Probably the best dealership experience I've ever had! I found a Honda on Autotrader that looked really clean in photos and decided to give Charlotte Auto Group a call. I was greeted by Duke and right off the bat I appreciated the honest conversation we had. Unfortunately, he wasn't near the vehicle so he directed me to Michelle. When Michelle picked up, she literally grabbed the keys and went out to the vehicle for me. She pointed out some exterior defects that were too small to discern in the Autotrader photos and assured me that the interior was spotless. I never had a dealership inspect a car for me that quickly, especially within the same phone call.
My last two cars were out-of-state purchases so I'm familiar with losing some leverage on negotiating the price over the phone. Luckily, Charlotte Auto Group doesn't allow negotiations. Their price on this particular Honda was higher than some other listings, but after checking out a local example here in Atlanta, I wouldn't have touched that car with a ten-foot pole. If Charlotte Auto Group's Honda matched their promised condition, then their pricing is fair, and I was willing to pay extra for it. Because of their honesty and transparency, I went ahead and put down a $500 deposit to take the listing down and booked a flight to CLT.
After landing in CLT, I took a 40 minute Uber to get to the dealership. The Honda was parked out front, sparkling clean, and ready to drive off. Upon entering, Michelle apologized for not being able to pick me from the airport and handed me money to compensate for the Uber as well as my first tank of gas -- I don't think one can receive a warmer dealership welcome than this. She began collecting information to begin the paperwork while handing me the keys to the Honda to check it out.
9.5/10 Exterior and 10/10 Interior is what she described to me over the phone, and for a nearly decade old Honda, I was stunned how clean it was -- even the engine bay is on par with the last car I bought, which isn't even a year old yet. A quick test drive revealed nothing surprising about the spectacular condition of the vehicle. I'm fairly OCD about cars, so inspected just about everything, alignment was on center, clutch felt solid, fluids were topped and clear, the car came with two keys, rubber floor mats, and all the accessories, except the user manual and tool kit.
Completing the paperwork took less than an hour, and after bidding farewell to Michelle, her son, and adorable dogs, I set off for Atlanta confident in my purchase. I was treated like family and Michelle even made me text her when I safely returned home! Parental anxiety I guess, but I appreciate the genuine care for their customers.
When I got home, I put the Honda on the lift and again, quite flawless underneath. Brake pads had plenty of life, no leaks, torn boots, or structural damage. For peace of mind, Charlotte Auto Group provided me with a warranty that I can use nationwide, but I'm pretty sure I won't be needing it with this Honda. :)
Thank you Charlotte Auto Group! read more
