226 replies to this topic

[garyk220]

Hi Ian, Sorry to hear you've had so much trouble with your car. I agree with Bob that some decent service from the dealer would have helped lessen the impact of it. I've found the service side of things a bit hit and miss up here. I've alternated between Belmont in Edinburgh and Ian Grieve Stirling. The trouble IMO is neither sell enough VXs to offer the level of service you'd expect. Each time my car has been in, I get the impression it's the first time the service guy has driven a VX I've bought both my cars from Belmont though, so they must be doing something right Simon is very enthusiastic about the VX, and he knows how to drive it properly. If you've not test driven the VXT yet, give him a call, it's well worth it. As for the seatbelt rubbing the centre console. Mine does that too - can't say I've lost any sleep over it yet. It's just and wear and tear IMO. Good to see another member from Central Scotland! There's almost enough of us now to organise a drive Would you be interested? Gary

Edited by garyk220, 14 April 2003 - 09:45 AM.

[vx_220]

I went to Browns of Loughton on Friday to get my boot fixed. Essentially the boot refused to close, and so wasn't locked and stuck up making this obvious. I asked them to fit it under warranty, and they duly did the repair. Went to pick it up in the evening and was told this wasn't under warranty at all, and that I would have to pay. I argued my heart out but they refused to give me the keys unless I paid. Quite how fixing the boot can be deemed outside warranty is beyond me. Won't be buying a turbo from them. Chris

[Jim_Cross]

Well, after my "pre-test-drive" chat, here's my thoughts on J Toomey, Basildon, Essex:

As posted on the Evo Forum (with similies replaced ):
Well, despite the poor service I'd received over the weekend, I headed back to Toomey Vauxhall in Basildon for the "pre-test-drive" chat. I arrived about 5 minutes earlier, and was told the "salesman" (see later) who I was waiting to see was at lunch and that he'd be back soon. This gave me a chance to flick through the brochure.
He arrived about 10 minutes later (5 minutes late, not bad, could have been worse and he did apologise), seemed like quite a reasonable guy, didn't look at me and tell me to feck off, so things were looking promising.
Sat down and chatted briefly - I said I wasn't sure about new or used, explaining that I could afford either, but didn't want to fall foul of rock-like depreciation.
He asked if I'd like to sit in one, so I obliged, and he took me out to the very yellow Turbo in a locked room and opened it up (despite there being a 2.2 in the showroom - the one they wouldn't unlock on Sunday).
The seats are certainly hard, but don't feel too bad, and getting in wasn't as bad as I expected (even with the roof on), maybe I'm just very bendy .
So I had a good poke around inside, explained that I'd need to fit a guitar and amp in etc, he offered to get a tape measure, but I've got most of the measurements already.
Went back to his desk to work out some figures. He came up with a price of around £21500 including the options I wanted. I explained that I Know of at least 2 dealers who will beat the Internet Special price (~£20495), and will do it for bang on £20k. He gave me a frown, then claimed they'd be doing it at a loss, and if they're offering that price, to snap their arm off. OK, so he's not exactly giving it the hard sell. Finally, he said he could match the special price, but could go no lower.
We then briefly discussed finance, but he said I'd be better off with a bank loan. Right, is this meant to be a salesman or what? I don't like the hard sell, but FFS, at least put some effort in.
I said I was definitely interested, hinting that a test drive would be nice, but I wasn't going to beg. He said to go away, have a think about it, and if I decide that I will buy it as long as it drives OK, he'll arrange a test drive. Then (the comedy bit is approaching) he started saying what a hassle it would be to sort out - he'd have to go to Norfolk, pick up a demo car, drive it back, do the test drive, then take it back to Norfolk. FFS, they're a VX220 "specialist", you'd think they'd have a bloody VX220 demo car available!
At that point I decided that if they were that badly prepared, and that unwilling to sell me a car, they weren't worth dealing with anymore, so took his card and left.
I'll be ringing around a few other garages to see if they've actually got demo cars in, or will be taking Wayne up on his very kind offer.

On the upside, I did have a cracking drive home. Perfect weather, great roads, almost no traffic. Would have been just right for a VX220 test drive.

Edited by Jim_Cross, 15 April 2003 - 02:18 PM.

