You’ve likely seen the signs driving down Amherst Street. If you live anywhere near the Gate City, Peters of Nashua is basically part of the landscape, right up there with Holman Stadium or the old mills. But honestly, in an era where most car dealerships are getting swallowed up by massive national conglomerates with no ties to the local zip code, Peters feels like a bit of a holdout. It’s a multi-franchise operation that has stayed rooted in Southern New Hampshire since 1955. That's over 70 years of selling Hondas, Nissans, and fixing fender benders at the "Bump Clinic."
Most people just think of them as "that big car place," but there’s a lot more moving under the hood than just inventory.
The Peters of Nashua Philosophy: It's Kinda About Family
It sounds like a cheesy marketing line, doesn't it? "We’re a family." Every business says it. But at Peters, it’s actually literal. The dealership was founded by Mr. Peters back in the mid-fifties, and if you walk into the Honda showroom today, you might still run into his grandsons, Nate and Peter. They aren't just names on a masthead; they’re involved in the day-to-day.
The core mission they preach—honesty, integrity, respect—is something they try to bake into the culture. Does it always work? Well, no business is perfect. If you spend ten minutes scrolling through Yelp or DealerRater, you’ll see the typical tug-of-war. You’ve got people like "Jeanette" praising service advisors like Karl Bausha for going above and beyond, and then you’ll find a scathing 1-star review from a guy who felt like his transmission flush was overpriced. That’s the car business. It's messy. But the fact that they’ve stayed locally owned while the rest of the "Auto Miles" across the country turn into corporate franchises says something about their staying power.
👉 See also: How Much Is RFK Jr Worth: What Most People Get Wrong
What Actually Lives on the Lot
When people talk about Peters of Nashua, they’re usually referring to one of three main pillars located right near each other on Route 101A:
- Peters Honda of Nashua: The flagship. This is where you find the Accords, Civics, and the ubiquitous CR-Vs that seem to make up 40% of the traffic on the Everett Turnpike.
- Peters Nissan of Nashua: Located just down the road at 280 Amherst St. They handle everything from the Altima to the massive Titans and the electric Ariyas.
- The Bump Clinic: This is their dedicated collision center. It’s a weird name, kinda catchy, but they’ve been the go-to for fixing New Hampshire deer-meeting-grille incidents for decades.
The "Peters Advantage" and the Lifetime Warranty
One thing that legitimately sets them apart—and something most people get wrong or don’t fully read the fine print on—is the Peters Advantage Package. Basically, if you buy a new or qualifying pre-owned vehicle (usually under 10 years old and with fewer than 60,000 miles), they throw in a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
Think about that for a second.
The powertrain is the most expensive part of the car to fix. We're talking engine mounts, oil pans, transmission mounts, and torque converters. While a lot of dealers will try to upsell you a third-party warranty that’s a nightmare to claim, this one is built into the purchase. It stays with the car as long as you own it. It’s a massive peace-of-mind play, though you’ve gotta stay on top of your scheduled maintenance to keep it valid. Skip three oil changes and try to claim a blown head gasket? Yeah, good luck with that.
Community Ties: More Than Just Selling Altimas
You can’t really talk about this business without mentioning what they do off the lot. They aren’t just writing checks to stay in Google's good graces; they’re deeply embedded in the local fabric.
- Nashua PAL: They actually donated a whole van to the Nashua Police Athletic League so the kids could get to their programs in style.
- Humane Society for Greater Nashua: They did the same thing for the shelter, providing a cargo van for transporting rescues and supplies.
- Education: They run scholarship programs where students write essays for prizes up to $2,000. One recent winner wrote about the Silk Road and the printing press. It’s a bit more intellectual than your standard "Why I Love My Car" contest.
They also back the Folds of Honor Foundation and the Souhegan Sabers. It’s that old-school way of doing business—where you support the town because the town supports you.
The Service Department Reality Check
Let’s be real for a minute. Nobody likes going to a dealership for service. You’re worried about the "service advisor" coming out with a clipboard and a $3,000 list of "recommended repairs" when you just wanted a $60 oil change.
Peters isn't immune to this perception. Some customers have complained about communication lags or feeling like the "extras" were pushed too hard. However, they’ve countered this by offering some pretty solid perks to take the sting out of the wait. They have a "pick-up and drop-off" service for people within a 10-mile radius—super helpful if you’re stuck at work in the Millyard—and they actually have a fleet of free loaner cars. If your repair is going to take all day, you aren't just stranded in a plastic chair drinking lukewarm coffee. Though, to be fair, their coffee bar is usually pretty well-stocked.
🔗 Read more: What I Will Defer To Meaning Actually Signals About Your Status and Strategy
Why the "Best Price 1st" Plan Matters
Negotiating for a car is easily one of the top five most stressful things a human can do. It's right up there with public speaking and root canals. Peters uses something they call the "Best Price 1st" plan. The idea is to strip away the four-hour "let me talk to my manager" dance. They look at market data, see what other cars are selling for in Manchester and Boston, and price their inventory to move.
Does it mean you can’t negotiate? Not necessarily. But it means you aren't starting at some astronomical MSRP that makes you want to walk out immediately.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning on heading to Amherst Street to check out a car or get your current one fixed, don't just wing it.
First, check the "Peters Advantage" eligibility. If you're looking at a used car, make sure it falls under that 10-year/60k-mile window so you get the lifetime warranty. It's a huge value add that you shouldn't leave on the table.
Second, use their online tools. They have a trade-in appraisal tool and a payment calculator on their site. Use them before you set foot in the showroom. Knowing your "buying power" prevents you from getting emotional about a car you can’t actually afford.
Third, ask for a specific advisor. Based on long-term data and local feedback, asking for veteran staff like Stephanie Hewey or John Hartson in the service department can lead to a more consistent experience.
Finally, look for the coupons. Seriously. Their website almost always has service specials for oil changes, brake pads, or tire rotations. They’ll even match tire prices from competitors and give you an extra 5% credit sometimes. Don't pay full price if you don't have to.
At the end of the day, Peters of Nashua is a local institution because they’ve managed to balance the scale of a big dealership with the soul of a family business. It’s not always a perfect ride, but in the world of New Hampshire car sales, they’re as reliable as an old Civic.