Woodbury Auto Group is a dealership chain with multiple locations across Minnesota

Woodbury Auto Group operates several car dealerships in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, primarily in Woodbury, Minnesota. The group sells both new and used vehicles across multiple brands. Like any dealership, understanding how they operate, what to expect during the buying process, and how to protect yourself as a buyer will help you make a more informed decision about whether to shop there.

This guide covers what Woodbury Auto Group is, how dealership financing and pricing work, and what steps you can take before and during a purchase to avoid common pitfalls. The information here applies to most traditional car dealerships, though specific policies and inventory vary by location and change over time.

Key Takeaways

  • Woodbury Auto Group is a multi-location dealership chain in Minnesota selling new and used vehicles; you can contact individual locations directly to ask about current inventory and pricing.
  • Dealership financing often comes with higher interest rates than bank or credit union loans, so getting pre-approved for a loan elsewhere before you visit gives you negotiating power.
  • The sticker price on a car is a starting point, not a final price — dealer markups, add-ons, and extended warranties are all negotiable.
  • Reading the full contract before signing, including the fine print on warranties and add-ons, protects you from unexpected charges or terms you did not agree to.
  • Your state's lemon law and cooling-off period rules determine what recourse you have if something goes wrong shortly after purchase.

How dealership pricing and markups work

When you see a price on a car at a dealership, that number includes the dealer's cost, their profit margin, and often additional markups for dealer-installed add-ons. The sticker price — called the Monroney label on new cars — is not the price you will pay. Dealers expect negotiation, and the actual sale price depends on your credit, your trade-in value, and how much you push back on the asking price.

Used cars have even more variation in pricing because there is no standard sticker. A dealer might price a used car based on its condition, mileage, market demand in your area, and how long it has been on the lot. Two identical cars at different dealerships can have different prices. This is why checking prices on independent sites like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides before you visit gives you a realistic range for what you should pay.

Add-ons like extended warranties, paint protection, fabric protection, and gap insurance are common at dealerships and are almost always negotiable or removable. Many buyers do not realize these are optional until they see them on the final bill. Ask the salesperson to itemize every charge before you sign anything.

Financing through the dealership versus bringing your own loan

Dealerships offer financing through banks and finance companies they work with. This is convenient — you can drive off the lot the same day — but the interest rate you receive depends on your credit score and the lender's terms. Dealership financing rates are often higher than what you would get from your own bank or credit union, especially if you have good credit.

The strongest position to be in is to get pre-approved for a loan from your bank or credit union before you visit the dealership. When you have a loan offer in hand, you know your maximum budget and your interest rate. You can then tell the dealership: "I have financing at 5.5 percent; can you beat that?" Many dealerships will match or come close to an outside rate to make the sale. If they cannot, you use your pre-approved loan and walk in with cash (from the lender's perspective), which often gives you more negotiating power on the price itself.

If you do finance through the dealership, read the loan agreement carefully. The interest rate, loan term, and any penalties for early payoff should all be clear. Some dealerships use a practice called spot delivery, where you drive the car home before the financing is finalized, then call you back if the lender rejects the deal. This is legal in Minnesota but can create problems, so ask upfront whether the deal is contingent on final lender approval.

Understanding warranties and what they cover

New cars come with a manufacturer's warranty that covers defects for a set period — usually three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is included in the price and is not negotiable. Extended warranties sold by the dealership are optional and cover repairs after the manufacturer's warranty expires. They are expensive and often not worth the cost, especially if you plan to keep the car for fewer than five years or drive fewer than 60,000 miles total.

Used cars typically come with a limited dealer warranty, if any. The length and coverage vary widely. Some dealerships offer 30-day warranties on used cars; others offer none. Ask what is covered, for how long, and whether it includes parts and labor or just parts. Get this in writing before you buy.

Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled in an accident. It is useful if you are putting down less than 20 percent, but it is often overpriced when sold by dealerships. Your auto insurance company may offer it cheaper, so check before you agree to the dealership's version.

