Best Low Contact Car Buying Experience?

[Anonymous]

Browns Honda in Arlington. Called them on the phone, negotiated the price and told them I’d pick up the car. They were sweating that I’d ask for more discount when I got there but I stuck to my word and they to theirs. In and out in less than 15 minutes. Total effort less than 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Tesla has no haggle pricing. You order online and pick up the car

[Anonymous]

The fairest deal we got was at jack taylors Alexandria Toyota. Supposedly they are not allowed to markup beyond the set amount per their boss.

[Anonymous]

We’ve bought 3 cars from Fitzgerald both used and new and it went well and no haggling was nice.

[Anonymous]

Tesla has no haggle pricing. You order online and pick up the car

Even the test drive is easy and no contact. You pick it up at a supercharger (they send you the link to unlock it). You have an hour to drive it and return it to the charger. That's it. Zero contact with anyone.

[Anonymous]

Tesla

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely avoid any of the Stohlman Subarus in the area.

Weird. We had a very good experience buying new at Stohlman Tysons.

What was your experience?

Same. We negotiated everything online and were there for less than an hour. Meanwhile, at Ourisman Toyota in Fairfax, they kept us there for FOUR HOURS even though we had already negotiated the price. We finally just walked out the door and the salesman came running after us with the keys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Weird. We had a very good experience buying new at Stohlman Tysons.

What was your experience?

Wanted to buy a new Outback, knew exactly the model, went there to buy it. Started out ok, and quickly negotiated a number we all agreed to. At that point, our case was turned over to some finance type sales manager, and I had to wait in the lobby for nearly three hours. When we finally got into his office, the paperwork he'd prepared was well over the number we'd previously negotiated. At that point I'd had enough and walked out. Unbelievable.

The first mistake you made was to come in without a price already established. You get the price negotiated over email, you tell them ahead of time that you don't want to buy any extras and you will be writing them a check. If they take more than an hour, you leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need therapy just to get over the last two buying experiences. Probably going with Tesla next time.

Easiest car we’ve ever bought. It’s DH’s main car and he loves it.

[Anonymous]

Carmax - yes you pay for the no haggle experience but it is easy. Just bought a 2022 Acura MDX 4 wheel drive with 20k miles. Don't take the depreciation hit of a new car. Has about 5 cars to choose from. Paid cash with no hassle or changed prices for not using their financing.

I did buy one car through Cargurus and the price advertised wasn't the price I paid - knew it going in. Bought an old Expedition so it wasn't that expensive. I had a list though of things to do, completely overhauling the engine, new AC, new radio, new exhaust manifold and new brakes. It is on a sturdy truck frame so will last another 100k in miles. Gave it to my daughter who has three little ones. First project with a car I have ever done and had a very trusted mechanic on board before I bought it. He may be the best mechanic in NoVa. Only hiccup was that one of the plugs needed to be drilled but I was warned and budgeted for it. My daughter asked me if I could replicate the effort for her but I said forget it - just take the car as you need it. (She has twin boy toddlers and needs the space).

But the project out of character for me - I have bought about 10 cars at CarMax including two for my daughters when at college - Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Pilot. I have no doubt I have paid for the privilege but value the ease and convenience. I pay cash too and get peace of mind I will get a clean title as their back office operations are sound.

Only one questionable car. 6 speed manual Cadillac CTS-V. Great price because of the manual transmission. It ate oil like crazy - as in a quart with every gas fill-up- so was a big pain. I used to buy cases of Mobil 1 to stick in the trunk. The car did drive nicely but should have read the literature about this particular Northstar engine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve bought 3 cars from Fitzgerald both used and new and it went well and no haggling was nice.

I bought with Fitzgerald last year and there was still very hard selling with extras like extended warranty, car care products, etc. so that was annoying.

I won’t buy a Tesla because of Musk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve bought 3 cars from Fitzgerald both used and new and it went well and no haggling was nice.

I bought with Fitzgerald last year and there was still very hard selling with extras like extended warranty, car care products, etc. so that was annoying.

I won’t buy a Tesla because of Musk.

This! Vote with your wallet folks!

The last two times we bought a car, we negotiated everything online. Once we knew what we wanted, we emailed a bunch of dealerships and asked for the best price they could offer. Chose the lowest, et voila. It was still not as smooth as buying a Tesla, but I have a hard time understanding how all these DC liberals justify buying a Tesla these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve bought 3 cars from Fitzgerald both used and new and it went well and no haggling was nice.

I bought with Fitzgerald last year and there was still very hard selling with extras like extended warranty, car care products, etc. so that was annoying.

I won’t buy a Tesla because of Musk.

This! Vote with your wallet folks!

The last two times we bought a car, we negotiated everything online. Once we knew what we wanted, we emailed a bunch of dealerships and asked for the best price they could offer. Chose the lowest, et voila. It was still not as smooth as buying a Tesla, but I have a hard time understanding how all these DC liberals justify buying a Tesla these days.

If I buy products based on CEOs or their sweatshop use, I'd have to through out most of my stuff.

[Anonymous]

Polestar also has fixed pricing, and you buy online and just pick up at the dealer, if you want an electric car and don't want a Tesla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I bought with Fitzgerald last year and there was still very hard selling with extras like extended warranty, car care products, etc. so that was annoying.

Different dealer, but I had to go back with our nanny the day after she bought a new Nissan and get the finance manager to drop all the crazy add-ons they rolled into her loan. Turns out it was his last day before moving to a new dealership, so I guess that's why he didn't put up a big fight. It makes me irate when they prey on people who are not as sophisticated with the process. They were telling her horror stories like.. what if your tire gets flat, or the car rusts, etc etc.. You don't really need an add-on for every little thing.