After being used car dealers for 9 years, Esprit Motors transitioned in 2023 to conducting pre-purchase inspections and providing auto brokerage services for busy people and families. Working with customers was our favorite part of the job – learning about their individual needs, finding the right car, and working with them toward a common goal.
Here is some feedback that Esprit has received from past customers for both auto brokerage services, pre-purchase inspections, or from customers who had bought a used car from us when we were licensed dealers.
“Working with Esprit Motors helped us buy the exact car we wanted for an extremely competitive price.
The last couple of years in the car market have been absolutely wild, with low inventory, prices sky-high, and little negotiation. It was daunting to want to purchase something but not feel like we were at the mercy of a dealership.
Ian took our list of cars and options and used his market knowledge and dealer access to help us understand what was available in the market, how different factors affected pricing, and the wholesale-retail spread so we could feel confident that when we found “the one” it was a very good deal. His knowledge and relationships with shippers allowed us to search the full West Coast. Ian advised us on what to watch out for and counseled us to skip over some listings when he felt like the seller might be holding something back. Working with Esprit, we had access to both the wholesale and retail markets and the inside knowledge to successfully identify good deals in each.
Once we identified the car we wanted to purchase, Ian counseled us during the negotiations and arranged shipping for an extremely competitive rate. In the end, we got the car with every option we wanted, delivered to Portland, for the best price we had seen during our two-month search.”
— Grant and Michelle G., Portland, OR (review received via email)
“I had a very positive experience buying my 2006 Subaru Forester from Ian. He was very friendly, and seemed knowledgeable, honest and transparent. It was such a relief after going to several other used car dealers. I hope to not have to buy another car again for a while, but when I do I’ll be reaching out to him.”
— Steven B., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“I had such a great experience buying my 2014 Subaru Outback from Ian. He offered such an easeful and honest transaction. He is super knowledgeable about Subarus and lets his products sell themselves. Ian puts the honesty back into car sales! I am forever grateful for this experience. He has also been really helpful and available to me post purchase, with questions and putting together all my paperwork for the DMV.”
— Jaime H., Sandy, OR (review from Google)
“I can’t recommend buying a car from Ian and Kim more. My husband and I started working with them a few months ago and test drove a 2014 Subaru. Ian was super knowledgeable and not at all pushy. He helped us identify that we really wanted a 2015 or newer. We provided the details for what kind of car we were ideally looking for and he found, bought and fixed up the exact car we wanted, all within budget and within our desired timeline. I was able to trade in our 2004 Subaru and buy a 2015. Ian made the whole process incredibly easy and painless. He even helped me take off my cargo box and old roof rack. I’ve only ever bought a car from a friend and was totally intimidated by the process going into it but I completely trust Ian and Kim. I can’t imagine ever buying a car from anyone else!”
— Karen D., Portland, OR (review from Google & Yelp)
“We bought a Chevy Volt from Ian and had a great experience throughout. He was easy to work with, extremely accommodating, knowledgeable and helpful at every step. We’d do business with him again in a blink. Highly recommend Esprit Motors!”
— Patrick S., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“I bought a 2019 Outback from Esprit and I was pleased with the honesty and straightforward process. There were some hiccups in financing – not Esprit’s fault but it seemed like the deal wasn’t going to work. Ian hung in there and in the end it was all fine. The car is just what I wanted and it was really a pleasure to do business with Esprit. It might not be the absolute cheapest way to buy a car but it is definitely one of the easiest and lowest pressure. I highly recommend them.”
— Jeffrey L., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“Ian was very communicative and easy to work with. He worked with us to find a car that met all of our criteria and to ensure it was in good condition. Made the process of buying a used car super streamlined and stress-free. Highly recommend this dealership.”
— Rebecca P., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“Wonderful experience would recommend to anyone looking for a truly fair deal. Even made the effort to meet me close to home. I couldn’t be more grateful! Two thumbs up and 50 gold stars if possible.”
— Taylor C., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“Pleasure dealing with Esprit Motors. Professional, friendly, and reliable service. They also do race car inspections- inspected a historic IMSA GTU for me and I’m very happy with their services. Would recommend them 100%!
