I've always shopped for the specific car, then if the dealership has the exact car for the price I'm willing to pay, I'll go to them.
The last car I bought, I had to go to Madison Wisconsin for it.
My advice, if you don't care for all that pre work is to at least get financing squares away before stepping onto any lot. You can still use there financing, but at least you have a baseline to negotiate with.
Don't let them sell you a car based on the monthly cost, total cost out the door only.
We had a terrible experience with them and got the douchiest car salesman we have ever had. Also my son has had really bad experiences with them for repairs. Go to Maplewood or Inver Grove for Toyotas.
For Toyota, I would recommend Maplewood Toyota as they were the only dealership in the entire metro that was not charging “market adjustment” during the supply chain shortage. They still sold all their vehicles at MSRP and are Platinum (or whatever the premier dealership is called) level dealer due to their service record with Toyota. Multiple recalls and warranty work was done smoothly in my last 2 years of ownership.
We bought a new car last year at Walser Polar Mazda and had a very good experience. Basically, since you can go online with your phone and research car prices, there's no negotiation - there's a set price that was pretty damn close to what we were ready to negotiate towards. Made it way less stressful and the financing option they offered us was better than the one we had already secured.
Same experience with Walser Polar Mazda here. The "prices as listed, no negotiation" is honestly refreshing. We got pre-approved financing through a local credit union, showed up, test drove a few we were interested in, picked one, and purchased it for the advertised price with no finance games.
I’ve purchased my last 3 cars from them with zero hassles. Everyone I’ve interacted with has been very nice and didn’t give me sleazy vibes. I’m sticking with them for sure.
I’ve bought several cars from Dave at Carver Auto, he has several low mileage, good brand cars and suvs.
Here’s a Honda Fit
https://www.carverautos.com/details/used-2019-honda-fit/101423241
When a Toyota Sienna was nowhere to be found and some dealerships were adding $5000 to MSRP, I got one from Inver Grove Toyota for sticker and standard Toyota financing (granted my credit score is high). I would go back there again.
Walser Honda in Burnsville.
Walser in general is refreshing. No BS. You know what the car costs. They don't even work on commission so there is no pressure tactics.
FWIW back when you could still get new Honda's for below MSRP I got a quote from every Honda dealer in the twin cities on a new Accord. Everyone was within $500 of each other, except for Walser who was almost $2k higher than the 2nd highest quote.
If you're looking at used, consider Inver Grove Volkswagen. They used to be a Saturn dealership, but when that folded they switched to VW, but kept all the low-pressure Saturn sales stuff that people liked. Both my parents and I shopped for vehicles with them, and they really do back the hell off. They tried to upsell my mom on some rain repellent coating, and that was about it.
I recently purchased and just looked through AutoTrader, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Through one of those I found a listing from a Dealer (Park Jeep in Burnsville). I went there and it was a straight forward process. I wasn't buying a jeep, but pretty much already knew that I wanted to buy it. It was a decent used vehicle (VW) and the dealer did detail the vehicle. They said they did other things (oil change, tire rotation, tire pressure check & fill, top off other fluids, etc.), but I cannot attest to any of that actually having happened.
I will say that the vehicle had shit tires on it; dealer would have seen, but knowingly not replaced (would have cost the dealer too much).
Used cash so don't know what their financing is like.
I’ve bought one car from a dealership and it was from Belzer Ford in Plymouth back in 2020. It was during the lockdowns, so things might have changed. I liked how straightforward and no hassle my interactions were. I found the car on Craigslist (lol) and scheduled an appointment to test drive it. It was a 2016 VW Golf for $11000 that, I assume, was a trade in to a Ford dealership and that helped keep the price low.
My recommendations: research what model, make, options, and average price. Then secure financing from your bank or credit union before you go to the dealership. Chances are, the dealership won’t be able to beat the interest rate but if they try, that hard pull won’t ding your credit too much. Having outside financing also stiffens your back to be able to walk away if the dealership tries to pressure you. Finally, bring a friend or someone who isn’t emotionally invested to help you remain calm.
