Smythe Volvo Cars — Attraction in Summit

B.Carlson (Owner XC90 T8) I have always had exceptional service at Smythe Volvo. Although only one of my 5 five Volvos has been purchased at Smythe (thank you Kyle Jackson!), time and time again, driving the extra distance to Smythe was more than worth it. More than once, dealers more local to me have dismissed specific, active concerns regarding my vehicle when there was an obvious problem. For these past situations, I immediately brought the vehicle to Smythe, who quickly identified the issue, AND had the in-house expertise to resolve it. In one case, the entire hybrid motor required replacement, and that issue - even when it sounded like a lawnmower- was dismissed by another dealer. For my most recent service experience, I required a tow-in for tire repair. Just days earlier, my front tires were replaced at another dealer after a possible road hazard event. As I drove home from the other dealer, the very same hour I left from having the front tire replacement, a third existing tire, on the same side as the "road hazard" tire, also started failing. I wasn't going back. Maybe it was just bad luck, but maybe not. Volvo cars are indeed built to last, but only in experienced hands. Regina Krauza's service team has both a personal yet professional approach. The customer is personally kept up to date of any details regarding the vehicle's issues. On my most recent visit, I needed to clarify a few issues regarding my new vs old tires. My Service Advisor Jessica H went to exceptional lengths to kept me informed throughout the process of my repair, even notifying me of a few extras I had not been aware of. When I had a technical question only the Repair Tech could clarify, no problem, Bryan R the Repair Tech popped out to answer my question. Granted, the waiting area IS AWESOME, (what happened to "Nordstjernan"?) but it is the exceptional level of customer service that knocks it out of the park here. In addition, Smythe's UVeye cameras will document the problem areas of your vehicle, as well as dings and scratches your vehicle comes in with, all to provide a comprehensive evaluation to your vehicle. Bottom line. Accept no substitute. Is it worth the extra drive? It's a...

I saw the reviews, now let me tell you my side of the story.

We were faithful Infiniti fans until we came to Smythe Volvo. We came for an Infiniti, but left with a Volvo. I was confused at first because I’m used to getting surrounded with immediate pressure when entering car dealerships, but something was different here. We were paired with Jose Baptista who took his time getting to know us and our needs. For the first time, we were not rushed into filling out a credit application before we test drove a car haha, seriously, it was something very different from all the dealerships we have encountered.

Jose allowed us to take all the time we needed to feel comfortable with the car. He was able to address our questions and concerns quickly and most importantly, he kept his word throughout the transaction. He introduced us to Neil, who is the used car manager. Neil was very approachable and hands on. He also took time to get to know our situation and wasted no time by assisting us with our deal on the spot.

The financing office deserves a very special mention as well. Going into the finance office usually feels like you’re signing your life away, but not this time. We were introduced to Santiago who is the finance manager. Santiago was able to beat our interest rate with a reputable lender and he explained other options we could include in the loan, but did not pressure us. We left the finance office feeling positive and educated instead of drained.

It’s probably one of the fastest times, we have ever purchased a car and it has everything to do with their “no pressure” mentality. As a matter of fact, we ended up buying another car from them in the same week. Jose and Neil made it happen again and because of their consistency in the way they treated us, we are entertaining buying a 3rd car from them. Did I mention they actually service their used cars? They didn't just say it, they did it.

Quality cars, stellar service, no confusing fees, no broken promises. Car shopping was typically a dreadful experience, until now. Thanks for making our experience pleasant Jose, Neil, Santiago, David Mensah, Mia and the whole Smythe Volvo...

This is my second go around with Smythe. There is a reason why I came back. The service is excellent and the cars are top of the line. There is a difference between a good salesperson and a shyster and that difference is the quality of the product and how you feel after the transaction. With Smythe you never get the sense that they are trying to push a quick sale on you. The staff is patient and gives you the facts about the deals and the product. My salesperson this time around was Jose. He was thoughtful and meticulous. The deal went smoothly - given me space to make my up mind while offered suggestions- not making a quick pitch. Coming from far away he even came and meet me at the train station. This is the kind of service that makes Smythe elite. Highly recommended.

Update - unfortunately, my experience with the car after purchase has been disappointing. The purchasing experience was great however, Just days after the purchase, the car began to exhibit numerous issues, which required immediate and costly repairs. I was shocked that a vehicle I had just bought needed thousands of dollars in repairs, despite its seemingly solid presentation at the dealership. I was disappointed as Smythe has a great reputation and I had positive experiences with them in the past.

Although I declined the dealership warranty because it was prohibitively expensive, New Jersey law mandates that dealers must uphold certain standards when selling pre-owned vehicles. Even if a car is sold "as-is," dealerships have a responsibility to ensure that vehicles meet basic safety and operability standards before sale. It seems that some due diligence was overlooked in this case.

Purchasing a car is a significant investment, and consumers trust dealerships to conduct thorough inspections and disclose any known issues. I believe Smythe failed in this respect one this one.

To potential buyers: be cautious and, if possible, have an independent mechanic inspect any vehicle you're considering from any dealership.

For Smythe, I hope this serves as a reminder to prioritize transparency and thorough checks for all...