Acura of Huntington

Reviews 3

AM

Ambrish Patel

This past weekend I purchased a 2010 Acura MDX Advance from Acura of Huntington. I would like to start off by saying I am very pleased with the purchase and my parents couldn’t be happier with their new SUV. I would like to extend a special Thank You to Karen Salaun for making sure everything was taken care of with the paperwork and the few extras we had requested to be added to the vehicle (roof rack, all-season mats, and wheel locks) prior to our arrival. She kept great correspondence with us from the day we struck the deal over the phone until the day of pick-up, by the time I was able to match a name to a face I felt as if I had known her for years. Where I decided to give the dealership a (2) on customer service lays in the hands the Raymond Penza the GM of Acura of Huntington. Our story is not unusual but similar to what many Americans do across the country when purchasing a vehicle “Go for the best deal” if it means driving the extra mile or 500 miles then so be it. I struck a deal on the MDX Wednesday evening and made the deposit all over the phone, I personally hadn’t seen the car or test driven it but I know Acura being already an owner of a ‘07 TL. I guess the frustration started that night with the inflexibility of the Ray not extending the final sale/pick-up day past Saturday 5pm. There were reports of bad weather coming up the east coast for the weekend but it was either finalize by Saturday or “We’ll sell the car Sunday if someone wants to buy it.” My father and I set off from southwest Virginia Friday after work and what would have taken 7 hours took 11 with the weather the way it was. On the day of pick-up we had an appointment at 10:30AM with Karen and upon arrival I had asked if it would be possible to have my TL ran through the service dept. for a wash with all the salt that had gotten on it. Service was open until 12-noon on Saturday and we had finalized everything by 11:15AM. When I asked as to why it was an unreasonable request to have my car washed after a 500 mile trek to buy a $40K car Ray’s reasoning was “Service was closed, limited staff, and they weren’t in the car washing business” I was quite taken back by how quick he was to answer and how unprofessional his approach was on the request. When we walked back into the dealership to get his business card it was at that time where he was ready to offer a “wash voucher” for a local business Acura of Huntington does business with. We respectfully declined the voucher since the damage was already done. Service goes a long way, whether visiting to buy a new car, used car, or in for a simple oil change. There’s dozens of clients that walk into a dealership everyday and we’re all just a number. BUT Acura of Huntington and Ray Penza should be treating every client like #1. I feel that by coming from such a distance our business was not valued of that of a local. Side Note: Should have disclosed grazed bumper online or over phone (Noted: This pristine MDX, online). We know used cars are not perfect but this is an important aspect especially if the buyer will NOT see vehicle until day of pick-up. Part of the 150-point inspection/reconditioning should include complete owner’s manual with access codes for navigation and audio/video systems in its proper casing which we did not receive and they did not replace. Missing Valet key, when I asked for it I was informed the previous owner never returned it? The MDX had not been detailed inside at all, I found a Home Depot receipt, drink stains on seats, and ice scraper from previous owner, and previous owner’s contact numbers were all listed in handsfree link phone bank. Bottom line from Wednesday to Saturday the sales and service team had plenty of time to address these issues.

JO

Joseph Nappi

From Nissan back to Acura My family was an Acura family back in 2000 and 2003, having owned one and leased two Acuras. Well, for the past 6 years I was a Nissan Murano lessee. But, the last two leasing experiences with Nissan were not very pleasant. They were extremely long processes and I came away not feeling all that great. They had no respect for my time and no patience for my questions. Buying or leasing a car should not be a hassle or unpleasant, but, should be a time to enjoy your new car. After all, it is an important decision and major investment. Well, after an attempt to lease my third Murano from the same dealer as the previous two, I got the run-around, deceptive answers or no answers at all. Thats when I decided to go back and see what Acura had to offer. Well, I am glad that I did, and especially happy that I chose Acura of Huntington! After an Internet inquiry, I received a call from Catherine Fanelli of Acura of Huntington, who was most personable and pleasant to talk to. Judging from that phone call, I felt I had nothing to lose by visiting their showroom. I was pleasantly greeted and spoke to Ms. Fanelli who showed me the RDX I had inquired about and introduced me to Tom Aveni. Tom was the most helpful, straightforward salesman, (here they are Product Specialists), I have ever dealt with. Every question I had was handled with concern and respect. He was easy to converse with and made my choices very clear to me. He was patient and treated me as a valued potential customer. If he didnt know the answer to a question, he immediately found out. I took the new RDX out for a test ride, asked about different pricing options and various questions about the car. Tom knew the answers and I made a decision to lease my new RDX from Tom. From there I went to the "dreaded" finance person. I say dreaded because that is where I previously had the worst experiences. But, not this time. Anneliese was personable and professional. She presented my options and gave me her advice, but, respected my decisions to either buy, or not to buy optional equipment. On my way out, Maurice Braver, stopped to say Hi and I told him that I had a pleasant experience and how helpful his staff was, especially Tom Aveni. So far, so good, I hope and I believe I can be assured that everything will go well when I pick up my new RDX this week. This, by far, was the best leasing experience I have had. I have been leasing cars since 1997. I would recommend Acura of Huntington to anyone who is interested in an Acura or thinking about switching to an Acura, I did and am happy that I did. By the way, they have a beautiful showroom, and a very neat and clean service area.

JO

Joseph Gangi

I dont write reviews. Too busy, and since I dont care what other people think, I figure who cares what I think. However, every so often you come across something in life that is just right. These guys at Acura Huntington have figured it out. (Disclaimer: before I walked in, I had never met any of them) What qualifies me to judge? I have been to every Acura dealer on Long Island and I am now the owner of my 8th Acura vehicle, a 2016 MDX. Why do I think they are the best? #1 Price - anyone can snipe a deal for $10 less a month, but I am paying almost $100/mo less than my last lease on an identical vehicle, identically equipped - your mileage may vary, (and now you know there are some ridiculously overpriced Acura dealers on LI - yeah, Im talking to you guys in Wantagh) - but Huntington is the lowest, period. Go ahead, get a price somewhere and then go to Huntington - I am right, youll see. #2 Knowledge - usually car salesmen know enough mumbo jumbo to try and confuse you, but I know more about Acuras than any salesman or sales manager Ive ever dealt with. This time around the sales guy, Paul, and the manager Joe, knew as much about the vehicles and the car buying process as me - and they didnt insult me with double-talk. You get respect here, and the bottom line. I like that. #3 Service - Paul and Joe did just about everything they could, (and maybe some things the Acura executives shouldnt know about.) They made it work. My double lease turn in, the new car & equipment, dates, times, the transaction - they bent over backward. I am not an easy guy to please, but they made the whole thing work. So what if you dont lease? Well, the new car experience went so well I also bought a used Acura from them. A 2013 RDX. Took it home, discovered 2 issues - bam, service guys had me fixed up the next day and insisted I take a loaner. The service manager (Ken, I think) even touched up some scratches inside the door by the latch (apparently the previous owner had a habit of slamming the seatbelt in the door - thanks idiot.) No charge for any of this - who does that? Again, I didnt know these guys, I am not a fake professional reviewer, I was not compensated for this... I am Italian, whats right is right, you do right by me, I take a minute to give it back with a stupid review. So now you know.