****READ BEFORE DOING BUSINESS WITH A MCLARTY/MACHENS DEALERSHIP! I was a co-signer for my daughter on a vehicle purchased at Machens Toyota. To state it simply, this has been the most nightmarish experience I have ever had purchasing a car. I was not pleased that she was working with a Machens store in the first place. A previous purchase at the Ford store in Columbia left me making payments and paying insurance for over three months on a vehicle that they sold without having possession of the title. That vehicle sat, unable to be driven, until I was finally provided with a title so that I could pay my sales tax, my fees and penalties and legally put it on the road. To say I was not impressed with the services would be an understatement. Now, despite my better judgement, I found myself in bed with the Machens Machine yet again. My daughter had been happily working with a salesman in at the store who understood her circumstances and seemed to be working with her specific needs and financial situation in mind. When she went to meet with the gentleman she had been working with, he was otherwise involved. She wanted to wait for the original salesman but found herself poached by someone who certainly could have cared less about her circumstances. My daughter had been working with the previous salesman on a particular vehicle Once taken over by the other salesman, things began to go south. The vehicle originally inquired about had mysteriously disappeared and we were forcefully pushed toward something else. When we test drove the vehicle, the interior reeked of smoke and there were questionable stains on the upholstery. The salesman very pointedly told my daughter that there was nothing else that he could offer her. Being in somewhat of a bind, my daughter felt that she had no other choice. The purchased car developed a knock less than 72 hours after the purchase. We were able to cancel the financing because the financer was needing additional Information but we're struggling to get the down payment returned. The fact that they didn't try to put lipstick on the pig should have been a screaming siren indicating that the whole deal was going to be as stinky as the car. It was terrible. It appeared clean but once the AC started running, it was very apparent that the previous owner was a chain smoker with a very limited tobacco budget. It didn't appear that anyone made any effort whatsoever to even mask that aroma. I suspect it was already known that the unit was not mechanically sound and not worth the time. I know some dealerships identify some used cars as "turds" and bonuses are awarded if a salesman manages to off-load a turd. I believe the salesman acted deceptively to elevate what would certainly not have been a profitable commission. read more

I hit a DEER with my Minivan and the ins. co. Totaled it out I was not prepared for this at all, mentally or financially. I loved my little minivan!! I found the same minivan on the internet with less miles and a upgrade on the interior. Inquired via e-mail and within minutes had a reply and a phone call. I believe her name Tracy very nice & she was able to answer all my questions and I told her I still had to deal with my Ins. Co. and she even had some suggestions for that which was VERY helpful!!! So when I finally got a way to get to Joe Machens Ford. I was introduced to Doug Mooney and proceeded to tell him what had happened and why I was there, he went to get the keys and someone was already out driving it and making a deal on it ? !! Another disappointment!!! And after cursing my Ins. Co. again Doug proceeded to see what else was available that Might Suite me. Notice I said suite me because not just anything would do, I have very specific demands when it comes down to what I am driving in a minivan and the price was a big Leap also because, of course the Ins. Co. only thinks your vehicle is worth what you think it is when you are paying the premiums. Hit a Deer and the whole thing changes!! So we looked at this and that drove this and that but, nothing was saying this is for ME - ?!! Then when he was about out of options he found something that had not even been added to the inventory yet ;-) over at one of the other branches it sounded interesting so we went over there the only thing that had been done was a bath it was parked in the shop and it was past closing time for the shop workers!! So there was no way I was getting to drive it that day but!!!! That was OK I LIKED IT!! You can say it was like a Little Lost Puppy saying PLEASE take me home or whatever you want LOL!!! I knew it was the one for me!! So next was price ? could I afford it well guess what they made me a DEAL I could not turn down and now it is mine!!! ? and his name is SAM and I believe we will be together for a LONG Time despite the DEER!!! Thank you Doug Mooney, Charlie Brown & Tracy Overstreet and everyone else for all of your efforts!!! You all made a BAD Day a GREAT Day!!! ? ? Anita Hopper St.James, MO read more