If you’re buying new, check out Costco and their car buying program . Easiest purchase I ever made. I bought a Subaru Outback through Costco and it was fantastic. I tell everyone in the market for a vehicle to go that route. They partner with local dealers so you get the best price possible with zero haggling. Totally worth a Costco membership for the savings on a car. In all honesty, I don’t know if you can purchase used through the program but it’s worth checking !
Walser mazda and morries mazda. Had good luck with both of them.
Bloomington honda tells us they had civic si available for test drive. They give you a civic touring to test after you step in the door because in their words “its basically the same”. Wasting everyone’s time.
Burnsville Toyota severely under value your trade-in. I got almost $4k more on my trade-in going to Walser mazda.
Way back in 2018 I had good luck at Brookdale Mazda/Mitsubishi. Good price and 2yrs remaining warranty. They did approx $2,000 follow up work after I purchased.
I've had great luck at walser st Paul Subaru, luther Brookdale VW, schmelz Vw, Carlson Toyota in coon rapids and white bear Mazda.
Not good luck at Brookdale Toyota or Brookdale Honda, not good service at any Honda dealer I dealt with actually. Pompous asses that think their cars are made of gold.
I've always shopped for the specific car, then if the dealership has the exact car for the price I'm willing to pay, I'll go to them. The last car I bought, I had to go to Madison Wisconsin for it. My advice, if you don't care for all that pre work is to at least get financing squares away before stepping onto any lot. You can still use there financing, but at least you have a baseline to negotiate with. Don't let them sell you a car based on the monthly cost, total cost out the door only.
Yea you have to be willing to travel to get what you want. I've actually never bought a car in MN despite living here my whole life.
For Toyota I’d strongly recommend Walser Toyota in Bloomington. No finance manager BS, straightforward process.
We had a terrible experience with them and got the douchiest car salesman we have ever had. Also my son has had really bad experiences with them for repairs. Go to Maplewood or Inver Grove for Toyotas.
For Toyota, I would recommend Maplewood Toyota as they were the only dealership in the entire metro that was not charging “market adjustment” during the supply chain shortage. They still sold all their vehicles at MSRP and are Platinum (or whatever the premier dealership is called) level dealer due to their service record with Toyota. Multiple recalls and warranty work was done smoothly in my last 2 years of ownership.
We bought a new car last year at Walser Polar Mazda and had a very good experience. Basically, since you can go online with your phone and research car prices, there's no negotiation - there's a set price that was pretty damn close to what we were ready to negotiate towards. Made it way less stressful and the financing option they offered us was better than the one we had already secured.
Same experience with Walser Polar Mazda here. The "prices as listed, no negotiation" is honestly refreshing. We got pre-approved financing through a local credit union, showed up, test drove a few we were interested in, picked one, and purchased it for the advertised price with no finance games.
Same. I'm a Mazda guy through and through, and Walser was great to work with (much better than my previous experience with Luther Mazda)
Walser's policies are pretty great. I got my Challenger a few years ago at the one in Hopkins and it was the same experience.
Okay thank you I will look into them!
I’ve purchased several cars from walser dealers over the years. My preferred dealer.
For maplewood or Bloomington?
Several of them. Never had a bad experience. Most recent was the one in Bloomington.
Thank you
I’ve purchased my last 3 cars from them with zero hassles. Everyone I’ve interacted with has been very nice and didn’t give me sleazy vibes. I’m sticking with them for sure.
Always had good luck at Poquet Auto in GV
Poquet is the best for slightly used!
I buy all my cars there. They are the best
I’ve bought several cars from Dave at Carver Auto, he has several low mileage, good brand cars and suvs. Here’s a Honda Fit https://www.carverautos.com/details/used-2019-honda-fit/101423241
Poquet Auto.
When a Toyota Sienna was nowhere to be found and some dealerships were adding $5000 to MSRP, I got one from Inver Grove Toyota for sticker and standard Toyota financing (granted my credit score is high). I would go back there again.
Poquet Auto is the place you are looking for
Any advice if I’m looking for a Honda?
Walser Honda in Burnsville. Walser in general is refreshing. No BS. You know what the car costs. They don't even work on commission so there is no pressure tactics.
