Wayne, I appreciate the comments, but I'd still rather take my money elsewhere now!
I suppose I'm being a bit of a hypocrite really, I'm judging the whole dealership by this one guy.
Dealers - Any Good?
Started by
Thorney
, Mar 28 2003 12:51 PM
226 replies to this topic
#81
caleebra
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Posted 30 September 2003 - 11:59 AM
#82
Blue torpedo
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- 26 posts
Member
- Location:North - Nr Grimsby
Posted 03 October 2003 - 05:05 PM
Hi All,
New to the site today.
Thought i would introduce myself. Recently bought Wayne from crownhills company car (Coral blue turbo) so I thought i'd better 'big them up'.
Found him very helpful even if he did scare my missus on the test drive, sideways round the roundabouts
If your out there Wayne - have you managed to pass my details to Tracker yet?
New to the site today.
Thought i would introduce myself. Recently bought Wayne from crownhills company car (Coral blue turbo) so I thought i'd better 'big them up'.
Found him very helpful even if he did scare my missus on the test drive, sideways round the roundabouts
If your out there Wayne - have you managed to pass my details to Tracker yet?
Its supposed to be that colour
#83
Jim_Cross
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- 4,539 posts
Scary Internerd
- Location:Essex
Posted 04 October 2003 - 10:32 AM
Recently bought Wayne from crownhills company car (Coral blue turbo)
You did WHAT?!
Have you not heard?!
Only kidding!
Welcome!
#84
HF_Evolution
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- 266 posts
Super Member
- Location:Cardiff S/glamorgan, Wales, UK
- Interests:Playing WW2 combat flight sims, my VXR... and surfing when there is any!!
Posted 07 October 2003 - 08:31 AM
Hi all, I bought my VXT in may from Drive Vaukhall in Bristol, except from the management side, the salesmen were good, it took a lot of hassling but I manaced to get £1000 of the asking price. The service since has been 1st class. I have had a few minor probs with the car but I have turned up twice unexpected, the car has been seen almost imediately, and the problem sorted. I insist that only 1 fitter touches my car, His name is James, and he is in is early 20s, but he is s...... hot on the turbo engine(he has one the astra), and realy knows is stuff. I would always recomend you insist on the same fitter work on your car, and get to know him, xmas box and such, in the long run it works. This car is a joy to own, drive look at and talk about, im having the time of my life with her lol. 
#85
NorthernMonkey
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- 46 posts
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- Location:Chelmsford, Essex
Posted 07 October 2003 - 12:20 PM
Charvill Brothers - Bishops Stortford
Anyone had any service experience there? Had my VXT a month - first trip to the garage.
I have mine booked in for a few minor niggles on Saturday.
I'll post how I get on next week, but they seemed helpful on the phone, so far so good!
(The alternative is Toomey Motors in Basildon - any good?)
#86
jules_s
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Iceman
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- Location:The Porker showroom
- Interests:Plane spotting
Posted 07 October 2003 - 03:06 PM
Im was still waiting this morning.......so I called drive againunsurprisingly the service manager isnt aswering his fone....nor is anybody else in his dept
back to reception, this time asked for the MD...he's not in either, lets just hope he's a little more willing to return calls than his service manager
turns out the MD is on leave
so got put through to his secretary....5 min
Ive just got off the fone to (wont name him) who i think is their 'after sales manager' who would appear to know more about the vx than anybody esle ive met down there. dare i say my faith is on the way to being restored??????
he's going to (i hope)
a/. sort out the ABS upgrade
b/. replace the VDO Dayton (no problem sir if other dealers are doing this we will ) me: faint
c/. sort out the six months wait for hinges/alarm parts get alarm working correctly
d/.re-align rear clam
he's says (honestly) that its gonna take him the rest of the afternoon to investigate and he'll call me morrow........
funnily enough i have faith in the guy....surely they cant all be bad
#87
Turbo Head
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- 1,805 posts
Billy No Mates
Posted 08 October 2003 - 11:44 AM
One or two of the sales guys (Jason Perkins very helpful) and one fit saleswomen at Drive are very helpful. I'd have to go along with you about service dept; it's a bloody shambles. When I collected my VX recently after they had fitted the footrest. I had to wait about twenty minutes to get seen to. The only bloke in sight was talking on the phone to his mate while about half a dozen angry customers were left standing there listening to his coversation. When he did get off phone, he said oh I'll see if I can find someone to serve you lot, then he came back and said to the first gezzer in the line, I'll have to do it myself there's no one around. I'd 
the lot of them, then 
them and start again.
