Dealer took C7 for joyride
01-01-2019, 12:52 AM
#21
Le Mans Master
Most techs I've known over the years have zero desire to drive a customer's car unless required to to do in order to locate, repair, or ensure repair is correct.
Why? For the simple reason it costs them money.
Techs like to fix and move on to the next car because that's what makes them money. My Vette tech, for the last 30 years, has driven them all - from C1s to all iterations of ZR1s/ZR-1s. He wants them out of his stall with the next one in..... time is definitely money for techs.
Why? For the simple reason it costs them money.
Techs like to fix and move on to the next car because that's what makes them money. My Vette tech, for the last 30 years, has driven them all - from C1s to all iterations of ZR1s/ZR-1s. He wants them out of his stall with the next one in..... time is definitely money for techs.
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01-01-2019, 12:57 AM
#22
Safety Car
01-01-2019, 01:01 AM
#23
Race Director
Okay, what do you think? I got my C7 back today from having the differential replaced. Mileage in: 1820. Mileage out: 1968. Someone put 148 miles on the car during the time it was at the dealer but testing could have only required a few miles drive back and forth from the freeway, about a five to eight mile round trip. There’s no way someone could have put that kind of mileage on in testing. At this point the deed is done and I guess I need to find another dealer. What would you do?
We've certainly seen enough of those experiences on this forum.
01-01-2019, 08:23 AM
#24
Drifting
Member Since: May 2002
Location: Great State Of Arkansas
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I love my PDR. I put a fresh memory card in and put the car in Valet mode before I leave it with them. Then when I get it home I can watch to see where the car was driven and how much.
01-01-2019, 10:02 AM
#25
Race Director
Most techs I've known over the years have zero desire to drive a customer's car unless required to to do in order to locate, repair, or ensure repair is correct.
Why? For the simple reason it costs them money.
Techs like to fix and move on to the next car because that's what makes them money. My Vette tech, for the last 30 years, has driven them all - from C1s to all iterations of ZR1s/ZR-1s. He wants them out of his stall with the next one in..... time is definitely money for techs.
Why? For the simple reason it costs them money.
Techs like to fix and move on to the next car because that's what makes them money. My Vette tech, for the last 30 years, has driven them all - from C1s to all iterations of ZR1s/ZR-1s. He wants them out of his stall with the next one in..... time is definitely money for techs.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 01-01-2019 at 10:02 AM.
01-01-2019, 10:04 AM
#26
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: Bonita Springs Florida
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Before I'd blow up, I'd find out what the test procedure is for a Differential swap out. If there is a long mileage test and break in that has to be done, and the dealer exceeded it by a big number, I'd want answers (and a top off of my tank).
I'd be pissed if I thought someone was joy riding my car, but learned a long time ago to get my "ducks in a row" before accusing anyone.
I'd be pissed if I thought someone was joy riding my car, but learned a long time ago to get my "ducks in a row" before accusing anyone.
01-01-2019, 10:05 AM
#27
Racer
Can't any dealer just turn off the valet mode? I guess you could see it was turned off when they give it back, but still, you can't rely on that?
01-01-2019, 10:38 AM
#28
When any of us leaves our car at any dealership for any reason, we should absolutely read VERY carefully what we sign.
A dealership near me, in the agreement, it states in black and white, not only is permission given for them to drive it, but additionally they are held harmless for any damage or accident they are in when they drive it, which means I am responsible for anything that happens while they drive my car.
I encourage all of you not only to READ what YOU are signing and WILL ABSOLUTELY be legally bound to when ANYTHING THEY CAUSE happens, but not only read it, but I also encourage you to strike through any of the language you do not agree with that you will be legally held to. Strike through anything you do not agree to, and initial it, and take out your phone and get a quick photo of what you signed, including what you struck through.
I guarantee you WILL be held to what you sign in the event of any problems the dealer causes. You do have the right to restrict them from driving your car without you accompanying them on any test drive.
Do you really think the person who gets to take your 460 or 650 horsepower C7 Corvette for a ride is not going to run it harder than you would EVER knowingly allow?
Um, if you don't know the answer to that, please, let me borrow your car this weekend.
.
A dealership near me, in the agreement, it states in black and white, not only is permission given for them to drive it, but additionally they are held harmless for any damage or accident they are in when they drive it, which means I am responsible for anything that happens while they drive my car.
I encourage all of you not only to READ what YOU are signing and WILL ABSOLUTELY be legally bound to when ANYTHING THEY CAUSE happens, but not only read it, but I also encourage you to strike through any of the language you do not agree with that you will be legally held to. Strike through anything you do not agree to, and initial it, and take out your phone and get a quick photo of what you signed, including what you struck through.
I guarantee you WILL be held to what you sign in the event of any problems the dealer causes. You do have the right to restrict them from driving your car without you accompanying them on any test drive.
