Just got a letter stating that Fred Lavery in Birmingham, MI has dropped their contract with Infiniti...Sales, service, everything. All Infiniti customer service will tell me is that they're "Working hard to find a new dealer in the area." Any ideas on what happened?

Also, can anybody share their experiences with Suburban in Novi, MI? I know their sales team are a bunch of thieves (tried to charge me $5k more for my G than Lavery) but how 'bout the service department? Any horror stories?

Thanx
-JB

 

I had the worst service at Fred Lavery before their contract was dropped. That is why I bought my coupe from Suburban. I have to take in my car next week for service so I'll update you on their service department.

1CleanG

 

fred lavery was the worst dealer on the planet especially for service. my mother bought 3 range rovers from them and finally got the lexus suv because she hated fred lavery's treatment. they thought they were doing you a favor. surburban i dont know to much about. i just know that when i bought my g in january their prices were higher them anyone else i contacted. i bought my g from pfeifer in grand rapids. my sales man was howard. gave me a good deal, prompt replies, but lied to me twice. i guess it comes with cars sales.

don't start no sh*t, won't be no sh*t!
'04 g35c DG/G 5AT premium, performance, aero kit, pedals, clears, stillen lower valences

 

I'm currently working with Bill French at Suburban. I've only talked with him briefly and heis trying to locate a Coupe for me now.

I'll see how it goes and report back here.

 

I'm kind of glad that Fred Lavery is gone. I love my g35 but it was by far the worst car buying experience I've ever had. Wish I never went there.

 

Got mine from Suburban in Novi as well (terrible buying experience) right after Labor Day 2003.

My salesperson quit within weeks after my purchase - no biggie; but the Finance Manager (Larry) is a CROOK and bigtime LIAR. He constantly gave me the feeling that I should be indebted TO HIM for purchasing the coupe - almost ditto to carmeljoy's experience above. My purchase was a simple no-brainer & no-hassle/effort for Suburban to transact.

I did have service done once at Lavery for package tray buzz (TSB) and moonroof rattle. Their efforts were meager and still unsuccessful. Their scheduling was a joke; I scheduled before xmas and got a call after new years' that I was next for the loaner and the next call came after valentine's - gimme a break !!

My hunch as to why Lavery dropped Infiniti from their lineup is because Suburban Infiniti demographics sell/dwarf Lavery Infiniti's. Also, when I was shopping it seemed Suburban was always getting the prime pickin's as far as vehicle selection and quantities while it seemed Lavery was left w/ the crumbs IMHO.

On the positive side, I would rate Suburban's service better (but too busy/not enough loaners) than Lavery's. Also, I've had candid/good discussions with salesperson Mark (don't remember last name).

G/L at your only nearby choice, Suburban Novi.

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'04 Coupe 5AT DG/G loaded w/o spoiler (3pc Aero), BSM, splash guards, Navi, Sirius [anyone w/XM want to swap?] , 18" perf pkg

 

Wow...I had no idea there were so many of you guys in the area. I haven't seen many G's on the road, save test drivers w/ dealer plates.

Thanks for the input but I've already been to Suburban twice and lets just say I am less than pleased...

First trip was for the rear deck rattle. I phoned ahead to ask them to order the parts for me (It took Lavery a few days to get them in, but they closed the doors before I could schedual an appt). The service dept told me "There are no parts". It took me 5 minutes on G35Driver.com to find a list of part numbers and detailed instuctions (including pics) of how to fix the problem. Blarg...

Next trip was for my 6mt. The gear box has been kind of "sticking" lately and shifting between 1st and 2nd at high RPM's is producing a rather disturbing "CLUNK" from the engine compartment. So I'm sitting in my car, waiting to pull into the service garage and a nice fellow with and IDENTICAL G strikes up a conversation. It seems that he was having the exact same problem at the exact same time (13k miles) and they dropped a new tranny in his car. Suburban's solution for me? "We can order some parts to drop your clutch pedal down a bit but that's all we can do". Blarg...

Look's like I'll be making the 115 mile treak to North Olmsted, OH for my oil changes.

