RIP 2012 ZL1 #1635

[Mean Green Z28]

Originally Posted by heymatt

Two on Autotrader, both under 100 miles, one auto and one manual. Both under 50k.
Dealer must not have tried too hard to locate a car.

Of course, they wanted to get rid of a car on their lot first

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Sharkonwheels]

N00b here on C5, registed to comment, not a n00b to dealer/car issues tho.
No Camaro, But got a '12 Equinox, '13 Volt, and '13 Cruze, so I can speak on GM/Chevrolet/Chevy Dealers...

I'll give my $.02, feel free to give change.

(Sorry it got long-winded)

As Scott said, do NOT ever assume that GM/Chevrolet is NOT aware or involved. There are back-channels for communications that we are not privy to, and John is probably in a quiet period right now, because they asked him to, or he figures it's smart to - John, my advice, say NOTHING if GM is involved. You can tell us AFTER if they OK it, but if GM is involved, let them handle it, and STFU

They will spank THE SHIT out of First State in ways we can't even THINK of. Mr Robert "I'm a smart guy" Hansen is going to regret that whole series of stupid management decisions they've been making the past MONTH.

Short story:

2012, I got a new 2012 Chevy Volt. Found a deal, 60mi away, $4K under MSRP, had 6xx miles on it. I figured, dealer trade or whatnot, whatever. it's $4K under, and inventory lacking in SoFla.

Went, did the deal, had the car. Didn't feel right, though. Just had nagging suspicions. Had a buddy who's SalesMgr at a VW dealer run a CarFax. Normally, ya wouldn't need to do this on a NEW car.

He calls back, says "Oh, you want another one? A used one?" I'm like, no, that is MY car. He replies, " there's no way. You siad yours is new"

My VIN had a FOUR PAGE CarFax report, with EVEN, get this, a registration RENEWAL!

Apparently, my dealer (AutoNation) did a dealer-trade with an outside entity (Tropical Chevrolet in Miami - stay far, FAR away), and Tropical neglected to mention the car had been sold, miles put on, over MONTHS, and then taken/returned from the customer.

Florida has 3 levels: New, New - Demo, and New - Previously Purchased.
Anything but "New" requires the customer to sign a form acknowledging that they are getting a Demo or previously sold/purchased car.

Car was a lease (so no, not the emotional attachment John has, but I was still LIVID) which means they had sold US Bank a not-new car as new.

They beat around the bush for a few days, meanwhile a friend pulled the full DMV history for me, and there was like 6 pages of stuff. After confronting the dealer with this, faxing US Bank the CarFax and DMV info (after all, it lowers the end residual for them) and getting GM involved, they finally took the car back and found another.

In the end, it cost them about $5-6K, not counting the loss on having to sell that Volt as a used car, and having to find me a new one.

Second part of the story, is the replacement they found me, I did not want, as it was built 1 week before the Volt assembly line was shut down for a month due to lackluster sales, but they forced me into it.

Long story short, 6 months later GM had to buy that Volt back, and provided another.

In all this, I will say except for the initial push-back, the dealer came through, and basically asked me what I wanted, and they delivered about 95% of what I asked for.

On the buyback, it was actually INITIATED by the dealer (in service dept 12 times in 5 months, and I was in a rental for about 5-6 weeks total in 5-6mos), and GM/Chevrolet really made it kinda' painless.

In fact, since that episode, I've gotten two other Chevrolets, simply because of the way the dealers handled things, and especially GM/Chevrolet.


My thoughts:

A) Hoopers left their car with First State, expecting them to take care of it.
B) First State had a RESPONSIBILITY to keep the car safe
C) First State's employee damaged it - I don't care if on/off duty - they GAVE him access, whether via phone, or keys, or WHATEVER. When you GIVE an employee access, that's a RISK you take, and you MAKE YOURSELF liable, period. There is no but, or howevers..
D) John NEVER mentioned wanting a new car - they wanted equivalent. Going on a 3rd owner, crashed, and more miles, with less options, and ones not wanted, is NOT equivalent.
E) If the dealer hadn't been a DICK, the entire InterWebz probably wouldn't have unloaded on them the way it has.
F) Dealer has dug THEIR OWN grave, and continued to make it deeper.

