El Paisano Auto Wrecking SOLD US A LEMON, REFUSED REFUND Phoenix Arizona

 My niece, her husband Brandon and two kids moved in with us recently to get established here in Phoenix. Part of that was looking for a used car. On Sat Aug 27th, 2022, Brandon and I went to El Paisano Auto Wrecking on 4024 W. Broadway Rd Phoenix, AZ 85041 (also listed as 4122 W.  Broadway Rd, same place) to check out a used 2001 Subaru Legacy station wagon.

My wife found the listing on Facebook Marketplace and we were told to meet up with a Jose Cruz.  When we showed up, we went into the office and they said Jose wasn’t there, but a young man (whom we now believe was Jose all along after finding his personal FB page) said he could help. 

This looked to be a family run business, as the girl that 1st met us at the front desk said Jose wasn’t available but she would get her brother.  We asked to do a test drive, they agreed. It started right up, the young man pointed out just as we started that the check engine lit up with all other lights and then went off, so as not to suggest they took the bulb out.

We went down the block a little, got it up maybe over 50 mph and went a mile so down the road and turned back.  We asked about the vehicle history, they said they bought at auction.  I asked if it was the original engine/transmission, they said they weren’t sure, but when they buy at auction they check EVERYTHING out mechanically and if in good shape, they will resell rather than part it out.

The price was $1650 and we settled on an even $1600, paid in cash and left with the title, which Brandon signed as they would eventually pay my wife and I back for putting up the cash, as families do.  This car was pretty banged up, but it seemed to run pretty well still.  Brandon and I immediately got to work spending around $200 on Tune up supplies.

I took the seats out and cleaned the interior the next morning, then later that Sunday the two of us got under the car and checked the oil/oil filter, both had recently been changed, so we put the bolt right back and topped it off and agreed to check in 2-3k miles for the next one.  By that Wed Aug 31 and some light driving around town, a check engine light appeared. 

Brandon and I both have OBDII code readers so Brandon got his and the code returned was P0328, the Knock sensor on the engine. We read up, hoped it was just the sensor and planned to change it. The NEXT day Sept 1st, Brandon and FAM called frantic with the car stuck at a busy intersection in Phoenix, it was running but no response when pressing the gas. 

They must have turned it on/off 5-10 times and finally got it going again and brought it home.  Now there were 2 codes,the other for Catalytic converter.  We took it to our trusted AAMCO station in Glendale, AZ and by Sept 2nd they confirmed our fears, there was an actual rod knock in the motor and the only way to fix was a rebuild or a new engine.

That same day we reached back out to El Paisano/Jose Cruz and told them we believe they sold us a lemon and we wanted our money back an their response was that we must’ve done something because the car was fine. “Did you check the oil?” they asked, completely insulting our intelligence. 

A rod knock in the engine doesn’t develop after a few days of light driving. I believe they knew, and possibly even cleared the engine code to get it off their lot and tell us “Sorry, as is, no warranty” Come to find out, they are listed on AZ DOT Valid Dealers Report (MVD Dealer License # L10001212) and now we believe they are in direct violation of AZ Lemon Laws, as we were well within 15 days/500 miles and they refused to take the car back and give us our money back. 

Needless to say, we have engaged our family lawyer for assistance. If you see ANYTHING listed at either 4024 W Broadway Rd or 4122 W Broadway Rd in Phoenix, AZ 85041 and you pull up and see it is El Paisano Auto Wrecking?? I say STAY AWAY, as in OUR experience, they are NOT YOUR FRIENDS.