Beyond the Price Tag: The True Value of a Pre-Owned Vehicle from Precision Albany
Why Our Pre-Owned Volvos and Audis Are a Smarter Choice in Albany
At Precision in Albany, we know you have plenty of options when it comes to buying a pre-owned vehicle. But what makes our cars truly different isn’t the price tag, it’s the standard we hold them to, and the long-term relationship we build with every customer who drives one home. You're not just buying a car from us, you're buying us, our service and dedication to our long term relationship with you. We're a small company, and when you're spending your hard earned money on a car, or repairs, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable knowing the entire crew where you go, and who's working on your car? At any moment you can meet and interact with us and all our departments operate as one, so everyone is on the same page.
You see, we are known more as a specialized Volvo service facility than we are a sales facility. So our mission from the point of sale on our vehicles is for you to return as a regular service customer. So does it make sense for us to sell you a vehicle with the bare minimum done to it? Only to have us look like jack ass’s at your first oil change when you’re told what your new pre-owned car you just bought from us now needs. We would rather save the embarrassment and disappointment. Most used car dealerships, and even franchised car dealerships, are only concerned about the sale. Not the long term service plan and relationship with the customer.
Most places don't specialize in service and repair like we do, they primarily only sell. With that in mind, where you go after the sale, and what the next place tells you you need, isn't their problem, it's now YOUR PROBLEM. All these other dealers' cars have to do is pass state inspection and "Render reasonable service" in the eyes of the state of NY.
Take for example a franchised dealership: Sales, service, F&I, and parts are all separate entities within the dealership. Each is concerned about their own numbers within their department, and generally does not care how it affects the rest of the dealership. For the purposes of this article, we are speaking about the sales department. The salesman will say and promise anything they have to to complete the sale. They also, in most cases, do not know the full scope of the mechanical and service condition of the pre-owned vehicle. Once that deal is complete, what happens after ownership does not matter to them. If down the road there is an issue, they do not care because it has become the service department's problem. This type of sales structure, although very profitable for big dealerships, ultimately affects the customer in the long term. This isn't always the case in some places, but we're speaking with first hand knowledge of over 23 years of customers walking through our doors having dealt with this flawed structure.
For independent car dealerships, we fall in this category: We see the most abused, un serviced, shoddy repairs, crap aftermarket parts, and very little attention to detail on a Volvo, or any pre-owned car for that matter. It is important to remember that most used car dealerships just sell cars, usually all brands of cars, and use an outside repair facility to make the bare minimum repairs needed with the cheapest parts possible to get it on the lot. Why do they do this you may ask? It's simple, no long game, no service, no repair, just sell, sell, sell. They do not care where you go after the sale, they do not care where you repair, and they know by law that they only have to do the bare minimum to sell the car. Ask us how many examples we have of cars coming through our doors that need thousands in repairs that the customer didn't even know about. A lot can be wrong with a car that may not show itself till it's too late. With regards to Volvo, these cars can be in pretty rough shape mechanically but still drive excellent, because they are a great vehicle. Remember we are speaking from first hand experience of seeing what comes through our door. We have just now decided to share these facts with everyone because we are getting really tired of cars coming through the door just recently purchased elsewhere and being in such bad shape, yet paying top dollar for the car. It gives Volvo cars a bad name, it gives used car dealerships that long had the stigma of ripping people off, and because the price of used cars, not to mention new cars, has gone beyond out of control through the roof. 15 years ago you could buy a pretty decent used car for $5-8000. You can't buy crap for that now. We see $15-20,000 dollar cars come through our door that need thousands of thousands of dollars in work and they think they got a “Great Deal” because it was under KBB or JD power book value, or oh wait, lets not forget that CARGURUS or that dumb FOX said it was a “GREAT VALUE”. Man, someone should have told us that these all knowing online platforms know all about every car that their selling dealers listed with them.
That term “Great Value” is so twisted now, that people are trained to think that just the price of the car constitutes a good deal, or a great value, and it doesn’t. It doesn't take a genius to see how expensive car repairs have become in the last 5 years. It disgusts us to even quote customers now for basic work, it's embarrassing to be honest, because it never used to be this way. It used to be that Volvo and European cars were more costly to repair, but now, everything is expensive to fix, FACT. So if your looking at the same car with close to the same miles, same year, but its thousands less, ask yourself, I’m buying this Volvo or any car for that matter from a car dealership that basically sells every car on the road, how can they possibly know everything that needs to be done to every car they sell for the long term cost of ownership for that customer. They don’t, and that's ok, for them the dealer. You the buyer, that's on you.
Here is a layout of our core beliefs and thought process to the used car industry and why we feel our cars are a better value for the long term ownership and relationship.
Not the Cheapest — Because We Refuse to Cut Corners
We’ll say it plainly: our cars are not always the cheapest on the market. And that’s intentional. The difference is in the level of preparation every Volvo and Audi receives before it ever reaches our lot. While many used car dealerships do little more than a quick wash, cheap parts for the obvious needed repairs, and inspection, we go much deeper.
Every pre-owned Volvo and Audi we sell goes through an extensive service and repair process using factory diagnostics (VIDA/ODIS), genuine Volvo and Audi parts, and experienced Volvo, Audi technicians who specialize in these cars. We address every mechanical and safety concern before the car is listed — not after you’ve taken it home.
What Good Is a “Deal” If It Needs Thousands in Repairs?
A cheaper car might look tempting on paper — until the first repair bill hits. Many used car lots sell vehicles “as-is” with hidden maintenance needs that show up weeks or months later.
We see it all the time: people bring us cars they just bought elsewhere, only to find out they need $2,000–$5,000 worth of service that wasn’t disclosed. At Precision, we eliminate that risk. Our vehicles are brought up to — and ALWAYS beyond — Volvo’s and Audi’s recommended service standards before they’re sold.
When you buy from us, you’re not just buying a Volvo or Audi. You’re buying us, and peace of mind.
Built on Longevity, Not Turnover
Our entire business model is based on long-term relationships, not one-time sales. We want you to come back for service, not repairs. That means every car we sell must meet a standard that keeps you satisfied years down the road.
From oil seals to suspension components, we replace what others overlook. We test, we verify, and we stand behind every Volvo and Audi that leaves our shop. It’s not just about selling cars — it’s about preserving the quality and reliability that make Volvos and Audis special.
Why Our Customers Keep Coming Back
Once you’ve experienced the difference, you’ll understand why our customers drive from all over the region to buy their next Volvo or Audi here. They know they’re getting a vehicle that’s been cared for with precision, transparency, and expertise — not one that’s been dressed up to look good for a quick sale.
The Bottom Line
We might not always have the lowest price tag, but we promise a much higher standard of vehicle. Because when you factor in repairs, downtime, and long-term reliability, a properly serviced Volvo or Audi from PrecisionAlbany isn’t just the smarter choice — it’s the better value.
Thank you for your time reading our ramblings on an ever changing industry.