Seattle Area Car Dealerships? (Tacoma, Bellevue: sales, buying, inspection)

[monkeymunch]

In the market for a new or used vehicle, maybe a 4-wheel drive, and hoping for some insight on places you've gone or have any referrals or insight on how to start the process. Ideally something newer (last 5 years) and am not looking to spend more than 30k.

I know it's been asked before, but haven't found a lot in the way of answers or specifics.

Thanks for your help!

[Hemlock140]

I can only give objective opinion based on my own experience. The best to deal with for me was Bickford Ford
in Snohomish. The worst, by far, was Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Bellevue (formerly Eastside Chrysler-Jeep).
I have also had good experiences at Evergreen Ford in Issaquah and the Barrier Motors family in Bellevue (Mercedes,
Porsche, Volvo and Audi dealerships).

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by monkeymunch

In the market for a new or used vehicle, maybe a 4-wheel drive, and hoping for some insight on places you've gone or have any referrals or insight on how to start the process. Ideally something newer (last 5 years) and am not looking to spend more than 30k.

A rather open-ended question, fishing for opinions looks-like. I'll supply several, thus.

The Toyota dealer in Everett has sold me two trucks, and my peer two cars and a hybrid, 2002-2012. I will visit them again one day in the future, too. I generally like how Toyota does business, and the quality of their vehicles speaks volumes RE resale, JD Powers, Edmunds, etc.

I believe your price ceiling would get you into a 4x4 Tacoma (new). Used, definitely.

The salesman we deal with is an Aussie. You'll find him, he's been there for years.

Elsewhere, on the AWD spectrum, Barrier Motors in Bellevue offers a pleasant Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes experience (Edit: Volvo too, per another person's comments?). If that's your thing. They too have built long-term relationships with me and my peers, which is smart money.

I don't entirely "trust" any of them; each has tried to take me for a ride on service, and usually on minor stuff they think people won't notice (and most don't). I employ Ronald Reagan's "Trust, but verify" axiom to those situations to keep everyone honest. I doubt any car dealer on the planet won't try and cut corners where they can: nature of the business. Thus I don't really hold it against them.

Another JPN brand, starting with "N", always strikes me as having a significantly more-aggressive sales philosophy that totally turns me off. The dealers in Bellevue and Lynnwood pounced like vultures the second I exited my vehicle to look at product. Guess it must work for them, else they wouldn't do it, but definitely a different experience.

[monkeymunch]

Thanks to both of you so far.

Definitely open-ended and definitely looking for personal experiences, insight, advice, whatever It's early and I'm new to the world of car buying so just getting a feel for it.

[crimsonblake]

Just wait til I move up there this fall I'm a car salesman and will be selling cars in the Seattle area soon as I possibly can!

Now everyone knows I'm a car salesman, no one will want to answer any of my questions

But seriously tips on buying a car:

Don't be a prick. We car salesman are all lumped into one category of being a guy who is a dirty money grubbing liar, which isn't the case. If you're nice it'll just go better. You're not going to get a good deal just b/c you're aggressive and rude.

Do you're homework. Do you're homework and test the sales person on a tough question. If they give you a "winging it" answer or just flat out lie. Then you'll know you're dealing with a true liar that says whatever to get a deal. If he says "I don't know but I'll look it up for you" then you're probably dealing with a decent person who actually has integrity.

Research price! Make sure you appraise your own trade (KBB, NADA) and look up the average selling price of the car. If you want the absolute best deal. Find out what rebates and dealer cash (if any) is out there on the car. Dealer cash is the cash the dealership is paid to sell the car. If you're a shrewd negotiator then you can get them to dip down below invoice into this money. I would never pay over MSRP, however it's my goal to sell it above MSRP! Watch out for bump stickers! They are additional dealer markup which is pure profit!

