I bought a car from Ballard about a year ago, and I've been regretting ever since that I didn't haggle more on the price. It's not a terrible car, and it's still running pretty strong, but I was charged Blue Book price for a mint-condition car, which it definitely is not. The price was also based on a car with options that mine does not have (power windows, power locks). At the time, though, I really needed a car and didn't have time or energy to do my homework completely. It wasn't until I had the car for a few weeks that I discovered its little annoyances -- digital clock goes off and on uncontrollably, rear defroster doesn't work, etc. Then, two months later, the fuel line started leaking and needed replacing. Now, a year later, the darn thing has failed state inspection on multiple points and is currently at my mechanic's, getting hundreds of dollars worth of repairs. *Big sigh*
The people at Ballard are nice and the car I bought isn't a complete lemon, but the used-car sales business is what it is....You won't be buying a gently-used certified pre-owned vehicle from Ballard, so make sure you don't get charged for one. read more