Pre-Owned Car Shopping in San Ramon

In the market for a new car? You might find what you need at one of San Ramon’s independent pre-owned car dealerships.

At eLeaseReturns, Newell Auto Group and , customers can choose from a variety of quality used cars and enjoy personalized, low-pressure customer service. Read on to learn more about these local dealers and what the owners have to say about what makes their business unique.

eLeaseReturns

1941 San Ramon Valley Blvd., 800-407-0303, www.eleasereturns.com

This family business opened in 1997 and offers “late model, low mileage, perfect luxury lease return cars,” co-owner Joe Newcomer said. Customers can choose from coveted brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Jaguar, and if a customer desires a car outside of eLeaseReturn’s inventory, the staff will locate it for them, Newcomer said. Each car undergoes a full safety and smog check and comes with a CARFAX to ensure the vehicle is free from accidents, smoke and paintwork.

Financing starts at 3.99 percent APR and the company also takes trade-ins and offers warranty products. Newcomer even provides options for customers with financial hardships.

“We also have some special programs for those who have lost a house or have encountered other tough financial times as long as they have a good income,” Newcomer said.

The eLeaseReturns website includes tools for buyers and sellers that allow them to order a car online, post information about a car for sale, calculate monthly car payments and complete a credit application.

Customer service at eLeaseReturns doesn’t fall short – about 70 percent of the company’s sales stem from repeat and referral business.

“We continue to provide our customers with the best car at the best price and we monitor the market daily in order to make this happen,” Newcomer said. “Our policy here is that we treat everyone like family. We want our customers to be customers for life.”

Newell Auto Group

2156 San Ramon Valley Blvd., 925-309-4916, www.newellag.com

After spending years working in the technology industry, Peter Newell opened Newell Auto Group in 2009 with his business partner, Michael Vincent. “I always loved cars, and I thought this would be an interesting and fun way to make a living,” he said.

Newell Auto Group’s most popular brands include Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Toyota Prius. The majority of its vehicles have fewer than 80,000 miles and were made after 2006. Newell said that since the dealership isn’t tied to one particular make of car, it often gets unusual vehicles, such as the Dodge Viper.

The dealership offers a spectrum of financing options, from rates lower than three percent APR for buyers with pristine credit to rates for customers with poorer credit scores. Warranty products also are offered, but Newell said customer service is what sets his dealership apart.

“We sell the same products that a typical franchise dealer would, but at a wholesale price,” Newell said. “So there isn’t a lot of haggling involved. It makes for a pleasant experience for the customer. We want them to come back and buy more cars from us.”

Diablo Motors

3211-C Fostoria Way, 925-830-8747, www.diablomotors.com

Greg Meier founded Diablo Motors in 1994 with a desire to offer “a different way to buy a car.” As someone who has not worked at a car dealership in the past, Meier said he approaches his sales in a straightforward and honest manner.

“I talk one on one with the customer with no agenda and no sales pitch,” he said. “We’ll talk straight across my desk and it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. We do everything the franchise dealers do, but in way less time and with less grief.”

Diablo Motors specializes in slightly used (two to five years old) high-line cars such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Land Rover. All cars come with a 90-day warranty, and the dealership also offers financing, trade-in, consignment, brokerage and on-site detailing services. Meier said he keeps his overhead low by operating out of a modest location, so can keep his prices low.

“Our prices are close to what you would find buying from a private party, but you’ll also get the benefits of a full service dealership,” he said.

One aspect that sets Diablo Motors apart from other independent dealers in town is its service department, which provides everything from oil changes to engine replacements. The service department offers a variety of discounts and perks to customers, such as a free car wash with a major service costing $100 or more, a double discount to customers who bought their car at Diablo Motors, financing for major repairs and an additional discount for displaying the dealer’s license plate frames.

After 17 years in business, Meier has earned a positive reputation – Diablo Motors is a Better Business Bureau honor roll member with no complaints since it opened. Exposure on Yelp.com has earned the business 29 five-star reviews and one four-star review. It’s also the only Diamond Certified car dealership in the East Bay.