#88
jules_s
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Posted 08 October 2003 - 12:18 PM
yeah, the saleswoman is fine 
not as good as the talent on show at the parts dept though 
still, back to point....maybe we'll make a difference to drives service shambles...hope so
not as good as the talent on show at the parts dept though
still, back to point....maybe we'll make a difference to drives service shambles...hope so
#89
slow_joe
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- 31 posts
Member
- Location:Leatherhead, Surrey
Posted 15 October 2003 - 07:17 AM
As many others have said, Tony Rios, Lance Owen, Addlestone,
Got two test drives, very helpful,
new VX, leather, cd, hard top(colour coded) for 21K,
no problems no servicing yet,
#90
jules_s
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Iceman
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Posted 15 October 2003 - 09:55 AM
well, he didnt call me back
so I rang him again yesterday and left another message to call me
im still waiting 
#91
Shaun
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- Location:Midhurst West Sussex
- Interests:none now the VX has gone...
Posted 16 October 2003 - 12:23 PM
I'm not going to make any negative comment about FG Barnes in Guildford ( where I brought my VX) but have been waiting since May for a new plastic seat belt anchor cover.
City Vauxhall in Chichester claim to be able to get one within a week!
#92
Guest_lemoncat1 (Guest)
Guest_lemoncat1 (Guest)
Posted 16 October 2003 - 04:53 PM
Shaun, I WILL add negative comments about F G Barnes at Guildford. What a TERRIBLE customer service attitude they have.
They had my VXT for EIGHT weeks waiting for brake parts. Not once did they phone me to keep me informed what was going on. It was only after I complained to Vauxhall last week that they suddenly got the parts in (coincidence I'm sure). No courtesy car offered (of any description) and after 8 weeks of having my car off the road, no offer to bring it back to me - I had to collect. They did clean it - but after eight weeks off the road parked in a compound, I'm sure it needed it.
My experience with them has been awful from start to finish. They messed up the transfer of the cherished plate from my previous VX (then tried to charge me twice for it!), forgot to tell PalmerSport - so despite getting the car in April, I finally went on my PalmerSport day YESTERDAY (15th October). They didn't PDI the car properly so there were paint oversprays left in various places (including on the light lenses AND on the front windscreen ) , bits of masking tape left inside the doors and wheel-wells and a huge paint chip chip where someone had rammed the windscreen wiper against the bonnet. They eventually sorted it out - well, sorted out everything except the bonnet chip which someone - presumably the cleaner - touched in (badly) with a chip-stick!
Oh, just in case you were curious about the brakes: My original VX2.2 was used almost exclusively for track days and despite being driven hard, never had so much as a light bulb fail. The VXT has been to TWO track days and broke down both times. The first time it was a hose to the turbo which came off in a place where the AA couldn't see) and the second time was when after 5 laps of Bedford's South West circuit, metal met metal necessitating new pads and discs all round after just 2,500 miles!
Initially Vauxhall had the cheek to suggest it wouldn't be covered under warranty because the car had been used on track. I'm a mild kind of a guy usually, but I nearly exploded! The ****ing car is SOLD on the basis that it's a real sports car and they even give you a free day at Bedford Autodrome where (amongst other things) you get three brilliant on-the-limit sessions with JP's own fleet of VXTs. The car is plainly marketed as a car which can deal with track days and if it can't do that, it is not "fit for the purpose" (legal phrase) and the dealer could be taken to the cleaners. To kill pads and cross-drilled discs after two (aborted!) tracks days and 2,500 miles is worrying in the extreme.
I love my VXT (as I loved my VX2.2 before). As someone who has driven the Elise and the VX back-to-back on track, I side with those road testers who look past the badge and confirm the VX as the best there is - particularly for the price (and my experience includes the brillliant Noble 12 GTO, Caterham R500 and many other great cars). Oh, and the people at the Lotus factory when I did a tour said it was better built than the Elise (partly I'm sure because of the GM penalties for poor quality). So the good news is that (despite my own problems) it'll probably stand up better than the average Elise. The bad news is that when it goes wrong you may have to deal with a dealer like F G Barnes.
