DonG35Miata

There used to be a letter on an S2000 website that you could send to your dealer before your S2000 came in. It gave instructions such as "the car should not be test driven by dealership personnel or customers", "do not rev the engine into the VTEC range", "make sure suspension shipping bolts are removed" etc.

I worry sometimes that my car is going to be revved to 9000 rpm by lot boys, driven by every salespeople, etc. I like the idea of sending a letter to let them know that my car is MY CAR, I have money on it and ordered it, and no one else is to drive it except around the lot at 10 mph for pre-delivery purposes.

Anyone seen the S2k letter, or have one like it? Maybe we should all put one together on here and post it.

Elara

That sounds like a pretty good idea- I'm actually running over to my dealer today to check up on everything, and specify that all I want them to do is pull the plastic off the car, thn call me to come get it. I don't want anyone driving it, I don't want anyone reving it and I don't want them adding any extra stuff to it. They'll have other 8's they can mess with, but I want mine as close to off-the-truck condition as it can get. A letter would be a great way to reinforce this.

CraziFuzzy

I asked my dealer about this, and mine is not even going to their main lot. I am in a unique situation, where I won't necessarily be able to pick mine up right when it comes in. He told me that it is going to go to their off-site storage lot until I can pick it up. He said it will probably have 2 miles one it (one mile mechanic test drive in japan, and assorted mileage onto and off of the ship / trucks.) However, this might be an isolated case, my dealer has been very resonable with me, as I know some of you have had not so considerate dealers.

erik

I knew what letter you were talking about. Just had to find it. Here's the link:

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=688

Just to give you ideas on what you might want to add to your letter. And I think this is a great idea, and I plan on doing the same!!

ERIK

DonG35Miata

Erik said:
I do bring a lot to this board, don't I? :p No applause, just throw money...

Here is the text of the letter. Copy/paste... but why not let the dealer wax the car?

________________
Here are excerpts from a letter I delivered to my dealer tonight to outline the prep requirements that have been advised on this board. I thought it would be a good idea to get these in writing.

He responded very well. In fact he said the faster they get the car out the door the better: he added that it causes way too "much commotion when one is around, especially if people coming into look at cars see the S2K on the lot. He can't show it and he can't let them drive it, which just pisses them off.

Here's the letter:

I'm writing to let you know how much I appreciate all of your and {sales person's) help and cooperation in assisting me in acquiring a 2001 Honda S2000. I know there were moments when I made a pest of myself, but you were always patient and helpful and maintained your sense of humor.

Now I want to make a pest of myself one more time, and I hope you will be equally understanding.

My request has to do with a few matters concerning the preparation of the S2000 before I pick it up. Owners of S2000s have put together this list as a guideline for new buyers like me, who are fanatics about this car. The following list covers my concerns and what I'd like the prep to include (or not include). I'm sure you take care of these things, but for my own peace of mind, I just wanted to confirm this checklist:

1. The car should not be driven for any purpose expect if necessary to fix any mechanical problems that need to be addressed before delivery to me.

2. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers or be taken by employees.

3. 6,000 RPM (vtec) on the engine should not be exceeded for any purpose.

4. Do not install a license plate on front of the car.

5. Plug the front license plate mounting holes with the plugs provided with the car. I will take responsibility for mounting the front license plate.

6. Remove the rubber coil spring holders that Honda installs for shipping of the car.

7. Do not use soap of any kind to wash the convertible top; use only clean, clear water for this purpose.

8. Do not open the convertible top when it is wet or for any reason other than to test its functioning.

9. Do not leave the convertible top down for any length of time.

10. Keep the convertible top up for delivery to me.

11. Do not wax the car.

12. Do not install the floor mats Honda supplies with the car.

I hope I don't sound like a jerk making these requests, and I am sure you follow many of these procedures, but they are based on the experiences of many S2000 owners and they ensure that fanatics like me can start with the car at the level of perfection we seem to obsessed with having. I'm sure you understand and I appreciate that.

It has been a pleasure to deal with you and and Heritage Honda.

And, as you're probably aware, I'll be back to replace the CRV a year from now.

I'll follow up by telephone in a few days to discuss this letter.

Sincerely yours,

N20SA22C

Beat this, I work for the Dealer and I will be the person signing my recieving order and taking it directly from the Truckers hand. Tell the dealer you do not want it washed/waxed(lot boys will scratch things), not to put a front license plate on (CA) ect. I will personally supervise the others in stock as I will be defending them with my life. I will refuse to sell them to people who say "I wanna swap a big ol rat motor into as soon as I get home" or " Can I get a APC wing/lights/spoiler/assorted crap to ruin it." So far all my customers for the RX8 have been very knowlageable regarding rotaries, and a couple race shops hopefully for development purposes. Good luck and Endure the wait.

Kyle Lancaster--Double Agent Salesman

Hercules

I don't want it driven or waxed.

I'll be Zaino'ing it on day one.

TJRX8

Z-2 or Z-3???

IGOZMZM

Here is my current revamp of the letter. Lets all put our heads together on this one and create a list of our own that we want.

I don't know exactly about the rubber coil spring holders or the exact rpm that we don't want them to exceed. So please add your comments and expertise (if applicable).

_______________________________________________

I'm writing to let you know how much I appreciate all of your and {sales person's) help and cooperation in assisting me in acquiring a 2004 Mazda RX-8. I know there were moments when I made a pest of myself, but you were always patient and helpful and maintained your sense of humor.

