I've been a Yelper since 2011 and this is my first/last review because I don't like smearing businesses. I do get the car industry and understand that car dealership employees need to earn their living through cross-sells/upsells, but this place and its employees in particular really need to get exposed. Get ready, this review is LONG! But hopefully this will give you some insight on just one of their business practices and how they might try to scam you so you're a bit more prepared going in.
So here's the story...
Took my mom to do her lease buyout, initially met with this old Asian man who sold her her lease 3 yrs ago, goes by the name of Chester. If you saw this guy, the nickname "Chester the Molester" comes to mind. Walks and talks with a constant shady smirk on his face, his eyeballs literally spell out "can't wait to f*ck you over". Takes his sweet time going back and forth talking to his so called finance manager scheming ways on how they can screw us over. Finally, we get to meet the Wizard of Oz aka our Finance Manager.
Which brings me to Joselito "Lito" Bautista. Mind you, I went to high school with this guy. We say our hellos and do our quick catch up as me and my mom sit down. The first thing that comes out of his mouth is, "Ma'am, because I know your son, here's what I'm willing to do...you qualify for a rate of 8.9%, but I have the authority to buy back 1 point to get this rate down to 7.9%. And I don't even know you, but I'll do it for you because I know your son." I immediately call him out and let him know that the going rate for a used car loan with 700+ FICO is 3.9%. He stutters and says he's not sure but that rate does not exist. I knew they would play that game, this is why I called ahead of time and confirmed the rate with someone before coming in (Joseph Lai was who I spoke with over the phone). My cousin who works for the bank also told me 3.9% was the going rate for used car loans. He continues to play dumb, fine. I move on just because I'm curious to see what else will come out of his mouth. I then ask, "what if I cosigned with a Fico of 730?", he says the best he might be able to do is 6.9%. Next, we ask what the total finance amount would be and he quotes us $4k above what the lease buyout price states in our very own contract (like we are some sort of idiots and wouldn't notice a $4k increase in the total amount). I asked where the $4k came from, he says "it's from the 100k warranty included". I said "what if we don't want the warranty?" He says "well it is included". I didn't even bother arguing with that last tactic, we just got up and left. As I'm walking out he says he was really trying to "hook me up" since we went to school together and told me maybe I should go try elsewhere to see if I can get that 3.9% rate (in the most sarcastic manner possible). We shook hands and I told Lito "no hard feelings, you're just doing your job". In my mind, I'm really thinking "no hard feelings, you make money off f*cking naiive people over". Either he really sucks at his job and doesn't have his product knowledge down or he's just a slimy guy trying to max out my mom's monthly premiums so he can go buy himself some new Versace sneakers and gold chain. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's probably the latter.
We finally leave this circus and 30 minutes later, we're at Honda Auto Nation in Costa Mesa. They pull my mom's credit again, offer us a 3.9% rate for the purchase. Didn't require any warranty or service plan purchases (although they did aggressively offer the options, but these guys look like angels compared to OCHW). We decline everything, walk out happy customers, no additional fees or services paid.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
If you have a choice, don't go here. I would check out the other Honda dealerships in Costa Mesa or Newport, where employees aren't walking around vaping and calling each other "dawg". If you prefer to go here for whatever reason, do your thorough research on rates, MSRPs, and know the ins and outs of your desired car's specs before you come here (otherwise they will dick you over and get away with it). If you do that, then you can come here and simply use these morons as an extra quote to pin against other dealerships as you continue to do your comparison shopping. All the stereotypes and stigmas you grew up to learn and know about used car salespeople, well it's all true at this location. They certainly have that "rapey" vibe. Do not use Lito unless you want to be charged a butt load of interest points on the back and want to pay for their most expensive warranty package which according to Lito, is "included".
If you're still reading this and are now deciding not to come here or deal with the folks I mentioned, I just saved you at least $3,000. You're welcome. read more