Z28Hokie
11-02-2005, 02:07 PM
I knew that despite being the most popular dealership in Northern Virginia they were pretty poor at customer service. But pretty poor doesn't even begin to describe my horrific experience:
Last night around 6pm (they close at 9) I went to test drive a 2005 GTO they had on their lot. After standing by the car for awhile (right outside their windows) and being approached by no-one I walked inside seeking assistance. There were 6 men sitting at a desk with their feet up talking, I approached them and one of them rudely stated "What do you want"? I said "I'm interested in the '05 GTO you have outside". He goes "ok" and wanders out with me. I ask quickly about ordering an '06 but say I'd definately be interested in an '05 at a fair price and inform him I've already researched/checked out the vehicle and really need a test drive since I haven't driven the newer '05+ models yet. He says "hold on, I'll get the key".
A rocky start...but aside from his condescending attitude at least he was fast in getting the keys.
...He comes back with the keys and tries to start it, no luck- battery is dead. I figure, ok, might have been sitting awhile, bad, but ok. So he gets a charger and fires it up. I notice a rough idle, I guess the battery was so dead that the PCM lost its learning...again...whatever. So we let the car run for a bit and he says "ok, we can go, but we can only drive on the service road since there is traffic" (traffic meaning...40mph speed on route 7 vs. 60). The service road has a 15mph speed limit, I wasn't amused- but whatever, the next closest dealer with a GTO was a distance away. So we start driving, I like it, but the GTO isn't really at its best at 15...so it was "ok" at best. We reach the end of the service road and I turn the car around...engine stumbles...I give it gas...nothing happens...and it dies. I try to restart...nothing- battery is completely dead- not even the interior lights glow.
He goes "I'm going to go get the charger, you wait here so no one takes the car". Again, I've decided I want to end the drive, but I want to be patient/polite so I wait. He comes back and hooks up the charger...still not enough juice to fire the engine, so he REVERSES the connections...the dash lights go nuts and it makes some horrid noises. He then flips them again- it now doesn't even try to start. I say "this test drive is over, enjoy your car" and get out and start to walk back. He's following to get another charger and says "You know, with powerful engines and hurst shifters and stuff this is common". I state: "I have an LS1 car at home, sold another LS1 car last december, and have a similiar "powerful engine" in my Grand Cherokee. Poor service has no correlation to a powerful engine and please don't lie to me- the GTO does not come with a hurst shifter". He says "Whatever man, its got a CAGS hurst shifter". I stop talking to him, walk the 1/2 mile back to my car...and go home.
I'll be calling the dealership today to try and speak with a manager; not only was the vehicle poorly maintained (if just an oversight, I could go with it), but the salesman was near useless, damaged the vehicle, AND lied.
If any of you are from the area...please share. This is my 3rd bad experience with a Koon's dealership.
Last night around 6pm (they close at 9) I went to test drive a 2005 GTO they had on their lot. After standing by the car for awhile (right outside their windows) and being approached by no-one I walked inside seeking assistance. There were 6 men sitting at a desk with their feet up talking, I approached them and one of them rudely stated "What do you want"? I said "I'm interested in the '05 GTO you have outside". He goes "ok" and wanders out with me. I ask quickly about ordering an '06 but say I'd definately be interested in an '05 at a fair price and inform him I've already researched/checked out the vehicle and really need a test drive since I haven't driven the newer '05+ models yet. He says "hold on, I'll get the key".
A rocky start...but aside from his condescending attitude at least he was fast in getting the keys.
...He comes back with the keys and tries to start it, no luck- battery is dead. I figure, ok, might have been sitting awhile, bad, but ok. So he gets a charger and fires it up. I notice a rough idle, I guess the battery was so dead that the PCM lost its learning...again...whatever. So we let the car run for a bit and he says "ok, we can go, but we can only drive on the service road since there is traffic" (traffic meaning...40mph speed on route 7 vs. 60). The service road has a 15mph speed limit, I wasn't amused- but whatever, the next closest dealer with a GTO was a distance away. So we start driving, I like it, but the GTO isn't really at its best at 15...so it was "ok" at best. We reach the end of the service road and I turn the car around...engine stumbles...I give it gas...nothing happens...and it dies. I try to restart...nothing- battery is completely dead- not even the interior lights glow.
He goes "I'm going to go get the charger, you wait here so no one takes the car". Again, I've decided I want to end the drive, but I want to be patient/polite so I wait. He comes back and hooks up the charger...still not enough juice to fire the engine, so he REVERSES the connections...the dash lights go nuts and it makes some horrid noises. He then flips them again- it now doesn't even try to start. I say "this test drive is over, enjoy your car" and get out and start to walk back. He's following to get another charger and says "You know, with powerful engines and hurst shifters and stuff this is common". I state: "I have an LS1 car at home, sold another LS1 car last december, and have a similiar "powerful engine" in my Grand Cherokee. Poor service has no correlation to a powerful engine and please don't lie to me- the GTO does not come with a hurst shifter". He says "Whatever man, its got a CAGS hurst shifter". I stop talking to him, walk the 1/2 mile back to my car...and go home.
I'll be calling the dealership today to try and speak with a manager; not only was the vehicle poorly maintained (if just an oversight, I could go with it), but the salesman was near useless, damaged the vehicle, AND lied.
If any of you are from the area...please share. This is my 3rd bad experience with a Koon's dealership.