If you don't want the long read below, then here is a summary and yes, this is my opinion - but it is based off of an actual purchase: VIP's used, low mileage inventory is 2nd to none. Get a 3rd party inspection to help ease your mind. The staff is easy-going and relaxed and I'm sure selling quality vehicles makes it easier to be this way. Prices are competitive, if not better than most, especially when you consider the quality of the car (again, get a 3rd party inspection to prove this). If you find the same car elsewhere for a better price, consider what it might cost you in repairs for purchasing a vehicle of lesser quality. If you like to sleep peacefully knowing your car will start in the morning and get you home at night, take the VIP vehicle.
I have to admit, I am selfish when it comes to reviews: I always look for them but I never seem to leave one. My dealings with VIP have been nothing but positive, and since that is not always the experience with a used car lot, I've decided to write a review. If you are on the fence about visiting or buying from VIP - I hope my review helps you decide in their favor.
Dave
My experience:
I decided I wanted a used European luxury car in the $18k-22k range. I can afford a reasonable monthly payment but my biggest worry is having a major mechanical problem as I don't have reserve funds (besides a credit card) to pay for something big. If I buy a German car and it breaks down, it might have to sit for a few months until I can afford to fix it - so I needed to choose wisely.
I started looking at local lots about 1.5 years ago and I came across VIP. I was trying to stay away from Mercedes with hydraulic suspensions because of the potential/probable cost of replacement parts. Then I made a mistake and drove a 2008 CLS550 with air suspension at the VIP lot. Loved it. Wanted to buy it. But that was a pipe-dream as I couldn't afford two car payments at the same time. So I left.
The salesman at the time, Mike, called me a few times to gauge my interest but never pushy and always professional. I told him I'd be back when I could actually afford to be back. In the meantime, I started researching Mercedes models and eventually settled on a coupe, the CL550, rather than the CLS. My problem was I did not want another black car and that was seemingly the only color on the used-market.
I kept tabs on VIP inventory and other lots as well. By the time I was ready to buy a car, my 2007 BMW was paid off and I had researched the CL550 enough to know the differences among the ones I might be able to afford, the 2007 to 2009 models. VIP had a 2008 Flint Gray vehicle for sale with ~75,000 miles on it. I went to see it. Eric, the VIP salesman, knew the particulars of the car as well as I did and that was refreshing.
I drove the car. Then I tested everything (AC, heater, door locks, soft-close doors, interior lights, etc) on the inside and outside - and it all worked. I checked the stereo amplifier too as my last car had a bad amp that I didn't realize until after I bought the car. I scheduled an appointment to have my mechanic inspect it. This was an $85 cost that I incurred but well worth it. My mechanic at Roo Automotive told me the 10 year-old car had some seepage in the struts but nothing alarming. This was very good news but still not enough to justify buying the car - all my brain kept hearing was "Don't buy a car with this type of $u$pen$ion."
I explained my concerns to Eric and Ray. Ray assured me that if I needed to replace any struts, he would get the parts for me and charge me his cost, not the mark-up, plus labor. He also showed me examples and receipts of doing this for other customers. I certainly don't want to replace any struts, but knowing this cost would be significantly reduced helped make purchasing this car easier.
Since buying the car on Jan 18th, 2018 VIP has:
1. Mailed me a 2nd key fob without me realizing I had one coming.
2. Refunded my GAP fee (I paid the car off two weeks later with LightStream instead of continuing with with Wells Fargo).
3. Replaced the missing blue-tooth PUK that the car needs for hand-free phone use.
VIP seems to strive for the repeat customer, not the quick sale.
Respectfully,
Dave read more