Holy shnikes! A positive dealership experience!

"yamahog" (yamahog)
10/25/2014 at 16:23 • Filed to: None

It's a gorgeous day for a test drive in Southeast Michigan, so I found a dealer nearby with a manual Camaro SS on the lot. I called them up (George Matick Chevrolet in Redford) and scheduled a test drive.

We got there and a salesman (John) greeted me right away, I mentioned I'd called ahead, and he confirmed the car I wanted to drive and went to get the keys. After scanning my license, he walked us over to the Camaro and told me how to get to the highway so I could get it up to speed. When I got in, it was really low on gas, so I mentioned it and he went to fill it up. After a few minutes browsing the lot, he brought it back and I was on my way. The exhaust sounded great, and it was definitely faster than the XJ (lollll) but I wasn't in love with it overall. When I brought it back (traction control put back on!) he asked how it was, and mentioned that since it was a 2014, they would be offering additional rebates. We had a brief low-pressure chat inside, where I was honest and explained that although it was a fun drive, I wouldn't be buying until spring (no use buying now just to store it all winter), that I'd be looking at Mustangs as well before deciding, and if I ended up going with the Camaro I would be ordering a yellow 1LE so I wasn't worried about the one on the lot getting sold. He understood completely and didn't push the subject, but said he felt confident that once I tried the competition I'd be coming back to the Chevy, and gave me his card.

You heard right: They gave me, a 24-year-old (albeit a polite one who called ahead), the keys to 426 horses and three pedals with all of 7 miles on it, with nothing but my license and phone number. No hassle, no hard pitch, nothing but quality service. If I do end up ordering a yellow Camaro SS 1LE this spring, I will definitely be giving him a call.

DISCUSSION (44)

Brian Silvestro > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:24

1LEs are very good cars it seems. I see them at AutoX from time to time and they're great performers.

But I'd much rather have a Boss.

Viggen > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:27

You're not getting rid of your XJ, are you?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:29

I have been amazed with the amount of things that salesmen will let me drive at 16 (albeit with my dad in the passenger seat). V10 S8? Go right ahead! CLS63? Sure! 650i? Keep it under 130. Oldsmobile Aurora? Sorry, he's not over 21, we can't let him drive it.

I shit you not.

yamahog > Brian Silvestro
10/25/2014 at 16:30

Yea, and it looks pretty damn good too. I've been mainly looking at brand new cars because of my OEM discounts, but at the right price a Boss would be awesome.

Brian Silvestro > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:32

Clearly you should get a C6 Z06 or C7 then.

yamahog > Viggen
10/25/2014 at 16:32

Hell nah! Just adding to the stable! I could use something fast and fun with more than two wheels.

yamahog > Brian Silvestro
10/25/2014 at 16:34

Funny you mention that...

Brian Silvestro > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:35

[excitement intensifies]

Burrito de EJ25 > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:37

You can't say you had a great dealership experience until you're at the negotiation table.

Sweet Trav > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:40

I mean with the sales of the C7 they're giving away used C6's. Get the most car you can for the money

Team6.1 > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:42

Would be interested to hear your take on the Camaro vs Mustang. When I was shopping the 11's the biggest complaint I had about the Camaro were the visibility and the clutch feel. Glad you had a good dealership experience

Sweet Trav > Burrito de EJ25
10/25/2014 at 16:43

Final Price is not equal to quality of service.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:43

I think the only reason that some the dealerships let me in some of the cars alone (me-fresh-out-of-college and a +1) when I was shopping for my first car was because I brought my dad along.

Make sure you try the Genesis Coupe! I liked it enough to buy one , but it may be too little power for you at around 350 bhp and 295 ft/lbs.

yamahog > Burrito de EJ25
10/25/2014 at 16:44

True, I haven't bought anything there, but the test drive experience was very positive, which means a lot to me as a potential buyer and stands out against a lot of the horror stores I've heard others have dealt with.

Steve in Manhattan > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:46

When I was 27 I had an '87 300D - brand new. Got to test a lot of interesting cars that I would not have had access to otherwise.

Jayhawk Jake > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:46

The last line (which I've said myself before) is why I think dealers sometimes act a little short sighted. Whether or not you're there to buy a car today a good experience means when you decide to buy they'll get the sale. A bad experience might turn you away from their shop and the brand on the whole.

Also while you may not be buying anything now it's entirely possible you'll talk to someone who is and you'll be more likely to recommend this dealer.

yamahog > Team6.1
10/25/2014 at 16:50

Visibility was what I expected, especially coming from the XJ everything's going to be bad, and you're dead on about the clutch. There were also a few unsettling noises that I would not expect from a $40k car, not to mention the weird plastic trim on the doors. Definitely a fun car, just not in love with it right now. I'll be keeping an eye out for new Mustangs hitting the dealers.

Tom McParland > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 16:59

Great to hear that...looking forward to hearing more about your car-buying adventures.

