TomAssBender

Hey all, so I have to take my car in for its first "service" at my dealer. It was just an initial appointment set up when I bought the car 3 months ago, for a free oil change and putting in some new silver strips on my center console (were scratched when I bought it). I bought it from a "POSITIVE" dealer, North Penn Imports, though most of the things I have read about have been from the sales perspective, and little has been said about its service.

I have some things I want the dealer to look at, and was wondering how I should approach it/what to expect (lets assume they are above average in the service/giving you **** category)

rusty rotors
speakers have rattled since I bought the car (at teenage volumes)
I found two small (pee sized) pieces of glass in my car, no idea where they are from
should I ask about recall?
will be asking about winter tires/wheels and how this affects my tire warranty
My AudioPilot doesnt work (not a big deal, apparently this is a common problem, just going to see what he says)
I will be asking about current flash
There is a tiny bug in my rear passenger light unit (wasnt there when I bought it) doesnt bother me much, but if the problem were to escalate, i would want something done about it


Thats all I can think of off the top of my head. The speakers are sort of a big deal to me cause the reason I got the GT was for the premium sound system, which I made him very aware of, but I imagine they are going to be a PITA about audio equipment. I'm young and inexperienced, but am pretty good at the stare-down game, so I am hoping that works out in my favor.

Any predictions/advice? I have a 06 GT MT with approx 3000 miles on it.

ken-x8

Make a list so you don't forget anything.

When you bring the car in, say to the service writer "I have some things I want you to look at" and go over your list.

Just be straight, and expect the dealer to be straight and honorable. If you don't get treated well, you have 3 3/4 years of warranty time left to engage in stare-down.

Since you say you're young and inexperienced, let me toss in one piece of advice on service in general. When you have a problem, focus on telling the service writer the symptoms rather than your own diagnosis. If you can get him to hear that rattle in your speakers, and see when it happens, your're home free.

And one more thing... watch out for playing music at teenage volumes. Overdo it and you'll kill your hearing. No joke on that..by the time you're 30 you can find yourself cupping your ear and saying "WHAT?" a lot. For goofs, pick up a sound level meter at Radio Shack and make sure you're below 90 dBA at the most. Preferably 80 dBA.

Ken

swerver

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I bought my 8 new and don't have a single, solitary complaint whatsoever; and I'm **** about problems.........No sounds, no loosenes, nothing.....

Do what Ken said. Make a list and be upfront and honorable about what you expect to happen. Now, I realize that there are shyster dealers out there, but by and large, they will listen to you and help you. If not, go to another dealer...........

expo1

pee sized pieces of glass can indicate either the rear or side glass was broken. Even if your car was bought new a window could have been broken during transit or while on the lot. I would just ask the dealer if they have any history on the car before you got it.

TomAssBender

thanks for the help, especially the suggestion about telling them the symptoms and not my diagnosis, thats a good one.

just so you dont worry ken, i keep the volume below 20, in the teens. but generally anything over 15 my front right speaker "farts" (thats a technical term I generated)

expo, I'm assuming as long as they replaced the window, I shouldnt be concerned much about it, other than checking to see that it actually happened?

expo1

The car could have been in a bad accident before you bought it. Things can and do happen to cars just sitting abound the docks / yards. I used to work for a car rental company and when wrecks would come back from the body shop I would always find tiny pieces of side glass under seats / rugs trunks etc.