Beware of your dealership!!

[96SEChick]

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums....umber=1 (http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19809&pagenumber=1)

It's a lot to read, but it is insane what this dipshit did to this girl's '03 Cobra.  It makes me think twice before leaving my car at a dealership when I have warranty work done.  Luckily, I've already found the bad dealership in my town--and the good one (I found out the hard way, too).

[-E-]

That guy is one stupid mofo <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>

[chickenmanq]

What's wrong with that? &nbsp;The guy checked it out. &nbsp;It checked out ok. &nbsp;To test it, he took it out and ran it. &nbsp;So fucking what? &nbsp;If he had dented it or left no rubber on the tires, yeah, there's a reason to be pissed. &nbsp;But to take a car out to see if it's running alright, let alone a Cobra mustang. &nbsp;140 isn't that fast for the car. &nbsp;I've driven Cobra mustangs. &nbsp;They handle great. &nbsp;

My point is what's wrong with testing a car to it's capabilities when left at the dealer to find the source of a problem? &nbsp;If I took my car to the dealer, I'd want them to run the car at least 10 miles hard if I had performance worries. &nbsp;If they wreck it, the dealer replaces it. &nbsp;There's nothing you could do to a brand new Cobra in normal aggressive driving that would cause other problems.

IMO-The only thing this kid did wrong was report his experience to the rest of his board in full detail.

[sykikchimp]

Wow, what a dumb mother***** &nbsp;It makes me think twice about leaving my car for service.. &nbsp;definately not leaving on the lot anymore.

[Fresh 240SX]

Heh Its a mustang.... no Biggums &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[Titan]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 28 2002,12:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What's wrong with that? The guy checked it out. It checked out ok. To test it, he took it out and ran it. So fucking what? If he had dented it or left no rubber on the tires, yeah, there's a reason to be pissed. But to take a car out to see if it's running alright, let alone a Cobra mustang. 140 isn't that fast for the car. I've driven Cobra mustangs. They handle great.

My point is what's wrong with testing a car to it's capabilities when left at the dealer to find the source of a problem? If I took my car to the dealer, I'd want them to run the car at least 10 miles hard if I had performance worries. If they wreck it, the dealer replaces it. There's nothing you could do to a brand new Cobra in normal aggressive driving that would cause other problems.

IMO-The only thing this kid did wrong was report his experience to the rest of his board in full detail.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
The point is he took the car to 140 for no good reason! The only point of the trip was for him to have fun, not to diagnos any problem. I believe he did all the tests in the shop (cat temp, etc.). If you had a $35,000 car I doubt you would want some punk to take it to 140.

It's not whether the car can take that speed or not, it's the principle of respecting another person's baby.

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Titan @ Sep. 28 2002,3:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--chickenmanq+Sep. 28 2002,12<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 28 2002,12<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>1)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What's wrong with that? The guy checked it out. It checked out ok. To test it, he took it out and ran it. So fucking what? If he had dented it or left no rubber on the tires, yeah, there's a reason to be pissed. But to take a car out to see if it's running alright, let alone a Cobra mustang. 140 isn't that fast for the car. I've driven Cobra mustangs. They handle great.

My point is what's wrong with testing a car to it's capabilities when left at the dealer to find the source of a problem? If I took my car to the dealer, I'd want them to run the car at least 10 miles hard if I had performance worries. If they wreck it, the dealer replaces it. There's nothing you could do to a brand new Cobra in normal aggressive driving that would cause other problems.

IMO-The only thing this kid did wrong was report his experience to the rest of his board in full detail.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
The point is he took the car to 140 for no good reason! The only point of the trip was for him to have fun, not to diagnos any problem. I believe he did all the tests in the shop (cat temp, etc.). If you had a $35,000 car I doubt you would want some punk to take it to 140.

It's not whether the car can take that speed or not, it's the principle of respecting another person's baby.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
It's all a matter of Respect. &nbsp;The punk had NONE.

[chickenmanq]

But you can't seek legal action for respect. Besides that, did it hurt anything? I seriously doubt it. Much less, if the original owner had any respect for the car, she wouldn't be taking it to the dealership in the first place.

I agree the kid probably needs to grow up a bit, or at least get smarter with what he posts on the net, but did you read all the replies on that Mustang forum? They're all talking about getting him fired, getting compensation from the dealership, etc. FOR WHAT?! So the kid ran it up to 140. Big fat hairy deal! The only thing the owner of the car might rationally decide to do is seek compensation for the kid calling her a dumb bitch or whatever in his post.

Other than that, she'll be trying to instigate a legal battle based on "what-ifs". The kid didn't wreck it, he checked out the car. Regardless of his "test ride" in it, he didn't hurt anything and therefore shouldn't be the subject of a mud-slinging campaign, no matter how juvenile he is.

Side note: &nbsp;Contrary to popular belief, no matter what car I had, if someone ran it up to top speed in my abscence and didn't cause any problems, I wouldn't care. &nbsp;The car is meant to go fast. &nbsp;If I was the owner of that 35,000 dollar car, I would have told the kid congrats for getting it up that high, and asked him if he noticed anything else wrong with it at speed.

