[DanRealtor]

Forgive me if this sounds stupid. (read on and you'll see why)

Whenever you bring your SRT-8 to the dealership (or allow anyone else to drive your car for ANY reason) Warn them that the SRT-8 has 5 incnes of ground clearance and that every curb in the worls is higher than 5 inches!

Warn the dealer?

So I bring my car to a Chrysler dealership to have the subwoofer replaced. They call me and tell me it will be ready about 5:30. I get there at 4:45 and go looking for my car (without checking in first). I find my car in a parking lot with bird crap all over the back, and the front airdam sitting on top of a curb! I have a front camera and my car has NEVER touched a curb! Do you think I was a little bit pissed the f%*k off? So I skip the service advisor and go to the Service Manager. Walking up to the car I ask her "How high do you figure that curb is?" She guessed 8 inches, it was really about 6. I asked her what the ground clearance of an SRT-8 is, the look on her face tells me she doesn't have a clue. So I tell her it's 5.1 inches, and show her that my car is sitting on the air dam! Before I realized what she was doing, she plops her not too petite self into the drivers seat and backs it off the curb SCRAAAAAPE! Then she says "I'll go get your paperwork so you can get out of here". Are you f*#king kidding me I thought. So I go see the Service Director. He looks at the damage and says that hell have it painted for me. When I express my concern about bringing the car back, being without it while they take the chin spoler off and paint it he says they can probably paint it on the car. BTW there was a guy with a paint compressor in his Jeep painting the entire front end of a black car in the parking lot where I found my car a few minutes prior! Hmmm. I'm so pissed I gotta go think about what I do want so I go cool off a bit. Then I go see the General Manager of the dealership. He was very apologetic. He offered to give me a car to drive while they have a body shop remove the chin spoiler, paint it and reinstall it. Since the scrapes are only visible from below, and nothing is cracked (as far as I can see) I told him that on a future visit I would have them paint it while they have it.

So, even the people who sell and service our cars don't have a clue!

I would strongly recommend that my fellow SRT-8 owners warn ANYONE who drives your car (obviously dealerships included) about the low front end, and visually inspect it before and after! If I had not gone and found my car before they dragged it off the curb I wouldn't have known or been able to prove that they damaged my car!

 

[SRT**8]

dealers

the biggest "issue" with the SRT-8 is the retail dealer channel in my opinion. It is one of the biggest problems (and least talked about) for all of the Big 3 relative to their competitors. Some of the reasons for this are the tougher franchisee contracts the Big 3 allowed themselves to get tied into and their much smaller dealerships (on average) but i am getting off topic.

Having to worry every time you bring it in for an oil change that the right oil wil be used or that TSB fixes are properly executed, etc. is a tough match with people buying a $47K car. Also, getting the bush league run around like so many of us have regarding all sorts of different information is ridiculous. I cross shopped both the g35 and the m45 and i may have undervalued the service experience after owning the car. I realize Chrysler not going to be Infiniti but the gap is way too wide.

 

[DanRealtor]

Service

the biggest "issue" with the SRT-8 is the retail dealer channel in my opinion. It is one of the biggest problems (and least talked about) for all of the Big 3 relative to their competitors. Some of the reasons for this are the tougher franchisee contracts the Big 3 allowed themselves to get tied into and their much smaller dealerships (on average) but i am getting off topic.

Having to worry every time you bring it in for an oil change that the right oil wil be used or that TSB fixes are properly executed, etc. is a tough match with people buying a $47K car. Also, getting the bush league run around like so many of us have regarding all sorts of different information is ridiculous. I cross shopped both the g35 and the m45 and i may have undervalued the service experience after owning the car. I realize Chrysler not going to be Infiniti but the gap is way too wide.

I feel ya. My last car was a Q45. The customer service at Infiniti was, oh, about a BILLION times better than DCX. They actually knew their own product, fixed everything right the FIRST time, and gave me a new Infiniti to drive while they had my car. It's too bad they made the new Q so fugly. I probably would have bought another one! I do REALLY love my SRT-8. But I am very disappointed in DCX. If you ever have a bunch of time to kill (like maybe sitting in prison or something) call the 1800 # (Ithink its 1-800-USELESS) or go to the website. There is no question, no matter how big or small, that they can't fail to answer!

 

[mcalbala]

Here's an idea - DCX influenced the design of the SRT-8, how about they infuse some of their influence on the customer service side of the business now

 

[HealeyRick]

Note to self: Buy out Wycoff's supply of SRT-8 front fascias immediately, ka-ching!

Rick

 

[SRT**8]

Here's an idea - DCX influenced the design of the SRT-8, how about they infuse some of their influence on the customer service side of the business now

while i feel like the Big 3 can do more, they are somewhat hamstrung by the existing franchisee base. they only have so much influence. in the case of the foreign brands, franchisees have much more incentive to play ball (for things like the allocation of new territories).

generally, the big the dealer the better. hard to find the "super-dearlers" in the northeast.

