OT - Buying a Car from Phil McGrath -
05-19-2003, 08:04 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OT - Buying a Car from Phil McGrath -
O.K. - this is admittedly OT, but I wanted to share with you all about buying a car from fellow rennlister Phil McGrath. Phil does have a nice black 993, which I got to take a look at on Saturday (there - obligatory P-car content).
My wife and I were looking to trade in our Volvo 850 sedan for a wagon so I e-mailed Phil. I knew from talking to him in the past that he could get just about any car - well it turns out he is a Volvo dealer. So Phil set me up with a really nice deal, all via e-mail, and I picked the car up on Saturday (an 04 XC70 - a very nice car). Phil's price was several thousand dollars less than the best deal I could get here in the Bay Area, and I didn't even have to negotiate (I should note that we have a very good Volvo dealer here locally, so I was surprised how good Phil's price was in comparison).
Phil met me at his dealership on Saturday morning with Starbuck's coffee for my wife and my mother and had everything ready to go. The whole process to buy the car took about 15 minutes. Phil also let me drive his new dealership's Volvo S60R - a 300 HP 6 speed coupe. The S60R is very nice and all you stock 993ers out there may want to be wary of this one. It supposedly hits 100 KM in 5.5 seconds in stock form. As it is a twin turbo car, I expect the hopped-up version will be out there soon hitting 60 MPH in under 5.
My only regret is that Phil had not yet received his PIAA positioning lights to replace the rather crappy ones that come in the Trubo S ducts. I had told him I would help him switch these out while I was there.
In any event, sorry for the long post, but given the amount of car dealer bashing on this forum I thought I would let you know that there are some good ones out there.
My wife and I were looking to trade in our Volvo 850 sedan for a wagon so I e-mailed Phil. I knew from talking to him in the past that he could get just about any car - well it turns out he is a Volvo dealer. So Phil set me up with a really nice deal, all via e-mail, and I picked the car up on Saturday (an 04 XC70 - a very nice car). Phil's price was several thousand dollars less than the best deal I could get here in the Bay Area, and I didn't even have to negotiate (I should note that we have a very good Volvo dealer here locally, so I was surprised how good Phil's price was in comparison).
Phil met me at his dealership on Saturday morning with Starbuck's coffee for my wife and my mother and had everything ready to go. The whole process to buy the car took about 15 minutes. Phil also let me drive his new dealership's Volvo S60R - a 300 HP 6 speed coupe. The S60R is very nice and all you stock 993ers out there may want to be wary of this one. It supposedly hits 100 KM in 5.5 seconds in stock form. As it is a twin turbo car, I expect the hopped-up version will be out there soon hitting 60 MPH in under 5.
My only regret is that Phil had not yet received his PIAA positioning lights to replace the rather crappy ones that come in the Trubo S ducts. I had told him I would help him switch these out while I was there.
In any event, sorry for the long post, but given the amount of car dealer bashing on this forum I thought I would let you know that there are some good ones out there.
05-19-2003, 08:14 PM
#2
Pro
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SF Bay Area (Lafayette)
Posts: 617
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I already have Phil in mind when our 97 Suburban finally reaches "car heaven" (knock on wood). Came close to needing Phil's services last year when we broke down near him on our way to the Santa Ynez valley. Good to hear there are some good non-Porsche resources here as well!
05-19-2003, 08:38 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Kim - Phil told me about that. Man, you are out of control. You need someone to keep you in line - are there no checks and balances at your house?
05-19-2003, 09:22 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small horse farm in VA
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bill:
I am delighted you shared your story about Phil...I have found him to be sincerely interested other folks....while I have provided some devils advocate advice on business ventures, it pales in comparison to his listening ear and statements of genuine interest in my personal well being as well as my family situation....he has offered to make himself available at any hour...And he would
I am proud that he is my friend
<img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
I am delighted you shared your story about Phil...I have found him to be sincerely interested other folks....while I have provided some devils advocate advice on business ventures, it pales in comparison to his listening ear and statements of genuine interest in my personal well being as well as my family situation....he has offered to make himself available at any hour...And he would
I am proud that he is my friend
<img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
05-19-2003, 11:12 PM
#5
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Yeap, Phil is a heck of a guy! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Kim you are really out of control
<img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Kim you are really out of control
<img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
05-20-2003, 12:14 AM
#7
That's Bubba Guru to you
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: South of da Mason-Dixson
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bubba Phil he be da man.
ol jimmyroberto dun needed a gnu truk an bubba fill tooked reel good kar o me. he gotted me a gnu truk an fixeded it us speshal. yall see dat shirleen she be needin ta have da seat broked in a certin spot an a sertin way. she be wantin a little bit o da spring a stickin outta da seat. bubba phil tooked kare o dat fer me. an I caint be havn no pickemup truk what gots shiny paint an lookey too gnu. of bubba phil sanded da whole paint jot wit 60 grit an it be perfekt. den as an estra speshat touche, he dun pert neer filled up da bed wit emptee budwizer cans - he dun bringed a teer to ma eye. it waz bein da bested truk byin sperienc i ever be havn. Of korse, it bein da first time i dun boughted a truk stead o jis steelin wun frum ol Red Neckerson.