[VEX]

How crap is that. You have to beg Wayne NOT to grab his keys and say 'come on, we'll go for a spin'. So Toomeys go down as a 'Not' then. Yours came from Toomeys didn't it Bogbrush? Cw

[TheRockstar]

That is Rubbish. Steve Thompsons in Lichfield let me drive the car I bought no question with no discussion beforehand. Then when my car was in for some work, I asked if I could drive the Turbo, and they virtually threw me the keys!.. Any good salesman worth his salt would know that 90% of selling a car like the VX is the driving experience. Everything else is trimmings. The only way to sell the car well is to let you drive it. Nick

[PaulCP]

Warwick Shubrook in Diss & Yarmouth let me have 3 test drives before i finally decided and have oferred me a drive in the Turbo even though they know that i will not be trading in for one. They also know that i have modded my car but have agreed to do work under warranty. Diss is a 1hour drive from Basildon but also i believe that the dealer in Colchester has a good reputation as well.

[huwj]

I can't believe some peoples experiences with snotty dealers!! Last year my missus and I went down to Hartwell Vauxhall in Sheffield to have a nosey at the VX - we had no intention of buying a car; we were just window shopping. Despite the fact that we are both early twenties and turned up in an old Saxo, Ryan the salesman was really nice - he was enthusiastic about the car more than happy to chat to us on a busy saturday afternoon. He offered us both test drives without us even asking!! Three weeks ago we decided to look seriously at buying a VX and I noticed there was a nice ex-demo at Smiths of Ilkeston (near Nottingham) we called in there on our way down the M1 to visit family. It was 4pm on a Saturday afternoon and Simon the salesman was more than happy to take us out on a test drive despite the fact the car was in the showroom not on the pitch. He knew we had already driven the car in Sheffield and was strongly of the opinion that when we drove it again we would be reminded how fantastic it was and we would sign on the dotted line..... he was right!! We will be picking up said VX from Smiths of Ilkeston tomorrow (Friday) morning and although I have no aftersales experience yet, on the basis of what I have seen so far both of these dealers come highly recommended!!

[Jim_Cross]

In stark constrast to my Toomey experiences, I have nothing but praise for Crownhill in Milton Keynes. Wayne's obviously a total petrol head, and let me drive his Turbo even though I'm not buying one, and spent loads of time with me. Top bloke, and a top dealership with an excellent stock of VXs, and they're obviously very well set up for them. I travelled 170 miles (roundtrip) to go there, and am seriously glad I did! Keep it up guys!

[CALYPSO_VXT]

Having just taken delivery of my VXT I guess it's appropriate to post a comment or two about the dealer I bought from. I bought from my local garage and I can put my hand on heart and say that the service I received was the best I have ever had when buying a car and I've bought a few in my time. From the second I walked into the showroom in March to the moment I drove away last night they have been superb and the whole experience was a pleasure. I wont bore everyone with all the details but the sales consultant - knew what he was talking about and had personal experience with all aspects of the car including track days etc. - was open, honest and was prepared to offer me a really good deal without me having to barter for hours on end. - never hastled me once when making a decision - received numerous calls from me over the 6 weeks I was waiting and handled every single one with great efficiency and respect and ALWAYS called back when he promised to - was prepared to come in on his holiday to make sure the car was delivered to me in time for Easter - was prepared to work late into the evening if necessary to make sure every thing was perfect for me when I arrived to pick it up and ensured he was there to hand it over personally - went through everything in detail when I collected the car, took me out on the road and ensured I knew everything I needed to before driving away - even gave me his telephone number to call anytime over the Easter holiday if I had a problem or question with the car, despite the fact he was on holiday for 5 days I wont name the Sales Consultant or Garage until I have spoken and asked his permission, but rest assured there are some genuinely great dealers out there and I will post his details once he agrees.

[garyk220]

Having just taken delivery of my VXT...

From the second I walked into the showroom in March to the moment I drove away last night...

I ordered a Calypso Red VXT in February, and I'm still waiting on it Anyone know of Vauxhall are prioritising orders for some dealers??? If so, mine must be near the bottom of the list.

Sorry to hijack your post Calypso_VXT!! Nice choice of colour BTW

[turboman]

Hi. No. everyone joins the same list.

