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Milwaukee area, anyone?
A number or years ago I bought a Civic from David Hobbs Honda in Glendale. I thought I got a pretty good deal from them and liked their service department. My time with that car was cut short, however, when it got into a fight with a Ford F150. You can guess which vehicle won... :(
I haven't owned a Honda since then, and now that I'm considering a Fit I need to think about where I'll buy and service it. David Hobbs is the closest to home, but I've read some very nasty reviews of the dealership recently. Doesn't line up with my own experiences, but things might have changed in the years since I had my Civic. Anyone in the Milwaukee area have any experiences with dealers - good or bad - that they'd care to share? Thanks! |
I've had good experiences with Wilde Honda.
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Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I'm on the east side of Milwaukee, so it is a bit of a trek, but I currently go all the way out to Safro Toyota, so it's not a big deal.
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Originally Posted by Blade Shunner
(Post 1295986)
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I'm on the east side of Milwaukee, so it is a bit of a trek, but I currently go all the way out to Safro Toyota, so it's not a big deal.
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Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1295993)
Oof. That place is the worst. Their prices are nuts.
Fortunately, I haven't needed much beside oil changes and tire rotations. And once the car came out of warranty I started taking it to a little local garage on Oakland Ave. |
Visited Hobbs and Boyland over the past weekend. I see both of them add a lot of extra crap to their cars before selling them. Not impressed!
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Originally Posted by Blade Shunner
(Post 1296004)
Fortunately, I haven't needed much beside oil changes and tire rotations. And once the car came out of warranty I started taking it to a little local garage on Oakland Ave.
Couple years ago, had to take my car to a Honda dealer for service - aftermarket shop couldn't help me. Went to Schlossmann's Honda City on Hwy 100 in West Allis. They gouged me and said too bad. Won't be going back there again. |
Originally Posted by bargainguy
(Post 1303100)
Riverside, I bet....
Couple years ago, had to take my car to a Honda dealer for service - aftermarket shop couldn't help me. Went to Schlossmann's Honda City on Hwy 100 in West Allis. They gouged me and said too bad. Won't be going back there again. Good to know... and yes, I do go to Riverside Auto. How'd you guess? |
Small local garage on the east side - Riverside seemed a good guess. Other would be the little independent on downer & capitol, can't remember the name offhand.
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I purchased at Schlossmann Honda because they were the only local with a white M/T. I don't intend to service there as I did not have positive experiences at Schlossmann Fiat... I mentioned as much when I purchased.
I went to David Hobbs Honda for splash guard install and that was a positive experience. They charged me $46. The service advisor thought it was low but the tech told her it's a simple procedure and the charge was fair. 'Nice first experience, no? |
I'm not a fan of Schlossman Honda, but its location is so easy & convenient.
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Yeah... I’m fortunate Hobbs is nearby. I will only visit Schlossmann on a need basis. It would be a different story if I lived in that corner of the city.
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I had a bad sales experience with Honda City years ago when I was buying my Civic. David Hobbs is closest to home.
I'll be in the market to buy a car this spring... Probably a Fit. |
Originally Posted by Blade Shunner
(Post 1391173)
I had a bad sales experience with Honda City years ago when I was buying my Civic. David Hobbs is closest to home.
I'll be in the market to buy a car this spring... Probably a Fit. ‘Cannot really complain about my purchase experience... I just don’t wanna take the chance as Schlossmann has a rep for hit’miss post-purchase. Hobbs is my local too.I find the Fit feels similar to the ‘90s Civic... especially with the GK front end. |
Originally Posted by Amabento
(Post 1391176)
‘Cannot really complain about my purchase experience... I just don’t wanna take the chance as Schlossmann has a rep for hit’miss post-purchase. Hobbs is my local too.I find the Fit feels similar to the ‘90s Civic... especially with the GK front end. |
Yeah. That reads like them. Insisting you’re being “too picky” with your money...
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If you don't like any of the dealerships near you, or don't feel good about dealing with them have you considered using a buying service or auto broker?
Or, a lot of dealerships now have an internet purchase procedure....but that can be tricky. My Dad, has for years typically used a auto broker when buying his vehicles. My observation is convenience is very high. You basically just tell them EXACTLY what you want, and they pretty much bring you exactly what you asked for.... My other observation is that with the brokers fee, while I don't feel my Dad was ripped off, you are probably NOT paying the least amount possible. You end up paying...for the convenience. If you absolutely HATE dealerships, and feel you are going to get gouged? Auto Brokers or other buying service can insulate the process. Even Costco's buying service acts as a guiding process. I think the bottom line "trick" today is, know exactly what you want, and also know exactly how much that vehicle realistically sells for in your area, then simply don't deviate from those two guide posts. Good Luck. |
Originally Posted by fitchet
(Post 1391218)
If you don't like any of the dealerships near you, or don't feel good about dealing with them have you considered using a buying service or auto broker?
