Anyone Bought a Car from DRIVE TIME?

Updated on March 12, 2016
N.S. asks from Allen, TX
18 answers

Ok so I can't get approved anywhere for a first time car loan except at drive time.
Does anyone have experiences with them? Good? Bad?

What kinda cars do they typically have?

What can I do next?

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

Please take the time to view this video. We are huge fans of Dave Ramsey and this is one of his ideas about buying cars. You will be glad you watched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgLyl66QxQ

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R.M.

answers from Dallas on

I got a car from there and the car ran horribly not long after getting it and it was a hassle to even deal with them. I also found out I was paying 26 1/2% intrest. It was a a Chevy Lumina and I was going to end up paying 8k more for it than I did my husbands Chevy Silverado that was newer that I got at a different used car place. I finally told them the car is parked in front of my house I dont want it, come and get it. The kept telling me they couldnt come get it untill I missed a payment. So I stopped paying on it...the car sat in fron of my houe for 4 MONTHS before they finally came to get it. I would never eal with them again!

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R.G.

answers from Dallas on

We had pretty bad credit years ago. We couldn't get financed anywhere else and where in a desparate situation. Our Ford truck, our only vehicle, caught on fire and was totaled. Even with $4,000 for the down payment, we couldn't get financed anywhere and still needed a vehicle. We ended up going with Drive Time but we understood that we were grossly overpaying. The vehicles they have usually have high miles and are overpriced. Later, we needed a 2nd vehicle and went through another Drive Time. The guy in Lewisville was a bit of a jerk but the salesman we used in Irving was very nice and patient. No high pressure from him. They are able to pull from any Drive Time so if another location has something you want, they can go and get it for you. Just understand going into the situation that you will be paying more for the vehicle because of your credit. They do report to the credit agencies and it does help your credit if you pay on time. Just recently, we bought a brand new car with a 0% interest rate. The good credit from Drive Time definitely helped with that. You can also pay online -- which is such a help for me. If you know someone that uses them, they can get a discount on their payment if you use them as reference. Same for you. If you refer someone, you can get a discount. The person that you refer must give your account number, though. We got a couple of credits that way. It does take a couple of months before you get the credit and you may want to call to make sure you get it.

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

I did. Don't beleive them when they say you can refinance after a year of good paying history. They have ridiculous finance charges like 22 1/2 percent.I have never missed a payment and they would not refinance at a lower rate. I bought a 2002 Honda civic in 2004. I am still paying almost $500 per month. When all is said and done I will have paid $38000.00 for a 2002 HONDA CIVIC.

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W.T.

answers from Lakeland on

i bought a chrysler sebring so I can build my credit, that's what they told me.I was in good standing with them for almost 4 yrs then I went to to trade my car in at a major car dealer,and they never reported to none of the 3 credit bureau.So my credit stayed the same for all those years.

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V.A.

answers from Dallas on

yes, and they are a good company with good, reliable cars. I heartedly recommend them.

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

I worked with someone that had purchased a car from them. They are a used car lot just like any other, so you need to be cautious on buying a used car anywhere; however they do carry their own loans at higher rates. One price you pay at not having any/great credit (I know from experience). My co-worker kept getting hounded by them on the phone if being a minute late and I don't remember the circumstance he had, but I don't believe he was in the wrong, and they would not let up on him, so they can be a hassle to deal with.
Good Luck~

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D.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Don't buy a car from them. 30% interest and overpaying for the car by $6000.
the warranty sucks. Had my AC break, went to the Reg Manager Keith Sarchett and he basically wouldn't take my call. I had to track him down here in N.C. and he basically told me I should have saved money for repairs. He could have told me that when I bought the car of when I left him 10 messagees he didn't return. A lot more customers have had a run in with him, check google. Keith Sarchett and Drivetime are the biggest ripoff around.

R.D.

answers from Dallas on

For a no hassle purchase and the best price buy from Car Max
Dennis Hartsock
###-###-####
you will get a good deal and service from nice people.

