Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside

Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
Worst experience ever. Went to look at a 2002 beetle. Liked it, was assured it was in good condition. During negotiations, was asked over and over how much I could pay a month, and could not get a straight answer on the price of the car. I also said I would need an extra key for the car since it only came with one, was told OK, but then after the signed contract, told that I had to pay $250 for the key. Did not get a fair price for my trade-in, not even sure if they applied a credit towards the car. They made the whole process extremely confusing and upsetting. Also was talked into the "preferred plan" so that I could get free carwashes, which I think they're supposed to give you anyways. Realized this was a total rip off and canceled, but it took 4 months for them to cancel it of which I had to pay for the service all 4 months. Also, tried to take it in for my "free" carwash during the plan, and it was either too crowded, or closed, never did get one car wash there. Now the car itself. As soon as it got warmer, found the AC didn't work. Took to my mechanic (don't trust VW at all!) found out that the alternator had to be replaced. $1300. Car was pulling to the right, took it it for that, had to get new brakes, rotors, tires, and tire balance. $1200. Window broke, turbo "fin" that pops out of roof is iffy at best, arm rest broke. Also, once it got warmer noticed water on drivers side floor. Turned out that the drain connecting to the sunroof was disconnected, so the water was just spilling into my ceiling, through the door, and onto (into) the floor. The moldy smell is starting to go away now. So yes I am an idiot, it was my first used car buying experience, but these people will take you for all you're worth.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
Worst experience ever. Went to look at a 2002 beetle. Liked it, was assured it was in good condition. During negotiations, was asked over and over how much I could pay a month, and could not get a straight answer on the price of the car. I also said I would need an extra key for the car since it only came with one, was told OK, but then after the signed contract, told that I had to pay $250 for the key. Did not get a fair price for my trade-in, not even sure if they applied a credit towards the car. They made the whole process extremely confusing and upsetting. Also was talked into the "preferred plan" so that I could get free carwashes, which I think they're supposed to give you anyways. Realized this was a total rip off and canceled, but it took 4 months for them to cancel it of which I had to pay for the service all 4 months. Also, tried to take it in for my "free" carwash during the plan, and it was either too crowded, or closed, never did get one car wash there. Now the car itself. As soon as it got warmer, found the AC didn't work. Took to my mechanic (don't trust VW at all!) found out that the alternator had to be replaced. $1300. Car was pulling to the right, took it it for that, had to get new brakes, rotors, tires, and tire balance. $1200. Window broke, turbo "fin" that pops out of roof is iffy at best, arm rest broke. Also, once it got warmer noticed water on drivers side floor. Turned out that the drain connecting to the sunroof was disconnected, so the water was just spilling into my ceiling, through the door, and onto (into) the floor. The moldy smell is starting to go away now. So yes I am an idiot, it was my first used car buying experience, but these people will take you for all you're worth.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
I had called the service dept. to asked why my check engine light was on again, after I just had fixed this problem no more than a week ago. The person on the phone said it can be many things. He ask if I can bring the vehicle in to have it check for no charge to find out what's the problem. After we have brought our vehicle in and they had finish examining it. They said now it's going to cost another $850+ tax to fix the problem. We told them it was too expensive right now and that we would think about it. They said it was ok but we had to pay a diagnostic fee of $128 in order to take our car home. We were furious, they totally went back on their words. I spoke to the GM, he listed to my story but did nothing just had the service director called me. Now of course the service director was trying to make excuse for his service dept. and trying to cover up their mistake. But one thing that he isn't doing is trying to understand what went wrong and how can he correct it for the future. We have been loyal customers for about 5 years now and every time I come in they find something wrong with my car. I of course fix what ever they tell me. This is unacceptable how they treat me as their customers. I was looking to buy another vehicle from them, because of this situation they have lost me as a customer. I will not recommend this dealership to anyone I know.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
My husband & I first went to Autobarn Countryside few years ago.
We were young but we were ready to own a NICE car.
Both of us are passionate about cars, esp. those with manual transmissions. We went to Audi and BMW. We were treated poorly. We left.
Then, we went to countryside after my husband did some research on the dealer reputation. We were treated sooo nicely. They respected us and we felt that they cared about us as people and clients.
We spent quite long hours there, working with the salesman (who is no longer working there now)and the other decision makers. After they got the sense that we were serious buyers, Richard Kirkpatrick let us take the VW Passat V6-4 motion home with us for the wknd to help us confirm our decision. The rest was history.
A year later, we traded it in with VW Passat W8 from Richard. We loved our W8 so much. Unfortunately, it gave us lots of issues. But, Richard and his team were once again, took care of us. Then, we decided to trade-in the W8 with VW GLI from Richard. A year later, we traded-in the GLI with used Audi TT from Richard. Then we wanted to try Audi so a year later, we bought Audi A4 3.2 from other dealer. We were happy with the Audi too but when VW R32 came out, we were torn as which one to keep - we only need one car.So, in 2008, we purchased VW R32 from of course, Richard!! Firas "Russ" sold us the GLI and the R32; he was sooooo patient with both of us!!!
We love the car, we love the dealer, we love the service, the GM, Firas "Russ" Alqahet and the rest of the autobarn countryside' staff.

