Welcome to Harte Volkswagen of Meriden

As a returning customer now on my 3rd car in a row from Harte Volkswagen I can safely say this is the network of dealerships we are all seeking and praying for. Bruce and Frank not only go above and beyond but they keep you laughing and comfortable from start to finish. I needed a manual 2025 GLI, and they worked around the clock for week straight and kept me in the loop the whole time. As an 10 year customer its more like family than business.

Dishonesty, lack of transparency, unprofessional, and zero integrity. These are the words that come to mind following my recent and sincerely appalling experience with Harte VW. In Jan. 2023, I was super excited when Frank Perrelli (the GSM) contacted me about an incoming Golf R (these models are very hard to come by) at/near MSRP. I was eager to put a deposit down, but he wouldn’t take one no matter how many times I asked (strange considering most dealers take one the second they have a VIN). What followed over the next month was Frank consistently dodging my texts & calls, or otherwise giving me vague responses - smoke & mirrors. I even stopped by the showroom to chat with him, checkbook in hand for a deposit, and he brushed me off saying he’d get me all the info/papers by email by end of day. Surprise - I received nothing that day or for the coming weeks, despite again following up with him several times. In the end, after weeks of radio silence sprinkled with lies, I called Frank out on this ridiculously unprofessional way of communicating and his lies. He finally admitted there were many other interested buyers (translation: he was fielding offers to set the final price) and the price was MSRP + $5k markup + ~$2k of unnecessary “add ons” - a far cry from his original text indicating MSRP. And with that, I happily took my business to a dealer 1,200 miles away that treated me with respect and got me my car for thousands less! It seems there’s a few other folks here who had similar experiences with Frank, so I’m sure I won’t be the last. I will be spreading the message far and wide - do not give your business to Harte VW - it’s worth your time and self-respect to go elsewhere.

I worked with John at Harte Volkswagen. My wife and I had been waiting for 4 months with a reservation for a 2023 VW ID.4 AWD xxxxxxin a color that didn't seem to be in production yet. We were open to other colors as we were hoping to take advantage of the full $7500 tax credit before the end of 2022 (because the MY23 ID.4s are made in Tennessee). We found that there was a Pure Grey 2023 AWD xxxxxxon the lot, we called up and got John, and he within an hour got us a quote and the Monroney sticker (but without any tactics to rush us at all). We showed up, he took us for a test drive and we fell in love! Deposit was down and two days later we were driving home our new ID.4. They honored MSRP and everyone at the dealership was amazing from start to finish. We highly recommend them!

Very impressed on how they helped me in the process of getting my Atlas when my car was stolen and needed an new car but had to wait for insurance to process. They could have sold my car for more $$ but they didn’t and kept their word while helping me complete the deal!!! One of the best dealers we have worked with!!! Highly recommend them!! As soon as I went to my car the Service Manager also came out to introduce himself and gave me his card in case I ever needed him!!!! Very impressed by he and Frank!! Paulie in finance too!!! The all were amazing!! Tk u!!!!

Candidly, this was the best car buying experience I’ve ever had. And I typically go through cars every 2-3 years. Bruce, Frank, Steve and the whole team were kind, helpful and created a great experience. Not a single person was pushy. They took the time to understand my needs. It really felt like I was buying from friends. Definitely not the typical “car dealer” vibe here. Glad to be a VW owner now.

George and his crew are great. Took care of everything I requested in a fast time. Highly recommend for any vw service needs. Thank you

This is a "VW service Xpress" location, which explicitly states there is NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY for basic maintenance services such as oil and filter changes, and tire rotations. This is not only on the Corporate VW website, but also reiterated on this specific dealers own website. I arrived on a weekday early afternoon and there were ZERO customers in the building or service waiting area and I was told they were TOO BUSY and I needed to schedule an appointment to have them perform a basic oil change, the first date of which they could do that being 6 (SIX) days in the future. I drove 20 minutes down the road to a competing VW dealer and was in and out in less than an hour. Harte VW and the rest of the entire Harte Auto Group will never see a single dollar from my pocket, but according to them business is booming and they don't need my money or new customers anyways.

Purchased a new GTI from them a couple of years ago and it was a terrible experience. The salesman and gentleman who showed me features of the car were nice enough but the salesman who was supposed to have paperwork ready was completely ill prepared and the process took nearly two hours. I was very frustrated when I realized they didn't prep the car, at all. Shipping pucks were left in the suspension, there was no washer fluid, packing material was left everywhere inside. Okay, mistakes happen I figured, I brought it for its first oil change and they got oil everywhere, on the windshield, on the bumper, all over the engine. The service advisor couldn't have cared less. I haven't stepped foot there since and I highly recommend you don't either.

I was looking for a new Volkswagen and found the exact spec I was looking for at Harte. I reached out to the sales department on a Sunday and was happily greeted by Bruce Williams. He immediately sent actual pictures of the specific car I was looking for with all details before I made a trip to see it in person to see it, and made a deal that day. Bruce was very professional, courteous, and knowledgeable, and provided a very fair and transparent price. It was an excellent experience doing business with Bruce and Harte Volkswagen, and I will be a return customer!

Bought a car from Bruce who was a phenomenal salesperson. Days later brakes began to squeal. Reached out to Dylan Harte and George Blackwell III the service managers and was told that my brakes squealing was normal and to get use to the sound. As a previous employee of the Harte Autogroup I expected more out of Dylan Harte and George. Instead I was mistreated badly. Avoid this dealership because if they mistreated me they will do the same to you.

Unfortunately a typical car buying experience where they slip items on the price of your car without going over your purchase item by item. We got stuck with a $350 vin etching because they did not disclose. Roger Pace is a shady salesman. Avoid or be on your guard.

Fantastic experience! Highly recommend them. Treated great and made the purchase easy. Salesman Mark Gentile and GM Nate make sure you’re happy with everything. The finance manager was great as well.

The sales person was very helpful and accommodating in finding the right vehicle for us. We went on many test drives. After that, service was not good. I had a 4:30 appointment to sign paperwork and pick up the car. No paperwork was prepared ahead of time. I did not go in to see finance manager until after 5:15. There was am extra $299 on sales contract. It was for VIN etching. On a used car? Etching was surely done when car was new. The interest rate at closing was higher than salesman lead us to believe. Finance manager said it was because VW was paying first month's payment. So, basically VW was giving me a loan on my loan. If I knew rate was going to be higher, I would have found other financing. After almost 2 1/2 hours, the car was finally ready to leave. The low tire pressure light was on. it was already late. I figured I would just add air when I got home. Turns out, the tire had a nail in it which makes me question if the dealer really did a 100 point inspection on this certified pre-owned car. Looking closer at the inspection report, they also checked that wheels had no damage. Two rims were damaged, probably from scraping curb at some point. I knew the rims were scraped but took that into consideration. Anyway, the point is that the whole 100 point inspection needs to be questioned. About two weeks after the purchase, I received an email with a survey from the dealer. In the questions, it asked if I had received the CPO warranty booklet. I had not. I checked box to have someone contact me. Two weeks and nothing. I would recommend the saleperson but not the dealership for used car purchase. I would also question service.

I saw the exact car I was looking for on their web site on a Saturday morning. Drove home that afternoon with the car I wanted at a great price. I highly recommend my salesperson, Nick Hammond.

My grandson has had work done here on his VW CC. I continue to be amazed at the top of the line service we have received. I wouldn’t go anywhere else! Thanks to George and the rest of the crew for the amazing service!!!