First post... Hello everyone...

I ordered a 2005 coupe 6mt (DG/graphite interior) with the premium package about 10 days ago. I was told it could take 3 months but would probably be here sooner. I got a call from the dealer yesterday. They told me my car was already here and I could pick it up. Today, they called again and told me the car had a scratch on its bumper. They'd fix it today and I could pick it up tomorrow. They called me for the third time and told me I could pick up the car day after tomorrow since they are sending the car to a body shop. They said they wanted the car to be in perfect condition and that's why they were delaying the pick up.

I asked the guy how many miles the car had. He said about 7 miles but by the time it went back and forth between the body shop and the dealer, it could go up a bit, possibly less than 20.

Does anyone see anything fishy here? Did this kind of thing happen to any one else? Any kind of advice is appreciated...

Note: It's a VPP sales. The price they promised is about $33600 (premium package, splash guards and trunk mat).

 

My wife and I were at a dealewrship in MD Thursday night ordering her 05 CPE 6MT. She test drove one that had been delivered the day before - it had damage to the front left wheel - one of the spokes looked nearly broken in two. The dealer speculated that the damage occured when the car was (roughly) off-loaded from the delivery truck.

Certainly the potential for scratchs or other damage exists.

 

Wait a little longer for a spank'in new one

 

Yep, unless the guy is willing to give you like 1,000 off.

 

I just picked up my DG 6MT coupe on Saturday and after getting home I had realized that while they were washing the car they had put 2 big gouges in the front and rear driver's side rims. I brought the car back to the dealer today and without any question they replaced the rims. These sort of things happen and if the dealership take care of the issue right away and without question that's all that matters.

 

So you don't have to wait longer, why not ask for a new bumper if you're not happy with the fix?

The mileage between the dealer and the b/shop seems reasonable.

 

Sounds like good advice. Thanks for all the replies...

BTW, in theory they can't give any discounts for VPP sales (that's what the sales manager says) but they can give some accessories for free. I guess that's what I'll ask for...

 

K guys!!!!!....

what if the dealership drilled in my front license plate un even? I noticed this a few days ago. I took of the plate and noticed that they drilled in the holes unevenly. Would they be able to fix it? If not, is a new bumper out of the question? I called them and they said that they will have to take a look at it to determine what they could do about it. Honestly, I want a new bumper, how could anybody that works a dealership mess up on drilling holes into a bumper knowing that its part of the car's body? I just don't get it. Please PM me or reply here. Thanks.

 

No offense, but you people are just plain getting ripped off.

You buy a brand new car. You have something wrong before the car is in your possession, you get a BRAND NEW car and tell them to keep the one they just ruined. None of this body shop bull****, none of this swapping out parts, none of this taking money off. They have potentially destroyed the resale value of your brand new car. As much as people complain about dealerships being corrupt and sneaky, people don't take stands when they are getting dicked around with.

 

A new bumper is probably out of the question as you stated above. Most new cars sold in CA have the front bumpers drilled for license plates whether it is a Volkswagen or an Infiniti. My last car was a Jetta turbo and they did the same thing. It had a 1" hole the size of a quarter on the front bumper drilled by the dealership to install the front plate. They said all cars sold in CA have to come with front license plates and the holes are necessary. And since the hole is not visible with the license plate on and it requires a front license plate then the point is moot. To the dealership it's like saying theres an indentation in the frame where the jack points of a car are located. "Yes, there's a dent in the frame but it has to be there for the jack points, it's not visible anyway" is what they'd say.

That is the major reason I bought my G35 from outside of CA. I bought VPP from Grubbs and there is no license plate attached from the dealer. Unlike in California, there is no front license plate law in Texas. I plan on purchasing the strictlyZ.com adaptor which uses the tow hook port.

 

gibo, is that VPP price down in writing? A 'promise' doesn't mean anything. If you still want that exact car, and you should, 20 miles is no big deal, play some games w/ them....tell them the bumper color doesn't totally match the rest of the car and see if you can get more $$ off.

wunautica, for your bumper, ask them to replace it and see what they say. if they won't replace it, tell them to fix it, PLUS ask for free oil changes or other stuff as compensation. (hint - Use that word) You should actually tell them you did not ask them to drill the holes and you want a fresh, unmolested bumper. keep the front plate off until a cop pulls you over. That's my plan.

 

How could they be potentially ruining the reasale value if they are willing to replace the entire bumper (his case) or give me brand new rims (my case)? There is no record of this and the car was not mechanically effected. **** happens and you just have to learn to deal with it. Especially if it's strictly cosmetic.

A scatch here, a scratch there...it doesn't matter if it is minor and taken care of right away. If you start demanding an entirely new car (because of a small scratch) from the service manager and other managers, they aren't going to be very helpful in the long run when it comes to potential warranty issues. Developing a good relationship with the managers at your nearest dealership is extremely important. Your future visits will be handled quickly and with more care than if you were ******* from the very beginning.

 

If the bumper looks professionally done and matches the car, the resale value is not diminished because only the owner knows about it. But I can understand if he wants another car w/out a replaced bumper.


NOT TRUE! Mine didn't get drilled, and when I took my car in for service, I told them no drilling, and the Service Manager said "yeah, I don't have one on my car either, it ruins the looks."

 

How did you get from a scratch on the bumper to "potentially destroyed the resale value of your brand new car?"

 

If I was you, I would throw a fit. And salti is right, it can hurt the resale value. I bought a 04 Red G35C, one day I was waxing it and noticed that the driver side rear quarter panel and door had sand marks. I'm hella picky so I got a paint thickness tester and found it was repainted. After some fighting and alot of posting on various forums I finally got them to take the car back and get me a brand new one. I now have a IP coupe. And I'm alot happier with it.