I live in a town with about 1200 peeps in it. The local Ford place employs maybe 15 peeps max? I think know them all, definitely the owner. I'm guessing they have maybe 30 cars on the whole lot. They've been here since the 60's though.

I know the parts and service folks intimately. I provide them parts for older cars when they can't get them through Ford. I get my Ford parts at... let's say they are the best prices available.
I go in and tell them what my diagnostic codes are and what I need them to do. They do it. They call if there's something unusuall or pricey. I usually get same-day service, even when it's not a scheduled appointment. I just can't fuss.

There's another small dealer in the little city where I work. Same deal. I don't know everybody yet, but I know the guys in the parts and shop areas, and they help me out when needed.

I know some buddys that have similar deals with the GMC, Chevy, and Pontiac dealers too. No matter the franchise, it's the people that make the difference. I think that's the secret to it all myself.

It's been my experience that you are a number at the big dealerships, and a person at the small ones. I've been to crappy Ford dealers, and told them they were crappy too.

Living in a small town DOES have it's benefits!

 

my buddie's 98 c5 has adaptive handling and he hates it, it tries to do too much.