ol jimmyroberto dun needed a gnu truk an bubba fill tooked reel good kar o me. he gotted me a gnu truk an fixeded it us speshal. yall see dat shirleen she be needin ta have da seat broked in a certin spot an a sertin way. she be wantin a little bit o da spring a stickin outta da seat. bubba phil tooked kare o dat fer me. an I caint be havn no pickemup truk what gots shiny paint an lookey too gnu. of bubba phil sanded da whole paint jot wit 60 grit an it be perfekt. den as an estra speshat touche, he dun pert neer filled up da bed wit emptee budwizer cans - he dun bringed a teer to ma eye. it waz bein da bested truk byin sperienc i ever be havn. Of korse, it bein da first time i dun boughted a truk stead o jis steelin wun frum ol Red Neckerson.
Trending Topics
05-20-2003, 12:16 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Ditto! When he read that I needed a good deal on Chrome Tips for my "new 96 C4S" this January, he emailed me and said he'd send me a pair for $100 - used. That was wayyyy less than new ones would have run me. The kicker was, he just sent them, without me sending a check first . Too cool in a world or perennial ripoffs.
Good karma begets good karma. Pay it forward and all that good stuff.
Steve
. Too cool in a world or perennial ripoffs.Good karma begets good karma. Pay it forward and all that good stuff.
Steve
05-20-2003, 12:27 AM
#9
Guru
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Rennlist Small
Business Sponsor
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Rennlist Small
Business Sponsor
I agree with all, Phil is a great guy. I hope to have the priviledge to meet him someday. We PM each other every now and again and I always look foward to opening email from him.
05-20-2003, 01:31 AM
#10
Phlat Black Guru
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
- Times 2
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
- Times 2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Back In RI...............
Posts: 4,484
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Wow,
thanks everyone. I spend alot of time here, and I do feel like you are all family! I really appreciate all the kind words. Even Jimbob said something nice!
thanks everyone. I spend alot of time here, and I do feel like you are all family! I really appreciate all the kind words. Even Jimbob said something nice!
05-20-2003, 07:24 PM
#11
One of the nicest guys I have come across on the forum.
The car business is a tough one and now so more than ever. With everyone armed with invoice pricing and a ton of online reports, the salesmanship and service is sometimes lost in the shuffle.
The used market is even more extreme with clients wanting to buy for wholesale yet get top dollar for thier car. We all make money in what we do, so I don't see why people are so tough on dealers. Phil saved Kim more than money...TIME to spend on Rennlist and other fun stuff!
The car business is a tough one and now so more than ever. With everyone armed with invoice pricing and a ton of online reports, the salesmanship and service is sometimes lost in the shuffle.
The used market is even more extreme with clients wanting to buy for wholesale yet get top dollar for thier car. We all make money in what we do, so I don't see why people are so tough on dealers. Phil saved Kim more than money...TIME to spend on Rennlist and other fun stuff!
05-20-2003, 07:48 PM
#12
GT3 player par excellence
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
let me add a few words. i have been looking for an elusive 2003 miata club sport. no mazda dealer was willing to help, but phil stepped up. although he wasn't able to get me the car, he cleared up a lot of "mis-information" i got from mazda dealers. thanks, phil, for helping all the rennlisters, even the 996ers 
)
well i see you friday at LS?
)well i see you friday at LS?
05-30-2003, 05:46 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
O.K. - I am pulling this to the top one last time as I continue to be impressed with Phil and his car dealership (Hughes Auto in Santa Barbara). After getting my new Volvo XC70 from Phil I realized that I forgot to get the tow package (a trailer hitch mount and skid plate). One of the reasons I got this car was to tow a small boat, so this is a bit of an oversight on my part.
In any event, I e-mailed Phil to see if he could order me the parts and asked how much it will cost. Well his response was "they will be at your house next week." Sounds great, I say, how much? Phil's repsonse? Suffice it to say, he gave me an excellent deal (so good in fact, I am a bit hesistant to post it here). Keep in mind that I bought the car 2 weeks ago, so there is no incentive for Phil to do this other than to be a good guy. Thanks again Phil!
As an aside, I G-teched my XC70 (I couldn't resist). O-60 in 7.7 seconds. Not bad for a large station wagon. Maybe it can handle towing one of my cars to the track (Phil suggested I use one of the Porsches to tow the Volvo - now that would get some attention).
In any event, I e-mailed Phil to see if he could order me the parts and asked how much it will cost. Well his response was "they will be at your house next week." Sounds great, I say, how much? Phil's repsonse? Suffice it to say, he gave me an excellent deal (so good in fact, I am a bit hesistant to post it here). Keep in mind that I bought the car 2 weeks ago, so there is no incentive for Phil to do this other than to be a good guy. Thanks again Phil!
As an aside, I G-teched my XC70 (I couldn't resist). O-60 in 7.7 seconds. Not bad for a large station wagon. Maybe it can handle towing one of my cars to the track (Phil suggested I use one of the Porsches to tow the Volvo - now that would get some attention).
