After many futile attempts to purchase a clean, low mileage car for a reasonable price while wanting at least average NADA trade in value for my vehicle at several dealerships in the Spokane, WA area, I resorted to websites to find the vehicle I was interested in. DePratu Ford Sales in Whitefish, Mt. had the EXACT vehicle I was looking for, a white Ford Fusion SEL AWD with leather, navigation, audiophile stereo sound system and low (under 42,000) miles / one owner. I contacted the dealership and spoke to Troy. Troy was very friendly and described the Fusion to me. I told him that I had a trade and asked what they would give me for it. He asked for the VIN and I sent his manager photos of my truck. Troy called me back within 30 minutes with a figure that was more than any dealer in Spokane had offered or mentioned while discussing their vehicles. We spoke for a few more minutes and I negotiated a slightly lower asking price on the Fusion. We reached an agreement and I gave him a $500 credit card deposit over the phone.
2 days later I drove the beautiful scenic drive to Whitefish from Spokane. It took 4 hours but it was a pleasant drive. When I arrived, I saw the car parked and awaiting my arrival. Wow, it sparkled inside and out! I walked over and looked it over in and out and as Troy was off that day, Dante rode with me on a test drive while his manager assessed my truck. Once back, I met with thier business manager and began the purchase paperwork. Afterward, Dante had the remaining few items from my truck transferred over to the Fusion. I asked what they thought of my trade in and he said, "no problem, the manager remarked how nice it was and that it was well maintained". The exact thing I tried to tell the Wendle Ford Nissan salesman and his manager the Sunday before as I negotiated to buy a vehicle they had. They wouldn't even walk outside the dealership showroom to assess my truck ...... instead stood inside and gazed out the window at it! (Don't get me going on Wendle Ford Nissan!!!).
Within an hour, I was out the door and on my way back to Spokane. The Fusion price included a 12 month / 12,000 mile powertrain warranty and they had put new tires on it as well! The drive back was "fun"! The car cruised effortlessly at 75 and 80 MPH and provided over 25 mpg. It cornered like a "go kart" and was comfortable and quiet to boot! When I arrived home, I was THRILLED with my purchase! While not a new car, it sure looked and behaved like one.
As I mentioned earlier, I tried to work a purchase on a car at Wendle Ford in Spokane the Sunday before. That car was an 07 Ford 500 Limited AWD with around 54,000 miles. The dealership was asking roughly $1500 over high NADA book. The car's AC didn't work and it had a horrible cigar smell. Once I "escaped" the non stop talking salesman, I drove the car home "so my wife could see it". She doesn't care what I buy - I've (now) purchased 75 vehicles! I looked up NADA on the 500 then went back to the dealership. As the Clean trade for my truck was roughly equal to high book for their 500, I offered my truck and sweetened the pot with an additional $1,000. I thought it was a good start. Within 3 minutes, the salesman came out and told me "NO" ....... they were "in too deep on their car" etc. Wouldn't even look at my truck and I departed.
Why mention this? DePratu Ford Sales values customers and their relationship with the customer. Wendle Ford values their relationship with the auction companies - to heck with the customer! DePratu Ford made my buying experience FANTASTIC and one that will generate recommendations to everyone I speak to about cars. The day trip was like a mini vacation in beautiful NW Montana.
I highly recommend DePratu Ford Sales and the "common sense" kindliness of the staff there to anyone looking for a vehicle. It is definitely worth the drive whereever you live!
