Hans Aichlmayr

Review of Capitol Expressway Ford

I recently had a great experience purchasing a 201...

I recently had a great experience purchasing a 2018 Ford Certified Used Expedition at Capitol Ford. I found the vehicle on the web a mere three business days earlier and although the listing was too new for photos to be available, the dealership provided a wealth of information, e.g., Auto Check, and window sticker, that allowed me to scrutinize every feature and ultimately conclude that it was exactly what I wanted. I also surmised that this vehicle would sell quickly because it has several features that are impossible to find in used offerings for this model. Therefore I immediately contacted the dealership on-line and received a price quote from Donavan Jones---which was identical to the listing price. A few correspondences later I made a test drive appointment. In the interim, I used the wealth of data available on-line to estimate the full cost of the transaction, then decided how I wanted to make the purchase, and finally obtained pre-approval for a loan from a local credit union that I concluded offered the best deal.

When I arrived for my appointment, I was greeted by a staff that was friendly, courteous, and professional despite it being a very busy post-holiday day. Dino accompanied me on the test drive and thoroughly answered several technical questions that I had. The drive went well and the vehicle met all of my expectations. Upon return, Dino let slip that many people were interested in the vehicle---and validated my hypothesis. At the time I interpreted it to be an observation rather than a pressure tactic; I later learned that pressure tactics are discouraged at this dealership. Whatever the case, it really didn't matter to me because I essentially made my decision to purchase before I stepped onto the lot and I arrived fully prepared to do so.

The actual purchase process took about 2.5 hours. I didn't mind the wait at all because I recognized that there was a lot of paper to push and it basically went smoothly. I was actually surprised that the whole process from test drive to having the keys in my hand could be accomplished in a few hours. This was facilitated by the dealership's participation in the CUDL program---they even found a loan with a comparable term but better rate.

I was also presented with a lot of warranty and vehicle protection offerings. These are tough calls because one must weigh the uncertain factors of long-term component reliability versus their potential cost to repair or replace. For strictly mechanical components, long-term reliability is fairly well established and the odds of actually using a warranty are low. Unfortunately, today's vehicles are becoming more like aircraft--notwithstanding Ford's aluminum bodies--in that they employ a myriad of electronic sensors and sub-systems that are less robust than mechanical components and ultimately more difficult to repair. Consequently I opted for more warranty and protections than I would have twenty years ago. In my opinion, the dealership could improve the experience by listing and explaining these options, their costs, and providing examples of how one could benefit from them and thus make informed choices.

All in all, I felt that the entire purchase experience was professional and fair. Given that the vehicle that I wanted was in high demand, there was no point to haggling. Moreover, the asking price was clearly fair based on my survey of the market and third-party scoring.

Lastly, while I had really good luck in this whole endeavor, I greatly appreciate that my evident preparation was recognized and that it contributed to getting me to the front of the line.

I wouldn't hesitate to make another purchase from this dealership in the future. Although it could be very far in the future because I tend to keep my vehicles for many years---I arrived in a truck that I have been driving for 26 years and the thought of parting with it is anathema. Hopefully my new ride will have comparable longevity and bring me similar enjoyment.