I should have stayed true to my form!

[TLS Guy]

I confess to the temptation of visiting the auto dealers.

I have not been to the new dealers for my personal transportation since 1981. It is my wife who has the taste for fancy cars and looks with disdain at my thrifty buys.

My 1994 Chrysler LHS is getting up in miles, 163,000, and I do 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. I paid $5000 for it seven years ago and have put on nearly 100K miles, so it owes me nothing. It is now getting hard for me to do the under body work and I have been scrounging the use of Lowell Raditz's lift at Kabekona (he and the Antique Peddler are Kabekona) a little too often. The forecast points to a bad winter hear abouts. We already have snow and its very cold.

So in September I surveyed the scene for smaller fuel efficient AWD SUVs, The Chevy Equinox came out a clear winner on numerous counts. This was somewhat to my surprise. Anyhow, I placed an order for one equipped the way I wanted six weeks ago. Today the dealer came picked me up to take delivery of the new vehicle.

So I got there and true to dealer form, they had ordered the wrong model with the wrong equipment. Of course they were apologetic and confessed this is the second time this month they have found they have ordered the wrong vehicle. Luckily I had left a huge paper trail listing my specifications in detail, all acknowledged by the dealer. So there was no possibility of them blaming the mix up on me.

So I had the dealer drop me off at the Benedict Superstore and Trading post, where I had taken the LHS for sale this morning, Vince, the proprietor had put a large for sale sign on it bold proclaiming "Runs out like new!" He told me he had two people chasing it already. Sadly I had to inform him that the sale would have to be suspended for at least six weeks.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have generally found dealerships to be bad news. I hope it does not continue. I'm not highly optimistic, especially after visiting quite a few lately.

So for now I get to enjoy my LHS for another month and a half or longer.

 

[Alex2507]

I think I'd like to hang onto that LHS as a spare vehicle seeing as how it runs like new. Initially I was going to goof on you about owning the worlds only reliable Chrysler but that Wiki read was pretty interesting. I'm sure the spare vehicle thing has crossed your mind and I wonder why you're not going that route. Is the LHS to far gone with rust?

EDIT: How much are you selling the LHS for?

 

[Matt34]

Was the Ford Edge one of your considerations? I got to check one out last week at the Base Exchange in Osan, didn't seem too bad.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I would ask if I could double check their order for to the factory for them. I would also have told them that they need to supply you with a loaner vehicle until the correct vehicle shows up. If they wont I would go to a different dealer.

...but I'm grumpy this morning.

 

[Alex2507]

...but I'm grumpy this morning.

... and you're Pennsylvania Dutch the rest of the time.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

... and you're Pennsylvania Dutch the rest of the time.

True, so true.

 

[TLS Guy]

I think I'd like to hang onto that LHS as a spare vehicle seeing as how it runs like new. Initially I was going to goof on you about owning the worlds only reliable Chrysler but that Wiki read was pretty interesting. I'm sure the spare vehicle thing has crossed your mind and I wonder why you're not going that route. Is the LHS to far gone with rust?

EDIT: How much are you selling the LHS for?

It has, but I really have a spare vehicle already. I have to say that I agree with everything on that Wiki link. Edmonds.com are also very complimentary. Mine looks exactly like the 1994 LHS pictured in Wkii, same color too.

However I have my beloved 1988 Chevy Suburban 6.2 Liter diesel as my spare and then some. That is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. It has been a real work horse and pulled heavy loads, even through appalling conditions. It hauled my John Deere Model A 150 miles down here through a snow storm in the winter of 1999. That one is one of the few, at least round here, that is good cosmetically. I have kept it running so that it still drives like the day it left the factory. I bought that well, as very low mileage and nearly half the cost of a new one. It never fails to get a crowd now when out and about. I ways out in the fall delivering essential supplies during the Hartland bike tour, and it was a big talking point. It sounds like a big old fashioned powerful diesel which it is.

I also have the 1948 Willys Jeep down here which I use more than you would think through the summer months. The big winch I put on the front is very useful, including winching the phone companies broken down cable layer from a precarious slope in the woods.

We also have the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which gives my wife the rights to look down on my vehicles with disdain.

So really if I keep the LHS, there will be a too many vehicles down here. The other thing is that some spares for the LHS are getting hard to come by, Chrysler are not supporting them at all, so if there is no aftermarket, it's a search. So I think it is best it does someone else a turn.

 

[TLS Guy]

I would ask if I could double check their order for to the factory for them. I would also have told them that they need to supply you with a loaner vehicle until the correct vehicle shows up. If they wont I would go to a different dealer.

...but I'm grumpy this morning.

I paid for the vehicle in full last Monday! Anyhow it might be hard on them to have a loaner, I tend to do a big mileage at this time of year. I was however hoping for the all wheel drive and diff lock on the fly for the bad weather. However I have my faithful Suburban for the heavy snow. I was just hoping to keep it out of the salt this winter.

 

[TLS Guy]

Was the Ford Edge one of your considerations? I got to check one out last week at the Base Exchange in Osan, didn't seem too bad.

Yes, I did. It is really a re badged Mazda to all intense and purposes. I have never liked the designs from that quarter. It also really needs the V6. I was trying to avoid a V6 crammed into a relatively small vehicle. I the equinox is a better vehicle for my needs on most counts and is has the quieter ride.

Among the American Vehicles and Far eastern offerings the Equinox is the most expensive, but I considered it worth it. The BMW is the most expensive and its a toss up if that or Subaru deserve bottom position in my evaluations.

