As many car dealerships downsize and close in the Great Recession, a local Audi dealership is unveiling a $3 million renovation in Baltimore County.

Audi Hunt Valley reopened its doors at 9800 York Rd. in Cockeysville. The 18,000 square-foot dealership for the German luxury vehicles has a showroom large enough to hold eight cars, including the sleek A4, A5 and Q5 brands.

Charles Fenwick Jr., president of the dealership, said the re-do was part of an effort to use a new terminal design by Audi’s planners to create a recognizable look for U.S. sales ports for the cars.

“Following the complete renovation, we are excited that the Audi Hunt Valley customer experience is fully aligned with the caliber of its vehicles,” Fenwick says.

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The first blog I ever wrote for The Daily Record, in August 2007, was about the first time in more than 26 years that I bought a new car from a non-family member.

So this weekend, my wife and I ventured into the used car arena.

One word: Oy.

The salesman at the first place we stopped was a complete dope. After telling him what we wanted to spend ($10,000), we admired a 2006 VW Jetta. The prices weren’t posted on the cars (which bugged me), so the salesdope had to run to get his price sheet. The Jetta was $15,000. I told him I was skeptical that he could get to $10,000, but he assured me he would check with his manager.

At the salesdope’s insistence — and against my better judgment — we test drove the car before he got the real price. And finally, about an hour later, he came back with the real price: more than $13,000. We walked out.

At the next dealership, things actually went well, up until the end. We found a Kia Spectra that we liked, that fit our budget (a little bit more than $10,000, but not 30 percent more). We struck a deal.

Then came the paperwork. And the paperwork showed a $750 “reconditioning charge.”

I didn’t think I had “sucker” stamped on my forehead.

I told the salesman I was very close to walking out. That we had a deal. He trotted out the, “well, I gave you the Internet price when you walked in, and we’re not making any money on the deal” line. (Does anyone actually believe that line?)

I told him I didn’t care. That he gave me a price, and that’s the price I would pay.

He offered to cut the reconditioning fee in half. I offered to walk out the door.

The reconditioning fee disappeared.

No names of dealerships here (although I thought long and hard about it). Not even any locations or brand names.

So is this typical? Am I just discovering what everyone who doesn’t have a relative in the car business already knows?

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