Ford GT and Viper "service" at dealerships --- Really ??? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Ford GT and Viper "service" at dealerships --- Really ???

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by Doody, Feb 18, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. TCM

    TCM Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
    552
    Tyngsborough, MA
    Doody:

    Your concerns are well taken. But as other have mentioned, the mechanicals of the car are regular Ford parts, so that should not be much of an issue. I would get all work done under warranty at the dealer but bring it to a private garage for normal maintence items. You will not recieve the service that you got a BSC or another good private operation at the dealer. Their techs are taught to get as many jobs in and out as possible in the day so they can make more profit. That being said, you normal Ferrari dealer service is not top notch either. The good mechanics own their own shops. Ever notice how dealers just replace items and do not diagnose? A real mechanic would take the time to trace the fault back to what was causing it, not replace the sensor that gave an incorrect parameter reading. When it comes down to it, a car is a car. A Ferrari is no different then a Ford in terms of basic mechanicals and how to repair them. It is more expensive and a little more specialized, but it is basically the same. I would not worry too much about the service and would definately not let it effect your decison to get the GT. The car looks great!
     
  2. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    Name one kit car manufacture that rolls out 9 fully drivable cars per day?
     
  3. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,395
    Texas!
    Down Boy, Down Boy, Nice Doggie. Mitch, I'm guessing that you understand my point. Do you really think that any dealer will just hop into an Enzo after it has been offloaded, fire it up, and take 'er out to see what she'll do? I doubt it. I'm not saying that Ferraris are kit cars, but a new F-car does require more prep and TLC than, say, a Ford Escort.
     
  4. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    Doody the quick response is

    "in response to your question regarding service procedures for the Ford GT, dealerships that sell the GT will employ technicians specially trained to service the vehicle"

    Now they are answering in more detail will get to you in a moment
     
  5. mjguflaw

    mjguflaw Rookie

    Jan 16, 2004
    10
    Miami
    Full Name:
    Mike
    You might try asking this question on viperclub.org since us Viper guys have been dealing with this exact issue for years. I agree with most of what other people have already said. They'll train special techs for it, it's not rocket science anyway, they'll be able to fix it just fine, tell them you don't want them to wash it, etc. What hasn't been said, are the little annoyances that you will hate because you have bought a car that is WAY out of the league of anything else the company makes and the dealers just don't cater to that kind of clientele very often. Example? The rental car. You can be sure that the Enterprise, National Car Rental or whatever it is on premises isn't going to have a loaner Ford GT for you. The last three cars my local Dodge dealer gave me when my Viper was in for service were (and I'm not kidding), a Kia Rio, Chevy Cavalier, and Suzuki Aerio. I'd never even heard of the first one and didn't know Suzuki made cars (and now know why they shouldn't). Also, for those of you living in South Florida and used to waiting rooms like at the "Collection", it ain't gonna be the same at your local Ford dealership. There will be no Cappucino machine. You might get Mr. coffee in a styrofoam cup if you're lucky. It's just a different level of customer they're used to dealing with. Not that any of this should keep you from the car, but you might want to park the Kia out back at work....
     
  6. JaguarXJ6

    JaguarXJ6 F1 Veteran

    Feb 12, 2003
    5,459
    Black Hawk, CO
    Full Name:
    Sunny
    Hehe. When my car was in for warranty work, I got an XJ, S-Type, or X-Type rental. Now, for any recall or emissions work, I would get a rental but not necessarily a Jag loaner.

    Its amazing how much different the level of service is between dealerships of the manufacturers.

    Fortunately, Ford does control several premium marques. If you establish a good relationship with your service manager, you won't be driving a Kia!

    Sunny
     
  7. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
    23,343
    Taxachusetts
    Full Name:
    Raymond Luxury Yacht
    You guys get rental cars?

    My Dodge dealer offered to drop me off at the mall when the Viper was in for service.

    My BMW dealer is booked out a month in advance on loaners - so if you need an emergency repair, forget a loaner. The only folks who get loaners are dopes who scheduled their oil change 6 weeks in advance.

    It really sucks!
     
  8. lionsfan54

    lionsfan54 Karting

    Nov 7, 2003
    113
    I would be most worried about joy riding. And it's not just the "low paid" guys you need to worry about. When I was in college I worked at a BMW/Benz shop. The "hottest" car that we would get it in from time to time for service was a 850 Csi. This car was very very cool in 1995 (still a nice ride today IMO). Well, only the salesman that closed the deal was allowed to drive it. So, he was the one who had to go to the guy's house to pick it up and drop it off.

    Sounds good right? Only problem is, this salesman thought he was Skip Barber and drove everything pretty hard. You might ask yourself "Hey, it's a BMW, damn near a M8, why not throttle on it?". Well, forgetting that it's not his car in the first place, there is also the issue of this salesman having a history of crashing cars (including one 5 series at 100+ mph).

    My point is, anyone at the dealership could wail on your car without your permission.

    My advice, drop it off and pick it up yourself. That eliminates where most flogging happens. Trust me, "getting on the highway" means something different to those guys. Also, clearly tell the service mgr (not the sales guy, they don't give a rat's ass) that you don't want your car road tested. Be nice about it, but make it clear. Lots of pleases and thank you's go a lot further than you might think.

    Good luck
     
  9. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2001
    11,237
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy
    Uhh, ok, but no it doesn't. It certainly doesn't eliminate the test drives if you leave it over night with the shop, or even for a few hours for small maintenance items.

    The best way to do this is to lay out a contract that the dealership must sign. I know, it seems very difficult to get them to do, and I don't know of anyone who has done it yet. But the only recourse you'll get is having that individual fired that did it - if you can accomplish that.

