Mixed day today checking out my DGM

[Phaedrus29]

I got a call yesterday (5/28) that my BRZ arrived at the dealership and would be ready for pickup on Wednesday (5/30). I begged them to try to have it ready today, the 29th, since it's my birthday. I decided to drive over to the dealership today to, at the very least, take a look at the car. I also hoped that by hanging around the dealership I could hurry them along and maybe take the car home.

I got to the dealership around 3pm or so and spotted the car in service. Excuse the very quick and dirty pic:



Car in general looks great in pics, but I have to say it looks even better, much better in person...very impressive.

I stayed at the dealership while the car was in service, and once it was drivable, they let me drive it with the dealer to gas up the car...and do a very short test-drive. My main concern, coming from being a Mustang guy, was the low TQ number. I have to say, my worries quickly disappeared. Regardless of the numbers, the car has some beefy pick up...certainly more than adequate IMO. It was difficult trying to keep the car under 4k rpm, and I could tell that this was right around where it would start to get really fun. Even after the short drive, much of which was in traffic, I felt confident that this was the car for me...my car!

I finally left the dealership at around 6pm because they had to send the car for detailing. I was told to return around 8pm. When I was about 4 minutes from returning to the dealership, all ready to take her home, I received a phone call: the detailers found a scratch in the paint above the rear passenger wheel! NOOoooooooooooo!!!! They took me over to see the car. Here she is at the detailer (again, please excuse the quick crappy pic):



And here's a close-up of the scratch, which has a couple small chips in it, with some wax smudged over it (the actual scratch is that small lighter colored zigzag shape):



Very very depressing. They say they need a couple more days and will fix it so it looks perfect. They also said they will do something to make up for the inconvenience, but I'm not sure what exactly they have in mind.

Overall, I just feel very disappointed about the whole experience. I really do hope they can fix it completely, but I do feel a bit mixed about buying a new car that's already had touch-up work. This is my first new car purchase, so I just don't know if this is simply a normal thing. I'm assuming/hoping that something like this shouldn't be a dealbreaker. The car was soooo close to being mine and at home in the garage right now!

[Capt Canuck]

TBH I think this is actually a positive post
The dealer was happy to have you hanging around while they prepped your car and take it for a spin.
Then they called you to let you know about the scratch and that there are going to do their best to sort it out for you.
Yes getting a mark this early is annoying, but it sounds like you bought from a class dealer and soon enough you'll be enjoying your new car

[Phaedrus29]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

TBH I think this is actually a positive post
The dealer was happy to have you hanging around while they prepped your car and take it for a spin.
Then they called you to let you know about the scratch and that there are going to do their best to sort it out for you.
Yes getting a mark this early is annoying, but it sounds like you bought from a class dealer and soon enough you'll be enjoying your new car

Yes, I did tell them repeatedly that I appreciated the fact that they let me know about the scratch right away and didn't try to sweep this under the rug. They definitely have dealt with this so far in the best way possible.

I'm just disappointed because I was so excited to take the car home and now I need to wait another couple days. Oh well, I guess another two sleepless nights of tossing and turning won't be too bad.

-------

Oh also, I forgot to mention that I initially was worried about how many miles would be on the car. I was pleasantly surprised to see 6 miles on the odometer when I first got in.

[Motordyne]

^+1 Sounds like a good dealership.

[NYC BRZ]

Damn, well it's good to know they're honest. I ordered my car from the same dealer as Phaedrus and they have been nothing but honest, up front, and professional.

Phaedrus, now I have to bust Dan's balls about not screwing my car up it sucks but like everyone said they're being honest and up front. You'll have it sooner than me still!! Happy Birthday!!

[NYC BRZ]

Oh forgot to mention: DAMN that DGM looks sexy all shined up.

[brianbot5000]

This is a non-problem kind of problem. For all you know, this somehow happened on your test drive, and you should feel happy they are going to professionally fix it without question.

[sure74]

I think this is pretty normal, happened with my Legacy.

At least you don't have to be nervous about getting your first scratch!

[ICantAffordAnLFA]

Damage happens a lot eg on the boat, at the docks etc but at least you've seen it , unlike most !

Sounds like your dealer is playing it straight.

That has to be worth some goodies from the accessory list

[BoxeRZ]

Sounds like a careless detailer, similar story happened to me years ago with a new Celica. Their answer was to repaint the front bumper, but it did not look like factory quality. I just about blew up in the dealership I was so pissed. They had to replace the entire front bumper until it was done right. CHECK OUT THE CAR WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB!!! Look all around the fender for any over spray(DGM color on stuff that shouldnt have that color) or any possible peeling. Definitely get a life time warranty on the work, becuase I can almost guarantee you it will peel down the road. No repaint is ever the same as factory done, sorry to say.

[Draco-REX]

I had a similar experience. When I picked up the car I was told they found an issue with one of the buttons and already had a replacement on order. I can't tell which one was scratched, but they caught it before I even arrived and the part will be here Thursday.

Considering what these cars go through between Japan and the dealership, I'm surprised there aren't more issues.

[Phaedrus29]

Originally Posted by ICantAffordAnLFA

Damage happens a lot eg on the boat, at the docks etc but at least you've seen it , unlike most !

Sounds like your dealer is playing it straight.

That has to be worth some goodies from the accessory list

Hrmmm...if they do offer me some accessories I'm not sure what to ask for. Don't really need/want the chrome fender trim. I don't really need/want the mirrors with options. The armrest or a car cover would be nice, but I don't think those are available yet. Any thoughts on what you'd ask for?

[Phaedrus29]

Originally Posted by BoxeRZ

Sounds like a careless detailer, similar story happened to me years ago with a new Celica. Their answer was to repaint the front bumper, but it did not look like factory quality. I just about blew up in the dealership I was so pissed. They had to replace the entire front bumper until it was done right. CHECK OUT THE CAR WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB!!! Look all around the fender for any over spray(DGM color on stuff that shouldnt have that color) or any possible peeling. Definitely get a life time warranty on the work, becuase I can almost guarantee you it will peel down the road. No repaint is ever the same as factory done, sorry to say.

I think you may be right, as I didn't see the scratch before the car was sent to the detailer. OK, your post has me worried. I'll try to look over the car as carefully as possible, but I worry I might miss something in the lighting or that the scratch might be temporarily hidden or something. Oh well...they did tell me that the work would have a lifetime warranty, which is reassuring. Again, they are certainly dealing with this whole thing in an admirable way, it's just a bit disappointing is all.

[Turbowned]

Dealers can't control everything that happens to the cars. I've seen a few Audis come in from the port and they have minor scratches on them; and this is how they're covered!



vs. this:



The fact that they noted the problem and are correcting it for you as quickly as possible is pretty honorable in my book. They could've just tried to buff it and send you on your way, hoping you wouldn't notice.