J H Barkau & Sons Cedarville

Without any regrets, I purchased a lovely pre-owned 2016 Toyota Highlander (with just one owner) within 2 days from Tim Border at JHBarkau in Cedarville. I found out why their excellent customer service & Toyota Highlander (with just one owner) within 2 days from Tim Border at JHBarkau in Cedarville. I found out why their excellent customer service & reputation has earned them the awards of the 2023 & 2024 Illinois used car dealer of the year. On a Tuesday in January, I learned that my ‘08 Toyota 4Runner with over 465k miles needed 4 catalytic converters (probably due to the required CA higher air quality emissions). Early early Wednesday morning, I found a pre-owned 2016 Highlander very well-documented on JHBarkau website. I texted my interest & received a reassuring confirmation text they were currently closed but would be in contact shortly. So at 8 am, I called Cedarville to schedule a test drive appointment that evening on a 2010 Toyota RAV4. I also inquired if the 2016 Highlander with 125k miles at their Freeport location was still available. Tim Border was unsure about that but would return my call after some research. A bit anxious, I called Freeport to discover from Joe Baker that the Highlander was still in play. I wanted to place a deposit to hold it right then, but he wouldn’t allow that since I hadn’t completed the test drive yet. (We’re a Toyota Only kinda family. When purchasing a 2nd used 2002 4Runner pre-internet, it took several Saturdays of driving with a toddler in tow to a remote location just to find it already sold that same morning.) Later Wed morning, I received a text & an email from Tim that he could have both the Highlander & RAV4 available to test drive that night in Cedarville. { I thought Sweet! Convenient for me, but that was Barkau on Barkau crime taking a possible sale from Freeport. However, since I did make first contact with Tim, he is my salesperson. } I test drove both & the 2016 Highlander sold itself with its smooth ride and the fancy leather heated seats. The 2010 RAV4 was the car size I needed, but had no USB port to charge my cell phone. That night, Tim gave me initial loan details. Thursday morn, I texted him to confirm if I could pick up the Highlander that night. Tim sent a text with those 3 magical Army Ranger School words: “It’s a Go!” After 4 long days of car-induced stress, I drove her off the lot in 2 days, after Tim explained all of the features and buttons on the console & steering wheel. Tim noted that the tire pressure sensor light had appeared & if it remained on then it may need service. He became the go-between noting that Service appointment times are held open on Saturday mornings just in case. The sensors were replaced at no cost that morning with Tim’s approval. {FFR It will be extremely convenient to drop the SUV off for an oil change and receive a loaner car to get to work.} The used Toyota Highlander is in immaculate condition, practically brand-spanking new. On the exterior, no dings, scratches, or rust. New tires, rims & even the little valve stem caps. On the interior, super clean carpet (since it’s still winter) & detailer’s plastic wrap adhered at the front 2 passengers carpet. I could only find a slight color distortion oval on the driver’s side door where the driver placed their left elbow. No retractable cargo cover, but I easily found one on eBay. After much effort, I was unable to pull my previous car stereo from the ‘08 4Runner to replace the original ’16 car stereo. {I’m just glad that they took my trade-in to avoid the hassle, time & effort of a tow to the big junkyard in the sky.} But the original car stereo is such a small issue compared to the high quality of Toyota SUV purchased in 2 days and the 5-star customer service to be provided by Tim Border and his team at JHBarkau in Cedarville. More

Great experience at JH Barkau. Never felt pressured, very straightforward. Made the car buying process easy! And great follow up service too! Never felt pressured, very straightforward. Made the car buying process easy! And great follow up service too! More

Joe was very helpful and nice to work with very knowledgeable enjoyed working with Joe thank you knowledgeable enjoyed working with Joe thank you More

This is our second purchase from barkau, and we highly recommend! Willing to work with you & your budget when requested. We are happy to support a good local business. recommend! Willing to work with you & your budget when requested. We are happy to support a good local business. More

Thank you Tim for all of your help and making it a quick and easy process! and easy process! More

This is my 3rd car purchase from J H Barkau, 2nd dealing with Tim Border and I couldn't be happier! Tim has made the process so unbelievably easy! Great guy!!! I will most definitely purchase from him and J with Tim Border and I couldn't be happier! Tim has made the process so unbelievably easy! Great guy!!! I will most definitely purchase from him and J H Barkau again! More

They are great to work with. Nils has sold us 2 trucks in the last six months. Nils and Rick work hard to make a sale that you are looking for. To say the least, they listen, are Nils has sold us 2 trucks in the last six months. Nils and Rick work hard to make a sale that you are looking for. To say the least, they listen, are courteous and make you feel WELCOMED and they are there to service you. More

Joe went above and beyond to assist me in finding a pickup truck and the ambulance that J H Barkau had in inventory. From the moment I stepped into J H BARKAU Car Dealership, I knew I was in for a spec pickup truck and the ambulance that J H Barkau had in inventory. From the moment I stepped into J H BARKAU Car Dealership, I knew I was in for a special experience. The entire process, from browsing to purchasing my specialty vehicles, was seamless and enjoyable, thanks to their outstanding team and customer-focused approach. Welcoming Atmosphere: As soon as I walked through the doors, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere. The showroom was impeccably organized, showcasing a wide variety of vehicles that catered to every need and preference. The layout made it easy to explore, and I immediately felt comfortable. Knowledgeable Staff: I was fortunate to work with Joe, one of the sales representatives, who was incredibly knowledgeable about the vehicles on the lot. He took the time to understand my needs and preferences, providing recommendations without any pressure. Joe was patient, answering all my questions and ensuring I had all the information I needed to make an informed decision. Test Drive Experience: The test drive was another highlight of my visit. Joe encouraged me to take my time and truly experience the vehicles. He provided insights on each car’s features, making the process engaging and informative. I appreciated the relaxed atmosphere, which allowed me to envision myself behind the wheel without feeling rushed. Transparent Pricing: When it came time to discuss pricing, I was pleasantly surprised by the transparency of the dealership. There were no hidden fees or surprises. The finance team walked me through various options, making it easy to understand the terms and find a plan that fit my budget perfectly. Customer-Centric Approach: What impressed me the most was the dealership’s commitment to customer satisfaction. After finalizing the purchase, they went above and beyond to ensure I was happy with my choice. They provided helpful tips on the car's features and even scheduled a follow-up call to check in on my experience. Post-Purchase Support: The service didn’t stop once I drove off the lot, which is a fantastic perk. Additionally, I received a personalized thank-you note from Joe, which truly reflected the dealership's dedication to creating lasting relationships with their customers. In conclusion, my experience at J H BARKAU Car Dealership was nothing short of exceptional. From the welcoming environment to the knowledgeable and caring staff, every aspect was handled with professionalism and genuine care. I left with not just a new car, but a sense of satisfaction and trust in a dealership that truly values its customers. I highly recommend J H Barkau Car Dealership to anyone in the market for a vehicle! More

Nils was great. Tried one vehicle wasn't sure. He found out what was important to us and directed us to the van. Love it. Tried one vehicle wasn't sure. He found out what was important to us and directed us to the van. Love it. More

Nils was amazing and very knowledgeable! Very polite and helpful! He is the very best! Very polite and helpful! He is the very best! More