showroom standards

[jim meehan]

Just had my first visit to a tvr main dealer, in wigan. Aghast at the state of the unprepared chassis under several cars - cerby nearly £30k and chims around £20k, no paint left in places, rust coming away at the touch, bald outer edges on one car's tyres cos tracking is out. Made a comment about the way owners have let their cars go, and the salesman just smiled and walked away. They even glossed tyres of a cerb which had no more than a few thou left.

My 400se I sold for £7k last week was in better nick underneath than the £12k one in the showroom, although the inside and hood were better. Gunge and filth all over the rocker box cover on a nice looking griff they had. Those designs and paint jobs add an awful lot of superficial appeal to the cars.

I recall feeling a bit intimidated by some comments from tvrcc people when I first got a tvr for daring to query the VFM of using main dealers over indys. Glad I stood my ground and this only reinforces my view that there is arrogance and complacency out there beyond belief.

Then again, you get the same with other marques - last night we asked about an audi s8 at a local main dealer, next thing the guy says he had an immaculate a84.2, full audi s.h., 23k miles, for £22k, which was in for prep. Then he finds it's in car park. We look. Oil just above minimum. Tracking so bad outside of both front tyres were bald. Smoker's car. Kerb damage to wheels. He says new tyres fitted before purchase and wheels can be repaired - I said what about the cause of the tyre damage and the potential damage that was caused by the kerbing? Bet they aint gonna check wheel bearings and discs! You pay a premium and they hope you dont claim on the warranty. A lottery.

You know, there's a lot to be said for a one owner, private sale and the services of an independent assessor. Got Rob's number at the ready if it's to be a cerb or griff ...

[jim meehan]

[19560]

jim meehan said:

Aghast at the state of the unprepared chassis under several cars - cerby nearly £30k and chims around £20k, no paint left in places, rust coming away at the touch

I know how you feel, my 87 350 has more plastic coating left than many newer cars.

jim meehan said:

bald outer edges on one car's tyres cos tracking is out.

Are you sure that this isn't from enthusiastic driving?

jim meehan said:

My 400se I sold for £7k last week was in better nick underneath than the £12k one in the showroom, although the inside and hood were better.

Sounds about right. IMHO dealers tend to offer 3 to 4 grand less than a private sale and charge 3 to 4 grand more so in your case £4k trade in £7k private sale and £11k show room. The percentages aren't too bad one a one year old but they are a lot on wedges.

jim meehan said:

a nice looking griff they had. Those designs and paint jobs add an awful lot of superficial appeal to the cars.

Yep.

jim meehan said:

You know, there's a lot to be said for a one owner, private sale and the services of an independent assessor. Got Rob's number at the ready if it's to be a cerb or griff ...

So is the XJS going now?

>> Edited by 19560 on Sunday 25th July 08:16

[jim meehan]

19560 said:

jim meehan said: You know, there's a lot to be said for a one owner, private sale and the services of an independent assessor. Got Rob's number at the ready if it's to be a cerb or griff ... So is the XJS going now? >> Edited by 19560 on Sunday 25th July 08:16

Yep! Shouldve been patient. Was warned off V12 and now regret it. Car is really nice, body and engine are great - just a few gremlins which have been sorted now. Not enough oomph though.

So, we're off to look at S8's, xjr v8's, V12's in as good a condition as this 6, and there's that great looking 1986 vitesse twin plenum in Surrey that I hope to see at next week's SD1 club meet in Warwickshire (plug intended) OR it may indeed be back to the fold I only joined a few months ago.

But I aint rushing this time! It could yet be a private (OH ) purchase of a one prev keeper griff, cerb or 4.5 chim

[RUSSELLM]

I agree with the "condition of cars offered at dealers"

Is it possible that some of these cars, may have been left by the owners on a sale or return basis ?

[DustyC]

jim meehan said:

You know, there's a lot to be said for a one owner, private sale and the services of an independent assessor. Got Rob's number at the ready if it's to be a cerb or griff ...

I gotta agree with that as I ended up buying private myself.
There are some good dealers out there though.

[Stuart Davidson]

jim meehan said:

Aghast at the state of the unprepared chassis under several cars.... They even glossed tyres of a cerb which had no more than a few thou left.

Hmmm, not entirely sure which Cerbera has illegal tyres!? I've failed to find one despite crawling around the showroom on my hands and knees!

I'm not convinced that Bill Fazackerley merely "smiled and walked away." As far as I'm aware he spoke to you about the Griff you were looking at and showed you under the bonnet after he unlocked the car.

I'd like to think that the vast majority of our customers are happy with the preparation of vehicles both at the point of delivery and with any rectification work or adjustments that we undertake during the first weeks of ownership.

[jim meehan]

Stuart Davidson said:

jim meehan said: Aghast at the state of the unprepared chassis under several cars.... They even glossed tyres of a cerb which had no more than a few thou left. Hmmm, not entirely sure which Cerbera has illegal tyres!? I've failed to find one despite crawling around the showroom on my hands and knees! I'm not convinced that Bill Fazackerley merely "smiled and walked away." As far as I'm aware he spoke to you about the Griff you were looking at and showed you under the bonnet after he unlocked the car. I'd like to think that the vast majority of our customers are happy with the preparation of vehicles both at the point of delivery and with any rectification work or adjustments that we undertake during the first weeks of ownership.

Cerb tyres had a few thou left at best; I didnt say they were illegal; it was the less expensive one. And my remark about the state of cars when brought in, did only receive a smile, and it was more of a concern that no defence was offered nor questions asked about my meaning. That a price should be slapped on the screen without any more than a polish is of concern and should be to anyone.

There may have been a bit of rust on the showroom floor too where it fell away from the outrigger I ran my hand along.

It was an education. As was a recent visit to an independent 'jag' dealer, as they refer to themselves.
Same at the audi place.

So I am not having a go at anyone inparticular, it just adds to the sterotypes unfortunately. Moaning clueless punter; arrogant, uncaring salesman. Neither, of course, is the case. It's just a stereotype.

I am sure that customers leave happy and receive good service. That is not the issue. I just know the only tvr I have ever bought was the best I could afford. The single previous owner had it cleaned and repainted underneath last year. It was used less per year each of the last 5 or so, and I guess I was spoiled. But when it left me to live in the Shires, the nether regions were in better condition than the cars in the showrooms that I have seen recently.

Maybe a responsible reply from franchised dealerships would be a commitment to prep cars to a degree that the work is done for the next 3 years, thus saving the owner a not a few shillings, enhancing the value of the car, furthering the reputation of both showroom and marque, and giving value for money all round.

But I guess I aint got a clue. I am, after all, just a punter. Worse. I am a punter who cannot afford to buy.