My reluctancy with Pontiac and Performance

[demonspeed]

I've owned 4 Camaros and was always very pleased when going to the Chevy dealer for service. Since owning my GTO, I've been very disappointed with my BPG dealer experiences. Maybe it's just the dealers I've been to, but no one seems to understand the performance-minded owner or the "real" car guy. I find it a bit odd as they surely had these sort of people with their Firebirds - but then again, maybe they were so used to the "blue hairs" with their Buicks and the blue-collared guy with their GMC that these Pontiac "Performance" customers received 2nd-rate service.

For example, I called the local dealer to have tires mounted. I was told that I did not want to bring my GTO there as they could not mount low-profile without scratching my wheels. I was a bit taken back and said "you will sell me the car, but you can't service it?" and I was met with the reply "I'm just being honest." Another one didn't understand the Mobil 1 oil change I was asking about.

So, with the G8 (and even the Solstice), how can one have confidence in their Pontiac service department when handling a performance car? If they are acting dumb-founded with tires, how will they handle a performance issue? That G8 GXP is not going to be like the wood-paneled Roadmaster Aunt Bea drives to church.

Just some food for thought...

[smokyn454]

Would you rather they try and mount your tires and scratch your rims? At least they warned you about it. Unless you have the right equipment, mounting large shiny rims is pretty difficult. Maybe they don't see that many lo pro tires? Even firebirds wheels weren't that exotic.

Not all of your service has to come from the dealer either. You can get your tires mounted at a shop that has these capabilities, probably for a lot cheaper as well. As for an oil change, maybe you just go a hold of the new lady that worked there for all of 2 days.

I have had no problems with my Pontiac dealer. Maybe yours is just a fluke?

[HoosierRon]

If I recall correctly, Aunt Bea never drove, and Andy always drove Fords.

[caddycruiser]

I agree, and it is a common thing. Even if finally selling great vehicles and getting Pontiac back on the proper level...after the sale, the service not being at the same level can really do more image damage.

Yes, you can go elsewhere, but you shouldn't have to. You should expect that if you buy a Solstice, G8, etc. you're going to have service people and service centers equipped and trained to match the vehicles. You expect it with a BMW, and essentially almost always get it, just as much as you do with a variety of brands. But for Pontiac, it's yet another hurdle. Service techs used to not much more than changing the oil or tracing down a rattle on Betty's Buick LeSabre, and then have a moment with you requesting much of anything for your GTO, etc.

Doesn't really come down to even having enthusiasts there, but more just service that can even remotely match the cars.

Cadillac also comes to mind...in a BIG way. They've been selling cars that are getting people out of BMW's, Lexus's, MB's, etc., but more often than not, the dealer experiences are no different than if you had bought a new Cavalier years ago. There needs to be a totally revised sales/service plan to match the caliber of the brand from GM, but nada. Often, and I see and read this a lot, even if the car is fantastic, if the owner is treated like some kind of a used economy car buyer with nothing special, no loaner or a terrible one, no proper lounge, etc. it will frequently result in them swearing off the brand ever again because that is a daily/monthly experience that's all part of car ownership.

Originally Posted by smokyn454

Would you rather they try and mount your tires and scratch your rims? At least they warned you about it. Unless you have the right equipment, mounting large shiny rims is pretty difficult. Maybe they don't see that many lo pro tires? Even firebirds wheels weren't that exotic.

Not all of your service has to come from the dealer either. You can get your tires mounted at a shop that has these capabilities, probably for a lot cheaper as well. As for an oil change, maybe you just go a hold of the new lady that worked there for all of 2 days.

I have had no problems with my Pontiac dealer. Maybe yours is just a fluke?

You're missing the point. Yes, they were honest, and that's good. BUT, it should have never even been a question, and all the dealers should be at the level of service, training, and sophistication as the cars. Many are better than others yes, but it's still an issue GM faces with many brands.

[F14CRAZY]

I can understand your frustration.

Thought I'd add...my cousin from Texas visited a while back in his new Caliber SRT4...Calibers suck but not this one, I know, I rode in it.

He asked if we could visit a local Dodge dealer to have its oil changed so we went to the one in Lansing my mom bought her Durango from...the service writer said that they had never seen a Caliber like that before and my cousin had to show him what weight oil it took in the owner's manual, and the service writer had to go back and make sure they had a filter for it

You could argue hard both ways but I think Dodge has a performance aim at about the same level as Pontiac does and it would certainly seem like a dealer that sells a vehicle should certainly be able to service it.

That's sad though that they don't have a proper tire mounting machine...do they scratch up all the Solstice and higher end GP wheels? Heck even the Aztec sometimes had 18''s

[demonspeed]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is thinking this way. Yes, I could take it to a NTB or similar, but why should I have to?

