Couple counts on Marine at Planet Hyundai Sahara

Las Vegans Maggie and Paul Martin are true believers in the Hyundai automobile as evidenced by the fact they recently traded in a 2007 Elantra for a 2011 Sonata that the couple purchased from Planet Hyundai Sahara.

"We brought the Elantra in for service but were expired on the warranty of the vehicle," explained Paul Martin, who, along with his wife, works in the medical field. "We decided to walk around the lot and look at new Hyundais. We liked the Sonata and talked to sales consultant, LaMar Stingley."

From there, Stingley, who spent six years in the U.S. Marine Corps before going into the car business several years ago, not only took the couple for a test drive but illustrated his expertise in the business by pulling the car off the road to show every facet of the Sonata.

"LaMar was in no hurry at all to sell this car and he was very professional," Maggie Martin explained. "He opened the trunk and the hood and explained all of the features including all of the elements related to safety. We both felt very comfortable with LaMar's approach and his incredible knowledge of the Hyundai product.

"There was absolutely no pressure at all. He let us make up our own minds. His level of integrity and professionalism is, no doubt, evidence of his Marine Corps background."

Stingley also impressed the couple with a statement about the Hyundai.

"He told us Hyundai doesn't sell cars based on profit margins; its goal is to sell quality vehicles at a fair price making its profit over the long run by building its client base. The customer base is growing because of the quality we have seen from the Hyundai brand coupled with the amazing fuel efficiency that comes with every Hyundai," Maggie Martin said.

The Martins were quick to take their new Sonata for a drive and, in fact, have been to San Diego on two occasions with it.

"The Sonata got excellent fuel mileage and it was very smooth," Paul Martin said. "Its GPS features were excellent and the car handles like a dream. This car has all the features of some cars that are much more expensive. The Sonata comes with a four-cylinder engine and it has as much get up and go as any six-cylinder on the market."

Maggie Martin also praised the leg room.

"Our son is 6-foot-1 and he fits comfortably in the back seat," she said. "There is not anything this car does not have. When you compare it to a Mercedes or a Lexus, the Hyundai is right there with them.

"It's just a very good car, especially when you add in the fact that it has a 10-year, 100,000-mile (powertrain) warranty. The assured trade-in value provided by Hyundai is yet another aspect that impressed us."

"The Hyundai is a quality vehicle that I'm proud to sell," he said. "Selling a car is really a treat anyway, and it's especially satisfying when you are able to help nice people like the Martins."

Planet Hyundai co-owner Ron Coury, also a former Marine added, "LaMar is an excellent example of continuing the high standards in job performance we both learned in the Corps. Over the nearly 40 years since I served I've tried to carry that level of discipline and performance throughout my career and am proud to see a fellow former Marine like LaMar continuing the tradition of excellence with our customers."

Planet Hyundai dealerships also include Planet Hyundai Centennial at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd. in the northwest valley.
Further information can be found by calling 702-938-1400 (Sahara); or 702-483-2200 (Centennial); Stingley at 702-521-6777; or by visiting www.planetlv.com.