— Luke S., Germany (review from Google)
“Esprit Motors found the perfect car I was looking for! I went to Ian asking for a Lexus 200ct, I am very picky and wanted very specific options and colors. Both Kim and Ian were excellent communicators and helped me understand the process and gave me updates consistently. I highly recommend taking advantage of their added service of doing all the DMV paperwork. Kim and Ian know the rules inside and out and made me confident they had everything well under control. We did run into an issue with the seller and the DMV, Esprit Motors took care of everything to resolve the issue. They got on the phone and made calls on my behalf and worked with the DMV to seek clarity on a policy. It was a stress-free experience. Esprit Motors is a small, local company and I highly encourage everyone to use them for their next car purchase. Esprit Motors is a highly respectable, knowledgeable, and honest company! I LOVE my new (new to me) Lexus!”
— Rachael L., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“Ian Lomax was kind enough to inspect a car I was considering pursuing in the Portland market. He provided a very helpful and thorough review of the car for a very reasonable fee. In speaking to him on the phone, I found him to be a really good guy, and extremely knowledgeable. He was a real pleasure to work with, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with him again in the future. I certainly consider him a great contact to have in the car community. I highly recommend him!”
— John E., Chicago, IL (review from Yelp)
“We recently purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester through Esprit Motors. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Kim and Ian. Their honesty and willingness to answer any questions really instilled confidence in our car buying process. We didn’t have a lot of time for the traditional car-buying search but they were able to accommodate us. We gave them some parameters for the kind of vehicle we were looking for and budget limitations. After a few weeks, they found the perfect car for us. We highly recommend Esprit Motors for your next car purchase.”
–Greg G. & Becky S., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“I am so pleased with the 2001 Subaru Forester I purchased from Ian and Kim! I originally saw an ad for the car on Craigslist and clicked through to their website to learn more. I was really impressed by the information on their site, and the number of positive reviews they had gotten online. Although its price was significantly higher than others I’d been looking at, I had been having so much trouble keeping up with the pace of Subaru used car sales in the area I thought I’d give them a shot. From the start, Ian was so friendly, professional, transparent, and knowledgeable about the car and car-buying process — it made all the difference and really stood apart from other sellers I’ve encountered in Portland. He encouraged me to take my time in making a decision and thoroughly check everything over. He was happy to answer all questions and volunteer tips and extra information. The car was in incredibly good shape, with a pristine interior and exterior, and Ian shared with me receipts of all major maintenance. I was able to get the car inspected prior to purchase by a mechanic of my choosing, which I had found to be nearly impossible to do with other sellers. Their purchase process was straight-forward and smooth, and they sent off all the DMV paperwork on my behalf. I highly recommend Esprit!”
— Marika L., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“We purchased a 2006 Outback from Esprit Motors (97k miles), and have been very happy with our experience. We live a little north of Seattle, and I would normally have been hesitant to fly down to Portland to look at a used car from an independent dealer, but all the positive reviews I read on line gave me confidence. We are now going to have Ian and Kim look for a Forester for my father in law. “
— Derek H., Lynnwood, WA (review from Yelp)
“Bought a great little car that Ian found, a 2004 Outback with under 39,000 miles. Ian is super friendly, upfront, honest, and knows Subarus. Kim runs the business side professionally and efficiently, knows what’s needed and how to explain everything easily to us to complete the sale. They work great together. Buying from Esprit Motors is like no other used car experience. So positive, comfortable, no pressure. Hence the small inventory. But they sure know how to find solid Subaru deals. Strongly recommend them if you are in the market for a great used all-wheel drive auto!”
— Mark V., Salem, OR (review from Yelp)
“I recently purchased a 2007 Subaru Outback from these guys, and I couldn’t be more happier with it. Right off the bat, I knew Ian and Kim were trustworthy people who would never scam a buyer. I have had bad experiences buying used cars, and doing business with Ian and Kim was such a relief. I even made an appointment for a pre-purchase inspection, and Ian was so kind enough to take it to my mechanic, and bring it back on his own time. If you’re looking for a quality, affordable Subaru from people you can count on, you gotta come here!
— Joey A., Lafayette, CA (review from Yelp)
“I bought my Subaru back in April 2016. It didn’t take long to fall in love with my Outback! This car continues to surpass my expectations and handles the elements and mountains like a gem! I could not have asked for a better car buying experience. Ian and Kim know their Subarus, inside and out.
I felt taken care of throughout the process, from start to finish. They are specialized, detail oriented, thorough, and were able to answer questions that set them apart from their competitors. I was confident in my decision to purchase my car from Kim and Ian and have been grateful ever since! I value their no-pressure, hassle-free, and simple car buying approach. This couple specializes in taking good care of their customers all the while offering them safe, reliable, and reasonably priced cars. Their transparency, honesty, and willingness to go the extra mile speaks volumes. I look forward to doing business with them again!”
