Stohlman Automotive

My experience purchasing a new VW Jetta Sportwagen from Stohlman was excellent. The one thing I can not stand when shopping for cars is disohonesty and traditional stereotypical games. At the first whiff Stohlman was excellent. The one thing I can not stand when shopping for cars is disohonesty and traditional stereotypical games. At the first whiff of the xx I move on to another dealer, which is how we ended up at Stohlman. None of the nonsense was present when we purchased through Hoang at Stohlman. He was honest about the pricing and what was included and lived up to the deal. No efforts to push overpriced extras from sales through the business manager, Lee. All were very professional. After completing the purchase of the vehicle Hoang took the time to explain all of the little electronic gadgets that cars come with now - setting blue tooth, how to use the SD card slot for music, the alternative corded port for MP3 players, wipers, dsah lights, heating, brakes, sunroof - I am sure I will forget half of what he explained, but it will be a good head start when I go to read through the manual. I just purchased the vehicle so I can not speak to the follow up, but my impression is it will be equally professional. More

I bought my car used, a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer from this dealer. A month later one of the keys stopped working. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer, and in the meantime installed an aftermarket sub-w dealer. A month later one of the keys stopped working. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer, and in the meantime installed an aftermarket sub-woofer and amplifier in the vehicle. When I brought the vehicle in to have the key reprogrammed I was told they couldn't get the car to go into reprogramming mode, and that they needed more time with it. I said OK, I'll have to schedule another time. A few months went by and I didn't think much of it as one key still worked. I got fed up with the stock stereo's reception, and installed a new aftermarket head-unit. A few weeks later my wife started driving my car more often, and the annoyance of having just one key became apparent. So I took the car in again, and arranged to leave it there all day. About half-way through the day I get a call saying "We cant get it to go into programming mode, we told you we needed you to remove the stereo last time you were here or else we cant work on it." This was the first time they had said the stereo was the cause (It makes no sense to me as to why a key won't program due to a stereo). I tried to explain to them that the scar was stock when the key stopped working, and that the head unit want there the last time I brought it in, but I was interrupted repeatedly. I asked to setup a meeting with the factory service rep thinking I would get some relief from the rude dealership service manager. Boy was I wrong. After 3 weeks of waiting, I finally met with the factory service rep, the dealership shop manager, and the technician who couldn't get the car to program the key. Once again he tried, and once again the car wouldn't program. He also tried to program a new key, and that didn't work either. The tech pointed at the head-unti, and said "It's the xxxx stereo causing the issue", to which I responded "Really? Because that wasn't there the first time it came in." The tech responded "I'm not going to argue with you." I of course pushed the issue, asking "Was the stereo installed the first time I brought it in for this issue?", again the tech refused to answer by simply ignoring me. So I turn to the factory rep and say "See, he won't answer because he knows it wasn't." At that, the dealership shop manager told me "After your done talking with the Mitsubishi Rep, I want you to take your car, get off my property, and not come back. We will not work on your car any more." I was completely taken aback, to be told to leave because they couldn't fix the car and we lying about the issue. When I asked why I was being told to leave I was told it was "because you called my tech a liar." The rep, of course being buddy buddy with the manager told me I would need to have the entire stereo removed, the original put back in, and then take it to a shop 30 miles away. He also felt the need to add "And if that shop thinks the stereo could have caused damage to any part of the car, your warranty will be void and you will have to pay for the repairs yourself." So here I am, unable to get my car serviced without removing the stereo first, and even then, having to go to a shop 30 miles away, all because Stohlman Mitsubishi, and Mitsubishi in general, refuses to honor the warranty on the vehicles they sell. And if you call them out on their shady practices, you will be banned from the dealership... but I bet if I go in there and tell them I want to buy a new car, all of a sudden I will be a "valued customer" again.... or at least until that car breaks. More

I'm sure anyone who is looking for a car that has visited a reputable dealership called to ask how your visit was. I bought a used 2002 Highlander and never received as much as a courtesy call, thanks for a reputable dealership called to ask how your visit was. I bought a used 2002 Highlander and never received as much as a courtesy call, thanks for your business NOTHING. Now I now why....the engine is burning so much oil I have to put a quart in every 1000 miles. The put new brakes on but were too cheap to cut the rotors so when I apply the brakes it vibrates. They will tell you how they are the #1 dealership....#1 for what RIPPING PEOPLE OFF of their hard earned money????? More

Over 300 hundred dollars just to tell me there is a problem in the transmission when AAMCO provides the same advice for free...do I need say more? Never returned a phone call until I requested they st problem in the transmission when AAMCO provides the same advice for free...do I need say more? Never returned a phone call until I requested they stop work then wonder of wonders the work was complete please pay up. These guys are a consumer night mare and really need to be investigated! More

I purchased a 2008 VW Jetta here in spring of 2008. I chose to purchase my vehicle here when the salespeople were much more helpful, friendly and sufficiently attentive (not too much pressure but ready t chose to purchase my vehicle here when the salespeople were much more helpful, friendly and sufficiently attentive (not too much pressure but ready to discuss options and pricing when asked) than other dealerships I looked at the DC area, particularly Congressional Mazda/VW in Rockville (disliked). The sales staff at the time of purchase were good, working as expediently as possible for a new car purchase. I take my car here for all my servicing needs. When I had a problem with the paint on my Jetta staining too easily from tiny drops of gas near the gas tank (it was the first year that specific shade white was mixed and used) the service director was extremely helpful in getting the small spots eliminated. The service staff typically remember me when I come in, including the service director, which is impressive. In my experience, the servicing has always run on time, and they typically finish earlier than the estimated time. The one time a small mistake was made (radio being put into the car hadn't been checked when mailed to Stohlman from the parts place), the VW service employee on duty (Bobby S.) kept me posted and was very apologetic about the delay and error, which actually wasn't even his dealership's fault. I would recommend this dealership to friends or family buying or servicing a Volkswagen. More

