Okay, so here’s the bad news. The new car, is in fact a bit of a disappointment. There I was, in the throes of new car ownership *second-hand.
My dad had mentioned the three or four previous owners was bad. It was also an ex-company car. I think I erred on the side of positiveness and thought plenty of motorway miles, that’s okay in comparison to same mileage being done city.
My bro noticed the side of the one of the doors was abnormally outta place – it was infact bent. Bent where the door metal meets the window. And the window seal was cackhandely shoved down and around the dent. Imagine a straight line, parallel to the line of the bottom of the window. Then take the last inch of this and bend it about 30 degs South, straight down. Don’t ask me why I didn’t notice this at first. My poor Mum noticed when she came with me to pick the car up, and I just pooh poohed it.
Anyway, I was going to come online and give a little summary of new car ownership since selling my Z4, and now the story has taken a little turn as above. Then, the car was also shuddering about 50mph. A call to the garage of the car garage I bought this from (Wheelers in Chipping Norton). And I was told I was welcome to bring the car in to have this stuff looked at.
A trip, with a male, to the garage. Manager of servicing said they would get this sorted. I left for the 120mile round trip in a 1.0l courtesy car. Then, a call yesterday morning. We’ve got a bodyshop guy to look at the body damage and it’s not worth our while to get it fixed. Sorry, do you want it back or a refund. Oh, the balancing of the wheels has been done so the shuddering is eliminated.
So, for a second hand car, profressional set up, they are happy to sell the car like that, at a premium. It was listed for £7495. Waay overpriced.
Anyway, this situation is frustrating. I am going tomorrow morning to Chipping Norton to return the courtesy car, empty the Golf of my things and get my money back.
Why have I named the garage? Because also, when I paid the deposit upon buying the car at the end of August, the salesman offered me:
Service and cam belt change included in the FULL price. I said no, I want cash discount. I had looked at other adverts and test driven other cars so knew the current market pricing a little bit. He said well the cam belt change would cost you at least £400 from VW so why not take the car with all the work done, save me money. Again, I said no. We agreed on a price, excluding work.
I looked up the cost of a cam belt change for a Golf, and it was over £400 at VW!! I was a little scared. So called VW. It turns out the 1.6 fsi DOESN’T HAVE a cambelt! It has a timing chain. Therefore, there was no cam that needed changing. The salesman had been trying to look like he was selling me something for a smaller price and also asked if I valued my safety and the wellbeing of the car! I started feeling annoyed.
On the way home, I got a call that he had made a mistake with the invoice. And the total price quoted was £200 short. I said I agree it was a mistake on his part and accepted upon the settling of the remaining balance, I would add the £200.
After a little thought, I realised I should get the service done, if they would do it for free. I spoke to the salesman again. He said he would check with the mechanics and call me back. When I was looking at the V5 date and HPI, the two didn’t tally. So I called the salesman and at the same time, he informed me the service had been completed and car was ready. He let me know there was £199 extra to pay. HUH? What £199 I said? I wasn’t aware there was a cost associated. I was then accused of ordering work which I wasn’t going to pay for. Of getting work done which I didn’t want to pay for. I explained that he didn’t call me to let me know the quote for the service so I hadn’t been informed there was any extra cost. When I asked about servicing he didn’t say there was an extra cost. He put me on the phone to the owner’s son. And the son shouted at me down the phone!! So I just calmly asked him about good customer service. Asked him why I wasn’t provided a quote, or phoned to inform me the service could be done that morning and alerted to the associated cost. Again, this twerp (about my age possibly), shouted at me and accused me or wanting something done and wanting it for free. I simply asked how often does a person order a good or service and not make themselves aware of the cost to weigh up whether they can afford it? He just stumbled. The line then went dead. I think the b*stard hung up on me. I know I sound petty or angry now, but I tried to keep things on a good form and not bite anyone’s head off. I thought I would use the invoice issued (with the minus £200) if they were going to play like this. That was my safety card if you know what I mean. In the end, the original salesman phoned me back, like a little animal with tail between it’s legs, saying what can we do here to have the sale? So we agreed they would not charge for the poxy service. (They left the air filter housing off too, a tube. My bro spotted that).
Anyway, so all in all, it was a bit rocky to start and now I have to drive 60 odd miles to Oxfordshire and get my money back.
If anyone knows of a Golf FSI 1.6l with lower than 40k mileage, let me know. Or if you have a recommendation of a good second hand garage, please let me know. I promise I won’t shout at them if: they don’t try and rip me off!!!
Okay, time for a cup of tea I think
.