— Melanie B., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“Two months ago, I bought my 2005 Subaru Outback Legacy (102k miles) from Esprit, and it has been nothing but a wonderful experience. Ian and Kim are incredibly honest, knowledgeable, approachable, and professional. I contacted them a few months before moving to the Portland area all the way from the East Coast. I was nervous about buying a car from people I did not know from so far away, but Ian and Kim were absolutely the right choice!
I told Ian what kind of car I was looking for and he kept me updated on his search for one that was right for me. He found my Subaru at an auction a few weeks before I moved. He was upfront and honest about what important problems needed to be fixed (head gaskets, airbags, etc.)–all things which he and his mechanic took care of for me before I arrived in Portland, and were included in the final price–and little things he chose not fix but still wanted me to know about (such as one broken seat heater).
When I arrived, the car was exactly as advertised (and beautifully detailed–it definitely did not look like a 2005!) We went for a test drive together and I took the car to a third-party mechanic, who passed it with flying colors. Kim walked me through the paperwork (this was my first car not purchased from a family member) and made the process incredibly easy. The price was fair for an older Subaru with good bones and all of the important work done on it.
Shortly after I bought the car, we realized that the glove box handle was broken. I called Ian and he immediately apologized for overlooking it and offered to cover it. I took it to the mechanic, got it fixed within an hour or two, and they billed Ian for me. No problem at all.
I’ve already put 2000 miles on my car and I could not be happier. It also felt great to know that my purchase supported a local, family-run business and not a huge, slimy, corporate dealership. What a great car buying experience. Thank you Kim and Ian!”
— Sofia D., Vancouver, WA (review from Yelp)
“We ran across Esprit Motors while searching online for a used Subaru in Portland. From the initial contact all the way through the final paperwork, Ian and Kim were a pleasure to work with. They are knowledgeable and transparent about the cars they sell; they are easy to reach and clear in their communications; and they provide a highly professional service that is friendly and relaxed. Buying a car from them combines the ease of buying from your neighbor with all the good aspects – and none of the bad ones – of buying from a dealer. We love our 08 Outback and plan to keep it for years. When the time comes, we wouldn’t hesitate to work with Esprit Motors again.”
— Mike G., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“I looked for a while to find a good quality car in the area. Even looking as far as southern Oregon (I live in Vancouver) and ran into many issues. Either pushy salespeople or false advertisements for crummy cars. Eventually, I came across Esprit and was immediately impressed by Ian’s politeness. He was totally upfront and transparent about the car’s history, even going so far as to get me receipts for the parts he had installed by a certified Subaru mechanic. I love my new (used) car and I love even more that I can trust it to continue running smoothly. 10/10 would recommend.”
— Alyxandra J., Vancouver, WA (review from Yelp)
“I’ve known Ian since he was a little kid with a huge Matchbox collection, and his interest in all things automotive has not diminished in the years since! Fast forward a few decades, and he’s now the smartest car guy I know. So when our family needed a used car and didn’t want to hassle with a prolonged search, we knew just what to do. Kim and Ian were super helpful – they recognized our needs immediately and found just the thing. Not only did they clean it up and get it running in tip-top shape, they even went to DMV for us!”
— Penny M., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“Everyone should buy their Subaru from Esprit Motors! They are honest, kind, efficient, easy to work with and they know their Subarus! Equally as awesome is the fact that they handle all your paperwork and have even checked up on me and my new (used) Subaru to make sure we received our new title from the DMV and that the car was working out. When I told them the dome light wasn’t working – more than a month after my purchase – they came over and fixed it a few days later! They are wonderful!
— Courtney B., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“Simple, thorough and so very honest and friendly. What a relief to find Esprit Motors! Thank you, Ian and Kim!”
— Sheri B., Vancouver WA (review from Yelp)
“Having Kim and Ian find a vehicle for me was a great investment. I rely on my truck for my landscaping business and all my personal travel. I have very specific needs for work and my family. They did loads of research to find just the right match, and didn’t just go with the first option, but continued to look until they found the very best fit for my budget. Everything was clearly communicated and the process was so easy. I have already recommended them to two close friends!”
— Alissa H., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“Esprit Motors is perfect if you are not in an immediate rush for a car (like us!) and want completely hassle-free, nice customer service. We knew our price range and car type and were ready to go once they found the car for us. Definitely will recommend Esprit.”
