09-23-2019, 12:35 PM
I've never owned a new car and it's unlikely I ever will, but I did go to every car lot in Hilo when we first moved here looking for used vehicles. What they were offering was overpriced junk and they were less willing to work with me because I would only pay cash meaning they couldn't rob from me with a finance deal in addition to the vehicle purchase. One of the cars I looked at had water in the headlight and I asked if they would fix it and the sales guy checked with the mechanics and they said they were "already losing too much money on the deal". Uh yeah, no thanks. Another lot I went to the car I wanted to test drive wouldn't start due to a presumed dead battery. The sales guy got all excited about how quick they could get it jump started. Uh yeah, no thanks again.
One thing I do know: If you are interested in buying a specific car you don't have to go to the lot. The sales people will bring the car to you to look at / test drive etc. One lot I went to the sales guy was lamenting that he drove a vehicle from Hilo to Waimea and the potential buyer was a no-show. So you might be able to try out some cars from the Kona side without going to Kona.
One thing I do know: If you are interested in buying a specific car you don't have to go to the lot. The sales people will bring the car to you to look at / test drive etc. One lot I went to the sales guy was lamenting that he drove a vehicle from Hilo to Waimea and the potential buyer was a no-show. So you might be able to try out some cars from the Kona side without going to Kona.