Koons Honda

I purchased a 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan from Koons in January 2005. I bought certified pre-owned. I did a CARFAX search on the car to check out its history and also asked them if the car had ever been in a significant accident. Neither the CARFAX report or their answers indicated the car had ever been in an accident.

Upon picking up the car I almsot immediately encountered problems with the driver-side sliding door not cycling properly and found that various pieces on the door were loose or poorly fitted (e.g. the panel on the driver-side door interior was not attached properly at the bottom and swung free when you opened or closed the door).

A couple of weeks later, I encountered battery problems and found myself having to jump start the car about once a week. Exasperated and thinking I might have a bad battery, I took it in to a local shop and they said that the battery just wasn't properly installed. That should have been a big warning sign to me and it certainly made me feel uneasy about a car I had bought with the intention of keeping for a long time.

About two months after my purchase I was involved in a minor accident on the Toll Road. I took the car into the Koons body shop and after a quick look at the car the manager observed that the car had been in a major accident before. I pointed out that I had asked about any accidents and been told it hadn't been in one. He then proceeded to point out how most of the items on the driver's side were not original (e.g. key components didn't have the VIN on them). He said the car had clearly been t-boned or side-swiped.

Two weeks later, frustrated by increasing problems with the driver-side sliding door (which was failing to close on the 1st try about half the time), we took the car back to Koons and asked them to fix the problem. At the time the car was still under warranty. My wife dropped off the car, so the service manager called her with their appraisal - which was that the car was not broken. He was rude and condescending and refused to listen to her responses, saying that there was nothing wrong with the door. I then called them up and said that I didn't like how they had talked to my wife and told them to open and close the door while I was on the phone. The door makes an obnoxious alarm noise (three beeps) when it can't close, so it is pretty obvious when it isn't working right. I said I was ready to come in and show them the problem.

Suprisingly, the service manager was able to see there was a problem immediately this time. When I came to pick the car up, they told me that they had found broken auto glass in the door and that that was the source of the problem. To add to the fun, they refused to get us a rental or loaner car, though they had brought both up in the sales pitch as a reason for going with Koons, claiming that the car would be in and out in a day. Three days later we got the car.

We have continued to encounter problems with the car and are looking to replace it. Most recently the new battery they installed back in January 2006 went out on me and an electronic controller for windows and mirrors also went out (it is also located deep in the bowls of the driver's door).

The only charitable thing I will say about Koons is that the buying experience was pretty low-key, that said they did foul up the paperwork and had to FEDEX me a new set to sign and overnight back. Also, after I complained, they took immediate car of the door. The did refuse to pay for my rental car and they never responded to the letter or email I sent them to register my displeasure with them. I have warned friends and colleagues not to use them. Koons' behavior has ensured that: 1) I will not be buying a Honda again any time soon (after years of being loyalist) and 2) I am never buying a used car again.

Now I have to worry about what else will go wrong before I can get rid of this lemon.

Bought an 08 Civic LX on 6/20/08. Worked with John, he was awesome. Was the first dealership on the list, never even made to the others; left with a new car!! John did more listening than talking; Really showed an interest in our needs. They did try very hard to convince us to get the extended warranty, but we got the Honda b/c it is so reliable. Did however purchase the GAP insurance. I definitely recommend this dealership; will do business with again!!! Ask for John!