I've being driving since I was 16 but my cars have always been either hand-me-downs or cosigned by parents.
So when I unexpectedly got a job in a different city I had to get a car; I had only one week to find one and I needed one with some kind of warranty from a credible business. I certainly wasn't going to buy off Craigslist, Carfax or no, nor was I going to allow some predator car salesman swindle me with exorbitant interest rates.
I did some research online and found that Van Horn Mazda had much praise, especially from first-timers, and thus decided to take a peek.
I showed up relatively late as I had to get a ride and I was worried that I would annoy the sales staff - I mean, I know how it is to be ready to close shop and some customer comes in last minute (I manage a restaurant) but was pleasantly surprised that when I did leave, it was almost 40 minutes after close, and not once did anyone make me feel uncomfortable, unwanted, or a nuisance.
I explained my situation about the new job and having very little time to pull this off. I also don't have the best credit and figured I would either a) not be eligible for a car loan and thus would not be able to take the job, or b) be paying somewhere in the high teens as far as interest. To my delight neither of these fears manifested.
Luckily the sales staff was optimistic and told me their goal was to have me 'driving off the lot with a car today'. Now that didn't happen, but only because I took so much time to figure out what I wanted that the banks were closed by the time I would've signed the final paperwork - but I know had I made it there a bit earlier that goal would've been fulfilled.
My personal sales rep was Zach. Now having never really purchased a car on my own I was expecting the stereotypical aggressive/pushy salesman you see on sitcoms. I was so relived that that was not what I experienced: Zach was knowledgeable, friendly, and didn't try to sell me a car that was out of my price range like I imagine some salesmen do. He also didn't have that disingenuous, cheesy, fake demeanor that many commission-based salesmen do. He calmly explained how things worked (even though I know he was probably anxious to get home) and although I brought someone with me that did in fact know about the numbers when it comes to buying a car in retrospect I didn't even need him. Zach made me very comfortable and he even put in multiple applications (I think 4 separate ones!) to banks without any hint of irritation or eye rolling or jaw-clenching.
In the end Zach and his supervisor presented me with 3 different options, ranging from buying the kind of car I wanted on my own, with a cosigner, and one that was new (I said I was mainly interested in a used car, but they gave me the option just in case, which by the way, had an AMAZING warranty and very low interest rates).
Because it was too late I didn't end up leaving with a car, but the next day I got up there as soon as I could (again, late at night) and after about 20 minutes or so I was in the lot with keys in my hand, Zach even showed me how to use all the features - which I was very impressed by: he already had his sale, papers were signed, yet he still took time out of his day to make sure I left as happy as could be. Granted, it was probably his job to do so but the important thing was he didn't make me feel like it was, and that goes a long way with someone like me when choosing to go back to a place or not; you can buy a car nearly anywhere but great customer service isn't so ubiquitous.
In fact, the entire staff gave me that impression: that they were genuinely there to help me and not just to make a nice commission bonus on their checks. I mean, buying a car is supposed to be fun, and I've heard horror stories from friends and their experiences with dealerships but mine was nothing like that.
I have to say that although I don't have much to compare Van Horn Mazda to as far as dealerships go, if you were to ask me what I would have changed about the experience nothing honestly comes to mind.
First time car buyer? That I can speak to. I ended up with the 2013 Elantra (which, by the way, is an awesome car as far as price compared to the look, feel, safety, and the many features that usually only come with luxury cars like heated seats, backup camera, satellite radio, bluetooth, iPod/USB, and an incredibly sleek exterior and interior design, not to mention 28/38 mpg which I can now attest to having had to drive a 70-mile commute one way and the car will even tell you your mpg average; from what I've seen thus far that 38 mpg highway holds up! )
When I do decide to trade in I know exactly where I'm going to go: back to Van Horn Mazda.
Thanks again guys!
-Tyler
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