    If it were my 200K, even if it was a Ford, I'd probably sit in the driver's seat the entire time, and read a book - even if I were in the shop for a week. I could easily get someone to deliver pizza and chinese food to the shop so I can eat it right there. And I'd get a tent, a small expense, and sleeping bag too... just camp out right there. But hey, that's paranoid me.
     
  10. Liquid

    Liquid Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    78
    Doylestown, PA
    Now that Ford owns Aston Martin maybe the GT could be serviced at an Aston dealership. I own a Honda & get all my servicing done at Acura because of the better service department.
     
  11. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    Used to be assistant manager in a Ford Service department usually the only guys who would work on this kind of stuff will be MASTER tecks they are really top notch. Also I have seen some stupid stunts pulled by Mechanics Service managers and advisors but by far the stupidist was the washbay guy who drifted a Saleen Mustang right off the parking lot.....


    Just bring a book and wait for your car
     
  12. TSMIV

    TSMIV Formula Junior

    Jan 27, 2004
    374
    Columbus, MS
    Full Name:
    Robert Goodman
    I think that is the best policy if you can afford the time.

    Try to find a dealer that deals with more high end Fords (Saleens and Rousch).

    The Ford dealer 30 miles away from me is a regular Ford dealer (no SVT products, no customized trucks.) 50% of his new car lot is base model work trucks.

    But he usually has Saleens running through his used car lot and his service bays.

    On top of all that his everyday drive is a Diablo. It is not a Ferrari, but what is.

    I know that whatever is brought to him for service would be respected. Chances are he would be the one doing the work on something like a GT.

    Just for grins, I asked my Ford dealer (not the same one) for a quote on an new GT. He quoted me 375.
     
  13. Tpup

    Tpup Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    33
    Roswell, GA
    Full Name:
    Roy
    I think this could be a problem for Ford. I purchased a Viper and tried many of the service shops in the Atlanta area. Many had one tech and you had to work around their schedule. In one case, I returned from a business trip at 2AM, got up at 6AM and drove 50 miles to be told that the tech called in sick. Finally, after 2 years, my flawless Viper was wrecked by a Dealer guy going for a joy ride. I found out that the Dealership had wrecked several Vipers including totaling two.

    In addition, the parts departments stored very few parts and they treat the car like it’s a Neon. I loved the car and would still own one if they had a Dealer network that could provide an acceptable level of service. The local Porsche Dealers, and the Ferrari Dealership, are great!

    That being said, if I could find a Ford GT at MSRP, I’d take it in a second:)

    Roy
     
  14. Hubert

    Hubert F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2002
    2,642
    The Left Coast
    This, of course, is up to personal discretion, but I think it sets a really bad precedent; as in, you'll be in the tech's pocket, so to speak. In my mind, they're their to work, to get the job done and are getting paid by you, once. Tipping, of this sort, I wouldn't suggest.
    That said, if you like a given tech, and he only works on your car, I'd say grabbing lunch, or bringing him a 6 pack of something, or a good bottle of liquor at christmas time, etc is a better way to go about it; it's more egalitarian, and more "friend-like."
    I have a guy that'shelped me out in the past, and last time we did the clutch on my car, I bought lunch, and I'm always willing to have him take the car for a spin (w/ me present) after he's completed something.
    This is at a small ind. shop, but nonetheless, the same applies. Feel the people out, and treat accordingly, but jumping into someone's lap, right off the bat, can mean you're made out to be achump later on.
    just my 2 cents.
     
  15. lionsfan54

    lionsfan54 Karting

    Nov 7, 2003
    113
    I know it doesn't get rid of all risk. But from a guy who used to work in the business, I'm just telling you that's where 80% of the flogging happened.
     
  16. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    Doody my contact at Ford said the main training requirements are almost the same for the SVT system so the dealer should have not issues.....

    FORD....
    "As advanced as the materials, production processes and performance of the Ford GT are, service of the car is relatively simple. Any Ford dealer will be able to service the car, provided they have the few (no cost) tools required and have completed online training. More details on the Ford GT service plan, training etc. will be announced in the 1st Quarter of 2004."

    All Ford dealers are technically qualified to sell the GT. However, the car will be very limited production. The initial allocation will go to our dealers with the highest customer satisfaction scores and our highest volume dealers. The balance of Ford dealers will participate in a lottery for the first several hundred cars.

    Hopefully, this information is helpful.
     
  17. mlambert890

    mlambert890 Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2002
    389
    CA
    Yikes... I find the above kind of scary. I don't have any Viper experience, but I have Corvette experience and I find that it's similar (maybe worse!).

    When you roll into one of these deplorable dealerships with one of these cars, every moron in a 200 yard radius starts their wheels spinning.

    Even with the thousands per month Vette, it's like pulling in with a parade float. Reactions range from "I can't WAIT to joyride that thing" to "look at THIS guy with the Vette... who does he think HE is"

    After three trips to three different Chevy dealers I said "screw this" and started taking the car all the way to the Vette doctors in Long Island. That's ridiculous to have to do that and I can only imagine the GT will be 10,000 times worse.

    With the NSX, things arent perfect, but the Acura dealers are a LOT better.

    To me, this kind of BS with the American car dealerships will always make me gun shy of any specialty vehicle they might make (keeps me away from the Viper to be honest).

    I know a lot of people say "fix things yourself, do your own oil changes, etc.) but to be honest, not everyone has the time or desire to do that. You really shouldnt *have* to be doing your own oil changes on a $100k plus car if you dont want to should you?

    Porsche certainly gets it right...
     

Share This Page