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I'm a hard core NPR listener and a big fan of the Car Talk show, and I tend to trust the show's...
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I'm a hard core NPR listener and a big fan of the Car Talk show, and I tend to trust the show's listeners' opinions. So when I just moved here and my GTI needed service, I didn't hesitate to go to the Car Talk web site's Mechanics Files (used to be called Mechani-X Files or something, but must have had copyright issues).
And it delivered. I went to the highest rated neighborhood mechanic, Louis Foreign Car Repair shop, which used to be owned by Louis but now run by Dan who bought it from Louis after years of working there. This is an old school shop with the sign you can barely read, so if you want a shop that's shiny with donuts and coffee machine, it isn't for you.
What the shop does is take care of your car. Dan is not an overly chatty guy and is not into fluff, but he knows his stuff. He always seems to estimate a little higher than what you would actually pay, so there's no surprise, and it's usually a good estimate. He looks out for you (your car) and wouldn't do things that are not necessary, so you know you're not getting ripped off. When there are multiple options, he would explain them to you along with pros and cons and lets you choose. They are also super quick. I dropped my car off for service the other day, and I swear Dan called me back within an hour. I trust this man - he's honest and competent, as simple as that, but that seems hard to come by in today's auto industry.
He does seem to be a religious man, so if you take offense in him putting his religious beliefs in places, don't go there. I mention this because my Danish friend once was really offended when his mechanic put a cross or something on the receipt (he felt it was inappropriate to put your personal beliefs on business material). I'm okay with it, as long as I know he's the man for the job I need to get done.
P.S. Apparently he's an expert in older VW engine rebuild, if you have an older bus, etc.
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For being in the University District (which can be a little sketchy), this VW and Audi dealership...
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For being in the University District (which can be a little sketchy), this VW and Audi dealership and auto service is very nice! They have great service and will provide you with a shuttle if you need to get somewhere while they have your car. I took my car in to fix the paint job because it had been scratched by another car. They were great! They fixed my car in record time and only charged as much as they quoted. I really enjoyed their staff too. They were very helpful!
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I used this place and like them a lot. Great customer care, they have a van service to drive you...
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I used this place and like them a lot. Great customer care, they have a van service to drive you around etc. etc.
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University Volkswagen
Category:
Automobile Dealer Services
4724 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle,
Washington 98105
(206) 634-3322
I bought my Jetta TDI in 2004 and have taken it to University VW for all its service. I have never...
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I bought my Jetta TDI in 2004 and have taken it to University VW for all its service. I have never experienced anything but straightforward interactions with the service department. Prices and problems were fully explained and when they didn't get a squeak fixed, they were happy to say sorry about that and take another look. As for prices, it's a dealership so things are going to cost more, but this is a finicky German car and it's worth a bit more to me to make sure it's done right and that there is an organization to deal with that stands by its work and will make it right.
Unfortunately, every time I have gone in for service, I have seen some customer being nasty to the service staff. I make an extra effort to be courteous and am given that courtesy in return. How would YOU react to people being nasty to you all day? Customer service is a two way street.
If you are considering a VW, I also highly recommend the sales staff, too. Our salesman is no longer there, but he was very pleasant to deal with and seemed like "one of us," not a slickster.
University VW gave me my best car buying experience, and continues to give me great service. Just treat them decently and you'll get the same in return!
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University Mazda
Category:
Car Dealers
4522 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle,
Washington 98105
(206) 634-1191
We bought our first new car through University Mazda. We test drove a 6 station wagon, loved it,...
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We bought our first new car through University Mazda. We test drove a 6 station wagon, loved it, and wanted to buy it. We worked with Frank, who assured us that we were getting a great deal. That's the sort of thing you take with a grain of salt, but we weren't up for much haggling. Then my partner found out that she could get special pricing through her fleet discount at work (essentially lets employees buy cars at close to cost). We took that in and it turned out to save us less than $30 off of the best price we'd been offered. Frank was also helpful in getting us some post-market upholstery done (we wanted leather + manual transmission--harder than you'd think.)
I've since been into the service department and entirely impressed with them. And we love, love, love the car. I'll be back for another Mazda from UM somewhere down the road...
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University Mazda
Category:
Mazda Dealers
4546 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle,
Washington 98105
As a woman who'se in outside sales, I get SO sick of people trying to pull things over on me or...
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As a woman who'se in outside sales, I get SO sick of people trying to pull things over on me or wheel & deal with me. I did research for weeks on the cars I wanted...then finally went to take some test drives with a boat-load of knowledge. I met a guy named Frank at U Mazda & told him up front what I was looking at, I wanted to test drive it & then a price quote...no BS. He looked like he'd the "typical" sales guy, but I was pleasantly surprised. We hopped in a car, drove it around, he answered all of my questions & gave me a quote on the spot. The quote he gave me was lower than any of the internet quotes I had requested; even prices after MULTIPLE internet quotes...and that was his FIRST one. He also gave me advice on how I could get the options which I needed/wanted but pay less without the whole "package" deal which came with things I didn't care about. He didn't waste my time or ask me to buy that day as he knew I was selling my car first. He didn't pester me at home with calls or e-mails (only one follow up e-mail). I decided to wait three months to purchase my car & will still go back and ask for Frank because of his service & candor.
Pros: Frank, easy to find, small dealership (no lurking salesmen everywhere)
Cons: Smaller inventory & fewer used cars.
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i ordered a part from them which i thought they would install when it came in after waiting...
More 12 months ago
i ordered a part from them which i thought they would install when it came in after waiting several months for what was supposed to be a quick shipment they were not only jerks when i brought the bike in but they wanted to charge a lot for what was a very simple procedure overall not too happy with my experience with university honda they need to work a bit on customer service among other things i know i wont be going back!
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At University Auto Sales you are greeted by NO - HASSLE NO - PRESSURE sales staff. They make your...
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At University Auto Sales you are greeted by NO - HASSLE NO - PRESSURE sales staff. They make your experience a great one. Whether you're browsing or purchasing - they will get you a great deal on a great used car! They make the car buying experience more pleasurable and less stressful. A very nice place to shop.
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