North Shore Mazda

Purchased a 2005 Mazda 3. Went in prepared with invoice information from Consumer Reports and had done my research at other dealerships so I knew roughly what I should be paying and what I was looking for. information from Consumer Reports and had done my research at other dealerships so I knew roughly what I should be paying and what I was looking for. I kind of lucked out in the buying process b/c I was helped by a salesman who had only been there a few weeks (he was gone 2 months after I bought the car fyi) and I pumped him for far more information than he was going to get out of me, so I had the upper hand. Pretty much every dealer operates the same way: the salesman test drives you, asks you what you pay per month/what you can afford (never answer this question) and while being friendly with you, gets all the info he needs to go talk to the finance guys. In this case, after my test drive I went back and dealt with the original salesman but when it came time to talk numbers, they brought in a more experienced guy. He saw me with my folder full of research and we haggled back and forth until he brought out the actual invoice for the car and we agreed on a price about $125 over invoice. Being prepared definitely helped. The salesman wasn't shifty with me and I felt like I could trust him, especially since he knew I came in there with all this info I got online. Then the heavy hitter comes in to close the deal and starts juggling the new car price, the trade in, the down payment and the financing all at once to keep you guessing. This guy I didn't enjoy dealing with but he's not there to be your friend so you have to be prepared for him too. No different at IRA - didn't expect it to be any; these dealers have a system that's been in place for a long time now so as long as you're prepared and know how it's gonna go, you can deal pretty effectively with them. In talking with the finance/supervisor, I mention that I've been searching and ready to buy but won't be buying that day as I would sleep on any deal offered to me. He starts complaining and acts tough saying he's not going to hold the car and that's not how they do business, meanwhile I had already given my credit card and put $250 deposit/holding fee which I forfeit if I don't buy the car so I called his bluff and told him I wasn't buying the car that day and that I knew they could keep the $250 deposit if I didn't buy the car so why would I give up that money? I walked out of there with my name on the paper but the financing was still open as they were going to arrange for the financing after I could only find high rates at banks and credit unions. Went back a few days later when I was ready to seal the deal and drive the car home. They got me a decent interest rate. Then I dealt with the manager who had me sign all the docs and then tried to sell me on the extended warranty/protection plan/etc. Passed on all that. They contacted my insurance company and worked all that out and I drove out of there with my new car. Overall the experience was good. But again, I can't stress enough it probably only went that smoothly b/c I did my homework. These guys have to make a living and they're there to sell cars and make money and feed their families, so they aren't there to do you any favors. But I never felt too pressured and almost enjoyed the transaction. I would recommend this dealership to others and I actually did as a friend ended up buying a used car there not too long afterwards. Do your homework and go in prepared and you'll drive out of IRA with the car you want at the right price. More

Brought my car to Ira for regular maintenance as well as warranty work. Regular maintenance performed in a timely fashion and the time estimates have held up (at other dealerships, I've been given 30 min warranty work. Regular maintenance performed in a timely fashion and the time estimates have held up (at other dealerships, I've been given 30 minute time estimates but would turn out 1hr or 1.5hrs). Warranty work was performed without hassle. Everything that I have asked them to check out that I thought wasn't right was actually checked out to my satisfaction. One time I was not convinced and they had a tech come out on a drive with me and explain what was happening. Pricing is OK: good on regular oil changes (something like $25-30 with a coupon), but I didn't like the price quote on mounting and balancing tires ($50 a pop because of the TPMS system). Parts department once gave me a cabin air filter that was the regular air filter, instead of the aldehyde filter that I asked for. I asked them to double-check and the parts guy assured me that this was the aldehyde filter, even though it was half the price. Sure enough, he turned out to be wrong when I checked the filter at home. So overall: happy! More