I find that it's a little difficult to rate dealerships simply because every person's experience is unique to them. If they get along well with the salesperson they encounter, then the experience will be pleasant. If they don't, well...
For myself, I've been lucky in that the last 2 cars I bought at Mazda 2-20 were ones I walked in already knowing that I wanted. So it wasn't a matter of haggling over everything, just getting down to business. Of course, ANYONE going to purchase or lease a car should always be ready/ weary to go through the long process of answering all the questions of filling out the necessary paperwork and knowing what options are available to you (especially around insurance and warranties as those are always the ones that take the longest).
Beyond that, the other important piece is regular maintenance. On that point, if you are going to the dealer for maintenance, what you really need to do is have a good/ honest relationship with your technical advisor. They are the ones who will help balance what the "required" service dates/ actions are needed against what you as a client need. At Mazda 2-20, my Technical Advisor (Guylain) has been with me for almost 10 years already and she has never steered me wrong.
As with all things cars, my advice is to never be shy to ask. Make it clear what you want, need, and are prepared to do/ not do. You don't have to accept everything at face value. Question what you are told, ask for explanations, and don't be shy to speak out if there's something that you're uncomfortable with. And, also, always remember that there are escalation procedures that you can go through should things really not go well. read more