Other dealers should learn from Autobarn Countryside. Friendliness is not enough to sell us cars. Respects, trusts, cooperations are what Richard and his team showed us all these years and therefore we bought 5 cars from them.

Dewi and Andy
Chicago, IL

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
This is exactly what a service experience should look like! Fast, efficent, very communicative. I knew what was happening, what the cost would be, and if things changed they kept me informed every step of the way. Way to go Autobarn! I will be a customer for life.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
Went in to look around. Spoke with Saleperson Les Brewer. They put me into a new Passat wagon for 2.5k under list out the door. Paid off my other vechicle with money to spare and paperwork was fast and easy. My time was respected, I was respected, and I would highly recommend purchasing from them.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
When I went to the Autobarn - they made it simple for me. I knew I wanted to look at the Titan and I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to pay. No games - they kept it easy and honest. I felt like they actually wanted my business. They have kept to their promise. When the truck has a problem - needs service - they will do everything in their power to make it simple for me. They have built a rapport with me. One that makes it easy to go in and talk about what is going on with my truck. I must come across as being a tough client because they all start running around when I come in. Thanks guys for keeping me on the road.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
My experience occurred in June of 2006 when I traded my 2002 VW GTI for a 2004 Jetta Wagon. The problems I experienced did not occur until two months after owning the vehicle. Since I still had 12 payments on the GTI, Autobarn called the financier and requested a payoff balance in which they would have a limited time to pay that balance off. They did not do this. Because one month AFTER making the trade, I received a phone call and a letter from the financier of the GTI telling me the vehicle has NOT yet been paid off. I call Autobarn and ask what's going on and I was told they were working on it. August 06 rolls in and another letter arrives from the GTI financier... GTI loan still not paid off.

Within the same week of the letter from the GTI financier, I get a call from the Jetta financier and this man tells me that my credit application is fraudulent?!? That's another story in itself...but to make this short... I found out that Autobarn added some extra references and altered some information on my credit application as to obtain the loan faster. Real cute huh? (BTW... I would NEVER provide false info on any financial document)

I was quite livid and called Autobarn. I told Richard Kirkpatrick, the GM what happened there and that I obtained copies of the necessary documents from the Jetta financier and I will be submitting these documents along with a complaint to the FTC and the Illinois States Attorney General. When I told him I would be submitting names, dates and times he got hot and was not very pleasant to talk to. I also brought up the payoff situation and he told me the I owe Autobarn $620 which was the difference of the payoff balance and the time it was paid. This guy has the sand to tell me this... when I just told him his people submitted a fraudulent application? I told him there's no way they were going to get anything from me. He tells me that I'm threatening him with legalities and since I owe them this $620, I'm in no position to threaten him and they're gonna call a collection agency. There were other bullcr*p excuses that Mr. Kirkpatrick gave me. It took a long time to straighten this out. Before Autobarn, I have NEVER been screwed by a dealership ever and I've dealt with several without problems. I will never do business with them and I tell everyone I know NEVER to go there.

I suggest if this has happened to anyone, save ALL documents and report it to the proper authorities. Send EVERYTHING certified mail.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
This was the worst experience I've ever had. Me & my wife went there for a 2006 BMW 525xi. The car was listed for $29,000. after the test drive I made my offer for $27,300 and after the SP, Robbie, spoke to his manager they came back with $30,200. I was confused why they went up on the price they said they added the shipping charge they paid on the car. But a Carfax says the car came from a Michigan Auction. Anyways I countered at $27,500 Final, then they went back down to the original asking of $29,000. So as I was leaving, the SP told me that the Used Car Sales Manager Vic Jalili wanted to thank me for coming down to their dealership. Vic met me on the main sales floor and started to YELL at me in front of all his sales people. He showed me a piece of paper saying he payed $28300 in the auction and why should he go lower than that. So I said its fine he did what he had to do and that I will just look for another car. Then he yelled out fine he'll take out $1000 off the asking price. I said no and he continued to yell at me. This guy was a total husler. Me & my wife walked out to my car. GM Vic followed me to my car and continued to harrass me to take the car. I said no while keeping my cool then he told me to leave his parking lot and called me a scum bag in front of other people. Oh my God I could not believe what just happened and how unprofesional this guy was.

At one moment while I was waiting before all this happened, I spoke to another couple that wanted to buy a car. They said out of excelent credit, the dealership was giving them a 10% APR financing and they started to leave.

Don't buy from this dealership. They'll tell you that they are a High Volume Dealership and that they move cars all the time. The BMW I was interested on has been ther for 5 weeks according to the Carfax. From now on I will just buy from a by owner or from an actual BMW, Benz, Infiniti dealer where they treat you like gold.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside:
Bought a 2004 VW Toureg with 29K miles from the oh-so-friendly sales person who assured me that it was in perfect running order, got "great gas milage" and just needed some new brake pads. Paid a total of $27 grand for it.

Gas milage is less than 15mph... brake "pads" are actually all new rotors, sensors and pads (total $1,300), also needed new tires and among other things, the CD doesn't work and something goes wrong every other day. My old ford truck with 90K on it ran better.

I was an idiot. DON'T BE AN IDIOT LIKE ME!!! Avoid this place like the plague. Once you walk in the door they are on you like flies to dog poop which is how they think of their customers. A total nightmare! Very sad.

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