I think the advance four cylinder TDI engine in the Equinox will be a good durable performer, but only time will tell. I just wish the vehicle was available with a nice European style turbo diesel. I think it would get around 60 mpg then and not give up anything. For the US the Equinox is pretty good at 30 mpg for a vehicle of that type. The other thing I wish they had done would have been to put the electronic gear shifter on the steering wheel instead of on the side of the shift lever.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I paid for the vehicle in full last Monday! Anyhow it might be hard on them to have a loaner, I tend to do a big mileage at this time of year. I was however hoping for the all wheel drive and diff lock on the fly for the bad weather. However I have my faithful Suburban for the heavy snow. I was just hoping to keep it out of the salt this winter.

Well since you can still drive the LHS... I guess "patience is a virtue".

 

[STRONGBADF1]

We also have the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which gives my wife the rights to look down on my vehicles with disdain.

Too funny.

 

[Matt34]

Yes, I did. It is really a re badged Mazda to all intense and purposes. I have never liked the designs from that quarter. It also really needs the V6. I was trying to avoid a V6 crammed into a relatively small vehicle. I the equinox is a better vehicle for my needs on most counts and is has the quieter ride.

Among the American Vehicles and Far eastern offerings the Equinox is the most expensive, but I considered it worth it. The BMW is the most expensive and its a toss up if that or Subaru deserve bottom position in my evaluations.

I think the advance four cylinder TDI engine in the Equinox will be a good durable performer, but only time will tell. I just wish the vehicle was available with a nice European style turbo diesel. I think it would get around 60 mpg then and not give up anything. For the US the Equinox is pretty good at 30 mpg for a vehicle of that type. The other thing I wish they had done would have been to put the electronic gear shifter on the steering wheel instead of on the side of the shift lever.

Just took a look at the Equinox on Chevy's homepage, looks real nice and didn't realize it comes with a 6-spd auto now which I'm sure helps with the great mpg. I also wish the US market would open up to the smaller diesels. They are all over the place here in Korea.

 

[highfigh]

How does the person placing orders for new vehicles NOT order the correct one, with the wrong options? Assuming they can read, I don't understand why or how this could happen. It sounds like they called around to find out who had what models and hoped you would accept the one they got, which isn't an uncommon occurrence. I have heard of people ordering one model in a particular color and the dealer would call, telling them that they couldn't get it in that color, but they could get another with the same options sooner and that would allow them to receive the money sooner. It seems that a dealer needing working capital will do this more than more successful ones.

 

[TLS Guy]

How does the person placing orders for new vehicles NOT order the correct one, with the wrong options? Assuming they can read, I don't understand why or how this could happen. It sounds like they called around to find out who had what models and hoped you would accept the one they got, which isn't an uncommon occurrence. I have heard of people ordering one model in a particular color and the dealer would call, telling them that they couldn't get it in that color, but they could get another with the same options sooner and that would allow them to receive the money sooner. It seems that a dealer needing working capital will do this more than more successful ones.

No, I really think the office person putting in the order is not up to the task.

The other order they fouled up was a fancy diesel vehicle. The order was specked correctly, but they quoted the price of gas and ordered it. Now they have to supply the correct vehicle at the quoted price and the dealer will be out $12,000.

In my case I seem to have financed their inventory as the vehicle they presented me with yesterday goes on the lot, while I wait another six weeks or so for mine.

 

[highfigh]

No, I really think the office person putting in the order is not up to the task.

The other order they fouled up was a fancy diesel vehicle. The order was specked correctly, but they quoted the price of gas and ordered it. Now they have to supply the correct vehicle at the quoted price and the dealer will be out $12,000.

In my case I seem to have financed their inventory as the vehicle they presented me with yesterday goes on the lot, while I wait another six weeks or so for mine.

I doubt they'll be out much because of the incorrectly spec'd vehicles- dealers call around to find out what other dealers have in stock if they want/need something in a hurry or they have dead inventory. I'd be surprised if another dealer didn't have what you were looking for when you placed your order.

I'd also bet the person who was doing the ordering either won't be after this or they'll be looking for a new job. It seems that some people just don't try very hard to do their job well- mistakes happen but,...

 

[TLS Guy]

I doubt they'll be out much because of the incorrectly spec'd vehicles- dealers call around to find out what other dealers have in stock if they want/need something in a hurry or they have dead inventory. I'd be surprised if another dealer didn't have what you were looking for when you placed your order.

I'd also bet the person who was doing the ordering either won't be after this or they'll be looking for a new job. It seems that some people just don't try very hard to do their job well- mistakes happen but,...

No, when I placed the order, we had a thorough search to see if anybody had the vehicle I specked and they did not. They are going to try again. Unfortunately these vehicles are in short supply. GM is trying to increase production.

 

[lsiberian]

I found my dealer to be very helpful for both purchase and service. It really depends on the place I guess.

 

[Alex2507]

Are you sure you wouldn't rather be driving a fofo?

They're great in the snow.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Ford tried to pull that BS on me 25 years ago!

How does the person placing orders for new vehicles NOT order the correct one, with the wrong options? Assuming they can read, I don't understand why or how this could happen. It sounds like they called around to find out who had what models and hoped you would accept the one they got, which isn't an uncommon occurrence. I have heard of people ordering one model in a particular color and the dealer would call, telling them that they couldn't get it in that color, but they could get another with the same options sooner and that would allow them to receive the money sooner. It seems that a dealer needing working capital will do this more than more successful ones.

Very true! In my case a Ford dealer tried that BS when I ordered a Bronco II. They claimed they hit the search vice order button (more BS).
I cussed them out, walked, and bought a Japanese import mainly out of spite!

Apparently little has changed!

XEagleDriver

 

[nastynice]

as long as u don't go to carmax u'll be aight...