Business ProfileforGunther Motor Company of Plantation, Inc

Caveat Emptor I bought and leased five vehicles from KIA MOTORS since 2015. In 2018 I leased a hybrid Kia Niro from Gunther Kia Fort Lauderdale for 4 years. My first time leasing a car. I returned the vehicle at the end of the lease on September 26, 2022, with low mileage, in good condition. The dealership did not have a comparable vehicle at the time. New cars would be arriving starting October 04, 2022 The young salesperson named ****** and manager ***** ******* suggested I extend the lease. KIA Motors, which I contacted by phone on September 23,2022 indicated I was not eligible for an extension, to contact dealer. At the dealership, asking if I had equity in my 2018 KIA, the salesperson assured I had equity. He asked if I wanted to buy the car. I was not willing to buy the vehicle for $12,000 and preferred using any equity to start a new lease. My primary concern was not to default on my lease. I asked if my car could be at the dealership until the new car arrived. ***** *******, the manager told me, if I chose to leave my car with the dealership, it would be “grounded,” a jargon I did not understand. I asked if the car was safe, the answer was yes. I signed the mileage report, left my car at the dealership that night, and asked them to please call as soon as a new car arrived emphasizing, I wanted the new hybrid Kia Niro. No explanation given that, by leaving my car in their care, I would be losing all equity to begin a new contract. Gunther Kia called me October 04, 2022. A new Kia Niro had arrived. Upon my return to the dealership, much to my dismay, I was told I could not use the 2018 KIA Niro as a trade in to start a new lease for the 2023 KIA Niro. I pleaded with them to collaborate with me, explained I did not understand what “grounded” meant. ***** *******, the manager told me there was nothing he could do and offered to sell me the 2018 Kia Niro as a certified pre owed vehicle for $19,000. Gunther Kia preys on loyal, albeit uneducated customers.