[SSH1]

FG Barnes Maidstone - absolutely awful. Dingy old building & decor, looks like it was last refurbished in 1973, crappy overcrowded car park ideal place for your car to get damaged by other careless drivers/staff, totally unhelpful & unknowledgeable service staff, car comes back dirtier than when it went in. A big fat zero out of ten, wouldn't go back there if you paid me.

[B4D_VX]

I've not yet really had dealer experiences, good or bad....... We've sourced various Vauxhalls from a local dealer - York Ward & Rowlatt in Wellingborough, where the service has always been superb. Both the Vectra GSi and Astra SRi Turbo we bought were available from stock, and our Vivaro was built to order but took half the quoted time. The sales team are most helpful, and arranged for me to borrow their VX for the day when my Vectra went in for a few niggles to be put right. All cars have been in for warranty work, and they've never moaned in the slightest that all the vehicles are modified. It's a crying shame they aren't an approved VX dealer as their salesmen and service staff are keen and friendly. My VX came from the Vaux dealer in Chesterfield - not sure of their name. It was supplied by our lease company so I never actually dealt direct with the dealer. I'd have preferred a local car, but the deal I was offered on this ex-demo was too good to refuse. The dealer don't seem very clued up as the car failed the RAC inspection 3 times before it was released to Lex - due to problems like insufficient fuel for test drive, paperwork not with car, etc. Minor problems but this held the delivery of my car up. For servicing, our local VX dealer is W Grose in Northampton - I've never had a lot to do with them, so hope their mechanics know what they're doing, although taking to Milton Keynes seems like a good option as nobody on this site can say a bad word against them! I think it'll come down to who will give me a VXT as a courtesy car

[mags993tt]

I'm having some pretty major problems with my dealer. In fact my car is with them for the 4th rectification attempt, all rectifications stemming from something they bust while fitting an optional extra before I even took delivery of the car...This has been going on for around 6 months. While they have the car (and promise that it will all be fixed perfectly this time) I thought I would have them fit Heli tape to the front bumper/clam as a goodwill gesture but unfortunately they have never heard of it and apparently neither has Vauxhall...Can someone please confirm I'm not going mad and give me the part number so I can forward it to them. I'm sure I saw a post on the old site where an owner with stone chip woes had it fitted FOC. Thanks

[VEX]

Mags, I am sorry to here of your woes, and this will add to them but I think the Heli tape option has deleted now. Bloody hard to fit as well. Makes my issues look small, still a pain in the arse, but small all the same.

[Thorney]

Spoke with one of our non web members who asked me to post up the very positive feedback he had from Lookers at Aston. Knowledgible bunch from what he says (Mr Millard his name is) and very well looked after.

[mags993tt]

Mags,

I am sorry to here of your woes, and this will add to them but I think the Heli tape option has deleted now.

Bloody hard to fit as well.

Makes my issues look small, still a pain in the arse, but small all the same.

Thanks for the fast feedback. I'm sure they wouldn't have been able to fit it anyway...Armourfend sounds like the way to go I guess.

[jim]

My 2cents... (oh and my first post! ) Bayliss, Haines & strange. Cheltenham. Excellent service. My experience so far is limited to Steve their specialist, so enthuthisiastic about the the car, so knowledgeable and so eager to please, they have several in stock and he was very willing to show me everything he has in, whether, new, used or in various states of repair. Even going as far as to show me one that is waiting to go back to vauxhall due to a paint fault. He kept apologising for not being able to take me out for a 'proper' test drive on his usual VX route which i understand includes lots of twisty bits (he said you HAVE to drive it quickly through the twisty bits to appriciate the car, i can now see why) it was a saturday and they were short staffed, but he did spend as much time with me as i needed, i still got a decent drive and has promised me a proper test when i want one (i'll be back this week). So much better than my experiences with Honda dealers, but thats another story. Come to think about it, a better experience than i've had with any dealer. Steve if you read this. Thanks for your time and great service. Oh and we still have to thrash out a deal I cant comment about the service dept, but i got the distinct impression that the VX specialist technition (?spelling) is as mad about the car as he is, which can only be a good thing! I now have loads of questions for you all which i'll post separately.