When was the first time you found out it wasn't a Viper,........

[Newport Viper]

When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

it was a DODGE Viper.

Mine was taking it to 5 star stealership in Orlando. My wife dropped it off for me. She asked the service chimp where she could, get this, PICK UP THE COURTESY CAR! Well the redneck, after about 30 seconds of spitting on himself, said "Miss this isn't the Mercedes dealership. This is an American car! There ain't no free cars here!"

Just then it hit me, this isn't a Viper, it is a DODGE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GCHDEALER]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Oh I am reminded daily that it is a Dodge when I tried to get some warr. work done and my Friendly 5-star (joke) of a dealer denied my claim on my broken soft top and can't figure out how to get me a new back window (again under warr) replaced. Finally got my top fixed under warranty in a different district and Tator helped on what to do about the back glass. Sure wished Chuck lived a closer cause he treats his customers like they are MB customers.
F... The local dealers they ****.
C

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Chrysler's attempt to move into the upscale market should be hilarious to watch.

"yes ma'am if you would like you can relax on the greasy bench in our parts department while you're waiting for your 300C to finish having it's oil changed. If you get hungry there is a variety of gumball machines, with choices ranging from salted cashews to M&M's, please help yourself. If you need quarters just ask the high school drop out at the parts counter."

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Yea I will try to get a pic of this 5* out here, you will siht. Rosters/ chickens and stuff........

 

[Viperfreak2]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

You know what they do with the 5* surveys that aren't all smiley faces???? Trash can. The stealership in Atlanta even told me so!

 

[Magicboy2]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Odd. Gary Barbera Dodge around here does indeed have a courtesy van. And their waiting room, while somewhat spartain, is always clean. In addition, when I took my car there for service, they washed it afterwords for free in their prep area (which did a bit more harm than good, got some swirl marks it seemed), but still, the intentions were nice.

 

[Bandit3]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Service chimp, now that's one for the memory bank. John

 

[Wayne Finch]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Never had any problems at this dealership - nice waiting area and always clean - state of the art really.

You must be registered for see images

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This is a 1/43 scale I built to house my collection of die-cast Prowlers. The Dodge dealership might get built next door.

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

nice model. send it to Dodge developement........

 

[Mike 99ACR]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Don't feel bad we have one here and the Viper tech says working on Vipers no big deal no different than a Neon to him. I never went back. I even went across town to buy my Hemi truck. Hell with that attitude for a 5 star. The place I bought my truck from also 5 star and treated me so. I let their Viper tech do my recall did a great job and even showed it to me before they let it down. They did have a courtesy van not to drive but to take you whereever.

 

[Moundir]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

it was a DODGE Viper.

Mine was taking it to 5 star stealership in Orlando. My wife dropped it off for me. She asked the service chimp where she could, get this, PICK UP THE COURTESY CAR! Well the redneck, after about 30 seconds of spitting on himself, said "Miss this isn't the Mercedes dealership. This is an American car! There ain't no free cars here!"

Just then it hit me, this isn't a Viper, it is a DODGE!!!!!!!!!!

First day I took delivery of the car and really got to see the inside of the car for what it is poor craftmanship, very poor

 

[BigCarrot]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Damn Wayne, that's really cool! I thought it was real!

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Come on guys 500 views and only a couple of service stories

 

[jcaspar1]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

At least with a Dodge you don't have to take it to the shop as much as a Mercedes. Dodge and Chrysler's (and every American car company's) dependabiltiy is better than Mercedes', at least according to JD Powers

 

[Vic]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

I go to Chrysler Neighborhood Care, and they really do a good job of replacing anything covered by warranty, and they are courteous. Too bad they didn't keep Viper tech Dave Jenkins, but Pete is doing a great job. Shuttle van, too.

Dave Jenkins does great work in his own shop now, Victory Vipers, and John Horton of West Coast Viper is excellent. Have no experience with Dan Cragin, but I know him to be a great guy, with a stellar list of references.

Sorry, wish I had something negative to add to this thread. Ask me about national politics or something.

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

not looking for too much negative stuff..... just funny experiences
I too have had great service from those posted above.

 

[dancojax]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Come on down to Jacksonville.
Regency Dodge charged about $130 to change oil and filter on our SRT.
Then later, after receiving a nice 'reminder' to have it done again, they refused an appointment claiming they no longer have a Viper Technician.
Westside Dodge has a Viper Tech, but refused (over phone) to service any Viper with body 'add-ons' - so much for the Autoform wing, etc.
Guess the best way is to drive it to ViperDays and let John Archer's 'trackside services' do it.

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Maybe Sean Roe could help at his new shop?

 

[malcoll]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Come on down to Jacksonville.
Regency Dodge charged about $130 to change oil and filter on our SRT.
Then later, after receiving a nice 'reminder' to have it done again, they refused an appointment claiming they no longer have a Viper Technician.
Westside Dodge has a Viper Tech, but refused (over phone) to service any Viper with body 'add-ons' - so much for the Autoform wing, etc.
Guess the best way is to drive it to ViperDays and let John Archer's 'trackside services' do it.

I live here in Jax..... the best place to take your Viper is Garber Dodge... Ken Albert is great..... very knowledgeable.

Check out our North Florida website..... for more info.

http://www.floridavipers.com/forum/

Lance

 

[Cal Viper]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Try John at Foothill Ranch Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge. I watched him do the diagnosis and later the repair of my air conditioner. He took his work seriously, exercised appropriate care, and he has good hands, though he's not as experienced as Dave Jenkins.

