Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Willow City, North Dakota

Willow City, ND Car Consumer Discussions

Experience with different dealers in PA and other states

by nikunash on Sun Nov 04 15:11:59 PST 2007

Here are my opinions from my car buying experience- 1) Pacifico Hyundai (Philadelphia, PA) - This is the place where I bought the car from, so needless to say, I was pretty happy with the way they treated me. We finalized on the price before I entered the showroom and no undue pressure was put on me to make a deal. Initially, I was not happy with the test drive since I could hear some dull sound at the back; but they fixed it by replacing the rear tires and I did not hear the sound at the time of the second test drive. Overall, everything went smoothly. :) 2) Freysinger Hyundai (Mechanicsburg, PA) - The salesman was extremely helpful and he took out a lot of time to talk with me and answer my queries. He was vry patient with me and did not try to push me to buy. I would have bought the car from him if he had my desired configuration in stock. 3) Harrisburg Hyundai (Harrisburg, PA) - These guys were classic bait-and-switchers. They tell you on the phone that they have the desired configuration in stock but when you get there, it has suddenly been sold in the past few minutes but you can buy something else. Please don't play games like this! :mad: 4) Jack Giambalvo Hundai (York, PA) - The salesman was pretty straightforward with me on the phone and told me what he had and didn't have. He had the desired configuration in stock but it was a service loaner. I told him that I wasn't interested and that was the end of the story. 5) Lancaster County Motors (East Petersburg, PA) - The internet salesperson was a pretty sweet lady who megotiated with me on the phone but was straightforward enough to tell me that there was a number she could not go below. It was a pleasant experience dealing with them but they couldn't match the price I was looking for. 6) Savage Auto Group (Reading, PA) - There's one thing about being unwilling to negotiate, but its another thing when you're being downright rude to the customer. The salesperson herself was fine, but when I asked them how long a service loaner had been on the lot, her boss told me - 4 years! I guess it was his way of telling me F*** off :mad: 7) Sussman Auto (Willow Grove, PA) - They were pretty civil to deal with but they didn't have my desired configuration in stock. They definitely need to update their databases though; even though I had informed them 3 times that I have bought the car and they should take me off their list, they continued to send me email reminders. :confuse: 8) Fitzgerald Auto Mall (Gaithesburg, MD) - These guys were great to deal with; no games and everything out in the open. If I had lesser time on my hands and had no interest in negotiating with different people, I would have definitely bought from them. The only funny thing was that dealers in PA were offering me a $2000 rebate but MD dealers were able to offer only $1000. 9) Thompson Automotive (Baltimore, MD) - Again, no wastage of time and an overall great experience. Their price was the lowest of all at $25,603 (That is with only $1000 rebate) and I could see myself buying through them had I not thrown in the towel for around $150 more! 10) Ettleston Hyundai (Countryside, IL) - These guys were pretty clear about the fact that they did not have my configuration in stock. As with other dealers in a similar position, they offered to get the exact configuration from a different dealer, but I know that then their capacity to negotiate is limited. 11) Loren Hyundai (Glenview, IL) - These guys never returned my emails! 12) McGrath City Hyundai (Chicago, IL) - They were pretty aggressive but never in a negative way. They made it clear that they wanted my business and would be willing to negotiate on price to do so. In the end, they didn't have my required configuration in stock. 13) Antwerpen Hyundai (Baltimore, MD) - Never bothered to return my emails. 14) Bob Bell Hyundai (Glen Burnie, MD) - After a number of email exchanges, I finally got the message from them that they did not have my desired configuration in stock. Wasted quite some time going back and forth. 15) Porter Auto Group (Newark, DE) - Were unwilling to go down on price 16) Napleton Hyundai (Chicago, IL) - The salesman was pretty nice about spending a lot of time with me and answering my questions. They did not, however, have my config. in stock. 17) Castle Hyundai (Newcastle DE) - Did not have the config. in stock and tried to sell me others that they did have in stock. Wasn't unpleasant dealing with them though. 18) Ohare Hyundai (Des Plaines, IL) - Were unwilling to go down on price 19) Howard Auto Group (Elmhurst, IL) - Did not have my config. in stock. 20) Global Auto Mall (North Plainfield, NJ) - Did not have config. in stock and called me repeatedly to try to get me in for a testdrive. 21) Turnersville Auto Mall (Turnersville, NJ) - Never got back to me on my earlier enquiry. 22) Gurnee Hyundai (Gurnee, IL) - Did not have my desired config. in stock and tried to get me in for something else, but was quite polite about it.