 

[goddardzilla]

The dealer relationship

I think part of solving the problem is find the right dealership - not all service departments are created equal - and then "managing the dealer relationship".

Before I had my first service, I phoned the local dealership's service department, and asked for the service manager.I explained that I owned an SRT8. I asked if the quality of service is appropriate to the car? (I knew they would probably answer yes - the question was more to put the manager in a quality frame of mind).

I asked: did they have a technician who was trained to the correct level? They sold and serviced Vipers so I was encouraged by that. My contact since has been with the Service Manager, and Head Techician: both of whom are accomodating and intelligent people. There has been some flexibility on my part - to accomodate their reasonable needs, in turn they have performed at an above average level.

It was the Head tech, that cautioned me to be careful when I went to wipe some rain of the SRT8 hood, with my jacket sleeve - "your sleeve buttons might be touching the paint". My buttons were out of my line of sight; he was obviously looking afer me. That speaks volumes about the care they will take.

These guys are "on my side". When they applied TSBs, the Service Manager made sure it was the Head Tech. that worked on my car. My SRT8 was very significantly improved after the (no cost to me) application of the shift hesitation TSB. It now drives like It has shed 500lbs of ugly fat - so I bought each of them their favourite tipple. Good value at twice the price!

I didn't have to do this: - for me it's all about the relationship. Pay it forward, it'll come back to you in spades.

Zilla

 

[Ahbizmal]

I would have choked the lady right there on the spot. Petite or not.

 

[GoofyGuy]

This is why the srt4 has the Offroad lift kit. Man I would be pissed too. Dont cool off make all your calls to people angry you will have an affect that way. I dont have a SRT yet but the R/Ts lower engine cover likes to snag all kinds of stuff. Get it fixed correctly. Dont let bubba the mobile paint guy do it. Ask them to pay for a reputible shop.

 

[Irwin]

dealer service

I have had great service from small dealers. They do not get the volume of work as the larger dealers do and they need to pay their technicians so they want you to return.

 

[DanRealtor]

I agree!

I think part of solving the problem is find the right dealership - not all service departments are created equal - and then "managing the dealer relationship".

Before I had my first service, I phoned the local dealership's service department, and asked for the service manager.I explained that I owned an SRT8. I asked if the quality of service is appropriate to the car? (I knew they would probably answer yes - the question was more to put the manager in a quality frame of mind).

I asked: did they have a technician who was trained to the correct level? They sold and serviced Vipers so I was encouraged by that. My contact since has been with the Service Manager, and Head Techician: both of whom are accomodating and intelligent people. There has been some flexibility on my part - to accomodate their reasonable needs, in turn they have performed at an above average level.

It was the Head tech, that cautioned me to be careful when I went to wipe some rain of the SRT8 hood, with my jacket sleeve - "your sleeve buttons might be touching the paint". My buttons were out of my line of sight; he was obviously looking afer me. That speaks volumes about the care they will take.

These guys are "on my side". When they applied TSBs, the Service Manager made sure it was the Head Tech. that worked on my car. My SRT8 was very significantly improved after the (no cost to me) application of the shift hesitation TSB. It now drives like It has shed 500lbs of ugly fat - so I bought each of them their favourite tipple. Good value at twice the price!

I didn't have to do this: - for me it's all about the relationship. Pay it forward, it'll come back to you in spades.

Zilla

When my 5 month wait was over, and my car arrived I bought the lunch for the entire dealership! Sales, service, parts, finance, everybody! Dropped 60k what's a couple few hundred more?

The dealership that I got my car from is 40+ miles from my home. I stopped in at the nearest dealership and met with the Service Director and the Service Advisor and established rapport before bringing my car in. I shared with them my enthusiasm about this fabulous car and asked about which tech's they would use. On the first visit Frank (the right tech) was absent and the young kid who was supposed to adjust my tilted sunroof was obviously not familiar with the procedure. I said hey no biggie, I'll come back when Frank is here. On my second visit, they adjusted the sunroof and fixed my sub woofer, then parked it on the airdam covered in bird crap. Knowing it's the most expensive car in their line, you'd think they could have exercised some caution, and made sure my car didn't get damaged. Most likely the tech did the work and some lowly employee got to drive it out to the lot.

As the GM did give me the correct attitude and offered to take care of me, I have refrained from naming and slamming the entire dealership. In the future I will be VERY CLEAR up front about my expectations, and if need be stay and supervise!!!


Dan

 

[Northern Rider]

Great advice, Zilla!

Required reading for anyone who purchases an SRT-8 and plans to have service (warranty or otherwise) performed by a franchised dealer.

