Looking for car dealer recommendation

[Chris_Swearingen]

Does ANYONE have a dealership they would buy from again? Let service their current vehicle?

Would prefer a Colorado dealership but at this point I really don't care. Manufacturer is unimportant also.

My wifes Mercedes E320 is in the shop AGAIN for a check engine light. Now that it's out of warranty the cost to diagnose the CEL is $110.

She is now in the market for a new/different car from a different dealer.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and thanks also for letting me vent my spleen.

[Clay Turner]

I've always been treated more than fairly by Winslow BMW. Go see Tim Roghair, their parts and service manager, BMW club member, driving instructor, club racer, former solo competitor and co-driver. He's as straight a shooter as they come.

Arnie's wife, Dona, works there, too.

[Donnie]

not sure about service but as far as sales, Ralph Schomp in littleton. I bought my car there in december and the sales experiance had to have been one of the best car buying experiences i have ever had.

Donnie

[kirstein]

Chris,
Sometimes things as simple as a loose gascap can trigger a CEL. You might want to go to Autozone and have them scan the car for free to atleast find out what code is saved before you spend any money.

[aurorasti]

When I had my Acura, I went to Mile High Acura on Havanna. Service was excellent. Sales was pretty good too.

[Chris_Swearingen]

Chris,
Sometimes things as simple as a loose gascap can trigger a CEL. You might want to go to Autozone and have them scan the car for free to atleast find out what code is saved before you spend any money.


Dale,

Thanks. I know the check engine light was the Mass Airflow Sensor. It had been giving problems before but they never replaced it. ( Did I mention it was idling like an old Harley?)

I got a call back from them, since it was indeed the MAS and also an O2 sensor and I had complained about it on prior occasions they are going to cover it under warranty. Much better outcome than I had hoped for.:D

However, it has taken many trips and my haggling with them to get it right, my wife didn't receive the same level of service, so I am still looking for a replacement dealership.

--Chris

[380SS]

I drove all the way from Colorado Springs to Ft. Lupton to deal with and by a Chevy from Rollie at Purfory Chevrolet. I would do it again. Not only do they deal well with customers, but I've used their body shop, and service department. My camaro was lifted up next to a 69 GTO. That's the kind of service department I want my car to go to. All of them folks were very friendly and professional. I cannot say enough about them.

Does ANYONE have a dealership they would buy from again? Let service their current vehicle?

Would prefer a Colorado dealership but at this point I really don't care. Manufacturer is unimportant also.

My wifes Mercedes E320 is in the shop AGAIN for a check engine light. Now that it's out of warranty the cost to diagnose the CEL is $110.

She is now in the market for a new/different car from a different dealer.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and thanks also for letting me vent my spleen.

[00 SS]

I'll second the vote for Purifoy Chevrolet. I bought my car there in 2000. Great people and great experience. They sell all new cars (except 'vettes) for 2% over invoice, no haggling, no BS. Just go to KBB and build your car, multiply the invoice price by 1.02 and you know exactly what your price will be. Service department was great the one time I had to use it.

We bought Sue's car at Davidsons in Loveland. Also a great dealership to work with. Never used their service department, so I have no opinion.

Every experience I've had in the metro area has been horrible in comparison to the experiences with the dealerships above. I will likely never buy a car in the Denver area again.

[kirstein]

Dale,

Thanks. I know the check engine light was the Mass Airflow Sensor. It had been giving problems before but they never replaced it. ( Did I mention it was idling like an old Harley?)

I got a call back from them, since it was indeed the MAS and also an O2 sensor and I had complained about it on prior occasions they are going to cover it under warranty. Much better outcome than I had hoped for.:D

--Chris
Glad it's working out for you on this one. BTW, you don't have a K&N air filter on the car, do you? There have been cases where overoiling a K&N has caused MAS failures.

On the dealership thing, the only dealer I have ever been close to happy with was Stammler Audi in Boulder. And it's a good thing, because my Audi was such an unreliable piece of ****.