Re: should i buy this car [fasterthanyou]

by thegraduate on Thu Feb 01 20:26:48 PST 2007

Is the slowest car in the group and even if is obvious that the power-train could take serious beating without breaking the noise that it makes is something like a little girl screaming. Sounds pathetic to me. The sound thing is subjective, so I won't respond to that, but the GTI and Civic Si have been recorded neck and neck in 0-60 Acceleration, although the Si was quicker on the track. Motor Trend loved both vehicles it seems, but felt they were two different animals. Both ran 0-60 in 6.3 seconds (.5 sec behind the MazdaSpeed3, I believe?) MT's thoughts on the Si: Whereas the GTI always feels like it's on simmer--with its peaceful demeanor, softer suspension, and low-end grunt--the Si thrives on full boil, giving off the most steam with the engine screaming near 8000 rpm and the raspy exhaust belting its song like AC/DC. With peak torque (139 pound-feet at 6200 rpm) also realized at high engine speeds, the Si must be kept in VTEC mode (6000 to 8000 rpm) to stay with the torquier GTI. But keep up it does, ripping off a 0-to-60-mph dash of 6.3 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds at 94.7 mph. At the track, the Si was nearly 2.0 seconds a lap quicker, thanks to a front limited-slip diff that effectively puts down power and a suspension that always leaves the Si composed and planted--evidenced by 0.89 g on the skidpad (0.83 for the GTI) and a 26.8-second run through the figure eight (27.2, GTI). Not only does the Si stay flat at the track, it also remains compliant around the city, delivering a taut ride that's nearly as forgiving as the VW's. Unlike the GTI's electric power steering, whose beauty fades at the track, the Si's comes alive, vividly relaying the front tires' limits around every turn; through town, though, the Si's EPS did feel more artificial than the GTI's. Once acclimated to the Si's brakes, which at first seem grabbier than a baby, you're rewarded with superior feel and power, resulting in the shortest stopping distance from 60 to 0 mph (117 feet) and the deepest braking zones at Willow. MT loved the GTI too To say Volkswagen hit the mark with the fifth-generation GTI is an understatement. So improved is the new from the old that the fourth-generation almost deserves to lose its badges. Gone are the staid styling, stale body, and solid rear axle, replaced by a formidable facade, a structure 35 percent stiffer in torsional rigidity, and an independent multilink rear. Moreover, those rear suspenders, in conjunction with a retuned front-strut setup, have vanquished much of the old-gen's uninvited understeer as well as its affinity for lifting a rear wheel under aggressive cornering. At the track (see sidebar), the GTI's newfound nimbleness and stability were appreciated more than free beer. Grab the thick-rimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel--the best-feeling helm this side of a Ferrari--and the GTI's electric power steering provides clear sensations, turning a run through the canyons into a thrill ride not normally associated with a VW. Steering feel did seem to diminish at the track, however, becoming more numb, as if the electronics were unable to keep up with the action. The four-wheel disc brakes, on the other hand, kept up just fine, although they felt mushier under pedal than the Si's. They were nonetheless stout, halting the GTI from 60 to 0 mph in 119 feet. Rarely does a 2.0-liter motor feel like a monster, but the GTI's 1984cc engine produces enough gusto that it can easily make a 3500-pound Passat Wagon seem sprightly. In a 3143-pound GTI, that becomes super sprightly. The dash from 0 to 60 mph takes 6.3 seconds with the quarter mile waving bye-bye in 14.7 seconds at 94.8 mph. Those times narrowly trail those of the previous-gen's hot rod, the V-6 R32, which recorded times of 5.9 and 14.2 at 97.6, respectively. The 2.0-liter is so flexible that downshifting becomes almost voluntary, especially at the track, where a drop in gears often bumps peak torque above its 5000-rpm threshold. The six-speed exhibited an easy action that never impeded spirited driving, but next to the Honda's unit, it felt vague and rubbery, and its clutch too light and insensitive. I think VW has the edge in around-town driveability, no doubt. But the Civic is not to be written off. It's harder edged than the GTI, it seems. The real question is where does the shopper land on the scale?

Re: Hey I like that car! [Mr_Shiftright]

by boaz47 on Mon Sep 04 07:50:01 PDT 2006

The thing is, I don't think the manufacturers believe "enough" americans will buy these cars. Not that no Americans will. Lets face it, there are lots of sub 1000 cc cars produced for the foreign market that have been in service for years. Some Japanese traffic makes NYC look like interstate 5 north of Button willow running up to Sacramento. However those tiny cars simply aren't worth it for the manufacturers to import. The not worth it part is what holds them back. Many times we listen while people in these forums try to second guess market studies the manufacturers have paid big bucks for and even call the companies foolish for listening to those very same reports. When they do go against the reports and listen to the voices of the enthusiasts they risk a flop like the Civic hatch was. Doesn't matter what reason we manufacturer in our heads, why such cars flop after we say they will be a success, it only matters that the company lost money. Even in this forum we skirt the sub compact issue by assigning sub compact to cars that are in the Compact or slightly bigger class. Maybe because with the exception of the Mini there are no real sub compacts being offered? From what I have read, on the planned Smart car introduction to the US, a new bigger smart will be offered. If that turns out to be true then even the manufacturer must feel the Americans have a size issue with many of the currently produced sub compacts. Saying these cars work in Europe and Asia doesn't matter much either. Scooters and Motorbikes work well in europe as well. You don't see our city traffic swarming with those gas saving devices in our cities. Not even in our warmer southern states.