Sure, the dealer is probably like, oh, FU and being defiant.

Well, they're about to learn some shit the hard way.

2014 - you can't dick a customer over like this
2014 - shit spreads fast
2014 - Mr Hansen, I hope ya got some cash in your sock drawer; you're gonna need it.

John, I hope you get a new ZL1 - the dicking around you've gotten from Hansen and crew now merits it. If they had handled it quickly, fine, replacement (not a POS) 2012. But now? No way. You've freaking EARNED a new one. Alot of guys on here that are self-employed have chimed in. THOSE are the fuggers you want to do business with!

Cheers guys,

Tony

PS - I called my Volt Advisor to voice my displeasure with the situation. If any of you have a Volt, do the same. Hit the OnStar button, and ask for your Volt advisor. Don't be nasty, just express your unhappiness with John's situation. VA's have more pull through their channel(s) than you'd think...

[angie7]

Wow lots of opinions so I'll post mine

Of course the owner would like a new ZL1, if this happened to me, I'd probably demand the same thing but fact is that is ridiculous to ask for. His car isn't new at the time it was totalled. Thats like getting in a wreck and telling your ins you want a full replacement of a 2 year old car, it won't happen. It doesnt make any sense. In saying that the dealer isn't trying very hard to find a comparable car. Its insulting to offer him a previously wrecked ZL1. After their employee stole his car and totalled it to offer that is ludicrous!!!!

That employee should be in jail and I'd be sueing the holy hell outta that dealership. This should be going thru the dealers ins. I didnt read all 40 something pages but last I saw was the dealer refused to give them their ins info, has that changed?

I hope the owner gets a new car but hes gonna be out some for it initially, at least until after the lawsuit is settled.

[Devryn17]

I think getting a NEW one is perfectly reasonable, and in the end, the Hoopers will be the one's that are left wanting in this situation. Sure, the "value" of a used 2012 is lower now, but in 30 years, you think that 2012 or the 2014 will have a greater value? I'm betting the former.

[Bell040]

Originally Posted by angie7

... at least until after the lawsuit is settled.

It is really disheartening that it has gone this far, taken this long, and he may have to undergo a lawsuit.

Anyone who reads this thread is going to second guess taking their car to the dealer for service... just because of how Mr. Hooper is being treated.

It is

The greedy mentality at dealerships really needs to change... and soon.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by PrinzII

Pfadt Racing: My hat's off to you guys for your gesture. When I get mine, you and JDP will be the people I contact.

Jhoop: Your story is similar to a story from a friend of mine. He took his Maxima to a dealership for something simple several years ago and they dropped the car from the lift. They took him through a TON of changes but the end result was that he was never really made whole. The car had a ton of problems after that which neither Nissan nor the dealership remedied.

In this case, I sincerely hope you are made 100% whole.

We appreciate it. I had the opportunity to chat with John (O.P.) on Friday and he seems like an awesome guy. He was stoked on the sway bars and we are very happy to be able to give them to him. I was kind of hoping a few other Camaro5 vendors could follow suit and we could end up having the Hooper "Phoenix" build thread for his new ZL1!!!

Happy Monday everyone,

Kerry

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

jhoop302 -

You have experienced all of our worst nightmares with what happened to you and your wife's ZL1 Camaro. Everyone here is shocked about your experience and want to do something to help ease the pain and get you excited about your next Camaro. We'd like to offer you a set of our ZL-Spec Front and Rear Adjustable Sway Bars for your next Camaro, free of charge. We hope you can put this behind you and fall in love with your next Camaro. Let us know when you have picked out your new vehicle and we will hook you up.