They had my VXT for EIGHT weeks waiting for brake parts. Not once did they phone me to keep me informed what was going on. It was only after I complained to Vauxhall last week that they suddenly got the parts in (coincidence I'm sure). No courtesy car offered (of any description) and after 8 weeks of having my car off the road, no offer to bring it back to me - I had to collect. They did clean it - but after eight weeks off the road parked in a compound, I'm sure it needed it.
My experience with them has been awful from start to finish. They messed up the transfer of the cherished plate from my previous VX (then tried to charge me twice for it!), forgot to tell PalmerSport - so despite getting the car in April, I finally went on my PalmerSport day YESTERDAY (15th October). They didn't PDI the car properly so there were paint oversprays left in various places (including on the light lenses AND on the front windscreen ) , bits of masking tape left inside the doors and wheel-wells and a huge paint chip chip where someone had rammed the windscreen wiper against the bonnet. They eventually sorted it out - well, sorted out everything except the bonnet chip which someone - presumably the cleaner - touched in (badly) with a chip-stick!
Oh, just in case you were curious about the brakes: My original VX2.2 was used almost exclusively for track days and despite being driven hard, never had so much as a light bulb fail. The VXT has been to TWO track days and broke down both times. The first time it was a hose to the turbo which came off in a place where the AA couldn't see) and the second time was when after 5 laps of Bedford's South West circuit, metal met metal necessitating new pads and discs all round after just 2,500 miles!
Initially Vauxhall had the cheek to suggest it wouldn't be covered under warranty because the car had been used on track. I'm a mild kind of a guy usually, but I nearly exploded! The ****ing car is SOLD on the basis that it's a real sports car and they even give you a free day at Bedford Autodrome where (amongst other things) you get three brilliant on-the-limit sessions with JP's own fleet of VXTs. The car is plainly marketed as a car which can deal with track days and if it can't do that, it is not "fit for the purpose" (legal phrase) and the dealer could be taken to the cleaners. To kill pads and cross-drilled discs after two (aborted!) tracks days and 2,500 miles is worrying in the extreme.
I love my VXT (as I loved my VX2.2 before). As someone who has driven the Elise and the VX back-to-back on track, I side with those road testers who look past the badge and confirm the VX as the best there is - particularly for the price (and my experience includes the brillliant Noble 12 GTO, Caterham R500 and many other great cars). Oh, and the people at the Lotus factory when I did a tour said it was better built than the Elise (partly I'm sure because of the GM penalties for poor quality). So the good news is that (despite my own problems) it'll probably stand up better than the average Elise. The bad news is that when it goes wrong you may have to deal with a dealer like F G Barnes.
Edited by lemoncat1, 16 October 2003 - 05:18 PM.
#93
amrit
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- 372 posts
Super Member
- Location:greater london
Posted 17 October 2003 - 09:33 AM
DEALER IN KINGSTON (we know the one)
I had arranged to take the car in today so that they could look at an intermittent problem with the engine.
On booking the vehicle earlier in the week, I was told to bring it in near to 8am so that it would be the first job the VX Technician worked on. I stress that I'd be waiting since I live out of the area and there's no courtesy car's available.
I was fully prepared for wait 2 - 3 hours max. I was told at the time that both technicians are available on Friday.
Upon turning up today, I was told that it could take all day and that there was no guarantee of when the car would be worked on. Normally, this is fine, however, this is a specialist vehicle and I'd booked ahead to ensure that the VX technician would be free. I expected to hang around for 2 hours whilst someone had a quick look and advised if the problem needed further work or another full day which I could arrange and drop the car off in the near future. But having taken a day off work, got up early again and told that there was no chance of it being looked at in the morning (and to re-book it) is just plain poor customer service.
The VX isn't an astra or corsa - it's owners have made the choice to purchase a specialist sports car and expect "specialist" treatment. Vauxhall need to sort this out as I am truely pi$$ed at this episode.
If I had been told on the phone that there was no gurantee of when the car would be examined then that's fine. However, after the hassle I've had I can see why Vauxhall has this image problem. The dealer network is not up to spec to handle VX220 customers. This means that not just technicians but everyone down to the receptionist who are probabalby the most important people as they route calls and handle enquires.
