Withnell Hyundai

OK, here is my second entry. I just spent the last hour writing a review of my auto purchasing experience at Withnell only to have it disappear into the internet ethers. Argh..... You gotta’ really love your experience to want to write a new entry after losing an hours worth of composition...you know how long it has been since I was in an English Composition Class?? I started my search for a new 2011 Hyundai Elantra with an on-line inquiry at a popular web site. I specifically asked that I only be contacted via email with responses to the inquiry. A lot of good that did. Within 30 minutes my phone began ringing off the hook (well not really since it is a cell phone). I ignored the calls and waited for the emails to ensue. They finally did but instead of offers I was barraged with a host of emails asking more questions, suggesting I come in and test drive the vehicle. I was very specific in my initial request. I wanted a 2011 Elantra Limited, Sterling Silver, gray and black interior with the Performance Package. I had done my homework on the Hyundai website so knew exactly what equipment was offered for what package. I did receive "offers" from three local (Portland) dealers. Two were of the garden variety and were non-specific about the price and the vehicle being quoted. I did receive on "hard" offer that was pretty much MSRP but no promise of the vehicle I wanted being in stock. Now mind you I have owned three Hyundai's previously. I purchased all three from Withnell Hyundai. I have owned a 2000 Accent, 2002 Elantra and a 2004 Elantra. I purchased all of them new from the same dealer. While my purchasing experience varied greatly I was always extremely impressed with the service that was offered by the dealership. I live in Portland and work in Salem so I decided to go ahead and contact Crystal Asman at Withnell Hyundai in Salem. I had communicated with Crystal last year when I was considering purchasing a 2010 Elantra (glad I waited ;-). I found her to be both honest and forthright in providing solid quotes on new cars. I emailed Crystal and within less than 24 hours she had provided me with both a solid price quote and a copy of the invoice of the car I was searching for. The vehicle was the exact color and package that I was looking for. More surprisingly, the price Crystal quoted me was only $100 more than the lowest price suggested by Consumer Reports. Yes, I had done my homework well. I immediately planned a trip to Salem to see if the price was too good to be true. To my amazement Crystal’s price quote was as good as gold. Here is the sequence of events: I arrived at the dealership at 9:45. Before I got out of my car the new Elantra was taken from the line and parked next to me while the engine warmed up. The sales manager knew I was coming in and was prepared to not only show me the vehicle but had already anticipated my wanting to take it for a test drive. I took the car out for a test drive (alone) and returned. Crystal met me and we discussed details. I had decided to trade in my 2007 Prius so we began negotiating a price. The original price they quoted was about $700 lower than what I wanted so I left the lot to do some hard thinking. I returned about 15 minutes later and made a counter offer. Crystal went to bat for me and convinced her sales manager that the deal was worth going for. She showed respect for me as a person as well as a returning customer who deserved to be treated fairly in order to win back my allegiance. Needless to say, by 11:45 I was driving away in my new Elantra and was one happy camper. Great service, honest dealings, no pressure from a litany of sales merchants marching into the room to break me of my will so they could have their way with me, what else could I ask for? Indeed, the car purchasing experience at Withnell's was both painless and enjoyable. No it was better than that……it was actually enjoyable. Crystal’s service was exceptional as was my dealings with both the sales manager and the business manager. You could not ask for a more simplified and honest car buying experience. So now the proof will be in the service that I receive from the dealership. I have always received excellent service from Withnell and hopefully that has not changed. Unlike taking my Toyota in for service where I would sometimes wait for an hour to get a ride back to work, the folks at Withnell would call a cab to drive me to work immediately. I wonder what the folks at Toyota would do if I showed up an hour late for my service appointment? So the bottom line is RUN, don’t walk to Withnell Hyundai if you are considering purchasing a new car. More importantly, do your homework and then send an email to Crystal to ask for a price quote. I guarantee that you will receive an honest and accurate quote that you can count on when you arrive at the dealership. My wife and I love our new Elantra, we love the treatment we received via the internet and when on-site at the dealership. I have never had a better car buying experience in all the years I have purchased vehicles. I will definitely be a return customer if I decide to purchase a new Hyundai in the future. Stay tuned, I will be leaving a review of the service department after my first experience. I expect it to be a positive and glowing experience. Happy car purchasing. I hope your experience is half as good as mine. Thank you Crystal for your service and your honesty.