Courtesy Kia of Brandon

I purchased a Kia Sportage 2007 from this dealer about a year ago. I had been searching for a car for about three months. A friend from work recommended that I go to this dealership; which I agreed, after all of the different dealers I had been too. The initial sales process was awkward due to my sales person being new. The sales manager and I finally were able to strike a deal. However, he wanted to charge me and insane price, although the car was in a previous accident. They assured me it was minor and the car looked and ran fine. This should have been my first warning indicator. Also the sales person who sold me my car is no longer there. That is no surprise. The only issues initially found was the radio, which they replaced. I drove the car off the lot and two weeks later the issues started. The plastic panel of the car kept coming loose; the check engine light kept coming on. It took me about three to four trips before they said that the transmission would need to be replaced. This was covered under the warranty at the time. I work odd hours and could not conform to the times they had. I have spent a lot of hours at this dealership for various issues. Recently my AC has stopped working. I took the car in the dealer and was told that the control unit and blower box needed to be replaced. I was told that it would be covered and even a rental. I was relieved to say the least, but my bubble was quickly burst by the service technician. He came back and told me that the package I had would actually not cover it. The total cost estimate was $715. I live pay check to pay check as it is, $715 is like $3000 right now. How does an AC unit go bad only after having it for a year and the car being only about 5 years old. Since I left the service department my car appears to be overheating now. I mean this does not make sense to me. Having no AC in the state of FL and during rainy season is not a good combination. The service technician was like I could work with you on the price, I am sure that means taking off $25. There are two lesson I learned one, all dealerships (new/used) are filled with [non-permissible content removed] out to sale pieces of junk, two, always get the platinum package when buying from Courtesy Kia of Brandon. I was their biggest promoter, but now I am their biggest detractors. I am going to make sure to tell everyone to stay away from the Courtesy group especially the one in Brandon. I realize that cars needs maintenance, but I have never had an issue with the AC unit going out in any of the cars I have owned. I have owned a car that was almost 11 years old and the AC was in perfect condition. Shockingly it was a Kia Sportage 01. I guess they do not build cars like they used to.