Reputable car dealership/good experiences?

[leamk]

My work truck is pretty much shot according to the mechanic. I appreciate that they told me it may not be worth spending money on rather than trying to get me to spend money on it, however it needs to be replaced! Does anyone have any recommendations for a reputable dealer/dealership in the area? I’m looking for an economical car with low monthly payments (200/month if possible). Only have about 1k for a down payment and may try to get an auto loan through my credit union. I know nothing about cars and would like a used car in good condition or a “budget” new car so I don’t have to worry about hidden problems a dealership may not disclose. I have really good credit, but am sort of lost and overwhelmed. I’ve spent so much money on this last car and need something dependable to drive my kids around in. Oh yeah, this won’t just be my work vehicle, it will be my main mode of transportation. Any helpful tips are appreciated, just don’t know where to begin and don’t want to get ripped off due to my lack of knowledge. I’m thinking maybe Hyundai, Kia or Ford Fiesta. I have a friend who works at a local dealership who I think will at least try to make sure I don’t get ripped off there, but I don’t know how much control he has over finance rates, price, etc. Thanks!

Share This

[trickycoolj]

I bought my Honda Fit in Lynnwood 6 years ago and still see them for maintenance. Here’s a tip, Honda Fit is getting a complete redesign in 2014 and is being first released in Sept in Japan so the 2013s on the lot are super super cheap right now. I was just at Lynnwood for service yesterday and they had a big Fit sale going on. Armed with the knowledge they need to get out the old stock out you could get a slamming deal on a base model at pretty much any Honda locally with big stock of Fits. I’m keeping an eye on the redesign as they’re also going to release an urban SUV on the Fit chassis early next year. I totally love mine. It hauls a ton with the “magic seat”. It not only folds down but the seat folds up for tall storage. Moved most of my apartment myself and have hauled all kinds of odd things from Ikea and Home Depot. I also have a Yakima rack and haul multiple bikes and snowboards and skis!

Share This

[leamk]

Thank you for the great tip, I’ll check them out on the website. Probably heading out to Lynnwood tomorrow night and will check out the Fit!

Share This

[kgdlg]

with that type of down payment, you will only get close to a 200 a month car payment on a new car by stretching out the payback to 7 years. that is a long time to have a car payment…and usually you have to give up the zero percent financing to get the longer term.

instead, consider buying a gently used car, preferably one that is certified. if you have good credit, BECU offers a 2.5 percent rate right now, hard to beat on a new used car purchase. hyundais are a great reliable car that we were looking at a lot when considering our last purchase. also, here is a great website with tips on how to negotiate a car sale

http://www.realcartips.com

Share This

[leamk]

Thanks, kgdlg. I’ve been researching Certified Previously Owned cars, they seem like a great option. Thanks for the great tips and the link, I’m going to check it out right now~!

Share This

[Driez206]

I’ll tell you a place to avoid, Honda of Bellevue. Not only did they use all the high-pressure sales tactics, which I expect but don’t like, before they transferred the title of my trade-in car they got a ticket in Everett, this ticket then went to collections, as I moved shortly after I bought a car from Honda of Bellevue. Then I had to clean it up this year. Please avoid them at all costs.

Share This

[yikes]

Just stay away from Honda of Seattle. I bought a car from them and was given a maintenance agreement from the salesman… he left and they ‘lost’ the paperwork and would not honor the commitment. Yes, I addressed management and they came close to calling me a liar even tho I’d been receiving the maintenance for over a year.

Share This

[trickycoolj]

Yeah I got a bad vibe at the downtown Honda 6 years ago when I just went in to look at a Fit. Back then no one had them in stock, not even a floor model to look at and they just looked at me like “order one off the truck or stop wasting my time” hence I still trek up to Lynnwood twice a year for my service.

Share This

[KBear]

Yikes and Tricky, sorry you had bad experiences at Honda of Seattle. We bought one of our Hondas there and have been taking both of our cars there for maintenance for years. They have always been good to us.

Share This

[dhg]

I’d talk first to Bowen Scarff Ford in Kent. They do not follow the traditional used car sales routine. They offer the “no dicker sticker” and what they mean by that is they will give you a price if you want to negotiate, you are negotiating with the guy at the desk. He doesn’t run off for 20 minutes to “consult with the boss” and then come back. I leased a truck from them and, when the lease was up, I dropped it off with several arguments in mind already for when they evaluated the vehicle as it was not in perfect shape. I handed over the keys and the sales guy said “great, thanks”. I paused a moment and asked, “Aren’t you going to look it over?” He said, “Nah, if we gave you a hard time you wouldn’t come back.”

You really can’t get any better than that!

Share This

[tanyar23]

We’ve been happy with Evergreen Ford with the Costco program and also leasing a vehicle with University Volkswagen.

Share This

[Author]

Posts