How departures will affect GM facilities

by rockylee on Wed Jun 28 03:49:08 PDT 2006

How departures will affect GM facilities Plans for all plants and facilities have not been released. Ten plants are slated for closure. Two plants have already closed. TRANSMISSION and ENGINE PLANTS Willow Run transmission in Ypsilanti. 1,163 of 3,300 leaving. Livonia engine plant. 153 of 391 leaving. Romulus transmission plant. 469 of 1,750 leaving. Warren transmission plant. 444 of 1,230 leaving. Flint North Engine Plant. 1,107 of 2,300 leaving. Flint South Engine Plant. 216 of 600 leaving. Toledo transmission plant. 1,226 of 3,200 leaving. ASSEMBLY PLANTS Hamtramck, which builds Cadillacs and Buicks. 638 of 2,840 leaving. Pontiac, which builds pickups. 957 of 4,000 leaving. Flint, which builds work trucks. 579 of 3,500 leaving. Orion, where the Pontiac G6 is built. 1,014 of 3,000 leaving. Oklahoma City, made midsize SUVs and is scheduled to close 1,533 of 2,364 leaving. Doraville, Ga., a minivan plant slated for closure. 1,531 of 2,700 leaving. Spring Hill, Tenn., a Saturn plant. 1,356 of 4,800 leaving. STAMPING AND PARTS PLANTS Pontiac metal plant. 887 of 1,900 leaving. Lansing metal plant. 608 of 1,880 leaving. Grand Rapids metal. 672 of 2,100 leaving. Saginaw metal casting. 294 of 1,300 leaving. Saginaw malleable plant. 159 of 266 leaving. Grand Blanc metal. 308 of 1,001 leaving. Flint tool and die. 97 of 320 leaving. OTHER FACILITIES Other Lansing plants, including the Grand River and jobs bank and car plant. 2,883 of 7,095 leaving. Warren Tech Center. 701 of 2,855 leaving. Milford proving grounds. 158 of 450 leaving. Source: General Motors Rocky :surprise:

Re: Will ethanol E85 catch on in the US? Will we Live Green and Go Yellow? [jae5]

by snakeweasel on Wed Mar 29 14:30:00 PST 2006

Well Bolingbrook is right. IIRC there are two stations in the city, one each in Evanston, Des Plaines, Lombard, Aurora, Romeoville, Naperville, Arlington hieghts, Batavia, Mount Prospect, Orland Park, New Lenox, Willow Springs, Villa Park and a couple of other places near the city. While there not everywhere they can be gotten to with a minor detour for most drives in and around Chicago. Yes if you just stay around in the city it would be hard to get to one, but if you drive around the burbs you can usually be somewhat close to one.

Re: 2006 Avalon Limited: First impression (long) [avvy]

by lbs1 on Mon Sep 26 19:12:47 PDT 2005

Mike Yours is just one of the problems with the Avalon 06 Navigation system.I brought the car back to the dealer with the following letter and was told this is the way it’s supposed to operate. Love to hear from anybody else having problems. When we put an address into Destinations and we are within .1 (528 feet) to .2 (1056 feet) of a mile from the address, the voice announces “you have arrived at destination - end of guidance “ Sometimes I am on a different street. The navigation manual states that there can be occasional positioning errors of up to 300 feet but these errors are much greater. When driving home, guidance stops at the beginning of Willow St.( 2 blocks from my home). I recently deleted my Red St address in “home” and reentered it - each time I did the final entry for the Red St address a message comes up saying destination is Willow St. This area is 20 years old and close to the city. The GPS in my 99 Acura never had a problem with these addresses or any other addresses. . The satellite seems to follow my location on the map pretty well when just driving or under guidance .altho recently I was at my office and it said I was on a street in the next office complex. When press map/voice button to establish numerical location, it’s wild. We live at number 10-according to this location finder we live at any number between 42 and 85- rarely the same number twice and never 10. The same is true of other destinations- not only are we delivered a distance away, but the house numbers of our destination don’t match. This is particularly problematic in the EMERGENCY mode. How could police/ambulance find you when the address listed is the wrong street or the right street but the wrong number. Also the computer is kind of jittery-it slips into French or kilometers without prompting. When entering an address, I might press a letter and it jumps to another letter-sometimes it goes into a guidance mode without my asking. I know it anticipates but this seems to be over anticipating. I’ve tried the voice activation with variable success. When I say home she usually starts talking about gas stations-and ski resorts --we finally agree on home.