Old Orchard Nissan

Joel Hernandez went beyond what I thought was possible at a car dealership. After a terrible experience at a different store where I was ignored and rushed, I almost gave up on car shopping. Then I found Joel. He approached me with a warm smile and genuine interest. I told him I needed a fuel-efficient SUV with updated safety features, and I had a very specific budget. Instead of trying to upsell me, he actually respected my price range. He showed me a 2023 Kia Sportage EX that had everything: remote start, blind spot detection, premium audio, and it still came in under budget. When I said I needed to sleep on it, he didn’t push. He just gave me his card and said, ‘I’ll be here when you’re ready.’ The next day I came back, and the car was waiting for me. He even had it detailed before I signed. That kind of customer service is unheard of. He explained every form I signed, answered every question, and made sure I understood everything. I’ve already sent two coworkers to see him. Joel isn’t just selling cars—he’s building trust.

Buying a car as a single woman is often a frustrating, condescending experience. Not here. Not with Joel. I came in looking for something reliable, stylish, and a bit more grown-up than my old Corolla. Joel welcomed me like an old friend. He asked about my job, commute, weekend activities—he listened. I told him I was eyeing the Honda Accord EX-L I saw on their site and he was already prepared with the key and info sheet. What stood out? He focused on ME. Not just the specs. He showed me how the heated seats work, how the lane-assist makes highway driving easier, how the leather doesn’t get scorching hot in summer. It was the little details. And when we sat down for financing, he made sure I understood every step. No pressure. No fake deadlines. No 'you gotta sign today or it’s gone' nonsense. This wasn’t just a car purchase. It was a full-on experience of being treated with respect and care. Joel is the reason I’ll be back for my next vehicle.

I never thought I’d say this, but I actually enjoyed buying a car this time. I’m a single mom of two, I work full time, and car shopping has always felt like walking into a trap. You know the feeling — the moment you step onto the lot, they start circling. But Joel at Old Orchard Nissan? Completely flipped the script. I came in looking for something safe, reliable, with good mileage, and enough room for backpacks, soccer gear, and the occasional Costco haul. Joel listened. Really listened. Showed me a 2021 Honda CR-V EX-L that had just come in. Pearl white, leather seats, Apple CarPlay, tons of cargo space. It checked every box. The car was spotless. Like new. Joel told me it had one previous owner and gave me the full CarFax without me even asking. He walked me through every feature like a friend showing off their new car. We even folded the back seats down together just to make sure my double stroller would fit. (It did, with room to spare.) We did a test drive, and the car felt like a dream. Smooth, quiet, responsive. I turned to Joel mid-drive and said, “I think I’m falling in love.” He laughed and said, “That’s what we want to hear.” Joel didn’t pressure me. He gave me a printed quote, told me to take my time, and even followed up the next day with a friendly text, no salesy pitch. Just, “Hey Maria, let me know if you have any questions.” Three days later, I bought it. Financing was simple, and he even got the kids some snacks while we signed paperwork. That’s the kind of touch you don’t forget. Now? Every time I slide into my CR-V, I smile. It feels like a win. Joel made me feel like more than just a sale — he made me feel respected.

Joel deserves ALL the flowers. My husband and I were looking for a bigger SUV now that baby #3 is here (surprise!). We saw a listing for a 2023 Ford Explorer XLT online and showed up at Old Orchard Nissan the next day. Joel greeted us with a smile and immediately asked what we needed, not what he wanted to sell. He gave us a full tour of the Explorer, pointed out child safety features, USB ports for tablets, third-row space, and how the AWD would hold up during Chicago winters. The man even had snacks for our toddlers while we filled out financing! I mean come on. We left with the Explorer that same afternoon. Joel followed up two days later just to make sure we were happy. Customer service like that? Rare these days.

I wasn’t even planning on buying a car this year, to be honest. My old Honda still ran (barely), but after one too many mornings of praying it would start, I gave in. I saw Old Orchard Nissan had a few used SUVs in stock and made an appointment with Joel Hernandez based on all these 5-star reviews. And let me just say—every single one of them is legit. Joel isn’t a car salesman. He’s a problem solver who happens to work at a dealership. He took the time to understand what I could afford and why I needed something newer and more reliable. He didn’t judge my credit history, he didn’t flinch when I told him my max budget. He showed me a 2022 Chevy Equinox LT in great condition—clean CarFax, still under factory warranty, and perfect for what I needed. The features were solid: Apple CarPlay, backup cam, good MPG, and all-wheel drive. But what stood out was Joel’s patience. I asked a ton of questions. I needed time to think. I even called my brother halfway through to double-check financing terms. Joel gave me space and never pressured me. He broke down the entire financing process, walked me through all the numbers line by line, and even explained how to refinance down the road if I wanted to. I left that dealership with a beautiful Equinox and a huge smile. Not because I got a car—but because I worked with someone who genuinely cared that I made the right decision. Joel is a gem.

Joel Hernandez is THE car guy. I’ve been car shopping for 3 months. Every lot felt like sharks in suits—until I met Joel. I found a 2020 Kia Sorento LX I loved, and he made the entire process comfortable, honest, and fast. He talked me through the differences between trims, helped me compare the Sorento to similar models I was looking at, and showed me how to keep my warranty in good standing. Financing was on point. He respected my time. And he made me feel like I was in control the whole time. I left with my dream SUV and even more respect for a guy who clearly cares about people—not just numbers.

Came in just to browse. Left in a Jeep. That’s the Joel Effect. I spotted a 2019 Grand Cherokee Laredo parked out front—sharp looking. Joel noticed me staring and casually asked if I wanted to sit inside. Didn’t push. Just let me explore. Once I got in, he gave me the full rundown: towing capacity, snow-mode, tech features, the works. I appreciated how transparent he was. The Jeep had a minor repair from a previous owner and he told me about it upfront, even showed me the CarFax and repair receipt. That honesty is why I bought it. No surprises, just good business.

I needed a car that could handle my mountain cabin trips and still look sharp pulling up to the office. Joel matched me with a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, and it felt like it was built just for me. He took the time to go over the 4x4 system, off-road capabilities, and even suggested great local trails to test it on. I appreciated how much he listened. By the end of the week, the Jeep was mine. And so far? No regrets.

Joel made buying my 2022 Sportage such a positive experience. I’ve dealt with slick-talking sales guys before. Joel wasn’t that. He was patient, respectful, and honest. He didn’t push financing or unnecessary add-ons. He simply said, 'Let’s build something that works for you.' I trusted him immediately. I love my car. But more than that—I love that I didn’t leave the dealership feeling ripped off. Joel’s the reason.

Joel is the kind of salesman you hope to find but almost never do. I came to Old Orchard Nissan looking for a used SUV after my lease ended. I was feeling overwhelmed by all the options, but Joel made the entire process smooth from start to finish. He introduced himself with zero pressure, listened to what I was looking for, and immediately suggested a 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring. And let me tell you, he nailed it. Joel didn’t just show me a car—he walked me through how it would fit my lifestyle. I coach basketball after work, so space and comfort matter. He had the seats folded down in 10 seconds to show me the trunk space. During the test drive, he encouraged me to really drive it—accelerate, brake hard, test the blind spots. He wanted me to feel secure. That meant a lot. Financing was clear-cut. He even stayed 40 minutes past closing to help finalize my trade-in because I couldn’t leave work earlier. That’s dedication. I walked out with my new car, fully informed and fully confident I made the right call. Joel’s the real deal.