[alison03]

My husband actually works at a car dealership - lots of 4 wheel drives there - Jeep's in particular are a passion of his. He truly loves cars (the opposite can be said for me haha) and decided to check the industry out a few months ago. He likes it so far, and is learning a lot and enjoys the interaction with people and the satisfaction of helping them find what they're searching for. Their prices are also very solid - we actually just traded our old Wrangler in for a newer one and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. I'm totally vouching for him and his company...we wouldn't be married for almost 8 years if he was the shady type haha so I'm confident in my endorsement!

He said to pass along his info to you (OP) or anybody that's interested...just shoot me a message. He'd be happy to schedule an appointment or just chat with you to point you in the right direction.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by crimsonblake

Just wait til I move up there this fall I'm a car salesman and will be selling cars in the Seattle area soon as I possibly can!

Now everyone knows I'm a car salesman, no one will want to answer any of my questions

But seriously tips on buying a car:

Don't be a prick. We car salesman are all lumped into one category of being a guy who is a dirty money grubbing liar, which isn't the case. If you're nice it'll just go better. You're not going to get a good deal just b/c you're aggressive and rude.

Do you're homework. Do you're homework and test the sales person on a tough question. If they give you a "winging it" answer or just flat out lie. Then you'll know you're dealing with a true liar that says whatever to get a deal. If he says "I don't know but I'll look it up for you" then you're probably dealing with a decent person who actually has integrity.

Research price! Make sure you appraise your own trade (KBB, NADA) and look up the average selling price of the car. If you want the absolute best deal. Find out what rebates and dealer cash (if any) is out there on the car. Dealer cash is the cash the dealership is paid to sell the car. If you're a shrewd negotiator then you can get them to dip down below invoice into this money. I would never pay over MSRP, however it's my goal to sell it above MSRP! Watch out for bump stickers! They are additional dealer markup which is pure profit!

Edmunds had a long article about car dealerships and sales techniques, some years ago. Hope they archived it. By far the best piece I've ever read on the subject.

Bottom line, per Edmunds, to Mr. Blake's point is that usually salesmen aren't the problem: hate the game, not that playa.

I personally go into vehicle deals knowing there will be give and take on that good old four square. With finagling, everyone usually comes out OK (Win-Win). Compromising or dominating isn't really the way to go for either party. "Getting to Yes" and follow up "Getting Past No" are the best and most easily digestible books I've read on the subject (negotiation). In addition to doing one's homework on the vehicle, of course.

[RunTheDistance476]

Hey, I know...why don't car manufacturers and dealers just sell it for a set price that everyone pays? Kinda like they do with...everything else! Let the car salesmen make money on selling you upgraded features or warranties, but not by screwing you out of the base price or dealer fees.

[monkeymunch]

Originally Posted by alison03

My husband actually works at a car dealership - lots of 4 wheel drives there - Jeep's in particular are a passion of his. He truly loves cars (the opposite can be said for me haha) and decided to check the industry out a few months ago. He likes it so far, and is learning a lot and enjoys the interaction with people and the satisfaction of helping them find what they're searching for. Their prices are also very solid - we actually just traded our old Wrangler in for a newer one and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. I'm totally vouching for him and his company...we wouldn't be married for almost 8 years if he was the shady type haha so I'm confident in my endorsement!

He said to pass along his info to you (OP) or anybody that's interested...just shoot me a message. He'd be happy to schedule an appointment or just chat with you to point you in the right direction.

Message sent!

And thanks for the follow up responses everyone.

I understand it's the name of the game - they have to make money just like in any other business, I just want to find someone/someplace that won't gauge me for all I'm worth!

[Redline]

Originally Posted by monkeymunch

Message sent!

And thanks for the follow up responses everyone.

I understand it's the name of the game - they have to make money just like in any other business, I just want to find someone/someplace that won't gauge me for all I'm worth!

Gouge?

Whereabouts are you looking? If you're not too far north or south of Seattle I can make some great recommendations.

Whatever you do, if you buy used, make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection on the car from a trusted mechanic.