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Review content:
I stopped in to Acura of Seattle last week as I was out shopping for a RELIABLE Japanese economy car to replace my high maintenance BMW. I was planning to get a Honda Civic Si, but all of the local dealers in Seattle were out of stock and not willing to budge an inch on the $25,999.00 price tag. Ouch. Quite a bit for a Honda. ...so I checked Honda's luxury line, Acura.
I spotted a few Acura RSX's left on the lot. Turns out Acura will quit making the RSX after 2006 and what was on the lot was all that was left! To my surprise 3 of them were Type-S cars. This is the higher-end equivalent of the Civic Si. AND they had SILVER, my first color choice. :-)
The deal came together quickly, and I was pleased with the trade-in allowance this dealer gave me for the BMW. It was a few THOUSAND dollars more than the Honda dealers would give me. While they didn't budge from the asking price for the car (they had the last ones left in the state of Washington apparently), the trade allowance made the car about the same price as the Civic Si - and loaded with more features!
Now, for the patience part... Most everyone I spoke with at the Dealership was a new employee. Not sure why, but they were all on a learning curve, and this resulted in LONG waits and a couple of screw-ups on their part. Nothing too major, but I would suggest keeping a close tab on how the process is moving along as a buyer.
The sales agent was GREAT - you have to ask for Clyde when you stop by. No pressure, always smiling and laughing (even at MY jokes!), and anything but a "used car salesman" personality. A couple of observations: The Sales Manager while at first friendly, became very standoffish once the deal was sealed. Maybe he's just a busy guy, but I expected better from Acura. Also, watch out for the after-purchase "options" that will come flying your way when you sign the loan docs. I did opt for the Lojack and Gap insurance, but if I would have taken it all my price would have been over $7,000.00 more! Just know what you want, and what you don't before you go in.
The receptionists, while young and attractive, are also young and clueless. But, with a little persistence they did ask the Sales Manager what should be done next, and semi-quickly resolved the delays.
I love my new Acura, and the Dealership will get good ratings from me on their survey. I'm sure the kinks in the processes will work themselves out as the staff is on board longer. :-)
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