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

I checked them out as well as drivers select when I was getting my first car. I passed and went to drivers select but they wanted to charge me almost $10,000 for a car valued at $5,000. And it was a used Kia Rio... So I went over to Kia and got a first time car loan and My credit was not good plus to cosigner. My loan provider works with people in tough situations. It is AmeriCredit. Kia uses them alot. I wound up getting a used Dodge Stratus that was 2 yrs old vs the Kia though. You should check them out

HTH

E.

www.AmeriCredit.com is their website

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B.M.

answers from Dallas on

We bought a Suburban from them about 7 months ago. I've been pleased overall. I bought from the location on Buckner Blvd. They were relatively pleasant to deal with. We had some minor problems in the first couple of weeks, but it was all covered under the 60 day warranty.
The cars we looked at were used, but not junkers. If they don't have what you need at one lot, they'll go get what you want from another. They did that for us while we were eating dinner.
We are paying a higher interest. There is no grace period on payments.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

I went through them years ago and not sure how they are now, but the car I got from them needed repairs pretty early on. I would see about taking the car your thinking about getting to a mechanic you know and have them give it a good look over before you buy it.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Drive Time used to be a company called Ugly Duckling years ago and I had a HORRIBLE experience. They sold me a total lemon and when I approached them about it they said tough luck, that's what happens when you don't have the credit to buy a new car. Of course I didn't, I was 18! The car I wound up getting from them had problem after problem. Eventually, their was a fire under the hood on the freeway (SO SCARY!) that was fixed, only to throw a rod in the motor a few weeks later. It then sat in my parents driveway for 4 years because they wouldn't come get it even though I told them to since I was NOT going to pay one more dime on it. So, of course it showed up on our credit, but as a REPO! It was never repoed and when I questioned them about it they said they had record it was repoed. I told them I thought that was pretty interesting since I was standing by the car as I was speaking to them. Eventually my parents paid someone 50.00 to haul it off. One other thing to also know about them, they are WAY overpriced, typically double what the vehicle is worth and their interest rates are through the roof! Your best bet is to see if you can get someone to cosign for you and go to a reputable dealer. Good luck!!

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

'08 are the newest they have. anything from suv's to compact cars. a friend of mine had a good experience at the store in Lewisville. it's a great way to build your credit.

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

Some peoples had good luck some not.

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J.W.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, I am driving a car which is almost paid for from Drive Time. You'll get good value and be treated kindly.
Tell them I sent you...

J. Wheeler
###-###-####

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T.N.

answers from Las Vegas on

BE CAREFUL. I went to drivetime a month ago and was approved for a vehicle. They presented me with a clean car fax report and history. The DAY AFTER, I started to have problems.. The key wouldnt come out of the ignition, the front end (small decorative pieces) started to fall off, there is a LOUD knocking in the front axel area, the interior is literally starting to ripple (looks like the the seat covers are too big for the seats) the ceiling is starting to peel... as of last night, the car is not turning over when I start it, the coolant has leaked out and is empty (just bought the car!) and the fuel pump is leaking... found out today that there are 15 reports on this car from car fax, I cant afford to pay to look at them, but on my files they gave me at the purchase there were only 3. Im paying 20,000 for a 6,000 car that probably wont last very long. I called the customer service line and they told me I have to pay another $50 copay to get the car looked at and get the coolant serviced (when its because of damage!) at my own expense. I think this company takes advantage of people who cant be financed anywhere else and are desperate for a vehicle. Ive only had this car a month. If I find out its been in an accident they never told me about, Im going to sue them.

S.R.

answers from Dallas on

Glad you've asked. We did, as we were in a DESPERATE situation at the time. We ended up with a 6-year old car that looked GREAT, however, there was some major oil leak (NO ONE would TOUCH the car for an oil change because they were afraid of a liability) and the brakes were HORRIBLE (the WHOLE front-end of the car shook like mad when you applied the brakes and the faster you were going or the longer you'd been driving, the worse it was). Thing was, this all started happening just as the 30-day limited warranty thing expired...go figure! I called and SCREAMED at them and they simply said, "Ma'am, you should have contacted us sooner." B S!! When I explained that it all started happening after their grace period was over, I accused them of 'fixing' it to happen that way. Had to be...with as bad as the issues were when they started happening, there was NO way these issues weren't there when we bought it. There is NO way this car would have legitimately passed the 'inspection' they claim to perform on all their vehicles...NO WAY! Anyway, we ended up letting the car go back, which has greatly affected our credit even more, but we could not afford the car payment AND the costly repairs this car needed. I will say, it was the best buying experience ever...the actual process of getting the car...BUT the vehicle and service we received once that was out of the way was HORRIBLE! If it's a last ditch effort to get yourself into a vehicle just BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL!! They are WAY, WAY, WAY overpriced, too...just thought I'd add that in. Best of luck to you...I've been there and done that!

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