I dropped my car off for some warranty work at the dealership that was originally esitmated to take two days. Since my C5 is my only vehicle, the dealership arranged to supply me with a rental car from Enterprise under GMPP. The dealership called Enterprise and had the car delivered to my house - so far so good. Well two days ran into 2-1/2 weeks so far and the C5 is still in the shop! Since I have never in my lifetime had a car sit at a dealership for more than two days - this is all new to me. I finally got to thinking, does GMPP cover the rental car for as long as the car is in the shop due to dealershio delays?

So I looked at my contract and it says it covers a rental car up to $35/day to a maximum of $175 and if the delay is due to parts availability up to a total of $280 max if they are informed by the dealer ahead of time.

OK, so I went into panic-mode yesterday and called the dealer and asked if this rental car is paid for completely and I got a vague answer, like "I will check into it". Since I did not get a response from the dealer, I took the car back to Enterprise last night to turn it in since I did not want to take a chance with getting stuck with a $1000/month rental charge! When I got to Enterprise, they said "You don't have to turn the car in yet if yours is not finished as GM is paying the bill". I said "Are you absolutely sure they are picking up 100% of this cost?". The Manager at Enterprise responded "Yes, absolutely, otherwise the Dealership would have contacted us by now. Trust me, we have been through this before, they will pay the bill".

Then tonight I got to thinking, maybe the dealership will just pass the difference on to me when I get the final warranty bill - is that possible? This could be hundreds of dollars at this point!

 

Always tricky and I'd guess the contract would be the overriding issue. That said you've checked with the dealer and the car company and received verbal assurance so rights on your side.

 

Why do you not just call GMPP and ask them if they are going to cover the extra costs over what the policy states in writing? I'd sure want to know exactly what they will and will not cover. Good luck with this.

 

Dealer gave me an Impala for 8 days while they waited for a fuel tank. Do not call GMPP. Talk to service manager only. No one else will help you.

 

Yes, but did you rent a Vette ??

There are not nearly enough Corvette rental cars out there, I always ask when I go in to rent a car ...

 

Mine was in for about half that period and they paid for it. It was a hassle that time dealing with Enterprise on the back and forth and all the paperwork crap. I do not do the rental thing anymore, but since your Vette is a DD I understand.

Good luck

 

I guess the real problem (and I have always experienced this) is that trying to get a "definite" answer out of a service advisor is like trying to get information out of a lawyer - ain't gonna happen. I am guessing they are so afraid of being misinterpreted that they say as little as possible for fear of losing their job?

For instance, the other day I simply asked one of the Service Advisors approximately - ball park - what would the labor cost be to replace a torque converter on a 2001 C5? He looked me straight in the eye and said quote: "I don't know" and just sat there. End of conversation. We'll if service cannot give me an estimate, I guess it can't be done?

So far I have never had any encounter with a dealer that did not work out in the end. I just have to accept the fact that anytime I take the car in for service that some other part will get damaged and I will have to take care of that on my own.

 

I must have been living right for a change.

Finally picked up my car this afternoon and returned the rental to Enterprise. Enterprise gave me a receipt of $550.00 for 17 days of car use and said the Dealer would take care of the bill. When they dropped me off at the Dealership I handed the bill to my Service Advisor and he said "This is not right, we did not get our special rate". So he called Enterprise and they apparently adjusted their bill to $21/day which is the dealership's rate, so that would bring the total rental to about $357.00 the way I calculate it and the dealer picked up the entire cost just as they said they would without a hassel! Kudos to Lithia!

 

Good to hear.

 

Good news

 

An honest dealer who considers the customer's needs. This is not only unusual, it's worth spreading the word on this outfit! Bravo!

A word about service advisors. Most are "service salespersons" who usually work on a base salary plus commission. I've worked in several dealerships, both in sales and management, and it's their job to consider both the customer's needs and (more importantly) making a profit for the store. Bear that in mind when seeking advice, but when a firm decision is needed, speak to the Service Manger -- he has the authority.

 

I was a used car manager at a multi GM dealership for 10 years. The Service Manager has the power to do a lot of things if he/she wants to.

 

When my wife pulled out in front of a ricer, with my suburban, she totaled the ricer and bent the frame on the suburban. I have good insurance and they paid to have the frame replaced and front end. $18,000 damage.

The insurance covered a month of rental car and the dealer ate the other 6 weeks to get it right. Also, the owner gave me the use of his Suburban for Christmas after I stated that I will have one for Christmas or........

Insurance companies, dealers, and rental car agencies really work well together.

 

I am a service advisor for a different auto make. All I can say is that with rental vehicles we establish to the client that we pay one day. If it goes past that we notify the client of the delay and will advise the client whether the rental vehicle is covered or not and they can make their decision. If no one FROM THE DEALER (being service advisor or manager) has not notified you of an charges you may incur then i wouldn't worry about it. But I would definetely call the advisor or manager for a definite answer. Asking the rental agency is worthless as they aren't authorized to give you any information as to what the dealer is going to pay. They can't force the dealer to pay the bill.

So to sum it up. Ask your advisor or service manager for confirmation.