Anyone have experience with these used dealerships in Richmond?
 

I'm looking to purchase a car from either LP Auto or Autohaus in Richmond, just wondering if anyoe could share their overall experience with their customer service or vehicle quality?

For instance, do they sell sketchy vehicles that need alot of repairs asap but they just try to fix things temporarily till you buy it? Also do people do a used vehicle inspection at your own mechanic when purchasing a used vehicle from dealerships? Thanks

When my friends ex bought a c350 from LP Auto a couple years back, the beams of the headlights were different by a major scale. The left light was shining like 1 cm from the headlight and the right side was normal. When they bought it, the sales told them that the car was never in a frontal accident.

Yeah, I don't have any personal experience, but with my friends over the years who've worked at autowest right next door always say they are shady. Though that's like 3rd hand hearsay so take it with a grain of salt. Shame because they always have a really cool inventory of vehicles

Ive heard sketchy things about Autohaus too, I think they mainly do business with the mainland chinese over at that carwash place on garden city and alderbridge. Seems like alot of their inventory is from there

I test drove a GTI from LP Auto once. From what I know, they import from the US a lot back a few years ago when it was really worth doing it (don't know about now). They've been around for a while so I don't know if that's any indication. That and you better like white cars, it seems like 80% of their inventory are white!

A few colleagues and friends purchased their vehicles from LP Auto a number of years ago. This was when the dollar was on par with the US and LP Auto had cream-of-the-crop vehicles coming in. Most of the prices beat out Caandian dealers and the cars were in tip top condition.

I don't know what they're like anymore. If it means anything, everyone I know that bought from them still have their cars and have done nothing but basic maintenance with zero issues. Mind you, three out of the five vehicles were Lexus. The other two were BMWs.

a friend test drove a x5 from Autohaus, soon as he returns the lot, the engine light came on. Sales told him it was normal, its probably O2 sensor. I seriously doubt it. Shady place indeed. I would invest in Certified pre own if u are looking into luxury brand.

Went with my brother in law to test drive a X6 they had. The inventory is parked in such fashion that it would take 40 minutes to take a car out. All the cars are blocking each other. Its an absolute shit show. We couldn't even open the trunk or the rear doors, thats how tight it was parked. When we asked we wanted to take it out for a drive the guy insisted we write up a deal first so that its not a waste of his time. We basically told him to fuck off and left went next door to AutoWest.

Thanks eveyrone for their input. Looks like i'll be staying away from Autohaus for sure, Ill give LP auto a try and see how it goes.

Do dealerships (big or small) usually let you bring the car to your own specialist to get it inspected prior to writing up a offer?

Probably not PRIOR to writing up an offer.

You guys and acquaintances are really bad at buying used cars. It is like buying a home, bring along a home inspector. You can do it with at least some proper tools! instead of listening to sales drones BS you.

Engine light can be just a loose oil cap. Headlights high could be just a misalignment after a light bulb replacement (you do know they can be adjusted with just a hex key right?). There are are a lot of plausible explanations. Your conclusions sounds like you dont' know much about cars to start off with, and freak out at the smallest things, sounds like you should stick with manufacturers' dealerships. Need time to move the car out of the lot!? Even better!!!! that means you can do some basic inspection on your own while they screw around playing Tetris at their lot.

You need to equip yourself with a few things if you want "bargains"
1. Time to go over the car
2. Paint thickness gauge. If one part of the paint is thicker than others (roof is a good baseline) you know what's up.
3. A OBD scanner that have memory function so you can review the results after you have left the lot.
4. Knowledge of what to look for in a particular model you are looking eg late model BMW you can retrieve history via OBD etc. Make sure you do know the key combo for the easter egg.