I'm sure a Ferarri, Porshe or TVR owner wouldn't put up with this rubbish.
Don't get me wrong, the VX220 isn't a ferarri but it IS a sportscar throughout and it's owners should be treated with more understanding.
My next car is unlikely to be a Vauxhall. 
Why pay spend over 25K to be treated like a corsa owner. (no offense to any corsa owners)
Why pay spend over 25K to be treated like a corsa owner. (no offense to any corsa owners)
#94
mags993tt
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- 351 posts
Super Member
Posted 19 October 2003 - 07:55 PM
amrit - u are not alone with your feelings on this particular branch - just do a search! they are pathetically bad IMO. the richmond branch is far better. i suggest you get in touch with Danny Rota and tell him of your experience. he is the travelling mega boss of the servicing side of this whole network and i am sure you will find that kind of service is not something they are proud of at all. they must all have nine lives up there....
#95
Craig172
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- 74 posts
Member
Posted 20 October 2003 - 08:23 AM
Got my VXT from JCT600 in Bradford about a month ago
Good points
Sizeable discount
Were quite flexible on ordering changed from a VX order to a VXT (£2300 off list plus part ex - basically matched Drive the Deal price plus accepted trade in.
2/3 of a tank of petrol supplied on pickup 
The Salesman, Paul Bower was friendly and approachable and seemed relatively knowledgeable on the VX's
Bad Points
Still awaiting a Torx key for hardtop despite having asked for one on a number of occasions, will get my own now !
Passed on 3 orders to them in July have yet to receive the promised £50 cheque for each order depite numerous promises etc, nothing has materialised despite being over 3 months ago
They ordered my original VXT to the wrong spec, which made me wait a further month for the reordered one to arrive
Not very good at keeping you upto date on order progression or returning phone calls.
Overall the dealer was fairly good upto handover, but after sales service is somewhat dissapointing
The Salesman, Paul Bower was friendly and approachable and seemed relatively knowledgeable on the VX's
Bad Points
Still awaiting a Torx key for hardtop despite having asked for one on a number of occasions, will get my own now !
Passed on 3 orders to them in July have yet to receive the promised £50 cheque for each order depite numerous promises etc, nothing has materialised despite being over 3 months ago
They ordered my original VXT to the wrong spec, which made me wait a further month for the reordered one to arrive
Not very good at keeping you upto date on order progression or returning phone calls.
Overall the dealer was fairly good upto handover, but after sales service is somewhat dissapointing
#96
Toonturbo
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- 27 posts
Member
Posted 20 October 2003 - 10:43 PM
[COLOR=red][SIZE=7][FONT=Arial]
After going to the only dealer in the North East for a test drive and been told in no uncertain terms that 'no discounts were available' I decided to take the plunge and ordered my Turbo through Drive the Deal to get a 10% discount. They couldn't have been more helpful and the next day Motorbodies Luton rang me to take my order.
About six weeks later the car arrived. The only thing Motorbodies had not ordered was the panel for the radio as I had ordered it without one (I did't see the point in paying £600 for something I could get for £150. I wasn't to disappointed as I was due to come back for my driving day and it would also give me a chance to hear the engine(I now realise this is unavoidable even when radio is fitted).
3 days later the drivers side trim had fallen off. When I took this to Motobodies they tried to fix it but 2 days later guess what! I'll try and take it to my main dealer up here, although I went past the other day and all signs of VX220s had been removed from the showroom and forecort?
Anyway, I love the car to bits and I've no regrets- roll on next summer!!!
After going to the only dealer in the North East for a test drive and been told in no uncertain terms that 'no discounts were available' I decided to take the plunge and ordered my Turbo through Drive the Deal to get a 10% discount. They couldn't have been more helpful and the next day Motorbodies Luton rang me to take my order.
About six weeks later the car arrived. The only thing Motorbodies had not ordered was the panel for the radio as I had ordered it without one (I did't see the point in paying £600 for something I could get for £150. I wasn't to disappointed as I was due to come back for my driving day and it would also give me a chance to hear the engine(I now realise this is unavoidable even when radio is fitted).
