We’ve all been there: eager to buy a new car, but not looking forward to the trip to the car dealership. The process can sometimes be long. Between test-driving, financing and paperwork, many shoppers leave the dealership feeling exhausted, when they should feel excited about driving off the car lot in their new vehicle.

At AutoNation, we want you to know that we’re listening. We want to change the way you’re accustomed to buying cars by delivering an experience that is tailored to you. We want to be recognized as a company that adapts to what our customers want and that is open to their best ideas. With your help, we’ll be able to transform the way you shop for, purchase and service your vehicle. If you have a genius idea about how the dealership experience should be different, now is your chance to share it.

Visit AutoNationIdeas.com to sign up and submit your idea. Vote on other ideas that you think are great. At the end of November, we’ll reward $400, $300 and $200 VISA Gift Cards to the top three idea-makers and put their ideas into action. You’ll be able to walk into one of our stores and see your ideas firsthand.

AutoNation Ideas isn’t the only way we’re listening. We’re active on Facebook and Twitter, where we chat with friends and fans, share interesting automotive articles and post photos and videos on a daily basis. On YouTube we’re taking you inside our service bays for a look at what goes on under the hood. Subscribe to our blog where we share posts from a backseat driver. Connect with AutoNation so you don’t miss a thing!

Update: We’ve decided to extent the AutoNation Ideas contest period through January 17, 2011. Don’t forget to to add your own idea and vote on the ideas you like.

Tags | AutoNation Ideas, Car Buying, contest, maintenace, prize, purchase, service, vehicle, VISA