Sid Vicious

Hi all.


I would like some feedback on the Autobarn Mazda VW in Evanston. I've heard a lot of horror stories about the Volkswagen sales/service.

How is the Mazda sales service there? Thanks.

Any issues with honesty, integrity, potential fraud?

take care!

Sid

Fencig

I purchased my 2006 CR Shinka from there last Jan. I did not seem to have any problems on the sales side. They provided all the information I requested about the car up front without any hassle. Since I live 6 hours away I was depending on certain information and points about the car before I would even drive to look at it. The only thing they messed up on was the tax and license for Iowa but I'll wave that since I'm guessing they don't do it often.

On the service side I can't help you. I saw the shop but since she only had 52 miles on her I didn't need service. However they didn't even have touchup paint (I was hoping for at least that) much less any add on gear. I was hoping to pick up a few options while in the area. They are too far away for me to even consider them for warranty work. Sad though, I still have to drive 2 hours to get to the closest certified shop...guess that's what I get for living in BFE

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I have hear of problems with both Autobarn locations ( Evanston & Countryside). I have had a bad experience with the Countryside location (June 2005). I took my car there for a transmission problem. The car was less than 1 year old and had 12k miles on it. Because the trans was coming out of the car, I asked to have a Mazdaspeed LW Flywheel put on and to put the old one in the trunk. During service they found the clutch was "burned out" and said I was drag racing the car. This was incorrect, but try to get them to understand that. Also, my oem flywheel was nowhere to be found.

Sid Vicious

so they accused you of abuse and you had to pay out of pocket for the repair? and then kept your old "abused" flywheel?


sounds like an integrity issue. i take it you don't use them for service any longer?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

They had an open house/car show one Sunday, while the dealership was closed. The General Manager, Sales Manager, Service Manager and some of the service personell were there. I talked to the Service Manager, at length, about my problems with the trans. At that point, I had never used them for any work before. We were assured that their attitude and the way they operated was different from the Autobarn Evanston, which all ready had a bad rep. I tried them that one time and I will not be returning as a service or a sales customer.

The flywheel was not the part that they said was abused. The clutch was said to be abused. The pressure plate is usually replaced when a clutch is replaced. That wasn't done in this case.
Also, I guess that I didn't make it clear. Mazda did cover the clutch under warranty. The car had just over 12k miles and that is just over the warranty for this type of item. Autobarn did state that the warranty for the trans was now void. They were only going to take care of this one repair. When I talked to my regular dealer about this (Wilkins Mazda), they said there was no record of this "voided warranty" on my service records. These records come straight from Mazda and include any service that has been provided, no matter what Mazda dealer has provided the service.

restiller

Had a good sales experience there (in Evanston). Funny, I was hoping they would throw in some touch-up paint as well!

From my forum searches, I heard that the service department there was pretty bad. I've been getting my car serviced at Liberty Mazda in Libertyville the most and I'm pretty satisfied with their service, albeit it's only oil changes and inspections so far. I am leery about the service at Schaumburg. A porter in Lake Villa parked my car in a way that would've taken my front lip off--if i had one.

Good luck with your search.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The touch-up paint that I received, came from Mazda. Not the dealer.

Fencig

There does seem to be a disconnect between the sales and after purchase service. Having not experienced the service part I can't comment. However I must say that my experience with the sales side left a different impression of that expressed by Alnielsen. Just from this I would guess that if you are looking to buy (new) then you should be OK. However if you are looking for someone to stand behind the car you may want another dealer, or at least a few more opinions.

Macius8

iTrader: (3)

I had them replace my motor mounts a while back and some minor interior cosmetic issues and I had no problem at all. The service was great and they provided me with a rental. For now I'll stick with them, they seem ok.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I will only post my experience with them. If you do a search here, I believe there is an older thread on the subject.