The Car Store

«Well, you didn’t buy a cheap car” — Mike
Do not buy here.
After buying a Land Rover and having it for two months, there were $ 2,500 in repairs needed. I called to ask about their standards on previously owned vehicles; do they do a maintenance checks as they say they do, is this a common issue with this vehicle or what? This was his response. I was shocked. The purchase was pleasant and the car seamed clean and Mike explained they have a mechanic check out all their vehicles, even how they purchase and where the vehicles come from. Too bad the story does not line up with after sales reality checks!
Do not buy here.

I purchased a used SUV from Mike. I was very happy with the straight forward negotiations, I got a fair price for my trade in and months later I am still very pleased. Mike only deals in quality used cars and does a great job finding good ones.

«service engine soon» light came on about a week after buying the car. They offered to compensate, depending on what the issue is. They told me to let them know ahead of time when I could go to the mechanic they suggested. I called ahead to Mike and he said to come on through, but the mechanic was too busy to look at it.
After stopping at the Car Store and not getting a reading on their diagnostic machine, I went to the mechanic. Not a fan of that place at all. In fact, if I could remember the name of it, I would write a Unilocal review for it.
Turns out the car needed a new MAF sensor. I didn’t want to bother going to the mechanic they wanted, even at the chance of them splitting the cost. Set me back over $ 400. Not fun.
The buying experience still was completely unlike any other. The hospitality is greatly appreciated. But once my car had a problem, I didn’t care to look to them for a solution. Autozone gave me two codes for the «service engine soon» light. The Car Store wasn’t able to get a reading. And the place they sent me was not a place I care to ever go again.

I hunted high and low for a car to purchase before deciding to make a buy from the Car Store. Mike and Don select a higher quality of vehicle than any other dealer I visited. No worn out beaters slammed in bumper to bumper here. Not only was the car I purchased the best quality I was able to find for the price — after a month of daily research — but I was able to look into the other vehicles on their lot and tell that they were different from all the other used car dealers I had been to. It was a straining task to find someone I actually wanted to buy a car from, I was sick of overpriced cars and the slick sales show, and working with Mike was a refreshing change.

I went in to the Car Store to test drive a vehicle they had advertised on Craigslist. When I came in, I spoke with Mike. He asked for our licenses, handed us the keys, and we were on our way. It was a real pleasure to *not* have a salesman in the backseat, so we could talk freely and openly — so far, so good.
We quickly realized this was not the car for us, as it was far to similar to one we already bought. Upon return, Mike greeted us and asked about the drive. I explained although the car was fine, we were not interested since it was too similar. This is where things turned south — quickly.
He started hard selling us on what he had. All of them did not meet my criteria as I have a specific list of vehicles which passed muster, courtesy of the millions of past owner ratings on Consumer Reports. Mike bristled at this, and said «I was a former Dodge dealer, and they get paid off». First suggestion; listen to the customer. I don’t care for their reviews, I care about the ratings from previous customers. The reviews of past owners don’t lie, especially when I am buying a used vehicle. Second, I pay for a subscription to CR for a reason; I support their refusal to take advertising. You want to win me over? Don’t insult my beliefs.
After this he tried to belittle my choice in vehicles. I have no idea if he was having a bad day, but this is definitely not the way to sell me a car. My wife and I retreated to our car, and soon as we got in she said her two word review: «Eww. Slimy». Yup, I would agree.