Bernard Fellner

Review of Len Stoler Hyundai

At the Baltimore Auto Show in February 2019, I res...

At the Baltimore Auto Show in February 2019, I resolved to buy a Hyundai Elantra. My prior research on the Elantra versus its competition made it clear that the combination of driver/passengers seating comfort, the ultimate Hyundai warranty, and the lowest base price in its category would make this the right replacement for our 2004 Chevy Impala which had grown both too large and too maintenance-costly for me. When I got to sit both in the driver's seat and in the back seat (allowing for when my grandsons will chauffeur me) at the Auto Show, my tentative decision became final.

That just left the question of how to go about buying the Elantra. Len Stoler's dealership is the closest to my home, and I found its website really easy to navigate (and I also need to spend a moment to thank the "Concierge" functionality of the Auto Show for making sure that the start of my purchasing process would go well). But I also wanted to compare how I'd do with one of the largest auto-buying programs. Jumping to the end of the process, Costco was directing me to a dealership in Rockville, which was much too far for me to drive.

The negotiating process with Len Stoler Hyundai was very warm and obviously effective, as can be seen from my rating. I was served across the spectrum of staff members - Myiesha Scott, John Chambers who was my salesperson of record and my new best friend, Darren Badillo who manages them well and who "honchoed"this process to conclusion, and Sharonda who successfully battled the demons of a faulty title with our traded-in car (our 2004 Impala had been assigned a model year of 2015 when I appeared at MVA in 2013 to re-title the car from Colorado to Maryland). In the end, I do believe that the final price I paid for the Elantra was excellent for me, especially as I do not fit into the special discount categories for military-service members or recent college graduates (I couldn't make the case that my 1969 master's degree should be reckoned favorably).

The after-purchase service as been equally strong, as John Chambers gave my wife and me a full tutorial on how to operate the vehicle before we were allowed to hit the road. Darren Badillo's follow-up both as regards overall satisfaction and minor pending matters, such as receipt of our test-drive gift-card and correction of the title of the traded-in vehicle, has been deeply appreciated.

I will close by thanking Gino Gregory, the General Sales Manager, whom I was privileged to meet when signing documents, for having assembled a team of outstanding individuals who actually collaborate seamlessly in ensuring that even a one-in-15-year car buyer like me will neither be, nor even feel, taken advantage of, as contrasted to becoming part of a family.

I can't use the word "best," because I haven't experienced what any competition to Len Stoler might offer, but I can confidently write that I just can't imagine a better car-buying experience than what I was given.