Dealer tech takes car on a 'test drive', owner has video
Thread Starter
Ground Assault
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 501
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From: SoCal Bound
Dealer tech takes car on a 'test drive', owner has video
Copied from the legacy forum. Man, this is gonna get good.
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106147
Here is the video>>>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfwfS...=106147&page=9
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106147
My car was in the bodyshop after a minor fender bender. You may or may not remember, but my car has a dashcam. During the week they had it:
- Two of the techs driving it across the parking lot discussed "Would you rock this car? Do you wanna rock it?" "What if this camera is running?" "Oh. We're just joking!"
- Two other techs drove it across the lot (were supposed to move it 20', but took the long way - around the building) The driver mentioned that the clutch was like a racing clutch, then he floored up to redline in first through the parking lot. Then he said words to the effect of; "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to do this..." and from what I could make out of the conversation he was planning to dump the clutch around the corner to get an all wheel peel. As he came around the corner he backed off for an oncoming car, pulled up alongside this car and spoke with the driver (the boss?), and as they drove away again the driver talked about it being a close call. Then they drove thought he lot again at WOT and talked about the turbo having no BOV. He proved this by revving it to redline a couple times in the parking space. The passenger joked about how funny it would be if the camera was on. Driver didn't think it would be funny. (I agree with the driver - not funny)
- Bodyshop manager accidentally backed the car into a pile of empty boxes someone had stacked in the doorway. No damage = no harm/no foul.
- Same two techs took it out onto the road for a 3 mile drive. I know that the alignment was checked as part of the repair work (The accident damaged the wheel) so this *may* be the after-alignment road test. Having said that, the driver floored it up to redline in first AND second as soon as he got onto the road. At that point I stopped watching the video and started burning it to a DVD so I can take it to the dealership's General Manager. It was more important that I go through the process of preserving the evidence than watching it immediately. Kinda like putting up police tape around a crime scene.
So, I still have to watch the rest of this 'road test' (Top Gear style, apparently) and then check another two car journeys listed in the DVR.
Funny thing is, this WOT 'road test' (with the two giggling prepubescent techs thrashing $18k of my hard-earned money around the streets) happened at about lunchtime today. When I arrived at the bodyshop at 5pm to pick the car up they said it was "out on the road test from the alignment". The car only did 3 miles while in their custody so it's not like they were driving around for 5 hours. I wonder if they had the alignment tech do the road test at 5pm. If so, what legitimate reason did Beavis and Butt-Face have to even be out on the road, never mind burning up my clutch?
When I got the car home (and I drive like my grandad) my clutch REEKED. I suspect the rest of this road test (when I get to watch it) will be quite interesting. I also noted that when I arrived the camera mount in the front of the car had broken loose from the window (GPS suction cup) and been remounted in the wrong place. I hope they didn't do anything extreme enough to much the camera loose.... :-O
(*Side question to dealer techs: Is it normal to discuss such things as; "Do you wanna rock it?" when you would never, ever actually do something like that?
Why would they say that if it's something they would never actually do? Example: I would never mug an old granny - and therefore would never have reason to say to my friend; "Hey, there's an old granny... Want to mug her?")
- Two of the techs driving it across the parking lot discussed "Would you rock this car? Do you wanna rock it?" "What if this camera is running?" "Oh. We're just joking!"
- Two other techs drove it across the lot (were supposed to move it 20', but took the long way - around the building) The driver mentioned that the clutch was like a racing clutch, then he floored up to redline in first through the parking lot. Then he said words to the effect of; "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to do this..." and from what I could make out of the conversation he was planning to dump the clutch around the corner to get an all wheel peel. As he came around the corner he backed off for an oncoming car, pulled up alongside this car and spoke with the driver (the boss?), and as they drove away again the driver talked about it being a close call. Then they drove thought he lot again at WOT and talked about the turbo having no BOV. He proved this by revving it to redline a couple times in the parking space. The passenger joked about how funny it would be if the camera was on. Driver didn't think it would be funny. (I agree with the driver - not funny)
- Bodyshop manager accidentally backed the car into a pile of empty boxes someone had stacked in the doorway. No damage = no harm/no foul.
- Same two techs took it out onto the road for a 3 mile drive. I know that the alignment was checked as part of the repair work (The accident damaged the wheel) so this *may* be the after-alignment road test. Having said that, the driver floored it up to redline in first AND second as soon as he got onto the road. At that point I stopped watching the video and started burning it to a DVD so I can take it to the dealership's General Manager. It was more important that I go through the process of preserving the evidence than watching it immediately. Kinda like putting up police tape around a crime scene.
So, I still have to watch the rest of this 'road test' (Top Gear style, apparently) and then check another two car journeys listed in the DVR.
