CLARK'S AUTOS & TRUCKS

I love the car I bought, even though it has needed an expensive repair within the first two months of my ownership.  I would, however, urge any prospective buyer of a vehicle from Clark?s Autos and Trucks to do his or her due diligence.  My experience started off very positive and, to my surprise, turned very sour.
After hearing an interview with Clark Thomas, the proprietor of this business, on the local National Public Radio station, we decided to investigate purchasing a Honda Insight from them.  My wife and I visited this business and spoke with Mr. Thomas who seemed very knowledgeable and personable.  We learned that Mr. Thomas buys these vehicles in various conditions from good all the way down to salvage, rehabilitates them and sells them.
On this first visit, we test drove the three vehicles they currently had at the lot.  We were impressed enough with Mr. Thomas' knowledge and the time he took to explain the Honda Insight's popularity, that we were all but convinced to purchase a vehicle from Mr. Thomas.  I made two more visits to the lot, drove two or three additional Insights that became available before deciding to make a purchase.
Of particular interest to us was Clark's dedication to and knowledge of this particular vehicle model.  We weren't just buying a vehicle, we were buying his expertise.  He explained of a process they had for rejuvenating batteries to avoid a $3000 repair bill when the battery wears down.  He also sold us on the idea that the cost of maintaining the vehicle would be significantly less by using his services.  This made sense.  He explained that there was a base level of integrity that the vehicles he acquired must have or else they were used only for parts.  He pointed out that the availability of used parts represented a significant discount over the cost of Honda-made parts.  We purchased a 2000 year model from Clark with a 30-day warranty and we were happy with the purchase.
When the check engine light came on within the first 10 days or so after we took the car home, a quick trip back to the lot and the explanation that I may not have tightened the gas cap enough sufficed.  When the check engine light came on again, probably a week or two after the expiration of the warranty, I first noticed the sense of a change in tone when I called.  It was around 2pm and, to be fair, Clark did say I could bring the car in.  When I asked "until what time?", his response was a little indignant, "Don't expect to bring the car in at ten to 5 and have us stay late and work on it."  I could appreciate that concern.  But the noticeable change in tone caught me.  I told him it wouldn't be a problem and that I would come the next day.  Before half an hour passed, I changed my mind.  I decided to drive to the lot just to make sure this "check engine" issue would not be causing damage to the car.
Clark was not there when I arrived.  His mechanic was very polite and asked if I had an appointment.  When I said that Clark was not expecting me until the morning, the mechanic was a little concerned.  He told me that Clark was very particular about people not just showing up.  I told him my concern about driving the car if the issue was serious and he politely agreed to scan the issue with his diagnostic tool while I was there.  The code that came up was the same as the previous visit.  I told the mechanic I had been very careful to turn the gas cap several clicks and make sure it was sealed.  He reset the system and said that if the code came up again, he'd need half a day to look everything over.
A couple of weeks later, approximately 60 days after we purchased the car, the check engine light came on again one evening.  I called Clark the next morning, a Thursday, and asked if I could bring the car in.  He told me his shop would not be open that day.  I asked if I could come the next morning.  Clark impatiently said he had things to take care of that "could cost him a lot of money," and would not be open Friday either.  I understood but was not happy to have to drive around with the check engine light all weekend.  I was polite but firm when I told Clark that this was the third time the light had come on in only two months and I wanted to make sure we resolved the issue this next time.  He angrily cut me off saying, "you're not HEARING me."  I responded that I did hear him and I would bring the car in Monday.
My choices as I saw them were:  to not drive the car until Monday, drive it with the check engine light on or have another mechanic look at it.  I brought it to a mechanic I know and trust who quickly diagnosed the "gas cap" issue as a faulty valve.  He also found another problem code which indicated a broken Oxygen sensor for which the part alone cost over $400.  The total cost of the repair was around $600.  Again I looked at my choices.  I could wait and ask Clark to repair the issues my mechanic found or have my trusted mechanic make these repairs.
I decided to have the repairs done by the mechanics I trusted rather than Clark, who was very accommodating and gracious before the sale and the exact opposite after the sale when issues arose.
I suppose I could try to compel Mr. Thomas to pay for some or all of my repairs arguing or with a small claims suit, but I doubt the continued indigestion and anger I feel when I talk with him or think about having to deal with him in the future are worth $600.
My lesson:  get references, pay attention to what reviewers say and choose carefully.