Recommendation for Houston New Car Dealership (Donna, Howe: appointed, sales, 2013)

[texas7]

Okay, I will reword this - my original thread got moved to automotive but I am specifically looking for "Houston" advice so I will try a rewording so that maybe someone can offer some advice.

Does anyone have any experience with particular car dealerships that they can recommend for a fairly good buying experience? I am looking at Civic, Corolla and Elantra or Accent but would like to hear from someone if there is a particular dealership in the area that they used that seemed to go fairly seamless with the last amount of hassle (trying to avoid the ones that give you the 2 hour wait while they run back and forth to the manager - as they say). My time is more valuable so looking for a Houston dealership that is considerate in that area.

I have visited Clear Lake Honda on two different occasions and they have been by far the worst in the pain in the behind factor in just trying to get a straight up price.

[houstonfan]

That's why I like going through Internet Sales Dept. Don't step into the dealership bc they won't let you go until you buy, what a waste of time. If you know what you want, email them the exact details of the features/color you want and ask for the "Drive out" price, which includes all TTL and fees. They know you'll be geting a few bids so they'll give you best pricing up front. Ask for VIN number too so that you know the car exists and know all the details of the car to compare with others. I've found most dealerships work well and competetively this way, and the few that didn't give me a straight up price, I just crossed them off my list. Of course, you can then try to negotiate for a little more off their internet price.

[texas7]

Unfortunately we have to go to dealerships to shop for this one because he doesn't know which car he wants and is not getting a "new" car by choice. I hate dealerships and my time that they take ......... there's got to be some that are better than others.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Russell and Smith has treated my parents right for their three Hondas. Ask for Ian nylander.

[texas7]

You are the second person to recommend that dealership and that person to me. That has to say something.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by texas7

You are the second person to recommend that dealership and that person to me. That has to say something.

I think it's saying Russell was the first to recommend it to you and Smith was the second.

[huma281]

Russell and Smith is excellent if you're purchasing a new Honda. The 2013 Civic's are a huge upgrade over the 2012's and R&S will probably offer you invoice or below invoice if you go through their internet dept w/o hidden charges that most dealerships will add, (paint protection, fabric protection, etc).

[cheryjohns]

Alex Wier at Joe Myers Toyota. I hate the others there - typical time-wasting, game-playing guys. He is not like that. I am a repeater with Alex - and will be until he retires. However, he is in New and doesn't do re-sale. I can't tell, from your second post, if you are doing new or not. Tell him up front how you are - that's what I did and was not disappointed.

[texas7]

Thanks Cheryjohns - whether he goes new or used depends on what insurance payment he gets once they determine the value of his totaled vehicle. I know he is going to look -- so we'll definitely check out both Russell and Smith for Honda and your guy at Joe Myers for Toyota. Always nice to have a reference when starting out rather than cold turkey.

[mtgmike]

I sold finance programs to dealerships for a few years and got to know a ton of guys around Houston. I still loathe buying a car. Its just a miserable experience. I will typically visit a dealership I know Im not going to buy from to test drive. I get all the info I need, and find out exactly what car I want, color, equipment, msrp. Then I email all the internet departments at the dealers around me.

I had a wonderful experience with Donna Terblanche at Champion Toyota on 45 south buying a preowned Highlander for my wife.

I bought a new Camry about six months ago from a "friend". I had done business with this guy for years, bought hundreds of loans from his store. He still tried to raise the price when I went in to sign. I calm,ly reminded him of the exact number he quoted me on the phone, he went back to the GSM, got the ok, and sold me the car. The trouble is, no one has any authority other than the GM,GSM, and top sales managers. A bunch of sales managers are just closers, trying to hammer you. They still have to ask if they can discount the car.