Carland?? (Old Airport Road, Santry)

Hi Motor Forum,

My OH is currently looking to change her car and has been browsing the web and visiting dealers in the northeast for the last 2 weeks. One of the places we visited was the aforementioned 'Carland' and as it seems to be where her decision is currently swaying, I have 2 questions.

1) Is there anybody here able to give me a recommendation/warning about Carland?

2) Is Carland just a new name for Jap Cars or is it a completely new business/owner/team?

If the answer to the first part of question 2 is 'yes', then there is no need to provide an answer for question 1. I have just read an epic thread from 2010 about Japcars (the thread where a poster asks about them, everyone says ignore like the plague, car has faults, no NCT, poster buys anyway). The reason I'm asking about Carland and none of the other dealers we went to (apart from the obvious) is that I didn't get the best vibe from the place.

The salesman (possibly owner of business as his kids were there too) did not seem enthused at the potential business. We presented ourselves as the couple who just called an hour beforehand, he basically chucked the keys at us and pointed to the car with minimal words used.

Took the car for a drive, I didn't think it felt good, breaks were grinding most notably, but the OH was looking on the brightside as she is desperate (her own car is about to die) and she wanted to go in and at least fill out the finance papers. Into the office (portacabin) we went, still the salesman was acting like we weren't about to commit to a 12k purchase. I asked a few questions about the car and he grunted a few answers. It was at this point I gave the OP the 'lets get out of here' look and since then we've been debating back and forth with each other. At least it wasn't just us, a middle-aged couple came in to enquire about a car in the lot while we were there and it was like he didn't want them to buy it. They left promptly.

Her take is 'It's just a dealer, as long as the car is good' failing to see the contradiction in that statement. The car has no NCT currently or VRT paid, but these are guaranteed to be done before/if we buy the car (no extra charge of course).

Whether it is the new japcars or a completely different business, I'm not feeling too good about it. So if you could help me out here either way, it'd be a great relief, I don't want to have to pull rank on her

Thanks in advance for any replies.

TL:DR, Carland: Are they reputable or just a new name for Japcars? Or a different kettle of fish altogether?

(I have done a motor forum search and a google search for my answers but no luck.)

Mar4ix

Probably that car had some issues, as seller/owner new, yous will be back for warranty work

Grinding noise could be from rusty brakes from long stay or worn brakes, if brake pads are badly worn, probably brake disks are damaged also, which will lead to change brake disks and brake pads.
If you look from other point, if previous owners let brakes go so badly worn, mean proper servicing havent been on that car, which will lead to a number problems near/far future.

Let us know, what is your requirements, i believe motor bordies will point to some directions where cars are reasonably priced and helpful staff.

biko

There is lots of cars out there. No need to give business to anyone but helpful salesmen, particularly if the car is expensive.
If car breaks you'll be kicking yourselves.

Go with an current Irish car with a fresh NCT from a dealer recommended by boardsies, not a badly driving UK car from a dealer that is the personified Grumpy Cat.
You don't need the hassle.

Thanks very much for the reply lads. Yes the car salesman said the break issue was from lying up for a while. Still, none of the other cars we test drove gave any noticeable problems. I think she is going to go with another dealer now, that Japcars thread scared the sh1te out of her!

BTW, if Carland is a totally different business than Japcars, they might want to do a bit of PR to let people know they aren't the same business. But something tells me from my experience and the things I've read that they are.

MODs I now consider my query settled if you want to close this thread, thanks.

P.S. To answer your question Mar4ix, she's looking for what most of the Irish market are looking for these days, 'cheap tax, economical, service on time and it'll be grand' sort of car. We've been looking at 09-10 Kia c'eeds and Toyota Auris (I know, I know!) and I have been reading the motor forum carefully all along. This is a great source for people like me who don't know a whole lot about cars, fair play lads.

biko

Btw, for a 12k purchase I'd A) do a full history check cartell/mywheels/motorcheck and also have a independent mechanic check it out before handing dosh over.

Can't be too careful. At the end of the day you want to be driving away thinking this car is really worth the money and there is no apparent issues.

Thanks a mil biko, much happier now. She has decided on an 09 Auris from a highly reputable northeast Toyota dealer. Members of my family and friends have bought cars over the years from this dealership and I can't recall hearing a bad experience about the place. Took the car for a drive yesterday evening and it felt like a 11,500k car alright. I know she's not going to be entering it in any car shows but it's exactly the kind of car she's looking for at this point in life. No matter what though, I will do a cartell check before we go in to pick it up tomorrow, can't be too careful with the cash involved. Damn, now I want a new machine of my own!

richardsheil

lovely

MugMugs

Colinpp wrote: »

To the above post I was the one dealing with you on Saturday and I know exactly who you are, for starters we close at 2pm on Saturdays and I held out till 3 that day to accomadate you with the car you were interested in I delt with you in a kind manner and answered any questions you had for me and I never grunted at any one (did you want me to hold your hand on the test drive) and my 2 daughters were their as their mother had to do something and I should of been finished at 2. You and your partner who was buying the car were the only one who test drove a uk car and filled in a finance application. It's hard enough at the moment to be in business without people like you posting bull **** about people. We are in the motor trade for over 10 years and have nothing to do with jap cars. I have a good mind to seek legal advise for defamation of character so be very careful.

It's nice to see that customers are entitled to an opinion free from being threatened with legal action with Carland. Well done! Go you!

Technoprisoner

carland are not japcars..... japcars have moved to the lane that leads to kart city...they are now called hiline motors

biko

We'll take a pause now for refreshments while the mods are discussing.