Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

[Leroy]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

In a lease you're responsible for oil changes and tire wear. At the end of a lease you can get stuck with buying a new set of tires if you don't rotate them often. I wouldn't lease a car longer than the warranty. I leased a 2008 Malibu LTZ for my Wife for 3 years and 36,000 miles, same as the warranty. And when I turn the car in next year at the end of the lease, it will still be under the warranty. I rotate the tires at every oil change or about every 6000 miles and she averages about 10,000 miles a year. The dealer has a guage that measures the tread depth and as long as you're with in the limits on your lease, you're OK. This is the first time I've ever leased a car, so I'm learning, but so far it's been good. Leroy

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[Chuckster]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

The dealership that I consistently have the best experience with is about 1/2 hour drive, so I tried the Ford dealer closest to home for a while. The closer dealer always seemed to take an unusually long time to complete routine service. The closer dealer also tried to sell me the $300 service at 15,000 miles. My last visit to the closer dealer was when I used an internet coupon for "The Works" - oil, filter, tire rotation, etc. for about $39. When the total charge was almost $50, I discovered several add-on charges for $1 - $3 each, including a "record retention charge." I complained, it did no good, so they lost my business.

[Treken]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

The dealership that I consistently have the best experience with is about 1/2 hour drive, so I tried the Ford dealer closest to home for a while. The closer dealer always seemed to take an unusually long time to complete routine service. The closer dealer also tried to sell me the $300 service at 15,000 miles. My last visit to the closer dealer was when I used an internet coupon for "The Works" - oil, filter, tire rotation, etc. for about $39. When the total charge was almost $50, I discovered several add-on charges for $1 - $3 each, including a "record retention charge." I complained, it did no good, so they lost my business.

You go where they treat you good for your business and you don't feel bad afterwards...

I am lucky so far here in town. No appointments and I wait not long, and only 5 minutes away.

Besides, the girl at the counter either likes me or my car...lol

[Treken]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

In a lease you're responsible for oil changes and tire wear. At the end of a lease you can get stuck with buying a new set of tires if you don't rotate them often. I wouldn't lease a car longer than the warranty. I leased a 2008 Malibu LTZ for my Wife for 3 years and 36,000 miles, same as the warranty. And when I turn the car in next year at the end of the lease, it will still be under the warranty. I rotate the tires at every oil change or about every 6000 miles and she averages about 10,000 miles a year. The dealer has a guage that measures the tread depth and as long as you're with in the limits on your lease, you're OK. This is the first time I've ever leased a car, so I'm learning, but so far it's been good. Leroy

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I used to lease, back in the early 90's when the dealerships where starting to push them, and you could not go wrong...

I leased a new Pontiac Sunfire with no money down, for $151.00 CAN a month including taxes and after the best 3 years of driving it, went to buy the lease out and they offered me $2,000.00 cash if I would walk away.

I said what can you set me up with if I do, Was thinking of a van? They ended up offering me a new Pontiac Transport Van for little over $300.00 a month for 3 years, no money down. At the time They where around $27,000 to buy plus taxes.

After that, leased a Pontiac Sunfire convertable for $400.00 even, including taxes. That lease took a bit of dickering and even changed dealers for that lease. My dealer at the time wanted almost 5 plus taxes.

That is when everyone started complaining about how the leases where getting too high.

[waynesworld]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Hey Steve, if the girl at the counter looks good then you have chosen the right dealership. I make all my service, purchase decisions based on the women who work there. At the supermarket, I never look for the shortest line, I look for the best looking cashier. But then, I'm just a dumb man.........

[Sealy]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Hey Steve, if the girl at the counter looks good then you have chosen the right dealership.

For all the differences among humans that scare the bejeezes out of us, it's amazing the similarities that run across the board. I'm on the other team - if there's a tall dark and handsome behind the counter, I'll try to work the line to talk to him. Unfortunately, I usually end up with short and dumpy.

[waynesworld]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

What's wrong with short and dumpy? I'm offended. I guess you don't like bald and toothless either.

