Automotive Forums

What was your best/worse ones? For me, the best was Saturn. My gawd, do they roll out the red carpet for you? Offers of food, a quick 'here's my manager', and they left you alone when you wanted to examine the SUV when you asked. When the Aura comes out, I know I'll be willing to pay a little extra for lack of hassle.

My worse experiences (note the plural) continue to be with Toyota dealerships. Every stereotypical trick in the book: getting my license, my vehicle's VIN, etc. I've nearly written them off, preferring the better looking Lexus vehicles anyway. But we'll probably be purchasing the Camry hybrid in a couple of years...though Ford's releasing a bunch of hybrids by then (i.e., Fusion and Milan).  

Easily my best experience was the Tustin Mazda dealership in Southern California. The owner of the dealership came out to meet my wife and I and thanked us for shoosing them.

The worst was Shaver Kia in San Bernardino. A million add-ons, not going off price but payment....on and on.  

Best: This year when we got my sister's Escape to replace a 1999 Eclipse totaled by a nut job who decided to pull out in front of us from a parking lot on to a 40 mph open access highway when we were only about 50 feet away. Thomason Ford of Gladstone, Oregon. They were great. Very clear ads, no gimmicks, no pressure, and very helpful. They didn't push you to purchase add-ons or do any extras even though it was a $6000 off MSRP deal.

Worst: I'd have to say at one of the local Honda dealers, we just went to look at a car (about the time of buying the Eclipse) and they already were trying to offer you accessories, and lease terms. They got rude when it became evident that we weren't going to buy yet and we left promptly.  

joela:
What was your best/worse ones? For me, the best was Saturn. My gawd, do they roll out the red carpet for you? Offers of food, a quick 'here's my manager', and they left you alone when you wanted to examine the SUV when you asked. When the Aura comes out, I know I'll be willing to pay a little extra for lack of hassle.

My worse experiences (note the plural) continue to be with Toyota dealerships. Every stereotypical trick in the book: getting my license, my vehicle's VIN, etc. I've nearly written them off, preferring the better looking Lexus vehicles anyway. But we'll probably be purchasing the Camry hybrid in a couple of years...though Ford's releasing a bunch of hybrids by then (i.e., Fusion and Milan).

I was just wondering what you meant when you said they tried every trick in the book including getting your license? Are you referring to them obtaining your license before a test drive?