[Chris_Swearingen]

HMMMM K&N, SSRs some 710s and HStock here I come.

http://www.systemstrategies.com/miata/flames2.JPG

[Chris_Swearingen]

Picked the car up last nite. They had changed the MAF and O2 senors. Light was off, ran great on they way home. NO CHARGE

Wife drove it this morning CEL was on in 15 min. Back to the shop. Now diagnosed with electronic throttle control problem. Part on order. Should be done by tomorrow.

The good news is, this gives me more room in the garage.:rolleyes:

[Chris_Swearingen]

Dealer called Friday afternoon, they found a rubber valve of somekind in the intake tract that is broken and causing a vacuum leak. That part is now on order and they expect to finish the repairs by Tuesday afternoon.

They did at least provide a rental car for us in the mean time.

[Paul]

Pro Chrysler.

Repaired wife's 2004 Turbo PT tranny without delay or question.

Don't recall the saleman's name when we bought the current 2005, but he did a good job too.

Looks like I will be cruisin" with the PT club instead of doing Time Trials this year!

Paul

[BoulderG]

I'll put in a good word for Boulder Toyota's service department. (They're owned by Larry Miller, of Miller Motorsports Park.)

I've had two experiences with them, one more complex. In both, the service writers and mechanics were friendly, customer-oriented, patient, and helpful.

My 1989 Pickup went in for a recall. Based on what I heard on yotatech, the amount of stuff they did was very complete - on the high end of most people's experiences.

They also called me to let me know about my badly worn timing chains. Yes, this is a big upsell, but they also made sure I understood how serious the situation is. (Major interference engine.)

I have no experience with new or used car salespeople there, and my one experience with the parts department was average.

In general, I don't like dealers and tend to distrust them. I strongly prefer independent shops. In the case of Boulder Toyota, I would definitely recommend them (although dealers definitely charge top dollar).

[Chris_Swearingen]

I do want to thank everyone for their input.

The "problem" has been resolved. The cel was gone long enough on the E to drive it down the hill and trade it in at http://www.rednoland.com/ Red Noland Cadillac.

Their motto is to "surprise and delight". So far they have succeeded. They held the SRX on my word alone for 4 days while the cel issue was cleared up on the trade in. The salesman was helpful but not pushy and very accommodating letting us drive almost every example of the vehicle he had, test fit it in the garage and offered to let us drive it until the E was out of the shop ( we declined ) etc.

When we went in to pick up the car, they opened two slots in their service bay for us to transfer possessions out of the wind and cold.

Update: Forgot to mention that they are also taking care of getting the plates and registration from the DMV. They will pay for it, call me and I reimburse them then go to the dealership (NO LINE NO WAIT) to pick up the tags.

Common practice is to drop off your car for service and pick up one of theirs to drive in the mean time.

I have no affiliation with the dealer other than being a satisfied customer.

http://www.systemstrategies.com/SRX/newcar.jpg

[00 SS]

Glad you found a dealer (and car) you like.

[Chris_Swearingen]

Just an update.

They did indeed take care of the DMV for us.

My wife took the car in to have a little trim item fixed, they gave here another SRX to drive for the day no questions, no fuss.

I have received a hand written card and a hand signed letter from the salesman thanking us for our business.

Got a hand signed letter from the service manager welcoming us to the family and introducing himself. He included a coupon for the first oil change.

I must say I REALLY like the service.

[JonathonBarton]

OK, if you're *not* buying a brand new Cadillac...*coughchokewheeze*
(Admittedly, I'm completely unsurprised that you're getting that level of service from a Cadillac Dealer. First, they want to woo you back to an American Luxury Car and keep you there - especially since they know you were driving an "import".
Second, you're paying Cadillac Prices. I'd be positively *insulted* if I didn't get that level of service when buying the top of the line General Motors product!)

Anyway. :)

Valerie and I heartily recommend Shortline Suzuki/Subaru/Hyundai/Kia on Havana in Aurora.
While selling the low dollar cars, they're not going to treat you like a Cadillac Dealer will...however, they're *MILES* above and beyond any other dealer we've ever dealt with.

...and we have a hearty ANTI-recommendation, as well.
Freeway Ford Is Of The Devil. Period.
I try not to even drive past that place on I-25 anymore, for fear that they'll suck a little more money out of my wallet.