After having my car totaled, I was shopping for a long term car that would last me for several years. I had visited a few car lots, and having issues with prices, actual cars, and accumulated many hours sitting in the show rooms. I would go home and see the commercials on television for carvana, and decided to check it out and see what it was about. After shopping around on the site I had found the car I had been visiting dealerships for. The cars page had all the cosmetic defects right there, clearly marked and photographed, from the actual car you were buying. All the pictures inside the car were also of the exact car you were buying. After finding it, it took no time (maybe 10-15min) to fill out the online forms, and my car was scheduled for delivery (or pick up if you choose). After a few corresponding phone calls to follow up, they called and said the pre-delivery inspection found a window switch wasn't working properly and the delivery had to be delayed to allow time to be repaired.
The day of delivery, I was surprised to be met by a lady unloading the car off the same flatbed, carvana, towtruck that is in the commercials. I test drove the car, filled out the final paper work (odometer statements, warranty information, etc.) and was done! Easy and fast and I was able to get the car I wanted, and the price I could afford.
To add to the carvana experience, there is a 7 day, no questions, buy back warranty. Great! To my surprise, the good things didn't end there. Inside the car on the test drive I noticed a cloth carvana grocery bag with stuff in it, I wasn't sure what it was, and thought it might have been someones stuff from the transporting trip from Atlanta to Charlotte. I asked the lady that brought me the car if it was hers and she said no it was mine, and it was a goodie bag for me. Inside the goodie bag was a carvan shirt, a "wacky flailing inflatable arm man" booble head, a gatorade, a water, twizzlers, and a bag of cheetos. As a token of there appreciation of me as a customer. A few days later a found a $25 gas card taped to the inside of the fuel cap door! Great hidden things like that add to the customers experience after dealing with dealerships.
Whats the catch, if its so great why am I giving it 4 stars then?
So the good things far outnumber the bad things. For starters, when it was delivered the lady didn't say anything about the window switch being bad so I still dont really know which switch was bad. This a point because, since having it the window switch on the passenger side broke and was stuck to roll down all the time. I had the car 2 weeks and had to already pull the passenger door panel off the repair the switch, we bad weather was predicted, and door like the plastic bag window. Because I don't know which switch was bad before delivery, I just wonder if it was this one. I also found an easily overlookable, but moderately severe issue. When I engage the right turn signal, there is a short somewhere in the turn signal selector on the steering column and its like I'm turning my headlights off, all the ac/radio/steering wheel/gauge lights go off and the radio brightness increases. This would not have been noticeable during a basic day time inspection of everything, so I'm trying to see if a local dealership will warranty it, if not, ill be taking apart that next. Also, going un-noticed on my test drive the suspension on the passenger front clicks sometimes when pressing and letting off the gas.
Overall, easy fast and convenient service, lots of little hidden GOOD features like the gift card and goodie bag. Able to pick what you can afford and not have some unforeseen force tell you no. Upfront and good communication as a company.
Only wish the inspection was a little more thorough on their part. 4 out of 5 stars for that.
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