My dad had mentioned the three or four previous owners was bad. It was also an ex-company car. I think I erred on the side of positiveness and thought plenty of motorway miles, that’s okay in comparison to same mileage being done city.
My bro noticed the side of the one of the doors was abnormally outta place – it was infact bent. Bent where the door metal meets the window. And the window seal was cackhandely shoved down and around the dent. Imagine a straight line, parallel to the line of the bottom of the window. Then take the last inch of this and bend it about 30 degs South, straight down. Don’t ask me why I didn’t notice this at first. My poor Mum noticed when she came with me to pick the car up, and I just pooh poohed it.
Anyway, I was going to come online and give a little summary of new car ownership since selling my Z4, and now the story has taken a little turn as above. Then, the car was also shuddering about 50mph. A call to the garage of the car garage I bought this from (Wheelers in Chipping Norton). And I was told I was welcome to bring the car in to have this stuff looked at.
A trip, with a male, to the garage. Manager of servicing said they would get this sorted. I left for the 120mile round trip in a 1.0l courtesy car. Then, a call yesterday morning. We’ve got a bodyshop guy to look at the body damage and it’s not worth our while to get it fixed. Sorry, do you want it back or a refund. Oh, the balancing of the wheels has been done so the shuddering is eliminated.
So, for a second hand car, profressional set up, they are happy to sell the car like that, at a premium. It was listed for £7495. Waay overpriced.
Anyway, this situation is frustrating. I am going tomorrow morning to Chipping Norton to return the courtesy car, empty the Golf of my things and get my money back.
Why have I named the garage? Because also, when I paid the deposit upon buying the car at the end of August, the salesman offered me:
Service and cam belt change included in the FULL price. I said no, I want cash discount. I had looked at other adverts and test driven other cars so knew the current market pricing a little bit. He said well the cam belt change would cost you at least £400 from VW so why not take the car with all the work done, save me money. Again, I said no. We agreed on a price, excluding work.
I looked up the cost of a cam belt change for a Golf, and it was over £400 at VW!! I was a little scared. So called VW. It turns out the 1.6 fsi DOESN’T HAVE a cambelt! It has a timing chain. Therefore, there was no cam that needed changing. The salesman had been trying to look like he was selling me something for a smaller price and also asked if I valued my safety and the wellbeing of the car! I started feeling annoyed.
On the way home, I got a call that he had made a mistake with the invoice. And the total price quoted was £200 short. I said I agree it was a mistake on his part and accepted upon the settling of the remaining balance, I would add the £200.
After a little thought, I realised I should get the service done, if they would do it for free. I spoke to the salesman again. He said he would check with the mechanics and call me back. When I was looking at the V5 date and HPI, the two didn’t tally. So I called the salesman and at the same time, he informed me the service had been completed and car was ready. He let me know there was £199 extra to pay. HUH? What £199 I said? I wasn’t aware there was a cost associated. I was then accused of ordering work which I wasn’t going to pay for. Of getting work done which I didn’t want to pay for. I explained that he didn’t call me to let me know the quote for the service so I hadn’t been informed there was any extra cost. When I asked about servicing he didn’t say there was an extra cost. He put me on the phone to the owner’s son. And the son shouted at me down the phone!! So I just calmly asked him about good customer service. Asked him why I wasn’t provided a quote, or phoned to inform me the service could be done that morning and alerted to the associated cost. Again, this twerp (about my age possibly), shouted at me and accused me or wanting something done and wanting it for free. I simply asked how often does a person order a good or service and not make themselves aware of the cost to weigh up whether they can afford it? He just stumbled. The line then went dead. I think the b*stard hung up on me. I know I sound petty or angry now, but I tried to keep things on a good form and not bite anyone’s head off. I thought I would use the invoice issued (with the minus £200) if they were going to play like this. That was my safety card if you know what I mean. In the end, the original salesman phoned me back, like a little animal with tail between it’s legs, saying what can we do here to have the sale? So we agreed they would not charge for the poxy service. (They left the air filter housing off too, a tube. My bro spotted that).
Anyway, so all in all, it was a bit rocky to start and now I have to drive 60 odd miles to Oxfordshire and get my money back.
If anyone knows of a Golf FSI 1.6l with lower than 40k mileage, let me know. Or if you have a recommendation of a good second hand garage, please let me know. I promise I won’t shout at them if: they don’t try and rip me off!!!
Okay, time for a cup of tea I think
.
Liverpool
the dash is a design winner from a blue peter under 12's competition & the rear spoiler goes right across the eye view in rear mirror ! they are so lightwieght they blow all over on motorways in the slightest of winds .