Or, a lot of dealerships now have an internet purchase procedure... If you absolutely HATE dealerships, and feel you are going to get gouged? Auto Brokers or other buying service can insulate the process. Even Costco's buying service acts as a guiding process. I think the bottom line "trick" today is, know exactly what you want, and also know exactly how much that vehicle realistically sells for in your area, then simply don't deviate from those two guide posts. Good Luck. A lot of great advice, but it doesn’t help with service. Those are the main notes we’re comparing.I use the internet as my primary car shopping tool. I do a lot research after deciding on exactly what I want. I send lots of email inquiries and try to get out-the-door dealings in writing. THEN it’s time for a physical visit. This style has rendered great results for me. |
Why would someone use an auto broker to buy a new car? Especially a mass produced one at that. Seems like a way to burn money without accomplishing anything you couldn't do on your own.
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Originally Posted by Amabento
(Post 1391161)
I purchased at Schlossmann Honda because they were the only local with a white M/T. I don't intend to service there as I did not have positive experiences at Schlossmann Fiat... I mentioned as much when I purchased.
I went to David Hobbs Honda for splash guard install and that was a positive experience. They charged me $46. The service advisor thought it was low but the tech told her it's a simple procedure and the charge was fair. 'Nice first experience, no? Honda and their dealers suck. I wanted a base LX with MT in either blue or red. My local dealer had a silver one. Gave them a week to find what I was looking for and dealer trade. Long story short I called on Friday to see if they had my car that I was supposed to pick up on Saturday. They were like "NO" but we still have the silver one. Some of Honda's competitors if you price and build on their website, it will tell you where the car is at within 200 miles of your location. To search for a Honda you have to check each dealers inventory assuming it's up to date? I called Honda and asked them if they could tell me if any dealers had what I was looking for and Honda's response was "NO" that wouldn't be fair to my local dealer, then they offered to tell me where my local dealers were, like I already didn't know. Went old school and started phoning every dealer in and around Chicago looking. Had "we have exactly what you're looking for just to find out it was the wrong color and and auto. Eventually one dealer said there was one that was less then 25 miles from them. That narrowed my search. Eventually found it, made the dealer send me photos of the car and window sticker as proof. Then I bought the car from them |
If you were searching for a Fit LX, you were searching for a car in 2014-2018.
This means the internet existed. Which means you could have searched any number of websites. Why didn't you do that rather than calling people like its 1977? |
Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1391262)
If you were searching for a Fit LX, you were searching for a car in 2014-2018.
This means the internet existed. If you have a independent website that provides up to date inventory information than please share instead of being a smart ass |
Originally Posted by Rob H
(Post 1391258)
Honda and their dealers suck. I wanted a base LX with MT in either blue or red. My local dealer had a silver one. Gave them a week to find what I was looking for and dealer trade. Long story short I called on Friday to see if they had my car that I was supposed to pick up on Saturday. They were like "NO" but we still have the silver one. Some of Honda's competitors if you price and build on their website, it will tell you where the car is at within 200 miles of your location. To search for a Honda you have to check each dealers inventory assuming it's up to date? I called Honda and asked them if they could tell me if any dealers had what I was looking for and Honda's response was "NO" that wouldn't be fair to my local dealer, then they offered to tell me where my local dealers were, like I already didn't know. Went old school and started phoning every dealer in and around Chicago looking. Had "we have exactly what you're looking for just to find out it was the wrong color and and auto. Eventually one dealer said there was one that was less then 25 miles from them. That narrowed my search. Eventually found it, made the dealer send me photos of the car and window sticker as proof. Then I bought the car from them
Interesting story. I don’t think Honda sucks... by any stretch of the imagination. My GK Fit isn’t my first Honda, but I was able to find her with zero issues. Schlossmann had a few MT 2017s, in a few different colors, throughout the month of December and at least the first week of January. CarGurus, AutoTrader and KBB are fine tools for personal research. There’s zero need to rely on dealer integrity or pressure Corporate CS to do something they aren’t designed to do. I’ve learned to build a dealer relationship or perform my own research. I contact dealers via email only when I’ve confirmed my choice exists AND we are at a good price from which to begin negotiations. I mentioned Schlossmann Honda was the only local dealer with the configuration I wanted. I made contact, they had the car plus 2 alternatives I asked to prep. They tried to press me to pick one of the other (more expensive) alternatives, but I am a disciplined consumer and the salesperson recognized it. I got another few more hundred out of them plus all around AW mats. Everyone happy. They made the service package pitch but I was honest. I’ll use Hobbs... my local dealer. Honda Corporate was never involved and should not have been. I trust returning to Honda will never result in the need to pull the suits in for anything to do with my ride. Now, Milwaukeans are in Mugen country (King Motorsports). Has anyone dealt with them? I sent an email inquiry to score some JDM Fit goodness. |
I've dealt with King Motorsports a number of times, in fact that's where I get my oil changed for the Fit.
