service at dealers in the Detroit area
Hello, I need to do my first service on my 2004 Sonata. Does anyone
live in the Detroit area and have experience concerning which dealer is more honest/better, the Ann Arbor dealer or the Livonia dealer? TYIA J.W. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:28:49 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com>
wrote: >Hello, I need to do my first service on my 2004 Sonata. Does anyone >live in the Detroit area and have experience concerning which dealer >is more honest/better, the Ann Arbor dealer or the Livonia dealer? **God Lord Almighty, avoid the Ann Arbor dealer like the plague! Scenario: At the time, I owned a Santa Fe, a coworker owned a Sonata and the boss's wife owns a Sonata wagon. I purchased my SF in Conn. so I had never dealt with the AA dealer. So boss's wife's car develops brake problems and they say, we can't take you in for 3 weeks. 3 freakin' weeks! I suggested that she try Livonia and they took her in the day she called! When my SF was about a year old, a piece of body cladding fell off. My coworker warned me, if you want any warranty work done, you *will* have to argue to the point of yelling to get them to do it. Her husband had gotten in a screaming match with one of the service guys. So I drove in and, sure enough, they accused me of getting into an accident. Clearly! I had not been in an accident. Then they refused to fix it, anyway. It would've been a big shouting match if I didn't have a scorching case of laryngitis at the time. :( I finally said: I *know* that this is covered under the warranty and you have no choice but to cover the repair, you can't bullshit me. So they acquiesced. The repair was a fiasco. They outsource their bodywork. I had the bodywork company call me and say that they needed my SF for several days because they had to paint *all* of the cladding to make it "match nice." Scam artists! And, dollar to donuts, Hyundai of AA are double dipping. If I paid out of my pocket for the repair, they could claim it under the warranty too. Sweet, get paid twice. I've never been treated so badly by a retail company ever. I took my Santa Fe back to dealer in Conn. and they painted (and perfectly matched) the little bit of cladding. I started going to Livonia even though it was a bit of a haul for me. They usually can take you in within 3 days of you calling, several times, I went in the day I called. I never had to argue about a warranty repair. I would say: here's the problem and they would fix it and hand it back, no worries. That said, I haven't owned the SF since Feb 2003 and I've heard that Livonia has changed hands since then. kaboomie |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:10:43 -0400, kaboom
<kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote: >On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:28:49 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com> >wrote: > >>Hello, I need to do my first service on my 2004 Sonata. Does anyone >>live in the Detroit area and have experience concerning which dealer >>is more honest/better, the Ann Arbor dealer or the Livonia dealer? > >**God Lord Almighty, avoid the Ann Arbor dealer like the plague! > >Scenario: At the time, I owned a Santa Fe, a coworker owned a Sonata >and the boss's wife owns a Sonata wagon. I purchased my SF in Conn. so >I had never dealt with the AA dealer. So boss's wife's car develops >brake problems and they say, we can't take you in for 3 weeks. 3 >freakin' weeks! I suggested that she try Livonia and they took her in >the day she called! > >When my SF was about a year old, a piece of body cladding fell off. My >coworker warned me, if you want any warranty work done, you *will* >have to argue to the point of yelling to get them to do it. Her >husband had gotten in a screaming match with one of the service guys. >So I drove in and, sure enough, they accused me of getting into an >accident. Clearly! I had not been in an accident. Then they refused to >fix it, anyway. It would've been a big shouting match if I didn't have >a scorching case of laryngitis at the time. :( > >I finally said: I *know* that this is covered under the warranty and >you have no choice but to cover the repair, you can't bullshit me. So >they acquiesced. The repair was a fiasco. They outsource their >bodywork. I had the bodywork company call me and say that they needed >my SF for several days because they had to paint *all* of the cladding >to make it "match nice." Scam artists! And, dollar to donuts, Hyundai >of AA are double dipping. If I paid out of my pocket for the repair, >they could claim it under the warranty too. Sweet, get paid twice. >I've never been treated so badly by a retail company ever. I took my >Santa Fe back to dealer in Conn. and they painted (and perfectly >matched) the little bit of cladding. > >I started going to Livonia even though it was a bit of a haul for me. >They usually can take you in within 3 days of you calling, several >times, I went in the day I called. I never had to argue about a >warranty repair. I would say: here's the problem and they would fix it >and hand it back, no worries. > >That said, I haven't owned the SF since Feb 2003 and I've heard that >Livonia has changed hands since then. > >kaboomie Hi kaboomie, Thank You so much for the tip. I wanted to go to the Livonia dealer because I live in Westland and it's closer than Ann Arbor. But after reading several posts in here about different dealer quality issues, I thought I would ask before I set up an appt. Again, thank you, J.W. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
Tell me about it !
