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Active Auto Sales
Category: Automotive Car Dealers Car Dealers [Edit]
200 Nellen AveCorte Madera, CA 94925
(415) 945-9293
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
Sat 10 am - 5:30 pm
Sun 11 am - 5 pm
Songpol S. said: "If you want to get an Audi, I strongly recommend this dealer ship! I went to test drive a TT last weekend and got out without any pressures to make deal on the spot telling them that I was still considering other choices as well which…" read more »
11 reviews for Active Auto Sales
11 reviews in English
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Review from Dennis S.
Alameda, CA
11/28/2010
I recently purchased a Saab 9-3 from Olaf and am very happy so far. I visited Active Auto on a few different days for multiple test drives and was given the keys to drive solo. Everyone that helped me on the different days was very nice and low key.
The car has been great so far and I got what I felt was a fair deal for both the price of the car I was buying as well as my trade in. I would much rather give my business to places like Active, where you are dealing with the owner directly and he is about as nice as a businessman can be in the car business. Olaf came across as nice, honest and having kept his integrity while working in a tough business.
I purchased all previous cars from large dealerships and have generally stayed away from small used car lots because of shady practices. Olaf is not like that at all. I think he buys quality vehicles and this greatly reduces any need for him to cut corners or deceive.
Anyway, my experience was great, and I plan on sending future business his way. Oh, and about the car, I love the 9-3 but am now considering buying the larger 9-5 for myself as my girlfriend is in love with the 9-3 and wants it! -
Review from Oleg H.
4/20/2010
I did not buy a car from Olaf at Active.
Regardless of not having made a purchase, this was probably the best experience in my whole car shopping venture, this time around.
The good:
1. Virtually no hassle
2. Sales associate brought me coffee from Peets down the street, while i was waiting, and he, and the owner were busy.
3. They took my id and let me take the car for a ride without chaperoning me, like a 13 year old retarded girl on her first date.
4. Not too much annoying used car dealer vibe.
The Bad
1. The car i came to look at - as carfax later revealed, had a bad collision.
2. The owner was a bit flustered, when i called out some shoddy repair work from the collision (he wasn't aware of the history).
3. The owner tried to talk around the shoddy repair work.
4. The owner didn't offer to drastically drop the price when this info came up.
5. Also please note - I do believe that the owner may not have been aware of the cars history when HE purchased it. Having tried to buy a car from an auction - it did seem to me like it was a bit hard to do the proper research on any given car.
The Ugly
1. Actually there's nothing egregious here.
I wish used car dealers operated differently. I wish used car dealers took their accepted (transparent) cut, and provided a service to the general populace. That is not Active's fault. That is the business that they're in. And its an ugly business (with an ugly reputation).
Why 2 stars? Two stars is because I have experienced better. Specifically when i bought my previous car. -
Review from Nick C.
Livermore, CA
3/30/2011
I purchased a 2002 Saab 9-3 from Active Auto Sales and really like the car. They are very efficient, and have plenty of nice cars to choose from. The Saab is everything they said it was except for one issue. There seems to be a problem with the ignition switch/module. I haven't isolated the exact nature of the problem yet, but have been given some suggestions as to how to proceed. The owner Olaf has offered monetary assistance to remedy the situation and for now I'm happy to go forward and see how the situation is dealt with to the successful repair of the car. Update: the starter finally gave out... it was intermittently not working from day one. We took the car to a mechanic in Dublin who has experience with Saab's and it was a simple $500 repair really. A new starter was installed and the car starts every time without fail.
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Review from Scott A.
Burlingame, CA
7/23/2011
I recently helped a close family friend buy a Mini for her daughter who is moving out to CA. We saw an ad for a Mini that would fit our needs on Craigslist. I called Active Auto up and spoke with Charley who answered all my questions. I wanted a pre-purchase inspection done so he recommended a mechanic nearby who turned out to be great. When we arrived Charley figured out who I was and remembered my name from the day before. He had the car all set out and ready to go.
Long story short, we had nothing short of a fantastic buying experience. The day we were up there, Charley was single handedly running the entire dealership himself (helping multiple customers, answering the phone, etc) but he still managed to make it a pleasant experience. He was informative, personable, efficient, and exceeded all our expectations. We also bought a warranty through them as well. They sell AUL warranties which are known to be the best aftermarket option on the market. I've had 2 AUL contracts and couldnt be happier. I would highly recommend working with Charley at Active Auto if they have a car you're interested in! -
Review from Macigula M.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2010
Bought a very hard to find Saab here at a great price. Olaf, as described, is a low-key, no hassle guy. No strong arm pitches, doesn't ask to hold on to your keys, or anything like that. You can test-drive essentially at your convenience, with no ride-along.
Seems to specialize in SAABs and maybe Minis. For the record, the car we purchased has been great; one problem, covered under warranty by a local dealer.
I'd totally do business here again. -
Review from Gracie H.
San Anselmo, CA
10/30/2011
This was the best used car buying experience both my husband and I have ever had. The guys work as a team, are patient, and very accommodating. Both my husband and I purchased cars at the same time because the selection was great and they were so great to work with. Most of the our interactions were with Charlie who was extremely service focused. We love the vehicles we purchased which were priced very competitively and in great condition. We will definitely purchase again and recommend anyone in the market for a used car.
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Review from simon d.
Novato, CA
3/8/2011
I've been dreading the thought of helping my daughter buy a car due to bad experiences with used car dealers in the past. Active Auto Sales might make me rethink the stereo-type I carry around with me as I had a good experience here.
We purchased a car that was well priced without any sales pressure from Bill in the yard or Charlie in the office.
After the deal had already been completed I had to change some paperwork due to my insurance company and Bill & Charlie couldn't have been any nicer about it even though it caused more work for them. -
Review from SE P.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2010
I discovered shortly after purchasing a Mini Cooper here that a couple advertised items were not, in fact on the car: cruise control and tilt wheel.
Also, the extra set of keys didn't fit this car (they did replace 1 of the 2 bad keys, after waiting a couple of months). As part of the negotiation, they did some work (alignment and brakes), but never gave me the paperwork on repairs, in spite of several requests. And the car is still out of alignment. Hopefully, they can rectify this situation and I can update the rating. I'm really wishing I'd had the repairs done by my own mechanic. -
Review from Krista B.
Oakland, CA
2/27/2009
I have purchase two Saabs from Active Auto Sales in the last 3 years and both cars were perfect and at a great price. I found them on Craigslist as I was looking to get rid of a problematic Audi. I did research on Saabs and found their ratings on Edmunds to be quite good. I called Olaf at Active Auto and we talked for nearly 30 minutes about Saabs and he didn't sell me - it was just a candid conversation with no pushy, sales-y business. They also gave me a great deal on my car as a trade it. I recommend Active Auto without reservation - they're great!
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Review from Matt O.
Redwood City, CA
2/20/2010
Just bought a Saab 9-3 here from a selection of about 12 used Saabs. No pressure sales team and easy to come to an agreement. Krista B's review is very similar to my experience. The easiest car purchase I've ever had.
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Review from Nichole E.
San Jose, CA
2/23/2010
Just bought a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi from Olaf at Active Auto Sales. This car is amazing, and difficult to find. Olaf knows his stuff. Everything was as promised and prior reviews by Matt O and Krista B mirror our positive car purchase experience. Olaf is now on the hunt for another Saab for us, our true dream car...a Saab Convertible!
