Date: 09/05/2023

  1 star
  I had my vehicle less then a week and less then 400 miles. The a/c was blowing cold in the vents but when you changed it to defrost or floor it would blow hot air on the driver side and the passenger side was cold. Asked them about it and they basically said you need to recharge the a/c system cause the freon is low or it would be a ac heater blend door actuator or Heater control value. Try those and you won't have to pay a shop $200 to diagnose your vehicle. don't waste your time buying from them. they are a true as is dealership and they only think of themselves first. The customer is not taken care of. I have noticed other things on the vehicle also but they were easier fixes. Like the rear bumper facial. The top of the facia was not even clipped into any of the mounting clips. Guess if you buy from there make sure you 100% check everything before it leaves cause you are screwed when you drive out of the lot..... Becomes your problem 100% Buy from somewhere else that will stand behind even their used vehicles

• Review fromDavid O

  Date: 08/10/2023

  1 star
  First, leaving the dealership I realized that the gas was nearly empty, so I had to stop halfway home for a $60 fill. Not the end of the world but why not fill the cars for people paying 10k+ for a car?
  Next, the oil change light came on a week later. Again, why not check/change the oil before selling the car? It speaks to a lack of quality control at best, and negligence at worst.
  When I brought the car in for the oil change, the cabin and engine air filters looked like they hadn't been changed in a decade.
  So we are up to $60 for the gas, $99 for an oil change and $75 for the filters ($234) within a week of buying the car for full blue book value.
  **All things that, in my opinion, a reputable car dealership would have taken care of immediately upon receipt of the vehicle.**
  I decided to bring it to the local Honda dealership for a full inspection. Here's what they found:
  - Left spool valve and oil pump gasket seeping. Fluid 'all over front of subframe.'
  - Front brakes improperly installed and not lubricated
  - Bolt missing on bracket of right front stabilizer bar
  -Left front lower control arm bushing separating
  - Left front axle outer boot torn, axle oscillating when driving
  - Seized oil dipstick
  - A small leak in the exhaust system
  Since there is a repair shop connected to the dealership, I don't believe there is any excuse why this car wasn't properly vetted before selling- outside of a lack of concern for the customer and an interest in saving a buck at the potential cost of the health and safety of my family (in my opinion.)
  Shockingly, I also did not receive my license plates within the 21 day period that the temporary plates were valid. When I bought the car I was told that they are 'basically the DMV' and that they handled these things internally. I had to follow up twice before they were finally (allegedly) sent. They blamed the DMV... so, themselves?
  Overall, just not a good experience and I would not recommend.

  Drive Appeal

  Date: 08/11/2023

  Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns regarding your recent vehicle purchase from our dealership. I understand your frustrations and concerns, and I would like to address each point you've brought up.1. **Gas and Basic Maintenance**: It's customary for used cars, especially older models, to be sold "as is." While new vehicles often come with a full tank of gas and recent maintenance, older used cars do not always receive the same treatment. Given the competitive pricing and the nature of used vehicles, filling up the gas or doing oil changes beforehand isn't always factored into the pricing. 2. **Vehicle Age and Condition**: The vehicle in question is a decade old with over ******* miles on it. This means it has seen significant road use and wear and tear. It's not uncommon for vehicles of this age and mileage to have multiple areas that require attention. Regular maintenance and replacements are a natural part of owning an older vehicle.3. ************************* The vehicle was priced based on its age, mileage, and "as is" condition. We sell older vehicles to cater to customers looking for more budget-friendly options. The potential issues you listed from the ***** dealership's inspection are, unfortunately, common with vehicles of this age. While we strive to ensure the basic operational quality of our vehicles, we might not catch every minor defect, especially if they are not causing immediate operational problems.4. **License Plates**: We apologize for the delay in the license plate delivery. Our intent was not to mislead but to simplify the process for our customers by managing the *** tasks internally. We strive to maintain efficient communication and timely delivery, but occasionally unforeseen delays occur.I understand that your experience might not have met your expectations, but I hope this provides clarity on the context in which older used cars are sold. While our in-house shop inspects cars to ensure they are roadworthy, our primary focus is on major mechanical components and safety features.Your feedback is invaluable, and we will certainly take it into consideration as we continually aim to improve our services and customer experience. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further concerns or if there's anything else we can assist you with.

• Review fromJanet T

  Date: 05/31/2023

  1 star
  Bought a Yukon from Mike at drive appeal 2 weeks ago. On way home check engine light comes on I text him he says don’t worry it’s got good warranty the 3 thousand miles or 3 months through Allstate is great. Took to shop and the side detection system failed, no coolant for the AC , and 4 injectors out. I paid 28000 for a car I can’t drive. I called Mike asking for the owner’s information and he hangs up on me. Not a good guy or dealership to deal with. DONT BUY FROM THEM

• Review fromCasey N

  Date: 04/14/2023

  1 star
  Vehicle purchased 12/10/22 with a warranty - mechanical breakdown within 92 days -
  claims for repair DENIED warranty does not cover pre-existing conditions - Drive Appeal does not acknowledge any wrong doing selling a vehicle that within 90 days of purchase is determined that at my expense the problem was pre-existing - that was done prior to the sale of the vehicle to me on 12/10/22 - Warranty is no good for any coverage so that was 3, 500 waste of money and now will have no option but to pay the 5,000 I do not have - There is no recourse or help for people that purchase vehicles with problems - I am stuck with a vehicle that does not run creates a hardship to get to work to pay for that vehicle - just want to make sure everyone is aware before purchasing this company does not stand by their products