Chicago Cars Direct

Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
Just wanted to day thanks to Mark and Tom for making my purchase so easy at Chicago Cars. I wrote a reference letter to a prospective client here in Dallas that was potentially buying a car from Chicago Cars and they asked me to pass along my experience to Dealer Rater as well.


In August I went to a couple of my local dealers in Dallas(not naming names) to look for a used BMW 750Li. I looked at 2 different BMW 750Li's at 2 different dealers. The one that I liked best and had the exact options and miles I was looking happened to be at the BMW dealer I bought my 550i from. My salesperson was no longer there so I called and made an appointment and when I got there, the car was filthy and someone had left some garbage in it. The salesperson said they were busy and didn't have time to clean or check it before I got there. (strike 1). The test drive went well and I asked them to appraise my car. The "Used-Car Manager" came out and gave me an insulting Low-Ball offer that was $4,000 less than the other dealer offered.(strike 2) After the manager explaining why my car was valued so low, I said I was tired of the back and worth games and asked them to just give me a final price on the car they were selling and the trade-in value for my car. The numbers didn't change until I said I had to think about it and proceeded to leave. The salesperson said I'll give you another $500 for your trade-in. I said I thought you guys gave me your best price and I was getting the best deal? Again, I said I had to think about it because they were still $3500 less than I was already getting for my trade-in. As I was walking out the manager came out as I was getting into my car and said they have a better offer.(strike 3) I was very upset at that point and I politely said I told you I didn't want to go back and forth and play any games. I was willing to pay their price and told them what I was getting as a trade-in price from the other dealer and they still didn't get it!

The next day a friend of mine suggested looking online and said he had a good experience when he bought his Toyota. So, I started looking around on Ebay for a similar BMW 750Li and I came across Chicago Cars as well as a few other dealers. I emailed 4 different dealers and received an email and call from mark at Chicago Cars within 30 minutes. (2 of the dealers didn't respond and the other one contacted me a day later) Mark sent me an email and asked if I wanted a copy of the service history and carfax report? I replied yes and it was in my inbox almost instantly and I received a call from Tom about 20 minutes later. Tom was very knowledgeable and was able to answer my questions. He assured me that I wasn't alone and they handle situations like this regularly. I had their 750Li inspected by a local BMW dealer in Illinois and they had my 550i inspected by my local BMW dealer here in Dallas. Both cars passed inspection and I ended up getting what I wanted for my trade-in and saved an additional $3,500 on the 750Li over my local dealers price. I took care of the paperwork and sent them their money, I shipped them my 550i and they shipped me my beautiful BMW 750Li. Best of all I felt like I was treated fairly and they weren't trying to waste my time playing those stupid dealer games! People like me are busy and don't have a lot of time to waste. This was a first me; never thought about buying a car I didn't see or test-drive first.

Funny thing, a couple of days ago I was getting an oil change at the BMW dealer and the manager saw me with my new 750Li and apologized for not being able to sell me a car and asked what I paid for it and where I got it? He didn't believe me when I told him and asked if I would try them again on my next one? Yeah, right!

I will be in the market for an SUV for my wife in 6 months and will contact Chicago Cars to see if they have one or can find one for me. Thanks again, James

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
After reading the other reviews for Chicago Cars Direct, I have to wonder if the employees themselves are writing them.

I purchased a Mercedes SL55 from them in May 2009.

I am still trying to figure out how 11 cigarette burns, two front fenders from another car (verified both front fenders are from a SL600 by Mercedes dealership), front end damage from a collision, substandard paintwork, and a bent rim that was described as "purely cosmetic" could have been described by Chicago Cars Direct as " very well cared for"

I have now learned that the odometer accuracy is in question. The interior of the car had so much wear and tear, I really questioned how this car could only have 31,000 miles on it. I now have my answer.

BE VERY, VERY, CAREFUL with viewing the pictures on Chicago Cars Direct site and ebay, as my vehicle looked stunning.

It is true, a picture says 1000 words, it's the 5 or 6 it doesn't say.

Casey

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
Everyone at Chicago Cars Direct was very responsive and helpful. I purchased a car "long distance" from Ohio. Never saw the car until it rolled off the transporter. CCC arranged everything for me, including the pre-purchase inspection. Excellent price, excellent car. The entire process was smooth and painless. It is a pleasure to do business with honest car enthusiasts.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
I just purchased a car from Chicago Cars Direct, a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, and I have to say as a business owner, their casual, laid-back, and no-pressure attitude had me reconsidering my own business models.
I contacted the dealer, knowing nothing about them. I spoke with Chris, who I assumed was a salesperson. He kindly let me know that they don't keep a sales staff, but price their cars to sell so that they can keep overhead low. So here I am, first phone call, dealing with management. Impressive.
I called, stopped in on the same day, took a 5 min look at the truck and bought it, without even test driving. From their squeaky clean warehouse, to their knowledge of their inventory, I can't imagine there is a more professional team to deal with. I had to stop at my local Hummer dealer (who had a NEW 08 model with my name on it) to let them know that our relationship had likely come to an end, as all of my dealings with them paled in comparison to the phenomenal service I've had with Chicago Cars Direct.
I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone, and as a demanding business owner, I know what it takes to have great people and internal cohesion. Not sure what their secret is, but they've got it down.
GREAT JOB GUYS!
Joe Perry

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
I have been looking for my dream car for some time now. I had my local porsche dealer looking for a seal gray 996 for over a year. They kept telling me that it would take $40K to buy my dream car, and that was if they could find it. They had appraised my 993 a number of times, but still with no car for trade.
I was poking around the internet and found the car I wanted. I told the local porsche store here in Ohio that I found the car. They told me it was damaged previously and no way could it be that cheap. I called them direct, talked to Chris, who not only put my mind at ease, he explained how they could even get this car and price it so cheaply. He agreed to have a local Porsche facility inspect it, arranged the inspection on his own time, and the place (Midwest Eurosport in Bensenville) told me good things about other Porsches they had seen from the same place.
They inspected it, and it came out with flying colors. At that point I was sold. Just to add to my confidence, they simultaneously posted a 12 minute demonstration of the car on YouTube to illustrate that the car was virtually perfect, and my jaw just dropped.
I was planning to pick it up, but due to midwest weather in the winter, it made timing difficult. I had them ship it, and they had it to me in less than 24 hours. When the car arrived, my expectations were high, and the car was nicer than I anticipated! It was truly perfect!
Thanks Chris, Mark, Earl and the whole team! I have to be the MOST satisfied customer....I've owned a number of Porsches, some bought new, and this was the best experience ever! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Chris, the pictures are coming!

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Chicago Cars Direct:
My husband and I came from indiana to look at an escalade at a dealer by them, Lucky motors. At lucky, they were not taking us seriously after driving over two hours to look at a 2004 Escalade with 28,000 miles. The car wasnt what they said it was. It had damege an was not even clean. They wouldn't give our car keys back when we wanted to leave. Chicago Cars had a Escalade we saw on the web and since we were there we went to look. They were nice, listened to us and let us drive the truck. Their caddy had almost twice the miles but was much nicer. It even smelld new. The numbers were good and we made a deal on the spot. It took us less than a half hour. The guys at Chicago Cars should feel lucky because we know how bad it could be because of their neighbors and they had everything to gain. We love the truck.

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