Hello all...need a venting moment, so please bare with me. Knew this was a safe place because most here will understand.

First off- have had the new vert for a week. Have it at the local dealership getting the SWPS replaced.

I found out right after I picked up the car last Friday in Houston, TX that the SWPS was bad (based on codes and known issues with them). I had already bought the car sight unseen and signed the paperwork buying it "as is". I noted the codes right after I had flown down to Houston from Seattle to pick it up. After receiving the codes about 15 miles into my 2473 mile trip home I called the dealership I had purchased it at. They told me I could bring it back to them and they would "look at it". I was tired from flying all day, wanted to get the car home, on a 6 or 7 lane interstate with lots of traffic in an unfamiliar area. I turned off the "Active Handling" and decided I would just keep driving and get it fixed when I got home. No other issues with the car and a great trip home driving about 700 miles a day for 3 days (drove about 250 miles the first day). The dealership in Houston has agreed to pay for half of the $430 repair. I believe that is a good deal after I had already signed the paperwork to buy it "as is". I knew I was taking a big risk buying it sight unseen and I am still very happy with that decision.

Now present day-

I have the car at the local dealership getting the work done. The "Service Specialist" quoted the $430 estimate and said it would take about 3 hours. I called him on Thursday and he told me he could "easily get to it on Friday". I dropped the car off using the night drop at 6:30 AM Friday morning. I had not heard from them at 10:00 AM yesterday so I called to check on the status. The specialist told me it was currently being diagnosed and he would call me soon. I had not heard anything around noon, so I called again. He said the tech working on it was real busy with other cars too (remember, he had told me he could easily do it on Friday). He said he would let me know something soon. About 3:30 PM I had not heard anything once again and was due to get off of work at 4:00 PM. I called one last time and was forced to leave a message on the specialist's phone I had been dealing with. Still no call back by the time I got off work at 4:00. I decided to just have my wife drop me off there and I would see what was going on. I walked into the service bay and saw my car with the tech's head under the dash. The steering column was halfway out of the car and most of the lower dash disassembled. I knew at that point I would not be getting the car back yesterday. He told me it would be ready by 10:00 AM today (I am okay with it taking a little longer if it is done correctly). Okay, here is the real venting part-

The "tech" had parts laying on the convertible top (trim pieces, code reader and some small tools). It did not look like anything too heavy, but come on guys! Second issue, I noted there was no protective "skirt" laying over the front fender that I KNOW they have to work over to disconnect the steering column under the hood. Again, come on guys! I did not raise a big stink at that point because they still had my car in several pieces and my keys. I simply asked them to correct those two issues. I will fully inspect their work when I pick it up this morning and look very closely for any issues they may have caused with their poor work practices. Once I get my keys I am going to ask to speak with the Service Manager about what I had witnessed.

Okay, I feel better now.

I know my car is not a $200,000 Ferrari or Lamborghini, but I really like it. I just wish the folks we trust to work on our vehicles when we decide to take it to a "professional" would take the precautions that most of us would take when we work on our cars.

Side note- the dealership I have it at is a well respected place.

 

Dealerships have workbenches and tool carts. Marks or not I would be furious to see parts laying anywhere on my car, Corvette, Cruze or otherwise.

Hope all works out for you today!

 

Hey most of us act a certain way when we first buy are Corvette!!! If anyone does anything different then act normal in or around it. We will get a little flustered lol. Congrats on your new Purchase & Their is nothing wrong with looking out for your Property!! I will name it the (New owner care package).

 

If they fix it correctly, when you get the bill, I would ask for a 10% discount to cover their lack of professionalism. If they refuse, run it up their chain of command.

 

How exactly does a discount correct the problem? Making money off it doesnt really address it. Its just greed.

 

Perils of the Stealership - turn the page...

 

Many techs aren't car guys. It makes no difference if it's a Corvette or not, it's just another car to repair to them. I've seen techs applying detail spray and wiping it off with a paper towel. I also saw a service tech wipe off a freshly painted hood with a wool military blanket that he had on the fender to protect it. Needless to say, the hood had to be repainted.

 

Bummer -

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I do agree with you and they should of put the tools on the bench or a cart and use a fender cover -

Just take a good look at the Vette when you get it back and go over it with a fine tooth comb, so to speak, - then if all is okay, then get a discount or at least a free oil change - make sure they use Mobil1 -

Keep us posted on your end results!

What color is the top? Black or Tan?

Thanks,Matt

 

My solution - fix it yourself! Dealers don't go near my car.

 

I know dealerships in general tend to get a bad reputation, however if you do your research you can find good ones.

Case in point is I have about 5 local dealerships within 40 miles and there is one who sponsored Corvette Club events. They have a separate service center just for Corvettes with a dedicated service manager and techs. I had some work done there and toured the facility, etc. They are still pricier than custom shop alternatives, however whenever I had any type of warranty work performed, I was very happy with the quality of work and the shop in general.

They were also really smart in marketing the Corvette brand as they always had a couple of the new models on display near the waiting area and while there, you should always expect a visit by the Corvette sales manager to make sure you were "happy" with your current Corvette and that he wanted to make sure you knew about the new models.

...plus "I shouldn't hesitate to call him." if I needed anything!

 

I too would be unhappy, all depends upon the quality of the people employed and the professional attitude from management, sounds like your dealer doesn't have much or any.....
Hope all comes out ok and no scratches or further frustration.
Good luck!

 

ok, here's my take on it...just because he didn't use a fender apron doesn't equate to damage to your car...at the least there may be some fingerprints....easily dealt with. If he corrected your initial problem be thankful and accept it.

 

Unless you have a good dearlership and you have confidence in their work......find an option. These dealer stories are numerous.

 

Well, got the car back and everything seems fine. As far as Striper suggest "fix it yourself"...I can do a lot of things myself, just felt this one might be a little out my league (was a little worried about the potential air bag implications). I did not notice any issues caused my the work practices and thankful for that. It was nice to drive it home and not have all the warnings on the dash. I did have a professional conversation with the Service Manager about what I witnessed. I did not ask for any concessions, but wanted him to know what I witnessed and with any luck maybe it will help out the next guy.

Once again, I was just venting and appreciate all the support. Hope everyone has a great/safe weekend!

Have I mentioned how much I like this car lately? ;-)

 

I'm glad things worked out. It always makes me nervous when my 'Vette is not under my direct control. BTW, I didn't know they allowed convertibles in Seattle!

 

Sorry that people aren't respecting your car, my friend. At least you didn't end up like me and own the car for one week and have someone kick in and break off a piece of your fiberglass. That sucked. Hope everything turns out well.

 

Mickey- we just tell everyone it rains up here all the time so they don't move up here! Lots of sun up here from about the first of June until mid October. This is god's country!

 

Glad to see all worked out!

Now go drive it!!!

 

I can understand your concerns - I wouldn't want anything to happen to mine either when it could easily be prevented. Can't hurt to talk to the service manager about it.

 

A conversation with the service manager should have an effect on the tech's job reivew when it comes time for a raise.