Soloburrito > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:09

When I bought the Mustang, my sales person let me take it around the lot as I learned how to drive a manual. Never would have thought they'd let me do that to be honest. Now manuél and I will live happily ever after!

yamahog > Tom McParland
10/25/2014 at 17:13

Thanks! I'll probably have some questions for you this spring, neither of my parents have bought new cars in the last decade so I'm not sure how helpful their advice will be.

soundman98 > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:20

i had a similar experience when i bought my 1st brz.. the salesman told me straight out, "you probably know more about this car then i do, are you interested in a test drive?" pretty much the least pressure i've ever had in a dealership.. i ended up buying the second brz from them as well a couple months later(chick blew a stop sign right in front of me and totalled the first one)...

Viggen > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:30

That's a relief.

Your boy, BJR > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/25/2014 at 17:32

In all fairness, the aurora is a very precisely tuned and specially built machine. Not everyone can handle it.

Your boy, BJR > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:40

Lol I guess muscle car salesmen are just good dudes. I went to look at an '04 Mach 1 last night and after straight up telling the guy I wasn't seriously looking, but this Mach 1 has been calling to me (i pass the dealer every day), He was like "well I'm just sitting in here bored, wanna take it for a spin and maybe run some numbers just in case?" We did, and bonded over a love of early gangsta rap and other stuff, he ended up getting approval to give me $8k to trade in the honda (private sale is $8500-9k) and didn't ask for my number or email or anything but said if I think I can work something out, just stop by and ask for him. All in all it was a super positive experience, I felt like I was actually bonding with the guy instead of being hustled, and shit, I'm gonna keep track of my finances next month and see if I can make something work, if for no other reason than I'd totally give this guy business .

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:41

I don't see why this is surprising. If people didn't go in with the mentality that every dealership is full of greedy, money-grabbing, uncaring, stupid, and unhelpful service people like they're so often stereotyped, maybe we wouldn't always have shocking stories like this IMO.

My Ford dealer gave 18-year old(at the time) me who had no idea how to drive stick and hadn't a clue what torque steer is, the keys to the 252hp FoST, with just a license and phone number as well; And I ended up getting one a month two months later.

I mean good for you honestly, you had a good experience and all, but why the hell can we not treat salespeople like, people??

ihm96 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/25/2014 at 17:49

I was amazed earlier this year when they let me drive an F-Type R as an 18 year old, with my dad. My brother got to test drive an FF with my dad when he was only 20.

Tom McParland > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 17:56

No prob... you know where to find me! You can always send me an email as well- Automatchconsulting@gmail.com

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Your boy, BJR
10/25/2014 at 18:05

Kinja'd!!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > ihm96
10/25/2014 at 18:06

I think at a certain point, they're just like, "Fuck it, their insurance will pay for it."

Eli's Got 2 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/25/2014 at 18:07

Totally agree. I have yet to have a bad experience and I've bought plenty of cars over the years. :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Eli's Got 2
10/25/2014 at 18:29

I've been to three Ford dealers, a Volvo dealer, a Dodge/Jeep/Ram dealer, and a freaking Porsche dealer, wearing typical college attire as always, even if I didn't intend to buy(like I could afford a Porsche anyways), I was always treated well and respectfully for my good manners, demeanor, and knowledge of cars. I've even met some genuine car people there.

Burrito de EJ25 > Sweet Trav
10/25/2014 at 18:33

Have you not purchased a vehicle before? Most of the stress comes from negotiating. They could be unwilling to work with him, push dealership service packages, extended warranties,...etc.

Eli's Got 2 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/25/2014 at 18:41

Haha. Yeah. I've been to many, as well. I was never treated with anything less than respect. Sure, they try to play hardball, but that's when you say you're walkn' out! Lol

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Eli's Got 2
10/25/2014 at 18:51

And I've never had to walk out. :)

Burrito de EJ25 > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 19:13

Yeah. I'm just sayin'. Don't write that Yelp review just yet.

Sweet Trav > Burrito de EJ25
10/25/2014 at 19:42

Lol. Yes I've bought a car or two. Sales people aren't there to sell me things, I give them the privledge of doing business with a person who know exactly what he wants. I had a salesperson offer me a protection package on a vehicle, I simply told them that I wasn't interested and if they bring it up again, the negotiation is over. I'm not afraid to walk away. They NEED to sell cars for a living I don't NEED to buy a car from them and I make that very clear early on.

Burrito de EJ25 > Sweet Trav
10/25/2014 at 20:17

That's good for you. The negotiation process is where most people spend the most time. It makes or breaks people's impressions.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > yamahog
10/25/2014 at 22:30

I would love a 1LE. They're going for close to 30-32 k on the low end used in nice condition. I'd want one stock so I could autocross in SCCA F-Street class

erikgrad > yamahog
10/26/2014 at 12:27

Ha, I'm at 5 mile and Beech...if only I had known, I could have pestered you to ride along.

bb > Burrito de EJ25
10/27/2014 at 02:33

oh no!!!!!!

bb > Sweet Trav
10/27/2014 at 02:34

so they recognize, when you walk in, you're like a god or something??!?

Sweet Trav > bb
10/27/2014 at 07:34

When you walk in with a list of RPO codes you want on the vehicle, and do not want and tell them exactly what you will buy. They tend to listen. Someone surely wants my money.

Built BMW Tough > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/27/2014 at 12:40

Why would you want to drive an Aurora? That was your bad.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Built BMW Tough
10/27/2014 at 13:15

I had never driven one before, and it was a cheap, V8 semi-luxury car that looked unique. Plus it was very low-mileage.