[Sealy]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

What's wrong with short and dumpy? I'm offended.

I'm sorry if I offended your or any other s&d. I'll be more careful in the future.

I guess you don't like bald and toothless either.

Still, that's no reason to drag my relatives into it.

[Treken]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Very funny, just go where you get the service that you want...lol
Whether bald, toothless, short or dumpy.... or a hot chick at the counter....lol

[bobc4383]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Thanks for the thread. I am taking my 03 (with 19,900 miles) to the Ford dealership on Friday for my first try with them. I got the car with 15K this summer and since I was not sure of the treatment it had gotten before, I asked for the oil/filter, tire rotate/balance, wheel allignment, the '15,000 mile inspection' and a computer update. I deliver parts for a local auto store so go to the Ford parts counter almost daily. They seem to be OK and the bays look active and clean which is a reason I thought I would try them. Our other car is a Saturn, and I have had OUTSTANDING service from them over the last 9 years so hopefully the Ford place will be good too. I'll post again after the Friday service to update my experience and cost (and hope there is a cutie at the counter, but at 63, she will, of course, be young enough to be my granddaughter <g>).

Bob

[bobc4383]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Thanks for the thread. I am taking my 03 (with 19,900 miles) to the Ford dealership on Friday for my first try with them. I got the car with 15K this summer and since I was not sure of the treatment it had gotten before, I asked for the oil/filter, tire rotate/balance, wheel alignment, the '15,000 mile inspection' and a computer update. I deliver parts for a local auto store so go to the Ford parts counter almost daily. They seem to be OK and the bays look active and clean which is a reason I thought I would try them. Our other car is a Saturn, and I have had OUTSTANDING service from them over the last 9 years so hopefully the Ford place will be good too. I'll post again after the Friday service to update my experience and cost (and hope there is a cutie at the counter, but at 63, she will, of course, be young enough to be my granddaughter <g>).

Bob

Took it in at 9am and got it back about 3pm.

$38.64 - oil and filter and labor
$39.95 - rotate and balance tires - set tire pressure
$79.94 - 4-wheel alignment
$85.00 - update computer
$17.19 - shop materials

~$262.72 and probably worth the money to make sure the car is OK. I was surprised they didn't change the air and cabin filters, but this was probably done by the dealership where I purchased the car. They said the disk pads were about half down (reasonable for 20,000 miles). The computer needed three updates from the Ford web site (took three hours so initially wondered if the computer was built by Microsoft) and the transmission is MUCH better shifting from second to third so worth it. The only thing I might have done differently would have been to use synthetic oil, but I only plan to drive 5,000-8,000 miles a year so might not be worth it.

Bob

[GrayGator72]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

It really does depend on the dealer and how they push their service writers and techs. We moved from DC to the other Washington and what a difference. In DC they hose you every time you walk in the door. Now that we are in a small town dealership they treat you fairly. I just had a rear turn signal bulb replaced. Per Fords guidlines it was to be 20 mins of labor and a $3 bulb. The Service Manager said it was so complicated that it took 2 tech an hour each to do the work, but they only charged me for 20 min labor. This is why I bought my Edge from these folks Bay Ford in Port Orchard, WA.

[DavidA]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

For ALL you new owners ... TAKE YOUR TBIRD TO A LINCOLN DEALER NOT A FORD DEALER. The car is 100% mechanically a Lincoln LS and virtually 0% Ford. Any symptoms are familiar to Lincoln techs and totally unknown to most Ford techs.

Do yourself a favor and listen to this advice. It'll save you time and $$$ in the long run.

[davedan]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

i have a 05 cashmere 4300 miles is the computer something that i should be bringing in for an update

[Rondor]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

This issue has been around forever and will never change,sadly. I generally don't use dealership unless I personally know somebody there. Looking back over 40+ years I found that who owns the dealership seems to be a big factor. My best service has been with a dealer who's owner is involved with the operation. When mine sold out to a national Corp. the hustle began. Generally small town dealers are best because a bad rep. hits harder.