Anyone have any experience or contacts they would be willing to share? I've got an issue with a vehicle just outside of warranty and wanted to see if there was someone reputable I could chat with and see if the dealership service dept is the best route, or if going to a third party would be better for the situation

The only time I went there for service, I went through the trouble of making an appointment online for a basic oil change and some recall work. When I got there, no one was available to do the recall work. They said I'd have to leave my truck there overnight for pickup late the next day. They knocked out the oil change, and I took the truck somewhere else a couple weeks later for the other thing.

Not the svc dept, but I also took my wife there in 2017 to buy an Explorer. It was fairly late. Maybe an hour before closing. The salesman we talked to told us we'd need to come back the next day because the car we wanted to buy was parked on a back lot and difficult to get to. I assume it would have required him to move several cars to get to. We left. (My wife found another salesman that was more than willing to go get it, but I was past done at that point). Ended up buying the same SUV from Planet Ford a week after that.

Their back lot is technically a dirt lot fenced in between their dealership and Academy. So he was prob being honest.

mm98 said:

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Their back lot is technically a dirt lot fenced in between their dealership and Academy. So he was prob being honest.

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I didn't think he was lying. I was trying to give him money for a car. Maybe I had unreasonable expectations, idk. I've never been told to come back a different day when I'm asking to buy a car from a dealership that is on their lot.

Meh…some salesmen are hungrier than others. Probably that simple.

I have several positive experiences at Smith Auto on 5th Street in Katy. They completed jobs faster and under budget than dealership prices.

I bought both my current vehicles from there, and get them serviced there because it's close to me. The manager of the service department is a ******** and an idiot. There is however one service writer that I like, and he is the only person I will talk to when I go there. His name is Randy Lenny. If you call or go in person, ask to speak with Randy. He is straight forward, doesn't BS you, and if you say no to any extra services recommended, he simply says ok and leaves you alone.

Autonation is trash, generally speaking.

drummer0415 said:

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I bought both my current vehicles from there, and get them serviced there because it's close to me. The manager of the service department is a ******** and an idiot. There is however one service writer that I like, and he is the only person I will talk to when I go there. His name is Randy Lenny. If you call or go in person, ask to speak with Randy. He is straight forward, doesn't BS you, and if you say no to any extra services recommended, he simply says ok and leaves you alone.

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Same experience with Randy. I make my appointments through him directly otherwise you're just talking to someone in a call center.

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Ended up buying the same SUV from Planet Ford a week after that.

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Autonation is trash, generally speaking.

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Autonation is Sewell Cadillac compared to Planet Ford

My experience with Planet Ford was pretty good honestly but I know they also have a well deserved reputation as well.

malenurse said:

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Ended up buying the same SUV from Planet Ford a week after that.

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Autonation is trash, generally speaking.

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Autonation is Sewell Cadillac compared to Planet Ford

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I'm not a Planet Ford apologist, but it was a decent experience 5 years ago. Haven't been there before or since for any reason, because I live in Katy. From now on, I'm just gonna stick with reproag if I need a Ford from now on. Buying from him is totally painless. I hate car shopping man.

AggieMPH2005 said:

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Autonation is trash, generally speaking.

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What's wrong with Autonation? They seem to have competitive prices for used cars and I like their no haggle policy.

There is a thread in here I started from the year before last, but they didn't pay off my car when I traded it in and then dodged my calls and lied to me.I had to start a BBB complaint as well as leave multiple negative google reviews to get my issue taken care. Starting a case with Autonation corporate did nothing.

AggieMPH2005 said:

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Autonation is trash, generally speaking.

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based on my experience in 2015 with them I agree.

However, I just bought an expedition for the wife from there and it was relatively easy and straightforward. Maybe they have changed at the Katy dealership?

Dealerships are only as good as their store GM, even at mega groups like autonation and Penske. I work for one of the largest and the experience varies by store; some I will send my mother into buying from, some i pretend don't exist.

Met with Randy today. He was helpful but said they wouldn't even be able to get it in to look at it until mid next week. I guess making an appointment to get the vehicle serviced only gets you put in the back of the line. Kind of frustrating....The vehicle is my dd so I told him no thanks, will check out the other recommended shop monday.

fire09 said:

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Met with Randy today. He was helpful but said they wouldn't even be able to get it in to look at it until mid next week. I guess making an appointment to get the vehicle serviced only gets you put in the back of the line. Kind of frustrating....The vehicle is my dd so I told him no thanks, will check out the other recommended shop monday.

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I find it difficult to pay dealership repair prices when there are many independent shops that do great work at half the price. Find one in your area if you continue to drive a vehicle out of warranty. That's my opinion

I've used Corliss on a previous vehicle. Had a very positive experience. It's been a couple of years since I've used them, but I know several folks who have used them and it's all been pretty good.

I use Auto Check on S Mason Rd for stuff i cant do myself. Prices have been reasonable, and they`ve thrown in some small freebies in the past as a repeat customer. I tell them what i need, make an appt if they want me to (rare), drop off, get a call about 1hr later with a detailed quote/options, and vehicle is ready by evening.

fire09 said:

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Met with Randy today. He was helpful but said they wouldn't even be able to get it in to look at it until mid next week. I guess making an appointment to get the vehicle serviced only gets you put in the back of the line. Kind of frustrating....The vehicle is my dd so I told him no thanks, will check out the other recommended shop monday.

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Southwest Car Care Center on S. Mason is fantastic. It's family owned, started by the dad and currently ran by his 2 sons.

Thanks for the recs all, we've got an appointment at Corliss next week. Definitely my last time using a dealership after that whole experience.