Do you really think the person who gets to take your 460 or 650 horsepower C7 Corvette for a ride is not going to run it harder than you would EVER knowingly allow?
Um, if you don't know the answer to that, please, let me borrow your car this weekend.
.
You are not going to find a dealership that is not concerned about unauthorized driving of customer cars. You would find most all have policies in place to prevent this happening but like every other business, there is always the possibility of someone being subject to temptation. Considering the millions of cars dealers service daily, the report of the problem happening are few and far between.
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01-01-2019, 12:14 PM
#31
01-01-2019, 12:25 PM
#32
A ring & pinion does need to be broken in the gears need to "seat" if you just jump in a hammer it you will end up with a VERY noisy gear set. This is another reason C7's have the 500 mile "break in " i think the red line is 3500 - 4k during that time.
anyway...just let us know what reason they give you i doubt it was a joy ride.
anyway...just let us know what reason they give you i doubt it was a joy ride.
01-01-2019, 12:53 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
01-01-2019, 01:16 PM
#34
Well, as we've seen recently, a guy took his Z06 in for a software update, and caught a mechanic on PDR going for a joy ride - twice the speed limit, crossing over the center line.
When reported to GM, they couldn't care less as dealerships are privately owned.
Great customer service!
When reported to GM, they couldn't care less as dealerships are privately owned.
Great customer service!
01-01-2019, 01:17 PM
#35
Le Mans Master
Well, 148 miles @ 60 MPH would have had someone in that car for nearly THREE hours. The realistic average speed would be some what less than that adding to the time someone was driving that car. I don't buy the "test drive"... the car went home with someone and was driven like a rental/loaner. I'd understand 48 miles but 148? Ponderous.....
01-01-2019, 01:38 PM
#36
Melting Slicks
It's a bit of a drive, but Able Chevrolet in Rio Vista is amazeballs, and they treat corvettes extremely well. Most folks I know in Nor Cal take their cars there, especially for complicated stuff.
01-01-2019, 02:20 PM
#37
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2000
Location: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
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I guess I will be in the minority here. If the dealer had the rear differential out of the car and either rebuilt it or replaced it you just don't slap it back in the car drive it around the block and call the customer and say it's done come and get it. The correct way is to take a short drive without any hard acceleration come back and let the car cool off. Then take the car out again for a little bit longer ride and let it sit again. Take the car again longer and a little faster let it sit again. Take the car on a good long drive at various speeds on and off the gas listening for pinion gear noise, posi chatter, whine, and clunking. If everything checks out ok drain the oil refill it and you should be done with no further problems.
Now if the dealer changed the differential didn't do the correct break in and just drove the car around the block and parked it for pickup. You are on the way home and the rear starts clunking or whining you would be screaming at the dealer for not fixing your car correctly? So putting 160 miles on your car and having it fix right what's seems to be the problem? When you trade or sell it how did that 160 miles affect your resale?
Now if the dealer changed the differential didn't do the correct break in and just drove the car around the block and parked it for pickup. You are on the way home and the rear starts clunking or whining you would be screaming at the dealer for not fixing your car correctly? So putting 160 miles on your car and having it fix right what's seems to be the problem? When you trade or sell it how did that 160 miles affect your resale?
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449er (01-03-2019)
01-01-2019, 03:41 PM
#39
Instructor
I guess I will be in the minority here. If the dealer had the rear differential out of the car and either rebuilt it or replaced it you just don't slap it back in the car drive it around the block and call the customer and say it's done come and get it. The correct way is to take a short drive without any hard acceleration come back and let the car cool off. Then take the car out again for a little bit longer ride and let it sit again. Take the car again longer and a little faster let it sit again. Take the car on a good long drive at various speeds on and off the gas listening for pinion gear noise, posi chatter, whine, and clunking. If everything checks out ok drain the oil refill it and you should be done with no further problems.
Now if the dealer changed the differential didn't do the correct break in and just drove the car around the block and parked it for pickup. You are on the way home and the rear starts clunking or whining you would be screaming at the dealer for not fixing your car correctly? So putting 160 miles on your car and having it fix right what's seems to be the problem? When you trade or sell it how did that 160 miles affect your resale?
Now if the dealer changed the differential didn't do the correct break in and just drove the car around the block and parked it for pickup. You are on the way home and the rear starts clunking or whining you would be screaming at the dealer for not fixing your car correctly? So putting 160 miles on your car and having it fix right what's seems to be the problem? When you trade or sell it how did that 160 miles affect your resale?
Last edited by xWS6guy; 01-01-2019 at 03:42 PM.
01-01-2019, 03:54 PM
#40
CORRECT!!
Terrific reasons to get PDR on your new Corvette. I'm fortunate that my bought new 2017 3LT C7
came with it..