Hyundai Dealers' service is just pathetic in Detroit Area. I am not sure about the other states. My experience with "01 Elantra Vs Hyundai Dealers in Detroit" I did my 30K mile service at La Fontaine. I did not want my tires rotated/balanced as I did the month before. They did not reduce a single penny for that. I did not bother much and got it serviced. After the service, "Service Engine" light appeared. I took it back to the dealer and was told some reason and got fixed. Again, the next day morning "Service Engine" Light appeared. I wanted to yell/shout at him but my car looked at me and made me polite to the service man. Atlast, I took my car out from the dealer. Three months later, I went to Glassman for oil change. Serviceman looks up my record and he goes "hey.. you got to do your 30K service". I said "I did at La Fontaine three months back." There ends the conversation. After the Oil change, serviceman recommends me to change the sparkplug & service the fuel injector!!!! I told him "Well, those things are covered with 30K and I suppose La Fontaine took care of it". He goes "Nope..It is very bad and you got to attend to this" I chose to skip and came back. I was thinking "who could be wrong? may be glassman is cheating me ? or la fontaine cheated me " After three months, I went to Livonia for oil change. I asked him to check the state of fuel injector and spark plug. He goes "Looks in great shape " commmmmmmmon !!!!!!! give me a break !!! BUT, he says "you got to flush your transmission fluid as it is bad". Two weeks later, I took my car to livonia again for a warranty repair. I saw a new serivce man. I asked him to check transmission fluid. He goes "looks in great shape sir!!" This is the state of service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
Tell me about it !
Hyundai Dealers' service is just pathetic in Detroit Area. I am not sure about the other states. My experience with "01 Elantra Vs Hyundai Dealers in Detroit" I did my 30K mile service at La Fontaine. I did not want my tires rotated/balanced as I did the month before. They did not reduce a single penny for that. I did not bother much and got it serviced. After the service, "Service Engine" light appeared. I took it back to the dealer and was told some reason and got fixed. Again, the next day morning "Service Engine" Light appeared. I wanted to yell/shout at him but my car looked at me and made me polite to the service man. Atlast, I took my car out from the dealer. Three months later, I went to Glassman for oil change. Serviceman looks up my record and he goes "hey.. you got to do your 30K service". I said "I did at La Fontaine three months back." There ends the conversation. After the Oil change, serviceman recommends me to change the sparkplug & service the fuel injector!!!! I told him "Well, those things are covered with 30K and I suppose La Fontaine took care of it". He goes "Nope..It is very bad and you got to attend to this" I chose to skip and came back. I was thinking "who could be wrong? may be glassman is cheating me ? or la fontaine cheated me " After three months, I went to Livonia for oil change. I asked him to check the state of fuel injector and spark plug. He goes "Looks in great shape " commmmmmmmon !!!!!!! give me a break !!! BUT, he says "you got to flush your transmission fluid as it is bad". Two weeks later, I took my car to livonia again for a warranty repair. I saw a new serivce man. I asked him to check transmission fluid. He goes "looks in great shape sir!!" This is the state of service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:36:43 -0400, "suresh"
<sureshjraman@hotmail.com> wrote: >Tell me about it ! >Hyundai Dealers' service is just pathetic in Detroit Area. I am not sure >about the other states. >My experience with "01 Elantra Vs Hyundai Dealers in Detroit" > >I did my 30K mile service at La Fontaine. I did not want my tires >rotated/balanced as I did the month before. They did not reduce a single >penny for that. I did not bother much and got it serviced. After the >service, "Service Engine" light appeared. I took it back to the dealer and >was told some reason and got fixed. Again, the next day morning "Service >Engine" Light appeared. I wanted to yell/shout at him but my car looked at >me and made me polite to the service man. Atlast, I took my car out from >the dealer. > >Three months later, I went to Glassman for oil change. Serviceman looks up >my record and >he goes "hey.. you got to do your 30K service". > >I said "I did at La Fontaine three months back." There ends the >conversation. > >After the Oil change, serviceman recommends me to change the sparkplug & >service the fuel injector!!!! > >I told him "Well, those things are covered with 30K and I suppose La >Fontaine took care of it". > >He goes "Nope..It is very bad and you got to attend to this" > >I chose to skip and came back. I was thinking "who could be wrong? may be >glassman is cheating me ? or la fontaine cheated me " > >After three months, I went to Livonia for oil change. I asked him to check >the state of fuel injector and spark plug. > >He goes "Looks in great shape " > >commmmmmmmon !!!!!!! give me a break !!! > >BUT, he says "you got to flush your transmission fluid as it is bad". > >Two weeks later, I took my car to livonia again for a warranty repair. I >saw a new serivce man. I asked him to check transmission fluid. > >He goes "looks in great shape sir!!" > >This is the state of service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > Soooo, are you saying Livonia was the best? J.W. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
NOT at all. All are equally bad. Next time, I am planning to try with