 

dude just change your oil anywhere... it takes 5 quarts of any oil + regular nissan oil filter, ANY oil change place will change your oil and top off fluids for $20 to $30... in 10 minutes time.
Just make sure to keep your receipt with the milage shown on it (standard procedure for ANY service)

I've purchased my coupe from Suburban as well, their sales team sucks *****, yes they are theives, but hey- arent all salesman?

Their service department is OKAY. Nothing like Meade Lexus of Southfield... that is just Gold treatment, nothing comes even close to it.

Loaners are often short handed at Suburban, no loaners for 2 weeks sometimes. Jason (young white guy) in service, i HATE that guy, he thinks he knows everything but he doesnt. Just a young guy who hates "customers" yet works in retail... some people have no logic. I believe there's another Jason (young black guy) in service, and Joe (middle age white) i think, they both are descent. The Service manager boss is cool too. One time they scratched the paint on the interior's door handle and the manager went to another brand new G on the lot and popped theirs off and came and swapped it with my scratched up one.

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

Note.... i've only been to the dealership for TSB's, i dont go there for the simple things like oils/fluids, tires, and brake services that ANY shop can do for 1/3 of the price.

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

I was just being dramatic. I'm using a guy right up the street for oil/fluid changes.

That was pretty cool of Suburban to hook you up with a new door handle though. Lavery nicked the plastic on mine while fixing a window problem. No such luck getting a replacement.

Can you recommend a trans shop in the area? I'd like to get a second opinion on my gear box before I give up an accept the notchy shifting.

 

BTW ...Were any of you guys flying up the I696/M10 ramp on Sunday?

Just curious.

 

Yes. I purchased my 6MT at Suburban. Mark C was my salesperson. Yes, Larry is a dick.

 

Everyone here griping that these guys are thieves at Suburban Inifniti. Ever hear of making a buck. Every time I go up there they are out of coupes and asking full money, if everyone remembers correctly when the PT Cruiser came out dealers were charging 4-5 grand over sticker. I used to sell cars and not an easy gig and I got vpp on mine(coupe) and there is only about 2800 of profit in the vehicle and the sales person only gets paid on a small portion of that so to say they are thieves shows you have never been in a retail environment and never had to work on all commission or you would have a different tune. I have a friend that works for Infiniti thus the vpp and he said Lavery had such bad service surveys that Infiniti pulled the plug and they are currently looking for a replacement. You guys should give these commision guys a break that is how they pay their bills and take care of their children geez.

 

I know that car sales is one of the highest pressure jobs out there and slinging high priced imports is the roughest of the rough. But come on.

I searched Infiniti's web site for my G and Suburban had one w/ my exact specs in stock. I made an appointment and walked in with a $7k down payment, ready to leave with the car the same day. When the salesperson worked up the numbers and asked for $5k over sticker I laughed and walked out.

Lavery searched the US for my car and ended up having to order one from the factory. Aside from the fact that they were able to get it in 2 weeks ahead of schedule, my salesperson spent days arguing with Infiniti Financing to get me into the A++ credit category. So along with charging less she also saved me extra money on interest.

I understand that these guys have bills to pay, we all do. What other word should I use besides "thief" to describe a salesperson who's trying to charge $5k more for a product than some other guy right up the street? He didn't even have to "sell" me anything. I called with a VIN number and he just happened to be the one who answered the phone.

The problem I have with Suburban is that they seem to exploit both the low availability of the coupe (or any new model car) and the demographics of the area. The sales staff knows that if some 25 year old kid isn't willing to pay over sticker for a high demand car that's in stock, there's probably a rich old guy from West Bloomfield that is (No offense to rich, old guys from WB...I hope to be one myself someday).

 

My sentiments w/ J1 exactly, and whatever Mac said in his post is pathetic dribble (sorry, just fact). I have no problem with anyone/dealer making a profit (to assist feeding their children); gauging/extortion however, is inexcusable.

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'04 Coupe 5AT DG/G loaded w/o spoiler (3pc Aero), BSM, splash guards, Navi, Sirius [anyone w/XM want to swap?] , 18" perf pkg