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 29 2002,10:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Much less, if the original owner had any respect for the car, she wouldn't be taking it to the dealership in the first place.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
How so? She bought a warrenty for her car she has the right to take it there for good service. Not every person on the planet has expansive knowledge of cars and knows how to work on them.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Side note: &nbsp;Contrary to popular belief, no matter what car I had, if someone ran it up to top speed in my abscence and didn't cause any problems, I wouldn't care. &nbsp;The car is meant to go fast. &nbsp;If I was the owner of that 35,000 dollar car, I would have told the kid congrats for getting it up that high, and asked him if he noticed anything else wrong with it at speed.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Your not her, a person that specified that the incident not happen.

[chickenmanq]

You're &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> and no I'm not her. &nbsp;I was replying to the comment that if it was me, I wouldn't like it.

I know that some people don't have an expansive knowledge of cars or tools to work on them. &nbsp;I don't begrudge them that, but as for taking it to the dealership, I've ingrained it in myself and everyone else I meet that the dealership is always a last resort. &nbsp;

I will pose this question: &nbsp;Since the car in question was in for lack of performance or whatever, would it change the outcome of the "test ride" if at 140, the car started sputtering, indicating a malfunction at high speeds? &nbsp;Even though the kid may have been having fun, nothing bad happened to the car and he wasn't able to make the car reproduce any power loss. &nbsp;Whether he was "joy-riding" or "test-riding" doesn't matter. &nbsp;It served a functional purpose of checking the vehicle whether he acknowledged that or not.

[Titan]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 28 2002,6:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You're <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> and no I'm not her. I was replying to the comment that if it was me, I wouldn't like it.

I know that some people don't have an expansive knowledge of cars or tools to work on them. I don't begrudge them that, but as for taking it to the dealership, I've ingrained it in myself and everyone else I meet that the dealership is always a last resort.

I will pose this question: Since the car in question was in for lack of performance or whatever, would it change the outcome of the "test ride" if at 140, the car started sputtering, indicating a malfunction at high speeds? Even though the kid may have been having fun, nothing bad happened to the car and he wasn't able to make the car reproduce any power loss. Whether he was "joy-riding" or "test-riding" doesn't matter. It served a functional purpose of checking the vehicle whether he acknowledged that or not.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
First of all, I doubt the kid actually did it on an "abandoned runway", considering he didn't mention that until AFTER he got flamed. In any case, I hope you realize, chickenmang, that driving at 140 is illegal, "test-drive" or not, it risks lives needlessly.

I hope the kid does get fired. I don't care whether or not you can charge someone on "respect issues", we all know it's wrong, even if it isn't in the books.

And like ca18guy pointed out, just because you personally would allow someone to do so, doesn't mean other people are alright with it.

[chickenmanq]

Alright, I'm gonna drop it. I don't think it was all that bad, while I do understand the owner is entitled to her feelings. Yes it is her car, and if she feels it was treated wrongly, she will probably take action in one form or another. If it was my car, I wouldn't care.

Titan: Yes, I know 140 is illegal. Not to sound immature, but I hold no regard for speed limits on the interstates. I always drive as fast as conditions allow. So far, I've not endangered any lives except my own. And that's fine with me.

I always go 10 mph through school zones, but on the open roads outside of town, it's open throttle. Unless of course there are too many cars, or the road surface is too wavy to drive at high speed. (i.e. "conditions") It's like that near Page, taking H89 to Flag. Big swells and frost heaves. You can jump it right off the road if you go fast enough.

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 29 2002,12:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I will pose this question: Since the car in question was in for lack of performance or whatever, would it change the outcome of the "test ride" if at 140, the car started sputtering, indicating a malfunction at high speeds? Even though the kid may have been having fun, nothing bad happened to the car and he wasn't able to make the car reproduce any power loss. Whether he was "joy-riding" or "test-riding" doesn't matter. It served a functional purpose of checking the vehicle whether he acknowledged that or not.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
It was in for lack of power and poor gas milage. &nbsp;The tech said he checked those with his diagnostic tools, all he needed to do was drive it around the block to make sure it was warmed up. If she came in and said "my car feels funny when ever I drive it 140 mph" then maybe he should have done it. &nbsp;I'm sure if a tech drove my car cross country it would serve a functional service to diagnosing a problem as much as taking the car up to 140 is a funtional service. That said, the guy should be fired and the lady given free service and that should be that, no need for lawsuits. No need to make a big deal out of a common occurance.