Sterling Hyundai and then AA. But so far, my experience with LaFontaine,Glassman and Livonia have been EQUALLY BAD. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
re: maddening unpleasantnesses happen
one would think there are enough customers/cars for honest, competent servicings unhappily, because we customers perceive that being ripped-off is not unusual if not sop some people (one person who i know) simply avoid having much of any required and/or suggested maintenance on their heaps here's what the rational layperson oughta do (imho): have a fairly steady relationship with an hopefully convenient service dept have the manufacturer's standard extended warranty service contract--approx price is $600--$12000 (?)--i think we paid $700 or $800 for it (bumper to bumper protection, but customer still pays for the brakes, the anti-freeze changes, oil changes, tires et cetera) jump thru the maintenance required hoops that are required to keep the warranty valid, including the $600+ timing stuff at 30,000 & 60,000 miles (please correct any error in fact mis-stated herein) |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 15:46:01 -0400, "suresh"
<sureshjraman@hotmail.com> wrote: >NOT at all. All are equally bad. Next time, I am planning to try with >Sterling Hyundai and then AA. > >But so far, my experience with LaFontaine,Glassman and Livonia have been >EQUALLY BAD. **You should raise these issues with those dealerships. If they know you're on the ball, they're going to be less likely to jerk you around. I went to Howard Cooper in AA for a 10,000 mile servicing (I have a Jetta 1.8T). I knew that there was a TSB out for the 1.8T engines that are in Passats and Audi A4s (oil sludging). The engines are different in that the Jetta's is a transverse engine, the others are longitudinal (?) with an almost 1 quart smaller oil capacity. The problem usually arises when owners don't do the proper oil changes. I walked in and was told that there was a TSB out for my engine and that I have to put synthetic oil in it. I said, No, that's for the Audi and Passat. And then I told them what was in the paragraph above. All 3 service guys just gaped at me. Man, that was SWEET! My service guy started laughing and said well, then, you can choose whatever you want. I said, hey, synthetic is better for turbo engines. Let's go for it. :) What the hell, eh? But every customer who came in with Golfs/Jettas/GTIs with the 1.8T got told the same thing and they all said: Uh okay. The service prices at Howard Cooper are exorbitant so you can imagine that they're raking it in. Yes, I got the synthetic (which I was planning to do anyway) but at least I could've knowledgeably said no and still have had the peace of mind that my car would be fine (and saved money!) kaboomie |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 15:28:47 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com>
wrote: >On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:36:43 -0400, "suresh" ><sureshjraman@hotmail.com> wrote: <snipped stealership stories> >Soooo, are you saying Livonia was the best? **Hi Jon, just a little update here. Last week, bosslady's 99 Elantra wouldn't start so she had it towed to AA for service. It was the fuel pump (for the 2nd time) and she had it replaced for free. She's the 2nd owner but she might've bought an extended warranty. She said that she had no problems with their service though it did take a couple of days. It's possible that each dealership has their strong and weak points, though I'll never go back to AA, perhaps they've gotten better. kaboomie |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 17:42:25 -0400, kaboom
<kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote: >On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 15:28:47 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com> >wrote: > >>On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:36:43 -0400, "suresh" >><sureshjraman@hotmail.com> wrote: > ><snipped stealership stories> > >>Soooo, are you saying Livonia was the best? > >**Hi Jon, just a little update here. Last week, bosslady's 99 Elantra >wouldn't start so she had it towed to AA for service. It was the fuel >pump (for the 2nd time) and she had it replaced for free. She's the >2nd owner but she might've bought an extended warranty. She said that >she had no problems with their service though it did take a couple of >days. It's possible that each dealership has their strong and weak >points, though I'll never go back to AA, perhaps they've gotten >better. > >kaboomie I went to Livonia today because it's closest to my house. It was only for my Sonata's first oil change, but the people were friendly, answered several of my questions and they were pretty quick. I was out of there in a half an hour and that was with the free car wash. It came to $32 for just an oil change however, which is pretty high. My local mechanic, who I've been going to for 15 years, only charges $22 and that is for the full service, air in tires, all fluids checked, air filter checked, windshield fluid topped off and it only takes about 15 minutes. But I won't trust them with this new car because of the demands for the special oil filter and the oil pan bolt gasket that needs replacing every time. I think I want to keep going to a dealer while the warranty is still in effect so I don't get screwed in the long run, even if it does cost more. In a 100,000 miles, with an oil change every 3750 miles, it comes to 26.6 oil changes. An extra $10 means it will cost about $267 more to go to the dealer over the 100,000 miles. J.W. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
Not a bad idea.