What to do before you visit the dealership

Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com, which is the only free, official source. Errors on your report can lower your credit score and raise the interest rate you are offered. If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau before you explore for a car loan.

Get pre-approved for a loan from at least one bank or credit union. This takes 15 to 30 minutes and does not commit you to anything. You will learn your interest rate and maximum loan amount, both of which you can use to negotiate at the dealership.

Research the specific car you want — make, model, year, and trim level — on Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, or Edmunds. Write down the fair market value for your area. If you are trading in a car, get its estimated value on the same sites. Bring these numbers with you or have them on your phone.

Make a list of questions for the dealership: What is the vehicle history (for used cars)? Has it been in an accident? What maintenance has been done? Are there any known issues? What is included in the warranty? What add-ons are on the price, and can they be removed? Getting answers in writing protects you later.

What happens during the purchase and what to watch for

The salesperson will show you cars and discuss price and financing. Do not feel rushed. Take time to inspect the car, test drive it, and ask questions. If you are buying used, consider paying for a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic before you commit — this costs $100 to $200 but can reveal problems the dealership did not disclose.

When you are ready to negotiate, start with the price. Use the fair market value you researched as your anchor. Say something like: "The market value for this car is $18,000 to $19,000. What is your best price?" Negotiate the price first, then discuss financing and trade-in value separately. Bundling everything together makes it harder to see whether you are getting a fair deal on each piece.

Before you sign any paperwork, read it all the way through. The contract will include the vehicle details, price, financing terms, warranty information, and any add-ons. If something does not match what you discussed, ask the salesperson to correct it before you sign. Do not let anyone pressure you into signing without understanding every line.

Your rights after the purchase in Minnesota

Minnesota has a cooling-off period for car purchases, but it is limited. You have three business days to cancel a purchase if the dealer did not give you a written notice of your right to cancel at the time of sale. This is a narrow window and applies mainly to situations where the dealer failed to follow the law, not to buyer's remorse.

Minnesota's lemon law covers new cars with defects that substantially impair their use, value, or safety. If a defect appears within one year or 12,000 miles and the dealer cannot fix it after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be may have access to to a refund or replacement. Used cars are generally not covered by the lemon law unless the dealer provided a specific warranty.

If you believe the dealership misrepresented the car or violated consumer protection laws, you can file a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office or the Better Business Bureau. Keep all paperwork from the purchase, including the contract, warranty documents, and any service records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return a car to Woodbury Auto Group if I change my mind?

Most dealerships, including those in the Woodbury Auto Group, do not have a standard return policy. Your only legal right to cancel is Minnesota's three-day cooling-off period, which applies only if the dealer failed to give you written notice of that right at the time of sale. Contact the specific location where you bought the car to ask about their return or exchange policy.

What should I do if the car breaks down shortly after I buy it?

Check your warranty paperwork to see what is covered and for how long. If the car is still under the dealer's warranty, contact the dealership and request service. If the problem is a defect that appears within one year or 12,000 miles on a new car, you may have rights under Minnesota's lemon law. Document all repairs and keep receipts.

How do I know if I am getting a fair price on a used car?

Use Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, or Edmunds to look up the fair market value for the exact make, model, year, mileage, and condition of the car you want. Compare the dealership's price to that range. If it is significantly higher, ask the salesperson why, or shop elsewhere. Condition, mileage, and local demand all affect price, so a higher price is not always unfair — but you should understand why.

Should I buy an extended warranty from the dealership?

Extended warranties are optional and often overpriced. If you plan to keep the car for fewer than five years or drive fewer than 60,000 miles, the odds of needing major repairs are low. If you do want coverage, get quotes from your auto insurance company or third-party warranty providers before you agree to the dealership's price. Never feel obligated to buy one.

What is gap insurance and do I need it?

Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled. It is most useful if you are putting down less than 20 percent of the purchase price. Ask your auto insurance company whether they offer it — they often do at a lower price than the dealership. Compare costs before you decide.