After researching a new truck purchase for the better part of a year, I finally had what I wanted narrowed down enough to enter the market. I contacted a dozen or so dealerships within 500 miles, including Machens Ford. After the dust settled it was a win for the home team and for me as well. Machens not only had the F-150 King Ranch I wanted, but they were extremely fair and competitive in their pricing before incentives reduced the price further. I worked with Lou Ann via email and the phone, and once a deal was reached all I needed to do was walk in and sign the paperwork. The paper process was quick and painless, and Gene did an excellent job not only explaining all documents but ensuring the process was quick and smooth. You hear horror stories of being in the finance office and being oversold useless additions, but Gene did very well and only briefly covered Ford's extended warranty program. It was quick and painless, and best of all is there was absolutely no pressure to make an additional purchase. Needless to say, 30 minutes after walking into the dealership I was sitting in my new truck and beginning the learning process. Lou Ann made the delivery so simple and easy. She spent well over an hour taking me though each and every inch of the truck, showing me all of the features and how things work. She guided me through Sync3 very well, and also through the instrument cluster and its own settings too. I have to say that this was the best dealership experience I've had, and I am glad that I could find a nice deal on what I wanted without having to drive hundreds of miles. read more

With the help of USAA car buying service, my wife and I made a decision on the type car we wanted and was provided with the name of Troy Atkisson at Joe Machens Ford in Columbia, MO. Troy took the time to personally contact us to help with questions and decisions we had about our choice of vehicles. Troy was punctual at our meeting at Joe Machens and was prepared to show me the many different selections of Ford Escapes on the lot. I was most impressed with Troy's knowledge of all the features of the vehicles and his superb demeanor in our conversations. He was not a "high pressure" salesman, but genuinely cared about providing the best for our desires. Troy and I test-drove two Escapes, one with a 1.6 Ecoboost engine and one with a 2.0. He humbled himself by admitting he didn't realize the noticeable difference in the two engines and realized immediately what we wanted. The next day I brought my wife to Joe Machens and Troy had done his homework and selected the exact car that met our desires. After my wife drove the car and looked at the other selections, we chose the car Troy had picked out for us. From that point on, Troy took us under his wing and assisted us in the most professional manner on purchasing the Escape. The whole car buying experience was the best my wife and I have experienced in our 46 years of marriage; thanks to Troy. read more

I was contacted within a day of making a request to the Internet Dept to see if the car I wanted to see was on the Columbia lot. I got the privilege to work with Josh Grantham who greeted me with a smile and clearly is interested in pleasing his customers. He really listened to every detail of what I was looking for and made sure that is EXACTLY what I got. Scott Cross truly made this an enjoyable experience for me and my girlfriend with tons of humor and fun which provided a relaxed atmosphere. The fun continued when I got to seal the deal with Todd Marple who also seems to be very dedicated to his job which he seems to thoroughly enjoy! I would not hesitate to refer anyone looking for a vehicle to this gang of truly enjoyable people. I truly could not have asked for a better buying experience which, to be perfectly honest, I was actually dreading. Salesman can sometimes be a little too pushy for my taste and have had experiences where arrogance seemed to rule their personality. The same absolutely can NOT be said about the aforementioned men. I could continue but the only negative thing I can say about my buying experience is that it is over!!! It was fun!!! read more

Received a phone call from Tracy after requesting information about a couple of vehicles listed on the Joe Machen's website. Tracy referred us to Nathan Hart in internet sales and he was great! Nathan helped us get the information we were looking for concerning the cars we were interested in-- turned out that none of those were available. Nathan then asked our price range, vehicle type, mileage and told us he would see what he could find that might interest us. Within a day he called to let us know about a car that he thought fit our criteria. Together with Manager Russ Berry, they were able to find the right vehicle for us and keep it within our price range. They were really nice to work with. This was actually a vehicle purchased by my son. He is thrilled with his purchase. What could have been a really frustrating experience in not being able to see the first cars that were of interest was turned completely around thanks to Nathan. I feel he went above his duty as a salesman to locate a car that my son would like and be in his budget. read more