But I wouldnt worry about the oil changes. A Firestone or a Valvoline is reliable on these small stuff. Firestone charges only around $16 for oil change. They have nation wide reputation as well. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 16:19:18 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com>
wrote: >I went to Livonia today because it's closest to my house. It was only >for my Sonata's first oil change, but the people were friendly, >answered several of my questions and they were pretty quick. I was out >of there in a half an hour and that was with the free car wash. **Whoops, forgot to tell you about the carwashes. If you buy a service or actually have something repaired, they usually wash your car. If it's just a quick diagnostic or something then they don't. >It >came to $32 for just an oil change however, which is pretty high. My >local mechanic, who I've been going to for 15 years, only charges $22 >and that is for the full service, air in tires, all fluids checked, >air filter checked, windshield fluid topped off and it only takes >about 15 minutes. **$32? Lucky devil! Listen to this: Howard Cooper Maintenance menu for the 1.8T engine The 5K/15K/25K etc checkup: Oil & Filter change & Lubrication (dino oil) Check & Top Fluids Check & Adjust Tire Pressures Multi-Point Inspection all this is a lovely $68.00 Synthetic instead of dino = $105 The 10K/30K etc checkup (just had this done) added to the above: Brake System Check Tire Rotation Airbag System Check Battery Check Dino = $130 Synthetic = $165 Hahaha! When I said 'exorbitant' I really meant it. I've never seen anything like it, I wonder if it's because they're also an Audi/Porsche dealership? Or because they can just get away with it. Don't even ask me about the 40K checkup ;) >But I won't trust them with this new car because of >the demands for the special oil filter and the oil pan bolt gasket >that needs replacing every time. I think I want to keep going to a >dealer while the warranty is still in effect so I don't get screwed in >the long run, even if it does cost more. **And this is why I still go to the dealer plus they really treat me well. For those prices, I should be getting breakfast and a back rub. VW loves to try and get out of honoring warranties. >In a 100,000 miles, with an >oil change every 3750 miles, it comes to 26.6 oil changes. An extra >$10 means it will cost about $267 more to go to the dealer over the >100,000 miles. **Jon, you think too much! :) How long will it take you to drive 100K? kaboomie |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 16:38:54 -0400, "suresh"
<sureshjraman@hotmail.com> wrote: >Not a bad idea. >But I wouldnt worry about the oil changes. A Firestone or a Valvoline is >reliable on these small stuff. Firestone charges only around $16 for oil >change. They have nation wide reputation as well. Well, I've had bad experiences at local Firestones here. Overcharging and trying to sell unnessary work. Plus, like I said, this oil change is somewhat tricky, with the special oil filter needed and the oil drain washer gasket. J.W. |
Re: service at dealers in the Detroit area
On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 18:18:13 -0400, kaboom
<kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote: >On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 16:19:18 -0400, Jon W. <JWalker@yahoo34.com> >wrote: > >>I went to Livonia today because it's closest to my house. It was only >>for my Sonata's first oil change, but the people were friendly, >>answered several of my questions and they were pretty quick. I was out >>of there in a half an hour and that was with the free car wash. > >**Whoops, forgot to tell you about the carwashes. If you buy a service >or actually have something repaired, they usually wash your car. If >it's just a quick diagnostic or something then they don't. > >>It >>came to $32 for just an oil change however, which is pretty high. My >>local mechanic, who I've been going to for 15 years, only charges $22 >>and that is for the full service, air in tires, all fluids checked, >>air filter checked, windshield fluid topped off and it only takes >>about 15 minutes. > >**$32? Lucky devil! Listen to this: > >Howard Cooper Maintenance menu for the 1.8T engine > >The 5K/15K/25K etc checkup: >Oil & Filter change & Lubrication (dino oil) >Check & Top Fluids >Check & Adjust Tire Pressures >Multi-Point Inspection > >all this is a lovely $68.00 >Synthetic instead of dino = $105 > >The 10K/30K etc checkup (just had this done) added to the above: >Brake System Check >Tire Rotation >Airbag System Check >Battery Check > >Dino = $130 >Synthetic = $165 > >Hahaha! When I said 'exorbitant' I really meant it. I've never seen >anything like it, I wonder if it's because they're also an >Audi/Porsche dealership? Or because they can just get away with it. > >Don't even ask me about the 40K checkup ;) > >>But I won't trust them with this new car because of >>the demands for the special oil filter and the oil pan bolt gasket >>that needs replacing every time. I think I want to keep going to a >>dealer while the warranty is still in effect so I don't get screwed in >>the long run, even if it does cost more. > >**And this is why I still go to the dealer plus they really treat me >well. For those prices, I should be getting breakfast and a back rub. >VW loves to try and get out of honoring warranties. > >>In a 100,000 miles, with an >>oil change every 3750 miles, it comes to 26.6 oil changes. An extra >>$10 means it will cost about $267 more to go to the dealer over the >>100,000 miles. > >**Jon, you think too much! :) How long will it take you to drive 100K? > >kaboomie 10 years. I am going to get the most I can out of this vehicle. J.W. |
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