What's the group's opinion on dealer prep with your new truck?

Would I be better off doing it myself? I'm not sure I want to trust my brand new truck to a 18yo kid with a buffer.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
James

Formerly SVT_Wannabe

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Red '01 Bolt ordered 7/17/00
Locked in for build week of 1/8/01
ETA for delivery to dealer 1/29/01
Realistic delivery: Too long away!!!

[This message has been edited by OneRedTXBolt (edited 01-12-2001).]

 

Let them do it...
What if there's a scratch from the factory, JMHO. Look it over real good when you pick it up.

Congrats!

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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. 100HP Shot NOS, BellTech 3/4 drop, Super Chip(TRAC). K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, Sir Michael's roll pan, smooth corners and steps w/billet inserts, clear corner lenses, Cervinis Ram Air hood, ARE Cover w/ wing, Momo billet pedals, cd changer, cover, Phantom boost and nitrous gauges, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX Thunder 4000 subs. 5-channel 500w. Clarion amp.(APA5241), (4)Polk Audio 3-way, 130w. DX 7's, Color-matched Muth signal mirrors, Soundproofed cab, BedRug, Trenz billet grills, Piaa 9007 Super Whites, etc. Build #2755
TampaSVT@Tampabay.rr.com

http://home.tampabay.rr.com/tampasvt/

2001 PT Cruiser - Limited Edition
1999.5 Expedition XLT

 

Don't think you even have a choice. I'm sure that part of the dealers contract with the manufacturers is to prep the vehicle. I'm sure there are liability issues.

 

OneRed

There has to be dealer prep on the truck. Trucks come from the factory with parts that still have to be put on. Plus they check to make sure that all the oils are where they should be, etc.

I can't think of one dealership that would allow a unit off their lot that wasn't checked by them. For instance, what would happen if a dealer sold and delivered a vehicle that wasn't checked and the new owner drove off the lot, the brakes didn't work and people were killed. The dealer would be in massive trouble.

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Jim
Jim@FordMotor.cc

Black 00, #1008 of 4966, 4.10's, SuperChip/R9, JL’s Ram Air,
AIM 2" drop, AutoMeter Boost and A/F Gauges, chrome wheels,
Cobra Throttle Body, Mobile1 w/FilterMag
2000 E320, 1993 Cobra R, 1959 Corvette, 1949 Plymouth Coupe

 

My salesman told me that the only thing they ~have~ to do is a state inspection. As far as the cosmetics, they've had several SVT vehicles go off the lot with plastics on the seats and paint, etc. That's in TX, anyway.

 

My SVT dealership said my request not to have the truck prepped was not unusual. They said 50% of their SVT customers do not have the prep work done. Now the prep work I am speaking of is strictly exterior and interior, nothing mechanical.

My feeling is that they typically don't care and/or don't have a clue as to how to do a proper job. They also aren't allowed the proper time to do the job anyway. One visit through the "detailing" department convinced me that there was no way I was going to let them loose with a buffer on my truck.

I am glad I took the time to wash, clay, polish/glaze, and wax it myself. Sure beats trying to chase the swirl marks and spiderwebbing for the first couple of months.

[This message has been edited by BlueOvalBolt (edited 01-12-2001).]

 

My dealer did the prep and did it well. Even put all the wrappings as well as 2 polaroids of the truck from delivery in a box for me to keep.

The scary part was that the tech took the truck for a road test, as he does with all SVT vehicles, and took it up to 125 mph. NICE!! Geez, I wonder why I got a new engine and tranny 3 weeks later.

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2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Born 3-8-00 / Delivered 3-22-00
22% Window Tint, Clear Corners, MPulse LoPro Tonneau, AIM 2" Drop Shackles, Bed Rug, PSP Filter Kit, Other Goodies, Group Buy Floor Mats
Best time: 13.45 sec. @ 101.99 mph

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

My Zing.com Album Click Here

 

WHAT04,

Sounds like a nice prep job, but that second part sure is scary! That's exactly the kind of thing I was afraid of!

James

 

I will let them prep the machanicals, Maybee hand wash the truck, But will not let them put a buffer to the paint. No Buffer will ever touch my truck. I will do it by hand even if it takes me a whole day to do it. I hate swirl marks worse than just about anything. I have never had swirl marks on any of my vehicals.

Also when my truck comes in I will be heading over and grab the front licence plate braket, to make sure there is no possible way they drill into my bumper.
On my SHO I told them not to put the bracket on the car, when I went to pick it up, there it was with the licence plate bracket, and a dealers plate on the front of my brand new car. Man was I pissed off. I had them get me a new bumper on a car that had 8 miles on it. I will never make the mistake of trusting a dealer not to put it on again.

At the boat yard where I keep my boat they buff all the boats, except mine. They let me come over and wash and wax it by hand each spring, it will be 9 years old this summer, and looks better than allmost any one or two year old boats.

I know some people use buffers, but not me.By hand allways.

Now all I have to learn is how to spell.

[This message has been edited by Don C (edited 01-12-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Don C (edited 01-12-2001).]

 

I used to work at a ford deallership, my job was to(prep)the cars.Take the plastic off,the stickers,wash it,fill the reservoir's.OH and we had to fill them with gas sometimes,usualy it's the saleman.The black vehicle's sometimes get scratch.They buff it just enough so you don't see it right there.But when you wash it again the big scratch's reapear.If i get a 2001L I don't want them to wash it,i don't want them to take the plastic out on the seats either:-)

 

Whether or not you have them do it is personal choice. I wouldn't but I am very fussy too. What fordsales said makes a lot of sense. However when I bought my Mustang new in '87 I had to speak to the owner of the dealership about it. He left me do it. It had bags on the seats, stearing wheel and stickers all over the windows. I photographed the car first so I know exactly how they were on. On my L though I did let them do it. I guess age mellows us some.

 

Taking the bracket isn't enough, they have spares around for when the factory "forgets", take a big sign, about the size of a plate and tape it over where the plate goes. Suggested inscription:
"if you even think about drilling a hole here, think about me drilling a hole between your eyes, thanks, the new owner"

I didn't get there soon enough, I walked into the service department just as the guy drilled the first hole. So now I have a Ford Racing Plate on front.

G

 

I always make it a point to have included in my sales contract:

"Dealer will not install front license bracket (customer takes full legal responsibility) and dealer will not place dealership sticker on the rear of vehicle. Dealer also agrees to deliver vehicle to customer without exterior or interior prep."

When its part of the sales contract it makes it clear to them that I am serious and will not accept delivery if they screw up. While I would find it hard not to accept delivery of a limited production vehicle, it is a least documented if I need to push for new bumper cover as a compromise should they forget.

 

Factory Tech
good point I think I will do that. I'll find out when it is coming, take the day off from work and as soon as it comes off the transporter tape the sign on the bumper with blue paitners tape, and grab the bracket.

BlueOvalBolt
I allready put it into the contract not to put the licence plate bracket on, and no dealers sticker. Belive me after having my SHO drilled I am not going to let it happen again.