Now I want to make a pest of myself one more time, and I hope you will equally understand.

My request has to do with a few matters concerning the preparation of the RX-8 before I pick it up. Others and I that have pre-ordered have put together this list as a guideline for new buyers like me, who are fanatics about this car. The following list covers my concerns and what I'd like the prep to include (or not include). I'm sure you take care of these things, but for my own peace of mind, I just wanted to confirm this checklist:

1. The car should not be driven for any purpose expect if necessary to fix any mechanical problems that need to be addressed before delivery to me.

2. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers or be taken by employees.

3. 5,000 RPM on the engine should not be exceeded for any purpose.

4. Do not install a license plate holder (if applicable) on front of the car. I will take responsibility for mounting the front license plate.

5. Remove the rubber coil spring holders that Mazda installs for shipping of the car.

6. Do not wax the car.

7. Do not install the floor mats Mazda supplies with the car.

8. Do not adhere any decals/badges of any kind (i.e. dealer advertising)

I hope I don't sound like a jerk making these requests, and I am sure you follow many of these procedures, but they are based on the concerns of many others that have pre-ordered the RX-8 and they ensure that fanatics like me can start with the car at the level of perfection we seem to obsess with having. I'm sure you understand and I appreciate that.

It has been a pleasure to deal with you and {dealerships name}.

{Insert any message to personalize this}

I'll follow up by telephone in a few days to discuss this letter.

Sincerely yours,

RXhusker

It all sounds great -- one question: why the orders not to install the floor mats?

IGOZMZM

I'm not exactly sure why the S2000 people do, but in my current Miata that I have the damn driver side floor mat keeps creeping up the trans tunnel, because when the mats were installed by the dealership they didn't quite get them in correctly and the carpet gets messed up and the mats don't ever sit right. Now I could be wrong, but that is why I kept it in.

this was also said about them on the s2ki forum and it matches my current grief

DonG35Miata

Sadly, my car washing and waxing skills stink. I think I will let them wash and wax it and install the floor mats. But the letter should make it clear no one is to drive the car!

RX-Nut

How much miles is acceptable upon picking up our cars?

mac

I like it! But you might want to change the word "expect" to "except" :p

IGOZMZM

Hey all I did was change somethings, I didn't proof read the whole thing YET..... but I have corrected quite a few things already.

So, due noted, will fix when next revised.

P.S. Thanks for helping proof read

erik

Having owned an S2000 and been part of s2ki.com for a while now, I'll shed some light on some of the S2000 based questions.

I have no idea if spring spacers will be on the RX-8 but they were on the S2000, and some of the dealers were forgetting to take them out. So basically your spring will not compress fully. Does not make for good handling!!

The reason for not installing the floor mats was that they would cut the carpet in the car so a peg could be inserted to basically tie down the mat. So it wouldn't move. Some people did not like that there carpet was being cut to put this piece in.

And DO NOT have the dealer wash and wax your car. Because they most likely will have a car wash tunnel do the job. Can you say swirl marks!!?? Personally, I don't even want them taking the plastic off. I want the car as protected as it can be on my mile drive home from the dealership!! I know, ****, but hey, it's MY car!! :D

ERIK

RotorGeek

I like the idea of not removeing the plastics till I get there.

ZoomZoom

73JPS can confirm this; I had my salesman write down of the order form that no cleaning whatsoever should be done to my car. This includes removing the white body plastic, interior plastics, tire dressing, removing any windows stickers and wash/wax. I told him that even if a bird $hits on my window I want to see the bird $hit when I pickup my car.

I'm taking my car straight to a highly recommended detailing shop immediately after picking up my car where they can do what the dealer should have done including clay bar, wash and wax.

RotorGeek

Hell yeah!!! Thats what I'm talking about. Bird $hit and all

RX-Nut

wow, are dealers really that bad? I mean I'd love to send them a letter as such, but I have a feeling if I did they would do something even nastier to the car..

DTECH-RX

Why would you keep your dealer from doing these things and then run out and have another "shop" do the same things to your car? IMHO a car with a month old paint job should not have wax on it for at least another 2 months on top of that to let that paint really breathe and cure (regardless of being baked on). I would ESPECIALLY not clay bar a brand new car! You would just be digging into the freshly sparyed clear coat. Again, just my opinion.

A good wash and a little no-wax polish should be all a new car needs for the first couple months of life!

zoom44

any more comments about the paint and waxing? i was wondering the same thing about cure time and such.

nhuhta

After the first paragraph, I added

The acquisition of this vehicle is an important event in my life. It is more that a simple off-the-lot vehicle purchase for me.


I added the following two items to the top of my list.

A) I request that you keep me informed of the delivery status, as you receive updates from Mazda and/or the transporters.

B) Please call me when the car arrives. I would like to be there to take pictures of it as it comes off the truck.

Here in FL there is no front plate, so I removed the part about installing it myself.

I updated the last item to give them a false sense of advertising that I will quickly remove.

X) Do NOT adhere any decals/badges of any kind (i.e. dealer advertising) A rear License plate frame from the dealership would be appreciated

DTECH-RX

Remember, one big minus to not allowing the dealer to take the plastic off and do at least some basic dealer prep is that if anything is cosmetically or functionally wrong with your car and you don't realize it till you get it home and peel of the plastic or whatever, the dealer will not take responsibility for taking care of it.

Just some more food for thought.....

RotorGeek

I agree with you, but I want them to remove plastic when I get there. Hell I want to be there when its taken off the truck