 

[riverflyer]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

My experience is totally different. I have been driving european cars for years and have found my local DC dealer to be very responsive, super friendly and eager to please with their service. They buffed out some scratches by hand(with my permission,they drop me where I want to go, or will try and arrange a car. On top of that DC picked up $1000 of warranty work on my new(to me) car for just a $100 fee. If you think DC ***** try my local BMW dealership if you want a lesson in frustration and BS.

 

[fe155]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

ive been in the car business for 25 years so i really did not expect much from the dodge dealership , ya there all five stars mine too . Bought my 02 GTS in January and the drivers door would not open from the outside so after an hour of the service department trying to figure out who there worked on vipers they led me to some guy who acted like he never saw one befor. And by the way all i wanted to know was how the door electronics worked and how to take the door panel off because i would fix it myself. Well this one and only viper tech did not have a clue so i bought the serice book and fixed it myself . Although its under warranty i would never bring it in for work i wolud rather buy the parts myself.
Oh and speaking about Mercedes last month i just bought an SL500 in the showroom with about 700 miles on it , paid window sticker but asked the manager if he would wholesale it to me since im a dealer and therefor no reg fee or sales tax , he says ok . After i pay for it he says just give us a few minutes while we fill your tank and wash it for you . A few days later i bring it back because i cant figure out the nav system and while im there i show the service advisor a small hairline crack in the turn signal lense and another in the door sill entry . Well i knew i really bought a demo or used vehicle and even on a wholesale basis but he says no problem we will replace those. Then he proceeds to get me a new mercedes to use for the day no charge . Then he says the tank is full but dont put gas in it unless you need to . Ya its 90k but the viper isnt much less and i left feeling confident to go back .

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

BMW's are great under warranty. They'll fix anything and everything, but once that warranty is up the party is over. You still get great service but I could never get out of there for less than $500. No matter what I had done. They'll always find something to fix at BMW rate's
After I bought my 2000 GTS people told me to make sure I buy an extended warranty before the original ran out. They said that Viper are very expensive to maintain. I ask for some examples of what they consider expensive and laughed. Dodge is apologetic at the cost of parts. The same part on a BMW would have been 3 times as much.

Best dealer and tech so far: D&E Dodge NC. Tom Session. Bar none.

I'm in West Paln Beach Fl and still looking for a great dealership. For now now I take it to tuners and forget about my extened warranty.







2000 GTS Steel Grey
Six piston Bier claws up front, front brakes in back
Quaife Differential, GKH half shafts, alloy fly wheel,
short throw shifter, polished intakes, K&N air filters, Optima battery,

 

[Birvini]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

I've had the worst experience from a 5 star Dodge dealership in Naperville, IL.

I've had the best experience from Roanoke Dodge. Dennis Gastman and his team are top notch!

 

[Nexus-6]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

My experience is totally different. I have been driving european cars for years and have found my local DC dealer to be very responsive, super friendly and eager to please with their service. They buffed out some scratches by hand(with my permission,they drop me where I want to go, or will try and arrange a car. On top of that DC picked up $1000 of warranty work on my new(to me) car for just a $100 fee. If you think DC ***** try my local BMW dealership if you want a lesson in frustration and BS.

Absolutely couldn't have said it better myself.

I've had incrediblly horrible BMW service for years for two of our cars...while Dodge and Chevy by comparison have been relatively amazing.

We sold my wifes 3 series to buy an Infiniti because BMW service was so absolutely horrible. I will never buy another BMW again because of their field reps and customer service (or complete lack thereof).

Dodge on the other hand has done alright by me so far.

 

[rhansenjr]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

We've owned our '94 RT10 since new. Bought it at Contemporary Chrysler Plymouth Dodge in Milford, NH. They have been great. Only the Viper Tech, John Bissett, touches it. He installed air cond after the Orlando VOI and did a perfect job. Each year he services and inpects it. He has replaced the tires, fluids, tuned it and done all the scheduled maintenance flawlessly. It never comes back with anything amiss. If you're in NH, give them a try.

 

[slaughterj]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

The Viper is very special at the local Dodge dealership - so much so that it is the only Dodge that they refuse to work on, even though they have a Viper Tech on staff!

 

[Viperfreak2]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

I don't understand how it's legal to refuse to work on a warranty issue. If it says DODGE on the building....

The bottom line to this thread seems to confirm my experiences: It's the owner / manager of the dealer that makes the experience. You may never meet this person, but their negative or positive influence can been seen and felt from any angle. Doesn't matter if it's a Dodge, BMW, Mercedes, Chevy....it's the people. They are instructed to care, or not. They are fired when they show apathy or arrogance, or allowed to disrespect you over and over. When the five star rep. called me to ask how the service was on my Ram, I was impressed that she made the call, but unimpressed that she didn't know it was a Viper instead of a pickup.

I've never left my car at the dealership....I thought that little 'customer care' card says Viper owners get a loaner car????

 

[KepRght]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

This is a 1/43 scale I built to house my collection of die-cast Prowlers. The Dodge dealership might get built next door.

you really have too much time on your hands.


sweet model! fooled me the first glance

 

[kgrif]

Re: When was the first time you found out it wasn\'t a Viper,........

Kings Dodge does a good job here in Cincinnati!