SRT dealer format deciding factor

[TacDoc]

Any thoughts of adding the Gen V to my garage is now decided. My local dealer has decided against the cost of selling the gen V. The closest dealership is 80 miles. Looks like it is back to bowtie.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Ok?.......

 

[Martin]

That's a bummer - I know that the Gen V has some complexities to it that require a dealer to send their techs to specialized training. I've talked to a few dealers who weren't willing to do that yet, but hopefully as the car starts to get out there in more volume, those dealerships will make the investment...

 

[Voodoo Rob]

Do you really want a Gen V? If so there are many that can be had out there and delivered to your door.

 

[Martin]

I think the problem may be getting service after the car is bought... 80 miles is a long way to go for service - that can eat up several days of time just to get something simple done, and when you consider the cost of being away from work to do that, it's just not an option for some people.

 

[speedracervr4]

Sorry not trying to offend anyone, but that's a weak excuse...

 

[ACRucrazy]

Sorry not trying to offend anyone, but that's a weak excuse...

Yep. Agreed.

 

[VENOM V]

I guess it just depends upon your level of passion for the car. For me, I would have no problem driving 80 miles for service, because of my love for the car. How often do you expect to service it, any way? I very rarely have brought new cars to the dealership for service. Usually I have to make a trip or two with a new vehicle, as I have had to for my last two Fords. But my Challenger was flawless for the 3-1/2 years that I owned it, never needed more than an oil change. Same with my Gen V Viper (knock on wood), just a beautiful work of art that has seen hard driving at the track and scenic drives down Pacific Coast Highway for a meet up with my CA Viper friends. No issues.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Any thoughts of adding the Gen V to my garage is now decided. My local dealer has decided against the cost of selling the gen V. The closest dealership is 80 miles. Looks like it is back to bowtie.

I actually have to agree with you about the distance as these cars and other gens too require special service needs and warranty work at times. If it were not for Tomball Dodge near me I doubt I would own a Viper, but then I am very particular about keeping it in pristine condition with frequent servicing etc. 80 miles is not too bad as long as they have a real good Viper tech.

 

[SnakeBitten]

The 80miles doesnt sound bad to me since I love driving. But what is he to do if the Viper develops problems that render it unable to drive that distance? Pay for a hauler everytime? Or as mentioned if it develops problems or needs maintenance work you gotta take a day off etc just to get it there all the time? To some it may be no big deal but I can understand the hesitance on the OP's part to deal with the possible negatives of a dealer that far away. Especially if its 80miles one way meaning 160 miles round trip. Its all fun and game till the car has a problem lol. Then you gotta deal with the hard facts of that situation.

If I were in Ohio I would volunteer my services to take it to the dealer for you should you buy one and a problem develops Ill be a lot cheaper than a hauler.

 

[01sapphirebob]

Any thoughts of adding the Gen V to my garage is now decided. My local dealer has decided against the cost of selling the gen V. The closest dealership is 80 miles. Looks like it is back to bowtie.

Talk to your dealer. We have a sponsoring dealer that will pick up and drop off your car for service! Perhaps they will/can do the same.

 

[speedracervr4]

My local dealer (within 5 miles) is a certified SRT dealer with a Viper for sale, but I would not trust them to service it. For me the enjoyment of a car would out way the 80 mile drive to get it serviced.

 

[Martin]

I just know from experience that weird things can happen with new cars these days. In days of past, I would have no problem with a dealer 80 miles away because I'd generally do all the small stuff myself. But, nowadays, if I'm paying $140k for a car and I need warranty work done on it because of some weird computer issue or something that I don't want to deal with myself, I'd be pissed if I had to take a whole day off work and drive 80 miles to a dealer (and back). Maybe the Gen V will be as reliable as the other cars - I don't know. I personally would want a dealer close by in case any of the electronics start acting up. These cars aren't as simple as a Gen I or Gen II anymore...

If a dealer is 80 miles away and they're willing to come out and pick up the car for me if something went wrong, it would be a no brainer

 

[DMan]

I understand the issue. I've met quite a few guys with vipers that really rely on the dealers for service & support, I know guys that get oil changes at the dealership for their vipers. So a new gen5, with some of the quirks we're seeing posted that may need debugging, etc., I defintiely understand the concern. And 80 mis doesn't sound far in terms of driving, but if have a break down or a problem that requires debugging ... and 80 mis could be a 2 hr drive, each way, depending on the roads & traffic.

That's a bummer. Hopefully we'll see things improve on this front. For me I do everything myself, the only time I didn't a dealer totally screwed up my car, never again. But yea, on a new gen5, if I had an issue I'd want to take it in for warranty work and to do that I'd have to go to Virginia for a safe place for service, as I know if no dealer service in MD that can spell viper. But, I'd be OK with that I think, but not everyone would be for sure.

 

[PDCjonny]

My local dealer (within 5 miles) is a certified SRT dealer with a Viper for sale, but I would not trust them to service it. For me the enjoyment of a car would out way the 80 mile drive to get it serviced.