 

[Browzsrt]

You won't believe this but I had the same experience to a T. I brought my black 300SRT8 for its first oil change to the dealership right after I spent almost $2,000 in custom work to the car. When I get there to pick up my car a tech drives my car around to the front and what do you know he drives it right onto the curb scraping the whole bottom lip. He gets out of the car not knowing that I am the owner standing right there and does'nt acknowledge what he has done. So right then and there I [email protected]$KING cus him out and ask him what he was thinking when he drove my car over the curb and if he even knew what kinda car this was. I was sooo furious.. He tells me talk to the service manager and he will take care of it. So I go into the cashier and tell her how pissed I am and the situation and you know what she says, "I am sorry here are some free nascar tickets for you." I said, "what the hell am I going to do with these tape them to the bottom of my front lip spoiler." She says well there is nothing that I can do and then hands me over a $70 bill for my oil change. So then I tell her how I am never coming back to this dealership again Chrysler and Jeep in henderson NV and I am going to tell everyone how bad your service is. To top it all off I get a courtesy call not a day later but about two weeks later to follow up on my service with no mention to what happen. So at this time still pissed about the situation I tell this lady what happens and she just says I am sorry about that, and that was the end of it. Well my car is almost ready for another oil change in which this time I am taking it to another dealership and I think I am going to supervise the whole service to make sure my car is man handled again. When I was at that dealership I told the lady don't you know that this car besides the viper is the highest end most expensive car you guys make and this is how you treat your customers. She did'nt care for one minute. You know I love this car more than anything but the customer service is horrible. I guess I am just spoiled or something because before I bought the SRT I owned a lexus and they were the greatest. When I needed an oil change they used to come to my house pick up my car, give me a loaner and bring my car back to me when it was done for no additional charge. Anyways I just wrote this long story to let everyone know my experience so it does not happen to anyone else.

 

[HealeyRick]

You won't believe this but I had the same experience to a T. .

You're right, Browz, that is UNBELIEVABLE! The dealer damaged your car and they are responsible for returning it to you in the same condition in which you gave it to them. I'd follow Dan's lead and go right to the GM. I scraped mine on my own and figure it's likely to happen again, so I'm in no hurry to repair the damage which isn't visible unless you are under the car.
But if I were to repair it, I think I'd only let them shoot the bottom of the fascia and not blend it into the front where it could be seen. I don't know how the BB is to blend, but silver metallic is almost impossible to get a good blend. I know I was p.o'ed at myself for scraping it, I can imagine how angry you and Dan must be. Probably even worse for Dan, where he went to all the extra trouble to mount the camera to keep it from happening.

Rick

 

[Ahbizmal]

I am seeing yall let people off easy... I had a Caddy that they (Caddy dealershits) decided they wanted to ding, and I walked right up to the guy, nose to nose, and told him if it was not fixed and re-painted I would choke the living shite out of him and his entire staff. Ok, maybe because I was in the Army at the time and in Uniform and right close to the Ft. Sam, that may have helped my case a little bit, but I would have done the same thing even if not.

 

[kevenj]

....... So right then and there I [email protected]$KING cus him out and ask him what he was thinking when he drove my car over the curb and if he even knew what kinda car this was. I was sooo furious.. He tells me talk to the service manager and he will take care of it......... So I go into the cashier .........

Ok what am I missing here...... The tech basically admits fault (yes it was careless but certainly not on purpose) and tells you to see the service manager and it will be taken care of. So you skip that step and proceed directly to chewing out the innocent cashier? huh? Why didn't you talk to the service manager? He (or she) has the authority to make it right; the poor cashier does not.

Having said that, obviously the tech should have immediately informed the service manager what happened and the service manager should have come out and initiated contact with you. For whatever reason this did not happen but that does not mean they will not fix your car - - Talk to the Service Manager !! Most likely he does not have any idea what happened and would appreciate the opportunity to make it right and retain a customer.

 

[Dood]

Dan, can you post info about your camera set up? I've already done this and more to myself and woud like an option.

Thanks!

 

[qictrk]

I've gone over so many curbs that I've had to replace the bottom dust cover. It cost me about $175. for that little bit of plastic, with me doing the work. I asked the parts guy how much it was for the bottom facia and was told about $750. Now I drive a whole lot more careful when I approach anything thats sticking above the ground more than a couple of inches. Cecil..........

 

[SRT8C]

Another one to Dan, please post pictures of your front end camera.

Where is it mounted, how is it wired to the rest of the cars electircal system?

where is the monitor?

Also other than what Zilla said and did which I totally agree with, the other person that you can put on your side is the person who sold you the car, those guys can do alot and influence the guys in the service department(again this might depend on the dealership).

Thanks

 

[XCITsNU]

This exact thing happened to me too. They fixed it. Then I took it back two months later because when they took the part off to paint it, they used tabs of two way tape instead of strips and the spoiler was gapping from the front facia about 1-2 mm. I'm picky, so I told them I wanted it back to factory finish, and they repainted the front end again since I'd scraped a curb and it had two very small 1 inch scratches in it. They took care of it and that's all I cared about. Put the pressure on, but try and stay professional, cause in most cases anyone on the receiving end of a cussing out is not going to be receptive to helping out, except perhaps unless it involves helping to remove some front teeth prematurely. :wink1: