Cityside Subaru

Everything wrong with the car buying experience today! I'm not usually one to leave reviews on services like this, but in this case, it is worth mentioning. But my experience embodies everything wrong with I'm not usually one to leave reviews on services like this, but in this case, it is worth mentioning. But my experience embodies everything wrong with car buying in today's day and age. Cityside Subaru is the closest Subaru dealer to Boston, so I get why so many people go there. It is really close and pretty easy to get to. I live in Boston, and it was time for a new Subaru, and I figured I would give Cityside the first shot at winning my business. I had researched the exact vehicle, packages, accessories, etc. and knew exactly what I wanted. There was no need for me to explore any other options or other vehicles. The simple task fell to sit down, get a price and see if the service packages, warranties, etc. all lined up. As a matter of fact, I had already requested and received quotes from 5 other dealers in the area, and they were all reasonable, but with 1 clear winner (and by the way, it was not Cityside). Thus, I attempted to see if Cityside could match or even do better than my best quote, since the other dealer was further away, and not as convenient for me to get to. I contacted Cityside, with the exact model and build of car I wanted, with the hopes of seeing if they could compete. I gave them the exact number to compare and tell me if it is possible. This is where the situation goes south. I was simply hoping to get an initial answer of "Yes, we can beat it;" or "Sorry, that doesn't seem to make sense for us; if that other deal is real, you should take it." The answer I received instead was: "That other deal is not real. Come in and we can see what we can do. You should look at our dealerrater score. We're the highest rated dealership in the area." I thought 'OK, sure, I will go there and we can talk about if that can make sense.' I thought it was weird they brought up their reviews at the end, but I was willing to give it a shot. I went in to meet with the sales rep, who seemed well-meaning, by the way. The second I walked in, I felt completely uneasy. It was a busy salesfloor. I didn't know where to go, who to talk to on the salesfloor, and wasn't greeted until a few minutes of waiting awkwardly by one of the cars in the showroom. Then, a guy told me to take a seat at the desk of the sales rep who I was in touch with. Still fine. The sales guy was a very typical sales guy, he talked to me about the build of the car, the details a bit, my trade vehicle, and he took the numbers I was telling him and the keys to my trade, wrote down the numbers, and made me sign and "offer" sheet to show that I would be on board. Then the dreaded "Let me bring all this to my manager to see what we can do." After 15 minutes of sitting and waiting (I suspect the typical 'make 'em sweat' tactic), the sales guy comes back, saying he went to my car and had to write VIN, and that he couldn't find my registration. I gave him the registration. He walks away saying "Let's hope we can do something, but it isn't looking good..." Another 10 minutes later, he comes back, and he says "Can you send me the other dealer's offer?" I had an email from the dealer, took a screenshot, without the dealer's name and forwarded, and the sales guy was not getting the email, even after 4 attempts to forward. By now the sales manager had freed up, walked over, took a seat, and without any introduction and niceties, he immediately asked, "Can you just show me the offer on your phone?" I showed him the screenshot. Unsatisfied, he immediately pushed for "Look, you can either show me the full offer or not." Taken aback, I VERY reluctantly told them the name of the dealership, but didn't want to hand my phone over again. At this point, I felt cornered, outnumbered, uncomfortable. I walked into the lion's den without realizing it. Clearly the sales manager felt very threatened. I said that I didn't feel comfortable with that. I said: "If you don't want to believe me, that's fine. I am not not showing you more stuff on my phone." The manager got up in a huff, said "That's it, then!" He and sales rep started walking away. The sales rep heads outside and sales manager says "We tried to keep you here, since you're local. If the other dealership isn't honest, call us." - and I responded with "Ok, I won't call you, but thank you." This was the worst interaction I've ever had while car shopping. I sort of blame myself for not catching it at the "come in in-person and we'll figure it out," but I didn't think anyone would actually be rude to me in the process. Not sure about anyone else's experience, but speaking from my personal experience, this is the epitome of what is wrong with new car sales and car dealerships in the US. The sales staff is angry, it feels like a pressure cooker environment, the assumption from the sales staff is that a smart consumer is not the one they should be doing business with. The assumption from the sales manager was that I was lying and that the quote was fake and that's all he cared about. Not seeing how I felt, not caring about how his comments made me feel wildly uncomfortable, or how getting up and leaving is the literal last thing any service or sales staff at a dealership should do when it isn't going the exact way they want it to. The result: 1) I went to the other dealership (the one further away), the quote was exactly what we had discussed, I signed the paperwork, and took delivery of the vehicle yesterday 2) I cannot with good conscience recommend this pressured sales experience to anyone, especially if you know exactly what you want already. 3) Once the sales staff knows their charm won't do them any favors, they resort to cornering you, smearing other dealers with invalid information to win your favor, all while having this absurd amount of unfounded self-confidence (they KNOW they're right, and you're wrong). Overall, if you want to be a well-informed consumer: BE AWARE. If you know what you want, I recommend looking around a bit before going to Cityside, even if it is the closest dealership to Boston. More

