How not to sell a WRX STI
Discussion
Last weekend I arranged a test drive for today in a new WRX STI and I excitedly turned up at the Subaru dealer at 10am this morning. Not a million miles away but a 30 minute drive down the M1. Certainly close enough for a look at a brand new 320R. I'd bought a Hawkeye STI from them in 2007 and they've been great since, even when I haven't had a Subaru for a few years now so my expectations were high. I get there and it's parked out front ready to go. The sales man I usually speak to was with customers but asked his colleague to take me out.
And then the problems hit...
1. Car was a bloody mess inside, not cleaned at all.
2. The engine management light was flashing constantly - I was warned about this by my main saleman but assured it was because the PDI hadn't been finished.
3. On the drive the car had probably 120bhp thanks to problem 2 - I only noticed this after a very gentle warm up in the Intelligent eco-map mode. I've since found out they had not finished the ECU work so it was in limp mode.
4. The guy I went out with had never driven the car and knew nothing about it.
5. When I said it had almost no pick-up he said it was because I was doing 70!. My 10 year old GTI had about twice the torque.
6. I suggested that for the health of the car we go straight back. He then asked my partner if she wanted to drive it, even after I'd said for 20 mins how s
t the car was performing and how it's probably best for the engine if it goes straight back to the garage for inspection.
7. There was a burning smell coming from the car when we parked up - smelled like burning brakes and oil to me - I hadn't stamped on the brakes once and the car had returned only 20mpg over the 15 mile steady drive.
8. He suggested the burning smell was the wax on the car.
9. He said there was another guy from London coming to see it tomorrow but if I signed up to a deal now I could have it after the ECU issue was resolved.
10. He presented a range of 50% payment finance options twice, despite my rather obvious reservations about the car.
To their credit they found the issue after I'd got home and asked me to come back to drive it again but I'd already started my other jobs and wasn't going to waste another hour while the sunshine was out. It still doesn't explain the shocking smell or the awful MPG. One to avoid, I'd say.
Really disappointing stuff but at least the sun was out today
David
And then the problems hit...
1. Car was a bloody mess inside, not cleaned at all.
2. The engine management light was flashing constantly - I was warned about this by my main saleman but assured it was because the PDI hadn't been finished.
3. On the drive the car had probably 120bhp thanks to problem 2 - I only noticed this after a very gentle warm up in the Intelligent eco-map mode. I've since found out they had not finished the ECU work so it was in limp mode.
4. The guy I went out with had never driven the car and knew nothing about it.
5. When I said it had almost no pick-up he said it was because I was doing 70!. My 10 year old GTI had about twice the torque.
6. I suggested that for the health of the car we go straight back. He then asked my partner if she wanted to drive it, even after I'd said for 20 mins how s
t the car was performing and how it's probably best for the engine if it goes straight back to the garage for inspection.7. There was a burning smell coming from the car when we parked up - smelled like burning brakes and oil to me - I hadn't stamped on the brakes once and the car had returned only 20mpg over the 15 mile steady drive.
8. He suggested the burning smell was the wax on the car.
9. He said there was another guy from London coming to see it tomorrow but if I signed up to a deal now I could have it after the ECU issue was resolved.
10. He presented a range of 50% payment finance options twice, despite my rather obvious reservations about the car.
To their credit they found the issue after I'd got home and asked me to come back to drive it again but I'd already started my other jobs and wasn't going to waste another hour while the sunshine was out. It still doesn't explain the shocking smell or the awful MPG. One to avoid, I'd say.
Really disappointing stuff but at least the sun was out today
David
Edited by Ved on Saturday 14th April 18:58
PompeyPaul said:
Shame to hear that mate. That's the sort of thing from you maybe expect from a back street garage, but not from a main dealer!!
It is really because every time I'd be close by I'd pop in and say hello. Over the course of the last four years they'd loan me a car for the day, take me out in some of their new models (RB320 being my favourite) and generally be a very good place to visit. The last manager moved on and I think that might be where the change has come from.Unfortunately perception is truth in the sales world so If I do look at a WRX STI, or even the new BRZ, it'll be done at Cross Roads Subaru now.
Terrible MPG will be due to the "limp home" map, which would be running the car very rich to prevent any damage. Might explain the smell too.
Should never have been test driven in this state - the car would perform completely differently in limp home mode. In fact, as the name suggests it is intended to just get you home - not for spirited driving.
Should never have been test driven in this state - the car would perform completely differently in limp home mode. In fact, as the name suggests it is intended to just get you home - not for spirited driving.
Edited by Durzel on Saturday 14th April 19:11
I've always found Subaru dealerships a bit hit and miss to be honest.I certainly found them a bit half-arsed when I was looking at a 330s a while back.
I would have thought that due their hardcore followers of old,becoming a bit disenfranchised and moving on,they would try a little harder or at least try and make amends properly-especially as you're a returning customer-shame.
I would have thought that due their hardcore followers of old,becoming a bit disenfranchised and moving on,they would try a little harder or at least try and make amends properly-especially as you're a returning customer-shame.
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