Funny thing is, this WOT 'road test' (with the two giggling prepubescent techs thrashing $18k of my hard-earned money around the streets) happened at about lunchtime today. When I arrived at the bodyshop at 5pm to pick the car up they said it was "out on the road test from the alignment". The car only did 3 miles while in their custody so it's not like they were driving around for 5 hours. I wonder if they had the alignment tech do the road test at 5pm. If so, what legitimate reason did Beavis and Butt-Face have to even be out on the road, never mind burning up my clutch?
When I got the car home (and I drive like my grandad) my clutch REEKED. I suspect the rest of this road test (when I get to watch it) will be quite interesting. I also noted that when I arrived the camera mount in the front of the car had broken loose from the window (GPS suction cup) and been remounted in the wrong place. I hope they didn't do anything extreme enough to much the camera loose.... :-O
(*Side question to dealer techs: Is it normal to discuss such things as; "Do you wanna rock it?" when you would never, ever actually do something like that?
Why would they say that if it's something they would never actually do? Example: I would never mug an old granny - and therefore would never have reason to say to my friend; "Hey, there's an old granny... Want to mug her?")
I was waiting for my car at the dealer one time and a porter was jiving with another dude about ripping up a clutch in a customers MSP6. I was sitting far away but heard the whole conversation so when the manager walked in (I spent so much time there I knew what he looked like) I got up and walked over to the porter and told him and the manager somthing to teh effect that if I caught him near my car I would take it out of his ***. He just looked at me with deer in the headlights look and I explained the whole conversation they had to the manager. Poor guy probably got fired but that kind of **** pisses me off. My boss had an extra bunch of miles on his 180k CL65 after a trip to the body shop. When I went to check it out I noticed a trashed wheel (3k 19" AMG wheel that is) the mileage was caught because the service department noted the mileage before they drove it about 5 miles to the body shop.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; Feb 18, 2009 at 09:37 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
Oh Gawd, yes if I knew I would be pissed, particularly the clutch smell, but really this is what happens in dealerships or body shop repairers every day.
I did not think the guys were that bad with the car, I know I have done worse in my youth particularly when you have to find an intermittent issue with a car in for service like a rattle ,vibration, ticking noise, surging.
While I don't agree with the two trips, If they had not tested the car once repairs were done and something rattled, or leaked, what would the owner think then?
Test driving is part of some companies quality control, you can see the guys checking off a report or repair order.
The owner is a little precious, was there any damage done?
I can't see the owner getting anywhere, certainly not a new car.
With comments like this on the Legacy forum..
You should sue their *** for emotional distress after watching the video. then post it online and we could all file a class action lawsuit!
It is sad that this type of crap happens everyday when we drop the car off for any type of repair and or service.
Is this person for real?, only in America I guess, get your money the easy way.
Life is not meant to be recorded 24/7.
Gee, I won't be popular..flame me!
I did not think the guys were that bad with the car, I know I have done worse in my youth particularly when you have to find an intermittent issue with a car in for service like a rattle ,vibration, ticking noise, surging.
While I don't agree with the two trips, If they had not tested the car once repairs were done and something rattled, or leaked, what would the owner think then?
Test driving is part of some companies quality control, you can see the guys checking off a report or repair order.
The owner is a little precious, was there any damage done?
I can't see the owner getting anywhere, certainly not a new car.
With comments like this on the Legacy forum..
You should sue their *** for emotional distress after watching the video. then post it online and we could all file a class action lawsuit!
It is sad that this type of crap happens everyday when we drop the car off for any type of repair and or service.
Is this person for real?, only in America I guess, get your money the easy way.
Life is not meant to be recorded 24/7.
Gee, I won't be popular..flame me!
Yea, the dealership that I take my car to... I've had some times they've drained 1/4 or more of my gas tank. I wonder what kind of driving they've let it see?
Makes you think.
Makes you think.
Thread Starter
Ground Assault
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: SoCal Bound
Ya, and I'm guessing this sort of thing happens more than we realize. I hope this guy get some sort of justice out it. I know I would be pissed.
I'm glad I I live in a smaller city and I know a few of the guys that work at my dealership. That and I know that the techs hate even sitting in my brides.....haha my skinny friend that works there has to pull my car in and out.
I'm glad I I live in a smaller city and I know a few of the guys that work at my dealership. That and I know that the techs hate even sitting in my brides.....haha my skinny friend that works there has to pull my car in and out.
3-wheeler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,734
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From: Phoenix
Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do!
What a great situation to have had a valet mode on the accessport!!
First off, the guys were clearly abusing the car and I think they need to answer for that. I can say that I have a local Mazda Club member who works at a Mazda dealer that I take my RX8 to. He's the ONLY dealership person I will let touch my car. That being said, I've taken my RX8 in for new tires, alignments, and even complaints about my transmission. I told him every time to go rip it up and make sure everything is in order.
