About Dodge Dealerships (post good for first-time buyers)

[ViperBran]

I have read many posts regarding bad experiences at Dodge Dealerships across the country on the Viper Boards. I think it's very important to remember a few things:

1. Use the positive experiences of people on these message boards. Viper owners are always willing to give out recommendations when they are pleased about a good experience.

2. Always go to a recommended dealership when purchasing a Viper. If you need a salesperson or dealer just post a question on the Viper boards. Most people shopping for their first Viper think they have to buy it around the corner from where they live. This is not the case. I have bought all my Vipers and my SRT8 from an out of state dealer that came highly recommended when I bought my first car.

3. When getting repairs or modifications, always get some recommendations. There are awesome shops and dealers out there, just ask and read prior posts. Also, when getting a recommendation, it's always good to get the name of a specific mechanic and request that he be the only one to touch the car when it's brought in for service. I'm sure every mechanic at a Dodge dealership "THINKS" he can work on a Viper, but this is not the case. As we have read in prior posts, this can be the beginning of a disaster.

I would like Viper owners ONLY WITH POSITIVE EXPERIENCES to POST HERE! I will start with my own good experiences:

RECOMMENDED Dealerships and salesperson: BILL PEMBERTON @ WOODHOUSE DODGE and CHUCK TATOR @ TATOR'S DODGE

RECOMMENDED MECHANICS: CHUCK TATOR @ TATOR'S DODGE and AJ at Garden City CHRYSLER DODGE (I would only recommend AJ at this dealership. He's the only one that I let touch my Viper. I have never dealt with the sales department) Also the WOODHOUSE DODGE service department I hear is great.

Thanks for Posting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dave Moore]

Warnock Dodge in East Hanover, NJ. Scott Sorrentino is the Viper Tech there and he has been amazing. From standard service to tweeking my car for the track he has always come through. Red carpet treatment all the way.
Dave

 

[rcl4668]

I highly recommend Timberline Dodge in Portland, Ore. On the sales side, Russ Ficek has been very responsive and a pleasure to deal with. On the service/tech side, Ken Klickman is extremely knowledgeable about Vipers. Imagine the Viper equivalent of Obi-wan Kenobi or Yoda and you will get the idea. Ken has been working on and helping to develop aftermarket and other parts for the Viper since its inception in 1992.

/Rich

 

[Fast1]

I had a great experience at Performance Dodge in Glendale, AZ. Scott Mcgee and Ben Zallaha really gave me a great deal on the car and my trade in. I later bought a Charger SRT8 from them also. I am almost ready to order my 08 from them and they have already offered me a pretty good deal on my 06 Viper trade.

By the way, I traded a Saturn SC1 for my 06 Viper......quite an upgrade!!!!!

 

[ViperBran]

I'm sure there are many good dealerships and mechanics. Let's keep it going.

 

[jimmy6383]

Anyone know of any around the west Michigan area? I need to service mine soon and don't know where i should take it.

 

[Wicked]

ViperBran, I'm sure there are a lot of good dealerships but they are few and far between, imho. And Dodge isn't much better. My car's been in the shop for 22 days as of Monday for a Window being off track. I'm 99% sure, the car is in the same shape today as it was when I droped it off too. This isn't all because of the dealership either. It's because Dodge requires dealerships to take pictures of certain warranty items send the pictures in for the said items to get approved.

This service level isn't exactly what I was expecting when I paid $80,000 for a toy.

I will say I've heard nothing but positive from the VCA supporting dealers. I purchased my Viper from Woodhouse and would do so again. They were very professional and made the entire process enjoyable even though I was over 1000 miles away.

Jason

 

[viperDoug]

I purchased my viper from John Gastman at Roanoke Dodge in Illinois this past February. John was exceptional to deal with and will continue to buy my vipers from him. Let me tell you about service.....when the car got delivered, there was a small scratch on the black area arund the side exhaust. Something rubbed against it in the trailer when they transported it. Well...John sent his service manager to me in Maryland (about 1000 miles) and replaced the entire side sill. It really gets no better.

 

[viperbilliam]

Here in Vegas, Phil is a good Viper tech over at Integrity Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.

 

[plumcrazy]

RECOMMENDED Dealerships and salesperson: BILL PEMBERTON @ WOODHOUSE DODGE and CHUCK TATOR @ TATOR'S DODGE

RECOMMENDED MECHANICS: CHUCK TATOR @ TATOR'S DODGE and AJ at Garden City CHRYSLER DODGE (I would only recommend AJ at this dealership. He's the only one that I let touch my Viper. I have never dealt with the sales department) Also the WOODHOUSE DODGE service department I hear is great.