[chickenmanq]

I was going to say see previous response. &nbsp;(I'm gonna drop it.) &nbsp;I guess it all comes down to the particular owner. &nbsp;I think maybe if the guy does this with most cars and is as immature as his posts indicate, then yeah, fire him until he grows up. &nbsp;But free service? &nbsp;I dunno about that. &nbsp;I'll say.......maybe. &nbsp;Ok, I'm done now. &nbsp;Not going to respond to this post anymore. &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;Really, I'm not. &nbsp;(*mumbles "unless someone posts something else")

[whateverjames]

although it's true that taking that particular mustang especially, up to 140 is no big deal for the car itself, it's still disrespectful and somewhat dishonest to the owner. i could understand if i built up a motor from a well respected shop and they're testing the turbocharger, but this was a brand new car.

i sort of think of it this way. ever had an extremely loud home stereo or car stereo and someone who doesn't know anything about it or what it can handle, just goes up to it and turns it up full blast? that drives me nuts! sure it may be able to handle it, and i may turn it up that loud sometimes, but the person turned it up to a random high volume not knowing how loud it would actually be or if it would be damaging to the speakers.

that's how i feel about this situation. this guy drives 96 GT then steps into a 390hp supercharged 6 speed mustang i just bought. he doesn't know the limits of the car. sure, the thing's insured, but if he wrecked it and i put a lot of money in bolt ons, i would get screwed if they were unusable. all becuase he wanted to have fun.

i didn't read the whole thing, but it looks like his title under his username is Ex-Ford Mechanic &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[chickenmanq]

Yeah, alright, I can see what you're all getting at. &nbsp;I still wouldn't care if it were myself, but yeah. &nbsp;Ok, I'm not responding to this topic anymore. &nbsp;Really. &nbsp;No more. &nbsp;Not even once. &nbsp;Seriously. &nbsp;(*mumbles "So Jesus is made of crackers?" &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> watching South Park. &nbsp;hehehe)

[gschroeder78]

I'll just say that myfirst impression is that it is all BS. I think the fact that he gave the plate# is too conveinient. The mech and the owner are the same person and it is just some cooked up prank to get people stirred up for some reason. Thats just my impression. But think about it. " I drove this Viper today like a bat out of hell and it didn't belong to me. and guess what the license plate # was?" I guess I just don't buy it.

[whateverjames]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (chickenmanq @ Sep. 29 2002,12:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yeah, alright, I can see what you're all getting at. I still wouldn't care if it were myself, but yeah. Ok, I'm not responding to this topic anymore. Really. No more. Not even once. Seriously. (*mumbles "So Jesus is made of crackers?" <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> watching South Park. hehehe)</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
hehe. well. i should have mentioned that i wasn't disagreeing with everything you said. i was just runnin' my mouth and voicing my opinion about it to everyone in general. &nbsp;<img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> i got a bad habit of that.

[chickenmanq]

LOL! &nbsp;Hey, me too! <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[Bamboo628]

Man, it's just one huge online drama.
It makes a good western movie if you think about it.
Ok, we got our villians, our hero, there are a lot of mustang(horses <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>),
damsel in distress, and a whole bunch of extras.
Texas, San Antonio; and the location is perfect for a western.
I'm just messing <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> , but back to the topic and let me add my 2 cents.
Gschroeder78 might be on to something here; it smells like bullsh!t to me too.
However, if this whole thing is actually true;
then, I think that old saying applies here; 'It isn't a crime until you get caught.'
This is a perfect example of how a big mouth can get you into a whole heap of trouble.

[fodive]

well it was probably a custom plate or something, thats why he was pointing it out, but i couldnt see the plate, they edited it

[SR20Fastback]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fodive @ Sep. 28 2002,11:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">well it was probably a custom plate or something, thats why he was pointing it out, but i couldnt see the plate, they edited it</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Same, Im almost positive it is a custom plate, because who would seriously post some plate thats just like hjd-b59?

No One! heh <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[bing]

i just wasted my whole afternoon reading all that shit.

plate was 'vnms 03' or something like that.

more than 300,000 views in a few days to 2-3 threads.

over 130 links from other forums from cars to fishing to riflemen.

japanese business men with 03 cobras in their collection pouring sympathy in broken english.

they hit alaska, australia, japan, germany etc.

every car fourm is represented and it just keeps going. lawyers have been attained, and advised the women not to reply on the internet anhy further, so her friend starts a new thread for support.

it's hilarious.

probably tops the RX-7 theft, the Corvette vs. Turbo civic si race for $$$, and the VW lawsuit thing.

the concept of the internet grows more and more interesting...

[96SEChick]

Someone on one of those threads proved the "Ex-Ford Mechanic" false on his statement of running it on an abandoned runway. &nbsp;There is someone that lives in San Antonio and is very familiar with the area--he said that there isn't an abandoned runway w/in like 30 miles of that dealership. &nbsp;So, if he really did take the car there, it was even more wrong to do so. &nbsp;But, I doubt he took it to a runway--I can almost bet he beat on the car on a highway.

Also, it was a new car. &nbsp;It wasn't even broken in yet, so it shouldn't have been driven at those speeds to begin with. &nbsp;And I totally agree with her taking it to the dealership for a diagnosis--she paid a lot of money for an awesome car and she's using the warranty while she has it--the same reason I still take my car to the shop.

It amazes me how far this thread has made it around the world--literally. &nbsp;Even somebody from a YUGO forum has made it!! &nbsp;lol

[fodive]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (96SEChick @ Sep. 29 2002,9:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> Even somebody from a YUGO forum has made it!! lol</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
they have those???


hahahahaha <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>