Uhhh.....and if it doesn't run and you need to have it flatbedded to a dealer 80 miles away, how's that fun factor now?

 

[speedracervr4]

I guess only people around dealers should buy them. Do all Lambo and Ferrari owners have to live near dealers?

 

[PDCjonny]

Lambo dealers work on Lambo's. Ferrari dealers work on Ferrari's.
Dodge dealers work on Darts.

 

[Martin]

I have a few friends with mega buck cars, and I'm not sure the dealer experience is comparable. Not to say that there's anything wrong with Dodge dealers - but they aren't supported by the manufacturer the way Ferrari and Lambo dealerships are. Something goes wrong with one of those cars while you're under warranty, and it doesn't matter where you are - they'll find a way to make it right.

I'll make a somewhat unrelated analogy... I have a New Holland backhoe that I bought from a local dealer, and anytime something went wrong with it, they'd send out a fully equipped repair truck. Even after it was out of warranty, the cost to have them come to me to do a fix was really reasonable. Then, the dealer closed up shop - and my closest dealer was about 70 miles away. The tractor just stopped working one day and started flashing all kinds of diagnostic codes at me, and I was hosed. The closest dealer offered to send someone out - but they start charging for the tech's time the minute they get in their truck, and stop charging the minute they get back to their facility, and there was no guarantee that they'd be able to troubleshoot on the first trip. I ended up spending a few weeks researching and troubleshooting the problem myself, buying the diagnostic tools and parts to fix it, and then finally got up and running again. Would I have bought that tractor knowing that I wouldn't have a servicing dealer nearby to save me that headache? No friggin way...

Life is all sunshine and roses when modern equipment works. But, when it stops working, it can be a nightmare to diagnose without the right tools - and even then it can still be a nightmare. Things do go wrong, and I can't blame anyone for taking into consideration the hassle factor of getting it fixed when they make a purchase. Twenty years ago, I probably wouldn't think twice about it, but nowadays I'm just too crotchety and impatient to just assume everything will be hassle free and still be happy when I've got to waste time or money getting my toys fixed. Having a good dealer nearby is a big plus.

 

[TrackAire]

Any thoughts of adding the Gen V to my garage is now decided. My local dealer has decided against the cost of selling the gen V. The closest dealership is 80 miles. Looks like it is back to bowtie.

If you really like the Gen 5 and feel confident in the dealer, then I would talk to them about some options. Often times dealers have relationships with flatbed tow truck drivers and or they own their own if they have a body shop as part of their dealership. Many of the flatbed tow trucks in our area have special provisions for hauling lowered cars and tie downs that protect the car from injury. If they really want your business then they can often figure out a way to transport the car for you for service since these can be scheduled and the flatbed can pick your car up on a back haul, etc. If I had the chance to have my car picked up from my house and returned for either free or a reasonable dollar figure, I'd be all over that.

The key is if you like, trust and want to do business with this dealership. That's the hard part.....getting your new Gen 5 to and from the dealership is easily solved.

Good luck, hope you give the Gen 5 a try.

Cheers,
George

 

[Hemotoxic]

Uhhh.....and if it doesn't run and you need to have it flatbedded to a dealer 80 miles away, how's that fun factor now?

This shouldn't happen much to Vipers or any modern cars, if they're driven often and properly maintained. I drive my lowly Corvette to the dealer 100 miles away instead of the one 35 miles away because the further-away one works on a lot more Corvettes.

Our friendly local Ferrari/Maserati/Aston Martin dealer 130 miles away will happily send its enclosed transporter anywhere in the state to pick up your exotic for service. It's a free perk; well, after paying $8 squillion for the service visit it's free. They may even drop you off a loaner. Of course, the truly committed exotic owner would just move to their city.

 

[BlackSnake99]

80 miles? That's like, what, 45 minutes?

 

[Allan White Mamba 200/200]

I live about 1000 miles from Woodhouse and purchased from them. I have my local Porsche dealer service the car. They love to work on it. No problems. Allan

 

[TacDoc]

Sorry not trying to offend anyone, but that's a weak excuse...

Experience. Tried a 650i X-drive bought from nearest dealer (92 miles). BMW if anyone is high tech. The car had some oil use issues and required several trips to the dealer during its first year. My work schedule was not flexible enough to allow for the hour and a half drive so the car sat for weeks waiting for me to have time to go. Not going to put myself in the same situation again. Unless something changes the 09 will be my last Viper.

 

[kratedisease]

I think the problem may be getting service after the car is bought... 80 miles is a long way to go for service - that can eat up several days of time just to get something simple done, and when you consider the cost of being away from work to do that, it's just not an option for some people.

I drive 60 miles to get my silly Motorhome serviced..... I'm sure I co do 80 for a genV

 

[ViperSmith]

I'd be concerned first year with having a dealer 80 miles away as well.

Possibly after the 1st and initial bugs are worked out I think my concerns would be less.