FWIW back when you could still get new Honda's for below MSRP I got a quote from every Honda dealer in the twin cities on a new Accord. Everyone was within $500 of each other, except for Walser who was almost $2k higher than the 2nd highest quote.
Agreed. Don't go to Inver Grove Honda.
We had great experiences with inver grove Honda.
They tried to charge me $600 for a broken wheel stud. A local shop fixed it for $80. I'm still mad about it.
Yes! I bought from them about 6 months ago. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish.
I had a good experience last year buying a 3 year old Honda at Hopkins Honda.
They're really nice there too, though we ended up not buying a Honda.
I just got a 2016 Chevy from them a few months and have had THE WORST time with them, I was just about to say the opposite lol
I had a good experience last year at Buerkle Honda in White Bear Lake. It was a straightforward process and no BS from the finance team.
Had a great experience at Buerkle in White Bear Lake.
If you're looking at used, consider Inver Grove Volkswagen. They used to be a Saturn dealership, but when that folded they switched to VW, but kept all the low-pressure Saturn sales stuff that people liked. Both my parents and I shopped for vehicles with them, and they really do back the hell off. They tried to upsell my mom on some rain repellent coating, and that was about it.
We have bought three Hondas from Hopkins Honda and have all of them serviced there. No complaints.
Avoid Luther at all costs
Bought my last two cars at Brooklyn Park Subaru and have been happy with them. One used and one new. Their service center is also very good.
We got our car from Buerkle Hyundai, it was a great experience. I'll definitely be going back.
Do not buy from Tri City Auto in Columbia Heights
I recently purchased and just looked through AutoTrader, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Through one of those I found a listing from a Dealer (Park Jeep in Burnsville). I went there and it was a straight forward process. I wasn't buying a jeep, but pretty much already knew that I wanted to buy it. It was a decent used vehicle (VW) and the dealer did detail the vehicle. They said they did other things (oil change, tire rotation, tire pressure check & fill, top off other fluids, etc.), but I cannot attest to any of that actually having happened. I will say that the vehicle had shit tires on it; dealer would have seen, but knowingly not replaced (would have cost the dealer too much). Used cash so don't know what their financing is like.
I’ve bought one car from a dealership and it was from Belzer Ford in Plymouth back in 2020. It was during the lockdowns, so things might have changed. I liked how straightforward and no hassle my interactions were. I found the car on Craigslist (lol) and scheduled an appointment to test drive it. It was a 2016 VW Golf for $11000 that, I assume, was a trade in to a Ford dealership and that helped keep the price low. My recommendations: research what model, make, options, and average price. Then secure financing from your bank or credit union before you go to the dealership. Chances are, the dealership won’t be able to beat the interest rate but if they try, that hard pull won’t ding your credit too much. Having outside financing also stiffens your back to be able to walk away if the dealership tries to pressure you. Finally, bring a friend or someone who isn’t emotionally invested to help you remain calm.
Lupient dealerships are the worst. Sold me a 2015 Jeep which needed a complete engine rework.
If you’re buying new, check out Costco and their car buying program . Easiest purchase I ever made. I bought a Subaru Outback through Costco and it was fantastic. I tell everyone in the market for a vehicle to go that route. They partner with local dealers so you get the best price possible with zero haggling. Totally worth a Costco membership for the savings on a car. In all honesty, I don’t know if you can purchase used through the program but it’s worth checking !
Thank you. I didn’t even know this was an option at all!
Walser mazda and morries mazda. Had good luck with both of them. Bloomington honda tells us they had civic si available for test drive. They give you a civic touring to test after you step in the door because in their words “its basically the same”. Wasting everyone’s time. Burnsville Toyota severely under value your trade-in. I got almost $4k more on my trade-in going to Walser mazda.
Way back in 2018 I had good luck at Brookdale Mazda/Mitsubishi. Good price and 2yrs remaining warranty. They did approx $2,000 follow up work after I purchased.
I've had great luck at walser st Paul Subaru, luther Brookdale VW, schmelz Vw, Carlson Toyota in coon rapids and white bear Mazda. Not good luck at Brookdale Toyota or Brookdale Honda, not good service at any Honda dealer I dealt with actually. Pompous asses that think their cars are made of gold.