Posted by In the field, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Aug 12, 2009 at 2:34 pm

They (auto nation) should close down. Now there is no problem. We should buy American anyway.

Posted by Old Ben, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Aug 12, 2009 at 3:12 pm

The post-1990 BMWs are awful cars. Something dreadful happened to German engineering in the '90s. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, they have all been producing feeble cars lately. Auto Nation sounds like a company that ought to be run out of business.

Posted by Seer, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:24 pm

Old Ben apparently hasn't driven any german cars lately. Audi, Mercedes, and BMW make outstanding cars with quality levels equal to the Japanese but a lot more fun to drive (in general.) However, there is a measure of arrogance that goes along with the German luxury makes, especially BMW. It appears that Auto Nation is willing to go a bit farther with the arrogance and push customers a bit further into tolerating the intolerable. It can only reflect on their business. There's nothing "feeble" about these sporty cars, but apparently the people that own the dealerships have feeble senses of integrity.

I can't agree with "buy american" - way too parochial and short-sighted an approach. We're all one world now and have to think that way, instead of exporting our problems to other countries as we like to complain other countries do to us. Would you want customers in another country to reject your handiwork just because you're american? I think not.

Posted by Manny, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:54 pm

Several models (Z4, X5, X6) of BMW are built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. If I buy one of those does that count for you as buying American?

Posted by Franky, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Aug 14, 2009 at 1:53 pm

I won't be getting service or buying my next car from Autonation.

Posted by Jerry, a resident of another community, on Aug 15, 2009 at 10:35 am

Terrific reporting. When calling for service at ANY dealership, I'll be sure to as if the mechanics and service writers are "working on commission" -- and, if so, will go somewhere else.