However, he had my permission to do that and I know he respects my RX8 as much as I do. At the end of the day, if he wrecks the car it's his job and the dealer is going to pay to fix it so I'm not really worried. The difference is I KNOW that it's happening. What bothers me is when customer cars are abused, taken on joy rides, and then returned to the customer without them knowing.
Smoking a customer's clutch is clearly abuse...Mazda would consider it customer abuse so why should I expect anything different if it was done by a tech?
These guys were clearly trying to get away with having fun with a car that wasn't theirs and you can tell by their behavior in the video. Why block the camera unless you think you're doing something wrong?
Registered
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
My wife's DD is an Outback, so I already had a login there. I read the complete thread and posted that the body shop should replace his clutch. He had posted that he could smell it when he got the car returned to him.
Gee, I won't be popular..flame me!
Had that been my car there would be no talk of law suits, I would personally go up there hand out some free passes to the ER. I work hard for my **** and anyone damaging my car would get the same treatment as if I caught someone keying my car or spray painting my house. These ******* are right up there with the little punks that go around tagging other peoples property or grinding rails with their skate boards. This is why I note mileage whenever my car is in the shop. The GPS snitch would be a good thing to have in this situation.
Registered RX-8 User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: PA/MD
wow sucks for the owner, I would go after the dealership. There is a big difference between test drive and joy ride.
This is why my car will never see a repair shop, unless it is to get a free engine should I ever need one.
This is why my car will never see a repair shop, unless it is to get a free engine should I ever need one.
doin' the bull dance
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 2
From: Quahog, RI
Get a free clutch. Take it to some other place to have it installed.
It's a d-bag move by the shop, but the owner's first mistake was trusting anyone at any shop.
k, I'm off to hug my mechanic. All work done while we shoot the bull FTW!!!
It's a d-bag move by the shop, but the owner's first mistake was trusting anyone at any shop.
k, I'm off to hug my mechanic. All work done while we shoot the bull FTW!!!
Bland
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
With comments like this on the Legacy forum..
You should sue their *** for emotional distress after watching the video. then post it online and we could all file a class action lawsuit!
It is sad that this type of crap happens everyday when we drop the car off for any type of repair and or service.
Is this person for real?, only in America I guess, get your money the easy way.
You should sue their *** for emotional distress after watching the video. then post it online and we could all file a class action lawsuit!
It is sad that this type of crap happens everyday when we drop the car off for any type of repair and or service.
Is this person for real?, only in America I guess, get your money the easy way.
Wheeeeeee generalizations are fun!
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Posts: 12,255
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
doin' the bull dance
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 2
From: Quahog, RI
On top of that, Ash is absolutely right about the comments. That post on subieforum is probably some idiot who would actually try to sue for emotional distress. We Americans are way out of control when it comes to litigation. The only free money goes to the lawyers anyway. 
Bland
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 856
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From: New Jersey
As for the Legacy, the dealership will most likely fire the lot boys and try to pay off the owner with credit or a discount at the parts department. I'd push for a new clutch too, but they'll tell him they don't owe him anything. It sucks, but he'd wind up spending a bunch of time and money suing the dealership and there's no guaranty he'll win. What would his claim be exactly?
doin' the bull dance
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From: Quahog, RI
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
Your a dipshit. And if you did worse than that in your youth then you need a beat down too. Punks these days have no morals. The guys noticed the camera and would have surely beaten on that car worse had the camera not been there. Why would they block the camera if they were doing nothing wrong? A test drive and ragging on someone elses property are two different things.
Had that been my car there would be no talk of law suits, I would personally go up there hand out some free passes to the ER. I work hard for my **** and anyone damaging my car would get the same treatment as if I caught someone keying my car or spray painting my house. These ******* are right up there with the little punks that go around tagging other peoples property or grinding rails with their skate boards. This is why I note mileage whenever my car is in the shop. The GPS snitch would be a good thing to have in this situation.
Had that been my car there would be no talk of law suits, I would personally go up there hand out some free passes to the ER. I work hard for my **** and anyone damaging my car would get the same treatment as if I caught someone keying my car or spray painting my house. These ******* are right up there with the little punks that go around tagging other peoples property or grinding rails with their skate boards. This is why I note mileage whenever my car is in the shop. The GPS snitch would be a good thing to have in this situation.
Many of you guys posting here have ALL abused your cars at some point (most), do you want be name/repost your comments.
Now you going WAY over the top and sound like a goose, yes, I agree, people who actually damage a car, keying, supermarkets, etc.
One smoked clutch, does not damage or destroy it.
When it is repeatedly done, then damage will occur.
AS I SAID IN MY POST THESE ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY THAT FIXED THIS GUYS CAR, THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO TEST DRIVE..
If you have never worked in the car Industry...YOU have No Idea.
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From: Australia