BUYING 8/10
Bought my 2002 3.5SE from them in August 2004. Got a good price for it, but only because noone was buying. This Altima sat on Carsoup.com for 2 1/2 months before I bought it, that's how I know. Overall the buying transaction was pretty good. They even gave it a final shampooing because the owner before me smoked cigars...excessively, from what I could smell. Anyways, that's beside the point. As a buying transaction I'd give them 8/10.
SERVICE 4/10
Within the first month of owning the car, I started having issues with the clutch pedal dropping to the floor spontaneously, and then regaining "pressure" at some other random point in time. They adjusted the clutch 3 times. I told them I thought it might be the clutch master cylinder, but what do I know. After getting stranded in downtown Minneapolis on a Friday on the way home from work with a severely slipping clutch, the "master" mechanic looked at it after being towed in and diagnosed a clutch master cylinder after ~15mins. I didn't pay for this as it was covered under Lemon Law, and probably why the dealership balked at fixing it properly. How's that for service?
I was getting tired of listening to two particular noises after a few months so I brought the car in for a squeak and a rattle. My extended warranty took care of the squeak charges (idler pulley), however, Lupient's misdiagnosis of the problem did not. The squeak lives on.
The rattle cost me ~$400 (new rear struts). Guess what, not fixed either. I had to front the $400 because my extended warranty did not cover the rear suspension (just about the only part of the car it doesn't cover, except brakes and clutch wear). NOT happy, gave up trying to find the noises and just live with them. How's that for service?
Bring my car in for oil changes regularly, as required by my extended warranty. Last time they forgot to check the fluids under the hood (coolant overflow was empty before/after oil change). They forgot to do it this time as well. In addition they, or their wash, put a scratch in my hood down to the primer. I informed a service person who didn't try to rectify the situation. He said they used a touchless wash when I said that it probably happened when the attendants towel dried the car. Nothing came of our conversation besides having my coolant reservoir filled. How's that for service?
Here is an email I sent to the dealership and am awaiting reply:
Quote:
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I have had most of my service done at your dealership as I bought my car from you. Recently, I brought my car in for a 3,750mile service. It seems the overflow tank for the radiator was not checked and filled (it was empty when I brought the car in). I also found a new scratch on the hood presumably from the "Free" car wash. I don't expect alot from a service perspective, but when I pay $40 for an oil change I could do myself for $6, I expect my car not to be scratched when I get it back. I'm certain the scratch was an accident, that is not the issue. I mentioned the scratch to someone in the service dept. and he didn't seem to think that it was done during the car wash process. I don't expect a new paint job or even a buff/wax. I just want to know that when my car goes into the shop it will be done right, with no problems. If this kind of service is not feasible, then perhaps I'll find another place to do business. Thanks for your time.
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