Skip to main content

Phinney's Automotive Center

Not rated Dealerships need five reviews in the past 24 months before we can display a rating. (110 reviews)
Visit Phinney's Automotive Center
Sales hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Service hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm
View all hours
Sales Service
Monday 9:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–4:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–4:30pm
Thursday 9:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–4:30pm
Friday 9:00am–5:00pm 8:00am–4:30pm
Saturday 9:00am–3:00pm Closed
Sunday Closed Closed
(315) 285-6048 (315) 285-6048

Inventory

See all 12 vehicles from this dealership.

About our dealership

This seller has been on Cars.com since January 2012.
Welcome to Phinney's Automotive Center located at 900 James Street in Clayton NY. We have been serving Northern New York since 1982. Phinney's is a full service automotive dealer handling all of your automotive needs. If you?re looking to purchase your next vehicle you've came to the right place. We hand select all of our cars and then send them through a rigorous inspection before they ever get to the lot. We are competitively priced and offer extended warranties and many financing options.

Phinney's is an AAA certified repair facility and also offers 24 hour towing and lockout service.

Service center

Phone number (315) 285-6048

Service hours

Monday
8:00am–4:30pm
Tuesday
8:00am–4:30pm
Wednesday
8:00am–4:30pm
Thursday
8:00am–4:30pm
Friday
8:00am–4:30pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Reviews

Not rated Dealerships need five reviews in the past 24 months before we can display a rating. (110 reviews)

A dealership's rating is based on all of their reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.

Want to share your experience with this dealership?

Write a review

Wonderful experience

We just purchased a classic from Matt what an amazing experience! Since we do not live locally we were nervous buying sight unseen. Matt answered all our questions on multiple occasions and was super helpful. They even did all the DMV paperwork so when the car was delivered we were ready to cruise. The car was exactly as Matt said it was it meant all our expectations and more. Phinneys is amazing and we are truly grateful.

Wonderful experience

We just purchased a classic from Matt what an amazing experience! Since we do not live locally we were nervous buying sight unseen. Matt answered all our questions on multiple occasions and was super helpful. They even did all the DMV paperwork so when the car was delivered we were ready to cruise. The car was exactly as Matt said it was it meant all our expectations and more. Phinneys is amazing and we are truly grateful.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process 5.0
  • Quality of repair 5.0
  • Overall facilities 5.0
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Show full review

Another lifetime customer

Matt made buying a car for our daughter an easy process. Not once did we feel intimidated or pressured to buy, and Matt made himself available to answer all questions. Matt is honest and genuine and goes above and beyond to take care of his customers. We’ll definitely go back to Phinney’s to purchase our next vehicle! I highly recommend Phinney’s for car sales and service.

Another lifetime customer

Matt made buying a car for our daughter an easy process. Not once did we feel intimidated or pressured to buy, and Matt made himself available to answer all questions. Matt is honest and genuine and goes above and beyond to take care of his customers. We’ll definitely go back to Phinney’s to purchase our next vehicle! I highly recommend Phinney’s for car sales and service.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process 5.0
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Show full review

Put me in the right vehicle!

I supplied Matt with a list of my needs in a vehicle and he found me something that exceeded all my expectations! I've been in my vehicle for over 6 months now and can confidently say it has been the best purchase I have ever made!

Put me in the right vehicle!

I supplied Matt with a list of my needs in a vehicle and he found me something that exceeded all my expectations! I've been in my vehicle for over 6 months now and can confidently say it has been the best purchase I have ever made!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process 5.0
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a new car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Show full review

Very friendly would recommend Phinneys

It was definitely worth the 5 hour trip to purchase a car from Phinneys. Matt was friendly ,honest and easy to deal with. When we arrived we were pleased to see the SUV was in mint condition as promised with all the options we were looking for. Matt had prepared the paperwork in advance therefore only one trip was required and our day was limited to Saturday. There was no pressure to purchase extra warranties. Matt explained everything throughly and accurately. The monthly payment was the same as he quoted and there was a minimal paper fee unlike other dealers who charge $300 or more. We had the best experience and will continue to do business with Phinneys!

Very friendly would recommend Phinneys

It was definitely worth the 5 hour trip to purchase a car from Phinneys. Matt was friendly ,honest and easy to deal with. When we arrived we were pleased to see the SUV was in mint condition as promised with all the options we were looking for. Matt had prepared the paperwork in advance therefore only one trip was required and our day was limited to Saturday. There was no pressure to purchase extra warranties. Matt explained everything throughly and accurately. The monthly payment was the same as he quoted and there was a minimal paper fee unlike other dealers who charge $300 or more. We had the best experience and will continue to do business with Phinneys!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Show full review

SUV Purchase

Just purchased our third vehicle from Phinney's on Thursday. Great people to work with!. Definitely will continue to give them our business when considering a vehicle purchase.

