Bought their personal car off them. Non negotiable about price because it was in such prime condition and he had installed a new radiator. It was a dual fueled vehicle that he had converted. The car was advertised as being roadworthy. But he and his wife did a roadworthy on the spot for their own car. Being new to Australia that sounded weird to me, but I did not have the luxury of time and really needed to get to my new job in Mackay.

While driving up to Queensland the speedometer gave out first. I thought ok unlucky but that was quickly followed by the A/C. After about 400km after purchase I stopped to check the A/C and noticed the battery was overheating/smoking. Engine temp displayed normal, but since other gauges had stopped working hard to know if that was true.

Called Alex to enquire if he knew what was going on with the car. He suggested to wait, restart or push start and keep driving. I tried calling RACQ, but with spotty coverage couldn't get them long enough on the line.

Car did restart, but after a couple of km produced a sudden loud bang, started rambling and lost power getting me stuck just below a crest with an embankment on both sides. Could have ended badly for me or another driver.

Walked about three hours to get back to a spot with coverage to arrange a tow in blistering heat. Called Alex again after who suggested to buy a product for head gasket repair which for me meant he knew exactly wat was going on. He further proceeded to accuse me of breaking the car instead of any apology or concern about what had happened. I drove the car for about 400km on a paved surface, I think it is reasonably to expect it should be able to do that and I don't know how you would 'break' a car that way. I have been driving another pajero for about three years now without any issues.

I ended up with a useless car, an expensive tow and finding a train to Mackay to arrive early in the morning in Mackay for my first day of work.

Anyway I guess it is possible that you are unlucky and a car develops problems just after you buy it. In this case though it seems like he and his wife were well aware of the problem the car had and decided to sell it a premium price. Even if not aware I would feel very bad if something like that happened if I sold a car and would express that instead of accusing someone of breaking the car by just driving it. I think it is clear he knew there was something going on with the head or with his installation of the new radiator.

In my opinion just absolutely shameless and untrustworthy people. His wife flouted her christianity which is I guess suspicious at the best of times. I would advise against doing business with them.

I have serviced several cars with Axel and his team. I am always greeted warmly, service is done professionally, and where repairs are needed i am called before they proceed. Often, if a part is showing signs of wear but is still functioning perfectly, they alert me to the issue with an estimate on when it may need to be done - eg we will probably have to look at replacing it on your next service. The availability of a loan car is a huge help to me as well. Very friendly, very honest!

I selected Hi-Tech to install LPG in my new Falcon. Prior to obtaining the booking, Hi-Tech was very friendly, communicative and informative. Before the commencement of the installation - and having had LPG in several vehicles - I requested that Hi-Tech contact me to discuss any decisions during the installation (eg position of switch etc.). I had also discussed how the boot liner was to be cut to accommodate the tank.

However, Hi-Tech simply went ahead with the installation as they saw fit.

1) They cut the rubber boot liner (a $130 option) effectively, making it useless in trapping sand / water.

2) The switch was installed in a shelf in the console, effectively making the shelf useless for storage.

3) The gas lines run through the boot in such a way as to encroach significantly on the available loading space, and exposing themselves to potential damage.

4) A "curtain" was installed behind the rear seat. I was not informed of this, and it can be removed to access the storage space in front of the tank, but there are now untidy holes drilled in my new car.

5) The tank was not installed as forward as it could be, also wasting an enormous amount of boot volume.

6) I mentioned a "rough idling" issue for which there is a 15 minute solution (that should have been part of the original installation process) but I was advised to simply let the computer re-program itself over time.

I raised these concerns with Hi-Tech during the first service (which actually serviced little of what was specified in the warranty documentation) and mentioned that I was bitterly disappointed having entrusted them with a brand new car, only to have them ignore my requests and essentially vandalise my property. Hi-Tech assured me they would contact the supplier (Orbital) to see what could be done to rectify these concerns and phone me the following day. That was some 6 weeks ago and I have heard nothing.

Overall, poor service, poor customer care, failure to consider customer needs / requests, failure to acknowledge fault but happy to blame the supplier, failure to follow up as promised, and seemingly no intention at all to rectify their mistakes.

I would strongly advise seeking a different installer for Auto LPG - especially if considering the latest Liquid Injection, for which Hi-Tech do not seem to have an established and professional process as yet.

Approximate cost: $5100.00