EXACTLY what i was gonna say.

and i usually never disagre with dave, but warnock is just plain horrible in my experience. but obviously not for him.

 

[All Car Guy And Viper NJ]

Best Viper man around Scott Sorrentino at Warnock Dodge in E. Hanover NJ. He did 170 thermo, comp, random tech cats, corsa track, rear end gears 3.55 ( he even ordered the parts from John at Parts Rack) and he turned the fog lights on as day time running lights. After all the work which was very quick and proper. Not one finger print anywhere. If you know the viper you have to tear it apart to put on the exhaust, he had it done in a few hours. Even the price was right. He even gives you his cell number anytime. Doesn't get any better than that..

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

How about one close to me in southeast Florida near the Coral Springs area.
The one I took it to before, decided to close the dealership (Fairbanks on Sample Road). Any assistance would be appreciative. Thanks.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Please stay away from Papa's Dodge in new Britain, CT where I bought my 2003 SRT. I sent my friend there and he bought a new 2002 GTS, red with white strips, and he had codes for the fuel system popping. They told him that they had to remove the rear axle and replace the complete fuel tank to fix the problem. I bought him a new OEM gas cap and installed it. I cleared the codes and he has never had a problem in the last year. All Papa's wanted to do was to create work for their empty service shop!

We need more Chuck Tator's out here in the NY-CT area! he is always willing to drop everything and help me out with a problem. thanks Chuck.

Robbie

 

[mike & juli]

I second Robbie's endorsement of Chuck Tator--best all-around Viper Tech and willing to take your calls or emails to answer your questions to the best of his ability--and his ability is astounding. Thanx for appreciating him also, Robbie, as many, many of us Viper owners do as well. Hate to say it, but there IS no other ChuckTator/ViperWizard around!!! We are LUCKY!! ~juli~

 

[Pythonpete]

I too bought my Viper from TATOR'S DODGE in SOUTH SALEM NY. Tator's Dodge is the BEST car buying experience that I've ever had. Chuck and Rob are the only people that I will let touch my car. If only every dealership could be like them.

 

[SSSSE YA]

Bill P WOODHOUSE DODGE.

 

[mike & juli]

I have not bought cars from either Chuck Tator nor Bill Pemberton (Woodhouse), but I HAVE spoken to both of them---VERY quality people, and very informative...we are extremely lucky to have them onboard as knowledgeable people as they are, and as enthusiastic about Vipers as we all are!! For them to take time out of their very busy days to return phone calls or emails is just unheard of in this business and truly, truly appreciated. ~juli~

 

[AFL in NJ]

Had good experience at Springfield Dodge on route 22 in Springfield, NJ, they replaced my entire hatch glass under warranty for the metal bonding strip coming loose off the glass. Had great experience with Joe at Buhler's Dodge in Eatontown, NJ getting power window and A/C unit fixed under extended warranty and an extra key cut and programmed...charged me very fairly for the key and the rest was the $100.00 deductible, timely and polite too.

That's the only two I know so far. I've met Chuck Tator at his BBQ upstate last month, what a great guy and host; would have loved to chat more...however he was kinda busy hosting.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[mike & juli]

Aaron--Glad you met Chuck--and if you'd had any questions for him, he'd have taken the time to talk to you...he wasn't totally busy just hosting, he was making the rounds too.
I was the lucky one to have had my picture taken with him and posted on the bbq forum, I consider myself to be the lucky one to have Chuck take his time to talk and walk with me.
ANYtime you have questions---I'd not hesitate to call him up or email him to ask his advice. Maybe we met? Were you one of the guys with us from Exit 24 up to the bbq that Sunday (the 120mph trip up??? WHAT A RUSH!!!)....so fun. ~juli~

 

[AFL in NJ]

We did meet I'm sure, I was the long-haired guy who managed to miss meeting our group at each exit and did the solo tour all the way up from South Jersey that morning....and of course, since I traversed a few rain storms on the way, mine was the dirtiest looking Viper in attendance.

I know Chuck would have happily made time for me, I just didn't want to intrude....but I will next time! LOL

Regards,
Aaron

 

[mike & juli]

Aaron, I can't place you nor recall any dirty car there (only ALL of ours were filthy from the rain!!! So, that's not a giveaway there!)....so sorry you missed all of us careening from the truck stop 120mph at times up to the bbq!! MAN were we lucky no cops were on OUR side of the highway (yep there was one on the other side, but had someone pulled over-whew!)...sooooo much fun....are there any pictures of you and your car you can post from the bbq? I hate when I don't remember meeting somebody! I was the one be-bopping around (poor Mike!) taking pictures for others to send on to them by email. Hair just growing in from chemo/cancer treatments, so it was very short/brunette, Mike was the pleasant fella with the bald head (we matched at one point and I loved it!!)....yes, Chuck would certainly have taken time to talk to you for sure!! He's very good like that...and it's not an intrusion at all. ~juli~

 

[Racer Robbie]

They threw away the mold when it comes to Chuck Tator. Chuck is a real gentleman and the best viper tech there is!