SUV Purchase

Just purchased our third vehicle from Phinney's on Thursday. Great people to work with!. Definitely will continue to give them our business when considering a vehicle purchase.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Show full review

Poor diagnostic

AAA towed my car there since it wouldn't start. 1st day I called they hadn't gotten to it. 2nd day - still looking at it - no quote of hourly rate or time spent. 3rd day - still didn't know what was wrong - had them tow it to dealer - they wanted $216 for no diagnoses and no repair before they would tow it. Dealer found bad computer and fixed it - dealers are the only ones who can program the computer

Poor diagnostic

AAA towed my car there since it wouldn't start. 1st day I called they hadn't gotten to it. 2nd day - still looking at it - no quote of hourly rate or time spent. 3rd day - still didn't know what was wrong - had them tow it to dealer - they wanted $216 for no diagnoses and no repair before they would tow it. Dealer found bad computer and fixed it - dealers are the only ones who can program the computer

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 1.0
  • Buying process
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 1.0
  • Does not recommend this dealer
  • Came in for service or repair
  • Did not make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Dealer response

The vehicle was towed here for us to diagnose an electrical issue. In the north country chasing electrical issues can sometimes be difficult and timely. After we chased the issue for a couple hours with no definite answer we called and told the customer how much time we had into it, and we got authorization to go ahead and spend more time to dig further. We then spent some more time again with no real answers. We were instructed by the customer to go further. After exhausting nearly 6 hours all signs pointed to a bad BCM which can only be programmed by a dealer. We recommended it be towed to the dealer and to have them confirm and replace the BCM. When it came to pay for our time we had into it the customer complained about it being excessive. We agreed to cut the time in half and only bill out for 3 hours. Customer approved and paid the bill. Over a week went by before Phil decided that he paid to much money for us to diagnose and not fix his issue. A complaint was filed by the customer to AAA, as we are one of the only AAA approved repair facilities in our area. AAA is then required to investigate the issue. AAA did their independent investigation listened to both sides, pulled all relating repair bills, and dismissed the claim stating that we treated him fairly. When that didn't work Phil disputed his credit card charges with the credit card company. That again triggers the credit card provider do their own independent investigation into the concern. That was completed, and the credit card provider agreed that all charges were approved and warranted. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to please 100% of your customers 100% of the time.

Show full review

All Staff, Sales & Service

Phinneys has all of the amenities provided with grace and generosity. They have excellent empathy that makes it very comfortable dealing with unfamiliar car issues. The buying process was easy, efficient and very straight forward. Matt explained all the details to me in terms that I could understand. I am truly grateful that Phinneys is here locally in Clayton and has such gracious and professional sales and service.

All Staff, Sales & Service

Phinneys has all of the amenities provided with grace and generosity. They have excellent empathy that makes it very comfortable dealing with unfamiliar car issues. The buying process was easy, efficient and very straight forward. Matt explained all the details to me in terms that I could understand. I am truly grateful that Phinneys is here locally in Clayton and has such gracious and professional sales and service.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Dealer response

Thank you for your review Judy, we look forward to many more years of serving your Automotive needs.

Show full review

Very Helpful

We were in town on vacation on a Saturday, we broke down and got towed right into Phinneys. They diagnoses our issues on the spot and had parts coming for Monday. They were super helpful we found them by searching online and would highly recommend.

Very Helpful

We were in town on vacation on a Saturday, we broke down and got towed right into Phinneys. They diagnoses our issues on the spot and had parts coming for Monday. They were super helpful we found them by searching online and would highly recommend.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process
  • Quality of repair
  • Overall facilities
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Came in for service or repair
  • Did not make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Dealer response

Thank you for the review, We hope that you come back and visit us again!

Show full review

Thank you for such an easy transaction!

So happy with our new vehicle thank you Matt!!! What a great experience! You truly went over and beyond with your customer service. Your dad will be proud!

Thank you for such an easy transaction!

So happy with our new vehicle thank you Matt!!! What a great experience! You truly went over and beyond with your customer service. Your dad will be proud!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process 5.0
  • Quality of repair 5.0
  • Overall facilities 5.0
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Dealer response

Thank you Kristin, we look forward to continue to do business with you in the future!

Show full review

Joe K buys a new car

I needed a car with very short notice and gave the parameters online and had the car l requested in less than a week. Excellent!

Joe K buys a new car

I needed a car with very short notice and gave the parameters online and had the car l requested in less than a week. Excellent!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Customer service 5.0
  • Buying process 5.0
  • Quality of repair 5.0
  • Overall facilities 5.0
  • Overall experience 5.0
  • Does recommend this dealer
  • Shopped for a used car
  • Did make a purchase
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Dealer response

Thank you Joe, we are glad that we could accommodate you in such a timely fashion. We appreciate your business.

Show full review
See all 110 reviews