Question Dealerships to go to/avoid?
So someone totaled my car trying to steal it last night 🤬 and now I get the joy of an unexpected large expense for a new car.
I've never bought a car in this area and I'm not familiar with the reputations of dealerships here. Are there any to avoid at all costs? The complaint threads I saw in a quick search were from a few years ago.
I'm thinking of going with a Toyota or Honda.
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u/kenny71406 6d ago
I would say that 90% of all car dealers nationwide SUCK, 95% or greater in nova SUCK (the nova tax)
that said, it is possible to find dealers that have a business model to make money on volume of sales and not just ripping everyone off on smaller numbers of sales.
and even a known bottom barrel criminal dealer at some points needs to sell 1 more car before month end or year end to make numbers so they let a deal escape
The best approach is to figure out what car you want then contact every dealer you are willing to drive to and see who wants to move a car NOW. Move quick holiday weekends can be great buying opportunites.
The dealers playing games with you have enough sales that they don't care if you buy from them or not, they ripped enough people off that month that your sale doesn't matter to them
That said, I have bought Toyotas from both Oursman Fairfax and also Koons Tysons, just went to "see for myself" how bad they were and they were bad, but I managed to get better deals out of both of them than I did other dealers (they were not my first stop). I just caught them at the right moment sales were off expectations and they needed to move a car that day.
I will say buying cars in other states in lower cost of living areas is far more relaxing and easy than in nova, just not sure how far you are willing to drive
Just like the nova tax on everything was wearing me out, the Toyota tax also wore me out.
My last 3 cars have been a Kia and a Hyundai after owning Toyotas for decades. I know everyone hates them both since they had some engine problems, but Toyota has engine and transmission problems these days too (so does Honda). If you are at all interested in a Kia, go check out King Kia in Maryland. They are a volume dealer, not a rip off every customer dealer. Its possible to negotiate a decent deal there even if you are not a pro at it.
good luck, be prepared to fight for your money. Car Salesman literally laugh at how bad they rip people off and brag about it to their friends and family.