Robbie

 

[Venomiss]

Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse Dodge home of the coolest Viper pit!
We have purchased an '00,'03', and an '05.
Great experience and coverage for warranty work!

Mary

 

[smcosta90]

I bought my 01 used a couple weeks ago and emailed Chuck for info on it since he worked on it and he got right back to me. He also included tips as to what to look for when inspecting the car. Seems like a good guy, I won't be missing any Tator Tech sessions in MA next year if I can help it.

Does anyone know any good Viper techs in Northern MA,NH,Southern ME area? I have heard of Steve Heitz (Heitz Automotive), but only a rec from one person. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with him and if he does warranty work as well.

My new baby.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[mike & juli]

I bought my 01 used a couple weeks ago and emailed Chuck for info on it since he worked on it and he got right back to me. He also included tips as to what to look for when inspecting the car. Seems like a good guy, I won't be missing any Tator Tech sessions in MA next year if I can help it.

Does anyone know any good Viper techs in Northern MA,NH,Southern ME area? I have heard of Steve Heitz (Heitz Automotive), but only a rec from one person. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with him and if he does warranty work as well.

My new baby.

You must be registered for see images attach

Congratulations on your beautiful ride~~! (PM sent)...Would go with Chuck Tator for you in your general area. Welcome aboard, and now we gotta get you to become a 'VCA Member'--upgraded from 'Viper Owner'!!! YESSSS.... ~juli

 

[Venomiss]

Welcome to the site! Beautiful car
You might get some more answers(and compliments!) by posting this along with the gorgeous picture in these forums:

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-gts-discussions/

Be sure to check out the new owners section question at the top.
It's got information on how to join the VCA along with tons of new owner information.
Joining the VCA gets all kinds of extra goodies-including the ability to buy raffle tickets for the new 2008 ACR that was just revealed. Hope this helps.

 

[Dealmaker]

Mike Robbins at Ringgold Dodge treated me great!

 

[costanZo]

I bought my 01 used a couple weeks ago and emailed Chuck for info on it since he worked on it and he got right back to me. He also included tips as to what to look for when inspecting the car. Seems like a good guy, I won't be missing any Tator Tech sessions in MA next year if I can help it.

Does anyone know any good Viper techs in Northern MA,NH,Southern ME area? I have heard of Steve Heitz (Heitz Automotive), but only a rec from one person. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with him and if he does warranty work as well.

My new baby.

You must be registered for see images attach

I also have the same question; I'm located up in Haverhill MA right on the border of NH.. is Tator's Dodge in NY the only place worth going to that's the closest to MA? I was hoping for something a little closer

 

[DodgeViper01]

TATORS TATORS TATORS! Have had SEVERAL issues that other dealers could not fix and Tators gets to the route of the problem in ONE service! Some of the issues that Chuck has taken care of for me are:

- Weird rubbing noise in the wheel well. Previous dealer could not locate the problem after three seperate services and second dealer had one chance with no result. Neither could find the problem. What was the problem? Just low on a fluid!

- Hard top latches did not latch. Dealer told me I would need new latches for $500 a piece! What did Chuck do? Quick wrench job and they were as good as new.

- Dealer tells me I need a new clutch after 15,000 miles. Take the car to Chuck, and I end up getting 50,000 out of that clutch! Chuck tells me that they were just trying to rip me off.

The amount of money that Chuck and his professional mechanics have saved me is PRICELESS! Thank you very much Chuck for all that you do.

Oh and by the way, most of those problems that were being said about dealers is from ONE dealer in NJ!

 

[DodgeViper01]

I bought my 01 used a couple weeks ago and emailed Chuck for info on it since he worked on it and he got right back to me. He also included tips as to what to look for when inspecting the car. Seems like a good guy, I won't be missing any Tator Tech sessions in MA next year if I can help it.

Does anyone know any good Viper techs in Northern MA,NH,Southern ME area? I have heard of Steve Heitz (Heitz Automotive), but only a rec from one person. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with him and if he does warranty work as well.

My new baby.

You must be registered for see images attach

Who is the old owner of that beauty????