It's not even like my wheels/tires are difficult. It's a 17x8 with a 245/45 tire. Not that low of a profile. I could do the mounting myself if they would let me use their archaic wheel machine. Unfortunately, I've since moved away from all my redneck dealer friends who let me in the shop, lol

Even the Firebirds weren't too bad with 17x9's and 275/40's. All you need to do is take your time. Try mounting a 315/35 on some 17x11's. Those are fun, but they can be done patiently on a standard machine.

[smokyn454]

Okay, I am going to go ahead and say your dealer sucks then. I posted earlier thinking maybe you were trying to mount some 20's or something, not 17's. Over half of the cars out there have 17's or bigger on them and they cannot mount them? Yeah, there is something wrong with your dealer.

I wouldn't group all of Pontiac in that category, but your couple of local dealers stink.

I guess I only have one dealer by me, but they are pretty good at what they do. I don't buy tires from them, but I do get all the other work on my Pontiac ( and previous Pontiacs ) done by them.

Hope you have better luck in the future.

[Generous Motors]

Something is wrong with that dealer, they have no clue about a Mobil 1 oil changes is BS, GMC used (they may still) do the first oil change for free and it was Mobil 1. Somebody isn't telling the whole truth here.

[CadiEldo67]

GM just needs to do a background check on its service techs. There should be a mandatory class, and those that don't succeed, just need to find a new profession. In fact, GM should mandate some sort of seminar for dealers as well. I'm not saying that all dealers are bad, some are quite good at what they do, and should be praised, but not all are good, and that may cause people to write off GM. Another idea would be to have a person that works at GM follow a Sales Rep. for a day, and get an idea of how they should improve.

[sonjaab]

Why would the dealer want to bother mounting your precious new
tires you bought off the internet????????
Do ya think they want to risk scratching your rims for a LOUSY
$50 bucks on something they didn't sell?

Does that dealer even use or stock Mobil 1 or even offer a different
brand of synthetic oil?
Or is it you wanted to bring in your own oil and filter and have them do
the work like your tires?

Sorry......The sharp service writer had ya pegged as a tightwad and gave
ya the blowoff.................

[Hitman1970]

As my best friend says. "You know who ends up running the service department, the worst mechanics in the place."

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by sonjaab

Why would the dealer want to bother mounting your precious new
tires you bought off the internet????????
Do ya think they want to risk scratching your rims for a LOUSY
$50 bucks on something they didn't sell?

Does that dealer even use or stock Mobil 1 or even offer a different
brand of synthetic oil?
Or is it you wanted to bring in your own oil and filter and have them do
the work like your tires?

Sorry......The sharp service writer had ya pegged as a tightwad and gave
ya the blowoff.................

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't the service department's prices be fair for both parties if a customer brings in their own parts?

Isn't there a Pontiac that requires synthetic oil? I haven't checked but I'm certain the 2.0L turbo Ecotec does...a dealer's service department should be able to properly service anything that's sold new though the dealer's sales department. The dealer in question is unacceptable IMHO

[sonjaab]

F-14...........I am sure they are !

But there is MORE to the story than we are being told.
Why buy tires elsewhere and then take them to a car dealer for installation?
Wouldn't logic dictate to have them mounted where you bought them?
Wouldn't a tire dealer have the latest and greatest tire mounting machines
to assure that your rims wouldn't be scratched or damaged?

Yes I am sure that dealer offers some brand of synthetic oil as new Vettes and
a few other GMs come from the factory with Mobil 1? no?????????
Makes sense that they should have it already no?

Sorry but in my opinion you have a roach trying to get a freebee by buying
their parts elsewhere and trying to have a GM dealer or ANY dealer do the
installation work for almost nothing...........................

Would you bring your own food to a resturant and have them
cook it for you? Would you bring your own drinks to the club
and have them mix and serve them with their glasses, ice,
straws etc.?????????
Bringing your own parts is the same deal.

He would get the blowoff trying that stunt at most places plain and simple!
That service writer saved his dealer future hassle and most likely major
problems by dustin' the guy.............................
I could see they guy coming back in a matter of DAYS complaining they
scratched his wheels, it shakes at exactly 26 mph, yada, yada !!!!!!!!!!
For the few bucks the shop don't need the headaches..................

Now if it was a FULL PAY customer who bought all the stuff from the dealer
and paying the $100 hr. shop rate plus retail for the parts you KNOW they
would of had that car in the bay at the blink of the eye !!!!!!!!!!!!!

No offense to anyone but thats the way it is..............................

[CobaltSScrazy]

I hope things worked out for you. Its really sad that happened...did you purchase the tires at the dealer or elsewhere?

The oil thing is unacceptable, Mobil 1 synthetic is used in many GM performance vehicles, that is not right.

CobaltSS

[FenwickHockey65]

The service writer has a point, if he ends up scratching your rims, then he and the dealer end up covering the costs. I don't think any dealer would do something like this for you.