— Anita Q. & Brian F.; Portland, OR (review received by email)
“After spending most of my extra time researching new and used vehicles, I knew I would be going for a Subaru. I wasn’t interested in buying new, so I checked out Craigslist. Sifting through the listings, I saw many cars, but none of them felt like the one for me. Though I did manage to narrow it down to specific models in the process. Luckily, I came across Esprit Motors and started the process with Ian of matching my criteria with his current inventory. I liked that he dealt in a great selection of used Subarus in excellent condition. I found the services offered from Esprit make the used car buying experience smooth and simple. And, if Esprit doesn’t have the car you are looking for, chances are they can find it for you. With financing ready to go through with my bank, Esprit Motors was able to accept bank financing with zero issues. If you are looking for a great Subaru in great condition, check out Kim and Ian’s services. They will make sure the car is safe and ready to drive home. You can even see the CarFax report for free on the website for any car currently available! So far it’s been a week with my car and I’m definitely very happy with the 2007 Outback XT I purchased from Esprit Motors.”
— Adam B., Milwaukie, OR (review received by email)
“I recently bought a 2010 Subaru from Esprit Motors. I usually dread car shopping, but Ian and Kim were really great to work with. They were honest, low pressure, and knowledgeable. It can be rough shopping for used cars as a woman, and it was refreshing to not have to deal with any slimy used car salesmen. The car is exactly what I was looking for, and very reasonably priced. They made sure it was in good shape before they sold it, and were upfront about any tiny imperfections the car had. I very highly recommend Esprit Motors.”
— Rita E., Hood River, OR (review from Yelp)
“This summer we found ourselves in a situation requiring us to replace our Subaru wagon. I took the usual routes of trying to find the right car on Craigslist, then get there in time for it to still be available, back on forth to used car lots only to find cars in questionable condition, etc.
I found an ad on Craigslist for Esprit Motors and gave Ian a call. He was friendly and made an appointment for me to view the 2003 Outback we ultimately purchased. Others were interested and even showed up before I did without making his required appointment. He honored our “first call” contact which greatly pleased us.
A month later, we couldn’t be more pleased with the vehicle and our very fair investment in it. At the time of signing the paperwork, both he and Kim showed themselves to be as dedicated to the proper process and requirements of title transfer as they were in our satisfaction with the automobile.
I would recommend them, and have in fact a couple of times already. This was just what we needed.”
— Tom and Pam S., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“After identifying the right car for our family needs, I realized that it was also the most difficult to find! I had never bought a used car before and knew I needed help. After learning about Ian & Kim at Esprit, and reading through their website, I knew they were the ones to turn to for help. Although I initially missed purchasing a Subaru Outback from him by only a few hours, Ian helped me with what to look for even when I tried to find the right car at various dealerships as well as individuals from Craigslist. Over several weeks it seemed that every Outback available was too old, too beat up, too high priced or had too high of mileage, which led to high frustration for me. But Ian was able to find a great 2009 with just over 80K miles and for the right price. He knows his Subarus and I am thrilled with our new car. Thank you Ian & Kim!”
— Jeanne M., Beaverton, OR (review from Yelp)
“Purchasing our Subaru from Esprit Motors was absolutely seamless. Ian and Kim were incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating. They took all of the work and stress out of the car buying process. We visited them and then drove to two used car lots to shop around. We didn’t last 10 minutes talking to the other salesmen at the dealerships. We actually called Ian while driving back from the other dealerships to confirm that we wanted to purchase a car from them. Ian has been a great resource even now after we purchased the vehicle, going far beyond what a dealership would offer. They are passionate about providing top-notch service and high quality used cars. I would highly recommend them to anyone that is in the market for a Subaru.”
— Deborah P., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“Esprit Motors helped me sell my car and it was a great experience. Ian and Kim offered thoughtful advice and were extremely helpful, responsive, and honest the whole way through. Their knowledge of the market sets them apart and they are two super nice people as well. They helped make the process go smoothly and it was a great value. I would highly recommend them!”
— Kate F., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“We recently purchased a 2008 Subaru Outback from Ian and Kim. It’s been about 2 weeks and now we’re at the beach with the car. It drives AMAZING. So far everything is working perfectly and I couldn’t be happier. Before we found Esprit, we had been looking for this exact Subaru for about 6 months. We test drove 3 other ones around the Portland area. Each one of them were priced way over Blue Book AND had some kind of body damage. Esprit Motors is different and as soon as we started communicating, this was apparent. From the test drive to the last bit of paperwork, these guys were prompt, professional and awesomely thorough. Saying I am satisfied would be an understatement. Top notch service, highly recommended.”
