I purchased a '02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from SMG Imports on July 1, 2011. We were a 1 car family but after the birth of our son in May '11 we needed another vehicle. After weighing our options we decided to purchase a 4WD SUV mostly in preparation for the possibility of another snowy winter. It started making an unusual noise so I took it to Merchant's to be looked at. I received a call at work from Merchant's after it was looked at. The mechanic asked me if I knew of any reason as to why the front drive shaft would be missing. Since we have had no work done to the Jeep since purchasing it I had absolutely no idea why that would be the case nor did I even know what a drive shaft was. I was then informed that without a front drive shaft the Jeep is only a 2WD vehicle and that it was most likely removed to cover up an issue with the transmission. I contacted the dealership to inform them of what had transpired and to question why I wasn't informed that the vehicle that was advertised by them on Craig's List as a 4WD vehicle was in fact not a 4WD. I should also mention that according to numerous sources it would have been virtually impossible for them to not have been aware it. He said the only thing he could tell me was to advertise the Jeep in the paper as a 4WD, because technically that's what it is, and make the asking price the same as what I paid for it ($4,995). He said that I would most likely be able to sell it to someone else for that amount. I told him that was not a viable option because it's not a 4WD & I would not try to rip someone else off the way I have been riped off. He said he's not a mechanic & had no way of knowing that the drive shaft was missing which I find impossible to believe because he told me at the time of sale that the Jeep had been thoroughly inspected and checked over & was in great condition. He offered to let me trade it in for something else on the lot but made a point to tell me that he had nothing on his lot near the price that I paid for the Jeep, therefore, I would pay an additional several thousand dollars for another vehicle. Also not an option because #1 I don't have several thousand dollars available after spending $5,000 in July '11 to pay for the Jeep & #2 I don't trust them enough at this point to want another vehicle off of their lot. That was the only option he had for me and the end result of the conversation was basically, too bad for me. Several days later the Jeep stopped moving all together because it won't go into gear. I have been told that it will cost anywhere from $2000-$4000 or maybe even more to fix the transmission & replace the missing drive shaft & both front axles (which come to find out have also been removed). I am in the process of taking legal action against them & have reported them to several agencies as well as 12 on Your Side. Beware of this dealership!
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