-take it easy

Kerry @ Pfadt

http://store.pfadtracing.com/2012-ca...ble-sway-bars/

[mrpyle]

Originally Posted by Hall of Fame

Now, just a question for you folks... Who is going to have to pay for the telephone pole that was sheared off? What insurance co. pays that?

No idea ... but do you think they'll get a new one? Or have one pulled from another location with a few dings in it?

[RallySS]

I just hope he gets at minimum what he had. An honest, fair shake, which is more than an insurance payout and less than a new car unless the dealership continues to drag their feet, then I hope he makes out only because of time and grief wasted.

[ss1letx]

This dealer is nuts to try to find a replacement for this car. I meen there is only
Black 1ES37 &MG9 Manual GBA 465 and
Black 1ES37 &MYD Auto GBA 252
So thats only 717 black ZL1s. Plus how many of them are build like the original and how many of them have the same or less miles, no wreck, and as clean as the customers was. Then the big one how many are for sale were the dealer could even get it. I just dont see a way for the dealer to replace this car with a good replacement. They need to pony up and do the right thing. Replace this mans car with a new car. People have to remember 2012 was a lower production year and that car will hold a higher value for alot longer. It may someday have been worth more than any other year the ZL1 is built. Just my $.02 Good luck hope it gets better soon.

[stlrammer]

It's just wrong all around.

[idon'tremember]

this was at page 42
but just in case he isn't as hardheaded as i am there is a 2012 one owner #1640 (5 after his was made) that looks very much like what he had available for $47k
i don't know johns vin # so i am not sure if it is an exact match.......just sayin

car has 5k miles on it

[Sales @ CAI Inc]

jhoop302-

We have been following this thread since the beginning and really feel bad for what you and your wife are having to go through with the loss of your ZL1. One of the things we pride ourselves on here is customer service, and since you have had to face a nightmare with this whole ordeal, we would like to show you that there are still companies out there that value their customers. I don't believe that you had our CAI on your original ZL1, but we would be honored to have our CAI on your new Camaro. We would like to offer you a brand new CAI for the replacement vehicle once you receive it. Just give us a call, ask for Bill, and I'll make sure you have something to smile about, hell, we'll even throw in a few Microfiber Detailing cloths to keep it clean!




If you want to check out the specs of the system, here they are: http://www.coldairinductions.com/201...d-black-finish

I see that PFADT racing did right by you too!!

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

jhoop302 -

You have experienced all of our worst nightmares with what happened to you and your wife's ZL1 Camaro. Everyone here is shocked about your experience and want to do something to help ease the pain and get you excited about your next Camaro. We'd like to offer you a set of our ZL-Spec Front and Rear Adjustable Sway Bars for your next Camaro, free of charge. We hope you can put this behind you and fall in love with your next Camaro. Let us know when you have picked out your new vehicle and we will hook you up.

-take it easy

Kerry @ Pfadt

http://store.pfadtracing.com/2012-ca...ble-sway-bars/

[Sharkonwheels]

...And the vendors keep showing what class acts they are.

Pfadt and CAI, you guys rock on an UNHEARD OF level...



Maybe you guys might have a few minutes to call that dealer, and 'splain to them what customer service is... Just a thought...

[RubyCamaro]

Originally Posted by Sales @ CAI Inc

jhoop302-

We have been following this thread since the beginning and really feel bad for what you and your wife are having to go through with the loss of your ZL1. One of the things we pride ourselves on here is customer service, and since you have had to face a nightmare with this whole ordeal, we would like to show you that there are still companies out there that value their customers. I don't believe that you had our CAI on your original ZL1, but we would be honored to have our CAI on your new Camaro. We would like to offer you a brand new CAI for the replacement vehicle once you receive it. Just give us a call, ask for Bill, and I'll make sure you have something to smile about, hell, we'll even throw in a few Microfiber Detailing cloths to keep it clean!




If you want to check out the specs of the system, here they are: http://www.coldairinductions.com/201...d-black-finish

I see that PFADT racing did right by you too!!

Way to go CAI Inc!