Scott's a nice guy, even if I've been waiting a month for a quote on some service I need done for the S2000. |
Originally Posted by Amabento
(Post 1391267)
Interesting story. I don’t think Honda sucks... by any stretch of the imagination. .......Honda Corporate was never involved and should not have been. ................I trust returning to Honda will never result in the need to pull the suits in for anything to do with my ride. I think you missed my point. It had nothing to do with negotiating price or anything like that. I wanted a specific model in a manual transmission in a specific color. My local dealer was trying to sell me what they had on their lot. I called Honda corporate for help finding the car I was looking for. They basically told me to get F-kd. They would have preferred me to buy something from their competitor down the street than help me locate a car. For that attitude as a company they suck. My brother just bought a ZO6 Corvette. He wanted a specific color with specific option and stripe packages. He called GM and they told him where the car he was looking for was located and gave him cars that were similar if he didn't want to drive 300 miles. While I don't want a Corvette, I believe if I wanted a Sonic RS or Spark in a specific color they would be happy to tell me where to go buy it if my dealer didn't want to trade for it. |
Originally Posted by Rob H
(Post 1391278)
I think you missed my point... My brother just bought a ZO6 Corvette. He wanted a specific color with specific option and stripe packages. He called GM and they told him where the car he was looking for was located and gave him cars that were similar if he didn't want to drive 300 miles. While I don't want a Corvette, I believe if I wanted a Sonic RS or Spark in a specific color they would be happy to tell me where to go buy it if my dealer didn't want to trade for it.
I understood your point. The margin and availability between a Corvette and a Fit isn’t apples to apples though. |
Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1391276)
I've dealt with King Motorsports a number of times, in fact that's where I get my oil changed for the Fit.
Scott's a nice guy, even if I've been waiting a month for a quote on some service I need done for the S2000. Good to know. I understand they prioritize race cars. I’ll practice some patience. |
Originally Posted by Rob H
(Post 1391278)
I think you missed my point. It had nothing to do with negotiating price or anything like that. I wanted a specific model in a manual transmission in a specific color. My local dealer was trying to sell me what they had on their lot. I called Honda corporate for help finding the car I was looking for. They basically told me to get F-kd. They would have preferred me to buy something from their competitor down the street than help me locate a car. For that attitude as a company they suck.
My brother just bought a ZO6 Corvette. He wanted a specific color with specific option and stripe packages. He called GM and they told him where the car he was looking for was located and gave him cars that were similar if he didn't want to drive 300 miles. While I don't want a Corvette, I believe if I wanted a Sonic RS or Spark in a specific color they would be happy to tell me where to go buy it if my dealer didn't want to trade for it. |
Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1391314)
Sure bud. I'm sure they'd treat the dork spending $15,000 the same they'd treat the dork spending $100,000
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I'm curious... Is King Motorsports related to the old King Honda dealer that was on S. 76th?
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Originally Posted by Blade Shunner
(Post 1391534)
I'm curious... Is King Motorsports related to the old King Honda dealer that was on S. 76th?
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King Motorsports was originally located way out in Sullivan, not sure if it was related to a dealership out this far east. I know little about their history outside of the close ties to Mugen.
Checked their 'about us' page: King Motorsports was founded in 1981 by Jim Dentici. This was a natural progression of his successful Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Honda auto and motorcycle dealerships. |
Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1391556)
.. Checked their 'about us' page:
King Motorsports was founded in 1981 by Jim Dentici. This was a natural progression of his successful Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Honda auto and motorcycle dealerships. Yeah, that’s how I sourced my answer. Thanks. |
I haven't heard from King yet, but it's only been a month. I sent them a short list of Mugen parts I'm sourcing (with part numbers and other details) in hopes that'll hep get things rolling before the Spring Thaw.
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I'd call them & ask for an update. Things definitely get lost over there.
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Originally Posted by mike410b
(Post 1391997)
I'd call them & ask for an update. Things definitely get lost over there.
Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll do that. |
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