Purchased a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero on a Sunday, trading in my car. The inspection sticker was almost expired but the salesman told me to go ahead and bring it in during the week and they would fix it sinc in my car. The inspection sticker was almost expired but the salesman told me to go ahead and bring it in during the week and they would fix it since they couldn't sell a car without a valid inspection. I came in on Thursday after work only to be told that the service department didn't take cars after 3:00pm. I was told to come back on Saturday. At that time, I told them that the payoff for my trade-in turned out to be about $350 less than what we had agreed. I was told no problem I would get a check for the difference. I came back on Saturday and was then hassled by the service department (Lour Delgrada) for coming in without an appointment. He was very rude and disrespectful. I didn't get my car back until the next day. It did have a new inspection sticker on it. After a month, I still hadn't received the check for the money I was owed. I called the salesman and was told they were looking into it. After two months, I called again and was told that the payment was delayed since the registration process hadn't been completed. Seems the car needed an emissions test. Why it wasn't done when the inspection was done, I have no idea. I arranged to bring in the car on Saturday. Again, ran into Lou. Same rudeness, same disrespect. This time, I didn't get my car back for several days. I had to call the service manager to resolve this. I finally got my car back, with the emissions done. The same day, I received a check in the mail, along with a note that Stohlman Mitsubishi didn't register my car since I had failed to get the emissions testing done on my car. And when exactly was I going to be told I needed one to complete my registration?? More

The worst car buying experience I've ever had! It started with the usual searching and comparing vehicles and dealerships. It culminated in getting the "out the door" price (confirmed several times) started with the usual searching and comparing vehicles and dealerships. It culminated in getting the "out the door" price (confirmed several times) between two different manufacturers and choosing, what we thought was, the better value for the money. The car was ordered and several weeks later when we went to pick up the car, we were informed that the price wasn’t really the “out the door” price, but rather a “sale” price which meant that another nearly $1400 had to be paid! While we negotiated the price down (split the difference) and then further to include a maintenance service, the sales representative was eager to get me out of there as this car is selling very fast and someone behind me was likely to pay the full price. Bottom line is that there was no integrity on the part of the sales representative and his immediate manager could have cared less as well. I had to go to the General Manager to further the negotiations and get the car. To be clear, the bait and switch tactics applied have no place in American business in 2010 (if ever). The purchasing process was terrible and ruined what was meant to be an exciting event. I’m glad to see that services such as this (Dealerrater) are available to warn others of this practice still being used by some in selling cars. More

I recently put a deposit on a 2008 VW R32. My initial deposit was $500 but I was pressed to increase my deposit to $1000 to show good faith. The car was described as being in perfect condition with the deposit was $500 but I was pressed to increase my deposit to $1000 to show good faith. The car was described as being in perfect condition with the exception of a hardly noticeable scratch on the rear passenger side fender well. I took a day off work, traveled more than 300 miles to pick up this car and, 5.5 hours later, finally arrived at Stohlman VW. The car was in much worse condition than described. It had significant paint damage. There were spots where an unskilled hand had burned through the paint with a buffer, deep buffer-induced swirl marks all over the car, acid spots (most likely from bird droppings, or tree sap) on the hood, scratches all over, and a dent, on the roof from a roof rack, 4-6 deep scratches on the front driver's side bumper, and significant curb rash on the wheels. Far more than what was described to me as a barely noticeable scratch on fender. Needless to say, I left without the car and with the promise that my $1000 deposit would be refunded. This was April 1st. It is now April 13th and I've yet to receive my deposit refund. When I agreed to put a deposit on the car it was described as "fully refundable". These guys are the epitome of sleazy used car dealers. My advice is to stay as far away as possible. Look elsewhere for your next vehicle. More

Very cooperative,friendly and the best guys I've seen. Very cooperative,friendly and the best guys I've seen. They helped us search for cars from different locations even though they were not having in st Very cooperative,friendly and the best guys I've seen. They helped us search for cars from different locations even though they were not having in stock the car we wanted and showed us differnt models and interior of cars patiently.I recommned to see Deiter Connrad in sales dept. More

I bought a Used car from this delaership, guess What?? the car went wrong after 4 days, the transmission failed, the brakes needed to be replaced, fron rotors needed to be replaced as well, engine mount n the car went wrong after 4 days, the transmission failed, the brakes needed to be replaced, fron rotors needed to be replaced as well, engine mount needs replacement, coolant hoses, Idle control valve failure, After having the problem, i got it checked bya honda dealer, and they estimated $ 8,500 of work to be done. Thank god they put me on a 90 day warranty, but the warranty denied the claim because they said they were pre-existing condition, so they would not cover it, since this was a delaer warranty i had to step on ther toes to get this repairs done.I called them , brought the car in, they said they didn't know what was gonna happen, finally, they probably lied to the warranty company saying that the vehicle was fine at time of sale. Finally after the warranty company approved the claim, they "said" they repaired the transmission, but guess what, no receipt at all for the work, this is incredible, the warranty company paid them and they don't give me any receipt for what they were supposed to do. So Stay away from this dealership, if a knew before they were a ripoff, i would promised myself not to come to this dealer. And I already did promise myself not to come back to this dealership, they have lack of service, they don't care about anything once you've come out of their lot. STAY AWAY FOR REAL YOU ARE GONNA BELIEVE ME IF YOU COME TO THIS DEALER AND BUY CARS OR GET SERVICE FROM THEM. More