I went to Joe Machens after my previous vehicle was totaled in an accident. Given the fact that I was buying my first car and it was an unplanned purchase, I needed a great deal of guidance (and probably took some amount of patience!), but the staff was wonderful throughout the whole process. Trey definitely put me at ease as I test drove (lots of) cars, and he was thorough in checking through the inventory (even when I wasn't there at the time) to find vehicles that met my various specifications. I was confident that I was going to get a great deal and drive away with a car I loved. Gene went above and beyond in making sure I got the best possible financing option, and he took the time to explain everything to me so that I understood exactly what the terms were. Everybody in the office was friendly and helpful each time I went in, and I was probably there on at least seven different occasions. I would definitely return to Joe Machens upon being in the market for another vehicle. read more

My daughter just bought a used Jeep Commando. This by far has been a very bad experience for her. After picking up this vehicle and having several things go wrong with it.Then being told you could look for another vehicle only to find out, she was lied to the whole time. Why would a Loan officer "TODD" tell us that nothing else could be done? Or that Scott could not get off his high chair and speak to my daughter or even tell her the TRUTH. This has been one of the worst experience for her the first being loosing her husband in 2013 and caring for her 2 young girls. At this point were just waiting for the other shoe to drop. My whole family will never deal with any of the Joe Machens any more, I will happily drive to St. Louis or further, if we need any vehicles in the future. To the sale rep. who helped us RUN RUN as fast as you can and get away from them. Oh yal this got 1 star because I had to, to post this. read more

I had a great experience at Joe Machens Ford, mostly because I worked with Austin Haywood. I have never bought from a dealer before, so I had lots of questions. He always said that is a great question and gave me a full answer. If he didn't know the answer, he found out and got back to me quickly. He even went above and beyond to ensure I got the best car for my money. Being a college student I am on a serious budget, so I bought a car that had pervious accidents. Everything we agreed upon only had to be said once and he got them done. He even went above and beyond and tweaked the driver's side door so it opened all the way (the accident prevented the door opening more than 18 inches). Austin made this experience very easy and stress free for me. I am incredibly happy with my purchase. If you want a dependable sales representative to work with you I'd recommend Austin Haywood! read more

I was doing a little car shopping online and saw a vehicle that I might be interested in. I was contacted by Lou Ann Montague. She was so friendly and helpful, she answered all my questions and set me up an appointment for the next day. She had the car washed and ready for a test drive when I arrived at the lot on Vandiver. I was able to purchase the vehicle within my price range. I was treated with respect and felt like I was talking to an old friend. I also have to give a shout out to the manager JJ for being so nice. I purchased the car but had a problem driving two vehicles back to Jefferson City. No problem, phone calls were made and my vehicle made it back to Jefferson City before I did. Thank You Lou Ann and JJ. I will recommend family and friends and hope they are as pleased as I am. Dorothy read more

Being a young female purchasing a car alone is not always a great experience but after my wonderful experience with my salesman, Jason Lane, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him or the Machens Vandiver location. I purchased a 2012 Ford Explorer and I absolutely love it. After being offered incredibly low trade-in values from other dealers, Jason was able to get me a trade-in value thousands above the other dealerships and also was able to lower the cost of the car I was purchasing. Not only did I get a great deal on the car, I had a very friendly and professional experience all around. They were able to fix minor things I wanted done along with a final detail and fill up before I left the lot. I cant say I've ever been treated so well by any other dealerships or salesmen. read more

Just recently bought a car from these guys from out of state, had car delivered and found all 4 tires were almost flat, aired them all up and found that every one of them had large cracks in the sidewalls, very bad cracking, unsafe tires to use, contacted the sales guy and dealer and they don't care at all, basically say I bought the car as is, even though it's supposed to come with a 90 day warranty, which I'm finding out these people don't stand behind at all,from all the online reviews I've read, I guess I should have done my research better on this dealer, they are a bunch of crooks, do not buy anything from them unless you want to be lied too and ripped off, they will tell you anything you want to hear, to make the deal and then not stand behind the sale! !! read more