Don't go anywhere else! I had the best car buying experience at Cityside with Peter Rosenberg. He was extremely helpful and patient & I enjoyed talking with him. I have alr I had the best car buying experience at Cityside with Peter Rosenberg. He was extremely helpful and patient & I enjoyed talking with him. I have already recommended him to friends! Michael Nelson in Finance was also a pleasure to deal with - explained all my options in an easy and straightforward manner. More

Superb service from the outset Initial contact with Darren Shin was outstanding and convinced us that we needed to give CitySide first consideration. Throughout the process, Darren Initial contact with Darren Shin was outstanding and convinced us that we needed to give CitySide first consideration. Throughout the process, Darren was fully responsive and followed up promptly to any questions, even when we showed up unannounced at the dealership. We were told that we would have complete support for questions arising from use of features in our new car, and he continues to provide superb service in this regard. Our overall experience at CitySide has been excellent. We have already recommended CitySide to two different friends who are looking into buying cars. More

Enthusiastic! Love my new Subaru Impreza limited. Best car purchase experience I've ever had. Low key, helpful, informed and all around good people. Can't say eno Love my new Subaru Impreza limited. Best car purchase experience I've ever had. Low key, helpful, informed and all around good people. Can't say enough positive things about Cityside Subaru!! More

Mark Lidano -Best Car Buying Experience in 30 Years Looking for a Subaru Outback, I called or emailed multiple dealers in the area. I didn't want to negotiate, I just wanted to make a deal. I researched Looking for a Subaru Outback, I called or emailed multiple dealers in the area. I didn't want to negotiate, I just wanted to make a deal. I researched what a fair price would be, and took it to each dealer. Some played games, some tried to sell me something they already had on the lot. A friend mentioned CitySide, and I called them last. Mark Lidano answered the phone and within 2 minutes we had an agreement. Completely professional and knowledgable. I went in the next day and in about 30 minutes was all set (for reference, the day before I spent over 2 hours at another metrowest dealership and had to get up and begin to walk out before I could get their "best price"). Mark was pleasant and polite to us. He knows the ins and outs of selling cars. No wasted time or energy. He had complete respect for his customers. I was told by other dealers it would take a few weeks to get the car we wanted because of the model-year change over. Mark called me the next and said he had already arranged to have my car on his lot, so when did I want to pick it up. I can't remember a better experience in buying a new car. He had the best price, the quickest service and the most professional demeanor. Thank you Mark and CitySide! More

Seamless process and impecable customer service Cityside Subaru made the car buying process fun, exciting and stress free. Tom was a wonderful sales rep who spent time explaining all possible financ Cityside Subaru made the car buying process fun, exciting and stress free. Tom was a wonderful sales rep who spent time explaining all possible financial options and worked with me to get my desired car at the most affordable price. When I arrived to pick up my new Forester John from the finance office was ready with all necessary paper work for me to fill out/sign. He took the time to explain any additional options that were being offered and answered any questions that I had. Tom later spent 45+ minuets explaining the safety features and technology of my new car. I highly recommend this dealership for anyone looking to buy a Subaru. More

Cityside Subaru Cityside in Belmont , MA, is a pleasant dealership. I got precisely what I wanted and felt that I was treated fairly. Overall very satisfied with my e Cityside in Belmont , MA, is a pleasant dealership. I got precisely what I wanted and felt that I was treated fairly. Overall very satisfied with my experience. More

Knowledgeable, Helpful, Professional Mark Lidano provided outstanding service at each step of our car search and purchase. Mark listened carefully to our requests and answered each quest Mark Lidano provided outstanding service at each step of our car search and purchase. Mark listened carefully to our requests and answered each question thoroughly and thoughtfully. He was beyond patient as we test drove several vehicles and discussed various options. The financial discussion was clear and comprehensive - no last minute surprises or curveballs. And once we purchased our new car Mark spent as much time as we needed to go over all the dials, screens and other aspect of the vehicle. We were very happy working with Mark Lidano and recommend him most highly. More

Great Dealer Mark and the team at City side Subaru are outstanding people, they make the car buying experience a pleasure and as relaxing and comfortable as home. Mark and the team at City side Subaru are outstanding people, they make the car buying experience a pleasure and as relaxing and comfortable as home. We went in to buy a used car and without any hassle just friendly help left with a new Subaru Outback, our first!! Excellent Dealer!!!!! More

Tom D'Allesandro was terrific We had a very good experience here. Tom is smart and helpful and didn't push anything that we said we didn't want to do or get. We had a very good experience here. Tom is smart and helpful and didn't push anything that we said we didn't want to do or get. More