2001 GTS; Dealer claims I really have no warranty!?!?

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Politically Correct Answer is-----------

" He be full of Ka Ka Da Poo-Poo!!! "

Just talked to my Service Mgr, and it doesn't matter if 20 people own it during the 3/36 factory warranty, you are covered. I was 99% sure , but thought you would like even more positive proof.

Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse Chrysler

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Justyn, I am not certain as to how many owners can make claims on the initial FACTORY warranty, but I can tell you for a fact that back in the early days of Viper 92-93, many people who thought they had purchased a NEW Viper, found out in fact that they were actually the third owner (all on title with no mileage). And in many of those cases, the warranty was VOID.

You have two options:

1- If you want some help send me the particulars and I will forward them on and see exactly what you should expect from Dodge.

2- go after the person or dealer that may have mis-led you into believing that you where buying a car with an in-place warranty.

Keep your cool and you will get much further in satisfactorily handling this situation. Good luck.

 

[Joseph Houss]

I'm quite sure that a warranty is a warranty! Whether it's a one owner car or a five owner car, if the warranty states that any DEFECT in engine, drivetrain, interior, etc is covered... unless they can PROVE that there was abuse, the repair is covered.


I think the issue would be someone claiming that a tear in the seats "came from the factory that way"... at this point, and probably even if it was the first owner, that would be a tough sell.

Can any of our dealers out there clear this up?

By the way, the "milky wheels" can be cured, and actually to a much better state than a absolutely perfect stock wheel, if you chrome 'em. We had a member show up at our Englishtown event with chromed wheels ('99+ style) and they looked incredible!

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Do you have another dealer in the area to go to? Sometimes it is worth the longer drive to get great service.

 

[Sniper]

25 to 30 minutes to drive!

I've got 3 hours!

 

[red98GTS]

Service Manager is an idiot. Time for a new dealership who will treat you properly. This, folks, is why we have people like Bill Pemberton and Woodhouse, and many of the other great places to deal with. Don't accept this "uphill battle" nonsense. The CAR is under warranty, not YOU. Period. pete the ex glass guy

 

[MichaelP]

Actually you have a third option.

Purchase an extended warranty BAM you are in like Flynn, if the extended warranty covers wheels.

AND you probably were going to get one any ways.

Should you have to NO WAYYYYYYYYY but when someone wants to Fck with you, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Hell, in Chicago most of us drive up to 2 hours to get the RIGHT service. At least it eliminates any heart ache.

 

[Mike Brunton]

Just one little caveat to chroming the wheels...

First it must be done right not to weaken your wheels. Chromed parts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement and must be baked immediately after chroming to relieve the embrittled surface... most places do NOT to this correctly. If you plan to race the car, get it done right!

Second, chroming wheels adds to their weight - and the difference in weight is not insignificant.. I have some Aluminum bike parts that I got chromed and afterwards, the weight would make you think they were made of steel!

 

[David Jenkins]

Here's the deal. Years ago, DC's warranty stayed with the original owner. If that person sold the car, the warranty would have to be transfered into the new owners name for a slight fee.
Today, the warranty stays with the vehicle regardless of how many owners have had it. The only time there are fees for transfer are in a case of an extended service contract. Also if you have a service contract on a car, and you sell that car, you can pay a fee and get reimbursed for some of the unused contract. You can only do that if the contract is not being transfered into the new owners name.
In the case of the wheels that are discolored, it sounds like they refused to help because the wheels were not that way when they sold the car new. Someone must have used some industrial strength cleaner on the wheels when they were hot. I have never seen wheels get a milky tinge for no reason. Get 'em chromed.
You do still have a warranty on the vehicle regardless of what that guy says. Make sure you have a dealer change the owner info in the DC computer system.dj

 

[Kurt 97 GTS]

RUN don't walk from that dealer!!! That kind of BS makes one mad.

 

[ViperGTS]

Warranty issues in Germany are rather bad compared to the US.
Yesterday, I asked my DC dealer for an extended warranty. The answer: NO WAY!

However, I am the third owner of my 99 VIPER and I had the side sills, parts of the exhaust system and the wheels replaced under warranty (and some more "cheaper" parts).

The warranty is for the CAR and not for the OWNER. Go to another dealer, FAST!

 

[toddt]

WHY ARE SO MANY SERVICE MANAGERS SUCH COMPLETE A$$HOLES?!?

THIS is why I came so close to buying a Lexus.

 

[King GTS]

When I 1st read this, the 1st thing I thought was, "It doesn't matter how many people have owned the car. A waranty is a warranty." It doesn't say anywhere in your warranty that it's declared void if you're not the original owner. Have you tried changing dealerships? I've had problems with so called "5 STAR" dealerships too!

Finally found NW Dodge, where they treat a customer like he's suppose to be treated!

 

[Tomer]

If this stupid dealership new about the history of your car, they should not be saying such things...

The behaviour of some service managers is just amazing...Me thinks they purposely hire non car guys/gals, as these folks don't seem to have any passion for the automobile...

Having said that, I did have a good experience on our Dodge Durango with Dublin Dodge here in Northern Cal, and I spoke to the VIper Tech at length about the Recall plan they have...

I am still not convinced to use Dublin DOdge, but the tech seems very good!

Todd, we can discuss this further at our 680 Corridor Get-to-gether...

Tomer

 

[Eddie N]

i cant believe that any of you actually believe any of the bull that comes out of anyone at a dealership.. its been proven time and time again that %95 of dealerships dont have a clue..

thank your lucky charms for guys like bill p and chuck t..

- eddie -

 

[Jay Herbert]

That silly dealer, 3/36 is still in play... you are under warranty.

Wheels are sometimes a problem...
ask Bill Pemberton to explain

Some advise, buy the 7/70 extended warranty. One thing about the extended warranty.... as I recall, it can only be transferred once, and the buyer has a limited time to do the transfer, they will also have to pay a minimal fee.

 

[SapphireGTS]

Just another example of your friendly dodge dealer