3 days later the drivers side trim had fallen off. When I took this to Motobodies they tried to fix it but 2 days later guess what! I'll try and take it to my main dealer up here, although I went past the other day and all signs of VX220s had been removed from the showroom and forecort?
Anyway, I love the car to bits and I've no regrets- roll on next summer!!!
#97
GameRacer
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- 43 posts
Member
Posted 22 October 2003 - 03:20 PM
I recently bought a 2001 VX N/A from Alan Marsh at Stevens in Horsham, West Sussex. Silver, 11000 miles, £15.5 k. Slight problem when passenger door got accidently damaged in their workshop while being serviced before I collected it, (minor stuff) but the manager was very apologetic and they fixed it quickly (apparently had to put extreme pressure on Lotus to get replacement door seal in 2 days!) and I'm happy they have done a good job on the repair.
Alan seems enthusiastic about VXes, and I would happily recommend him.
TOTALLY LOVE THE CAR! GameRacer
#98
Huntsman
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Posted 24 October 2003 - 09:41 AM
DRIVE VAUXHALL, LEAMINGTON SPA
Had great service from this dealer when I was looking to buy - came to meet me for a test drive, kept me updated on progress, pulled out all the stops to get the car to me on time, etc.
Toad went in for warranty work yesterday and I had prepared a list as long as my arm of little bits and pieces that needed rectification. From what I'd heard about other service departments, I must admit that I was worried, but didn't have much choice. I dropped the car off at 8.30 and thought my fears were confirmed when the Corsa they gave me had just enough fuel to get to the nearest petrol station.
However. I had the journey from hell getting back from Birmingham and ended up arriving at the dealership at 6.30pm. The service department closes at 5.30.
Simon, the guy I gave my list to in the morning, was STILL there, as I had called ahead. He went through each item with me telling me what had been done, what hadn't been done and why it was outstanding (turbo seals and a moulding to be ordered). We finished up arranging for the remaining bits to be sorted out at the first service in a few weeks time.
In short, I now have a car that feels better than new, and I can only give top marks to Drive.
cheers
edited 'cos my "c" key is dodgy
Had great service from this dealer when I was looking to buy - came to meet me for a test drive, kept me updated on progress, pulled out all the stops to get the car to me on time, etc.
Toad went in for warranty work yesterday and I had prepared a list as long as my arm of little bits and pieces that needed rectification. From what I'd heard about other service departments, I must admit that I was worried, but didn't have much choice. I dropped the car off at 8.30 and thought my fears were confirmed when the Corsa they gave me had just enough fuel to get to the nearest petrol station.
However. I had the journey from hell getting back from Birmingham and ended up arriving at the dealership at 6.30pm. The service department closes at 5.30.
Simon, the guy I gave my list to in the morning, was STILL there, as I had called ahead. He went through each item with me telling me what had been done, what hadn't been done and why it was outstanding (turbo seals and a moulding to be ordered). We finished up arranging for the remaining bits to be sorted out at the first service in a few weeks time.
In short, I now have a car that feels better than new, and I can only give top marks to Drive.
cheers
edited 'cos my "c" key is dodgy
Edited by Huntsman__, 24 October 2003 - 09:43 AM.
#99
laidback50
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- 952 posts
Need to get Out More
- Location:Crowland near Peterborough
Posted 24 October 2003 - 12:55 PM
I bought my VX from a dealership called Forest Gate in Kettering (also in Corby, Northants).
Apart from the very first contact with a sales guy who couldn't give a toss and probably isn't employed anymore, the garage has been fantastic.
Had a few small problems with the car when new and the Director of the garage took it all very personally. He drove to my office, left me a replacement car and took mine back for fixing. He is a car enthusiest. The rest of the garage all pay attention to detail and have given me nothing but good vibes. First time I've actually trusted a garage in decades.
If you want to sample a professional outfit that actually care about the customer, try Forest Gate.
#100
Shaun
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- 404 posts
Super Member
- Location:Midhurst West Sussex
- Interests:none now the VX has gone...
Posted 26 October 2003 - 05:17 PM
See comments on FG Barnes earlier..
However, I nearly didn't get this far, because when I contacted my local dealer, FG Barnes in Guildford (who are a VX220 dealer) I was met with total indifference.
Useless!
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