I am a Deputy Sheriff for the Macon County Sheriff's Office any we recently purchased 2 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors and 2 F150 pick ups. We took Delivery of the SUVs this week on Wednesday 10/08/2014. We purchased them through Kelly Sells and he was great to deal with, I didn't talk with him personally on the phone before we picked them up but was there and who ever was talking to him was usually smiling even with the delayed delivery. We were treated very well when we arrived to pick up our SUVs, the staff and Kelly was very helpful, friendly, and got us in and out without any delay. Like I said earlier the only problem we had was it took longer to get our vehicles than the time frame we were given. Yes we would go through Machens and Kelly Sells again. read more

I needed to purchase a car in a very short amount of time, so I went to the pre-owned department at Joe Machens Ford. I was greeted very shortly after arrival by Marco Tapia, one of their salespersons. We got right down to business looking for a vehicle that met my needs (Budget-wise, style of vehicle, options, ect.). Marco made the entire process extremely easy and stress-free. From my point of view, the experience was actually enjoyable knowing that I was getting a nice car without the stress I was expecting. The detailers did an excellent job cleaning up the car while we went to lunch. Overall, it was a great experience working with Marco Tapia and the rest of the folks at Joe Machens Ford Pre-owned at 900 Bernadette Dr. in Columbia, MO. read more

I recently purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee from one of Joe Machens other locations. After many issues, and a long legal process it was repurchased. I was able to work with Marco from Joe Machens Ford Lincoln on purchasing another vehicle to replace my Jeep. I was unsure of exactly when I would be able to purchase the car that I wanted, a BMW 328i, but Marco and the other's were willing to hold the car for me until I was able to return the Jeep and secure financing on the BMW. They also allowed me to have an extended test drive, and they helped me get from one dealership to another on the day I returned the Jeep. Marco and Joe Machens Ford Lincoln went above an beyond what I would have ever expected, and I could not recommend them more! read more

My husband and I stopped in just to browse and left with the Jeep I've wanted since I was 16 years old. Jason Lane was by far, the easiest salesman we've ever worked with. He understood we didn't want to be pressured and left us free to browse as we wished but was available to answer any questions we might have. His easygoing, no pressure demeanor prompted us to buy the Jeep Wrangler we stopped to look at. I would highly recommend Jason if you are looking to purchase a vehicle. Gene Buck in the financing department was awesome as well. He wasn't overly pushy with the warranties etc as some finance department personnel are. We plan on visiting Jason again soon for a new truck as well. GREAT EXPERIENCE. GREAT STAFF. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

One of my daughters had some problems with her car. Needed a $1,900 part and $150 part. With labor, around $3,000. I paid the diagnosis fee of $125.00 and was only given the part numbers needed after requesting them. Checked the parts on a genuine Ford parts website. The $1,900 part was $1,100. The list price was $1,500. So Machens wanted to charge $400 over the list price and I bet they didn't pay $1,100 for the part! The $150 part was $90. Spoke to a mechanic who I knew and trusted and said that the labor cost wouldn't be over $400. So if you are going to take you car for Machens service I suggest you get a second bid. As for me and my family members, we will never do business with a rip off company like Machens again. read more

Great buying experience. My wife and I arrived at the dealership undecided about what we wanted to buy. Should we buy used or new? Well, salesman Mack McKinney showed us several used cars and a new cars that fit our budget. He was very helpful. One of the main things we appreciated was how he gave us all the time we wanted to decide what we wanted to buy. We decided to buy a new Focus se. At that time it was to late in the day to do the financing so we had to wait till the next day to finalize the deal. This worked great for us because Mack got the heated seats that we wanted installed for us before we picked the car up the next evening! Next time I need a car I'll go see Mack! read more

When I moved to Columbia in 1990, this dealership had a bad reputation. Sometime in the late 1990's things changed for the better, and the last few times (over the last 15 years) I have dealt with the people at Machens, its been a great experience. People want a dealership that is helpful and will go to bat for customer needs without being pushy - let the product sell itself and have the salesman fill in the gaps - because Machens seems to have this attitude now, things are a lot better than years ago. This was a great experience and I got a deal on my truck that others in the area could not match. I would definitely recommend to others. read more