— Darrin N., Battle Ground, WA (review received by email)
“Ian and Kim were very helpful when it came to finding our perfect car. We recently purchased a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon from the couple and could not be happier! It was very well priced for the condition and rarity of the car. It is also nice to know that you are buying a car from a couple that has a passion for what they do. The car had roughly 105k miles when we bought it which meant that it was due for a major maintenance which was all done by them prior to being sold. It’s nice they went the extra mile to ensure that the car would be perfectly reliable before being sold where most places will skip the maintenance to save cost. Although their inventory is limited, you can rest easy knowing the cars they do have are well taken care of. I would definitely recommend them!”
— Daniel E., Vancouver, WA (review from Yelp)
“Professional, friendly, helpful. I had a very positive experience working with Ian. I purchased a 2004 Buick from him with over 170k miles. He had documentation for everything, explained the repairs he had done, and explained the history of the vehicle. He was patient and flexible with logistics (picking me up from The Max station) and payment (waiting for my payday after a small deposit). I’ve had it looked at by two mechanic shops and it’s a very clean car. It’s been a very reliable daily driver for nearly two months now. The price was fair. He gathered all the documents I needed to take to the DMV, put them in an envelope, and explained exactly what I needed to do to get the car registered. A+”
— Nathan W., Portland, OR (review from Google)
“I recently bought a 2008 Subaru Legacy from Ian and Kim at Esprit Motors. They were easy to work with and didn’t use any high-pressure sales tactics or gimmicks. They worked around my schedule to show me the car, and then worked with my bank to help process the loan and DMV paperwork. They even threw in an extra key with remote at the closing. I would gladly do business with them again and recommend them to others if you need a used car!”
— Sheila S., White Salmon, WA (review received by email)
“We recently bought a Subaru Outback from Ian and Kim and couldn’t be happier! We wanted a second car as our family was growing but since we both work full time we didn’t have the time or energy to drive all over town looking at used cars, nor did we want to deal with the typical used car salespeople. We knew what we were looking for so we talked to Ian and Kim to see if they could help us find it. They explained their process to us and we decided to work with them.
We gave Ian our criteria, a 2007-2009 Subaru Outback Wagon, under 100k miles, any color but black. Ian added us to his list of cars he’s regularly looking for and a few weeks later we got an email that he had found an Outback that fit our criteria. The Outback Limited was priced well under our budget, and about 20% less than similar models were selling for at other dealers.
We are really happy with our new Subaru and the entire experience. We were thrilled to have Esprit Motors do the leg work for us. They saved us hours of work and thousands of dollars. We would definitely recommend them if you are looking for a good used Subaru!”
— Selena D., Portland, OR (review received by email)
“We recently decided to sell our 2003 Honda CRV and knew we did not want to trade it with the dealer when we purchased our new vehicle. I consider myself a savvy consumer researcher, but I also have limited time. When we learned we could have Esprit Motors handle all the details of the car sale on our behalf and that we would still net significantly more money on the sale than if we did a dealer trade, it was an easy choice.
Ian assessed our car’s condition and made reasonable suggestions on what we could do to make it more appealing, along with suggestions on where to take the car for detailing. Once the car was ready, Ian took fantastic photos and created a standout Craigslist ad. Within the first day, Ian had 5 serious inquiries and Ian handled all showings and test drives. The car sold for our first listing price and the entire sales process was complete within a week! Ian and Kim also knew all the legal requirements for title transfer and necessary DMV paperwork. All I had to do was sign on the dotted line.
The money we paid Esprit was the best money we’ve spent on a service. We got far more money for our car then we expected, without any stress or hassle. Ian and Kim are knowledgeable about cars and extremely friendly and approachable.”
— Mary C., Portland, OR (review from Yelp)
“Esprit Motors really stepped up to handle a tough situation for me. I had a classic car to sell (a 1970 Datsun 240Z) and Esprit managed the sale and sold the car on consignment for me, then handled international vehicle shipping for an overseas buyer. The buyer really did not have his act together, but Esprit took care of everything to ensure a smooth transaction. They made sure I got my money and they took care of all the hassles! Whether you’re looking for just the right car locally or dealing with a complex international transaction, I highly recommend Esprit Motors!”
— Jeff Z., Lake Oswego, OR (review from Google & Yelp)