Thanks for the info, I'll be doing that. They should just give loaners to all new car purchases regardless of the selling dealer.

 

[quote="EVS Motors"]Problem is you can only do it at the dealer you purchased it at. I recently moved and the dealer thats by me refuses to give me a loaner because it wasn't purchased there. With a BMW or MB you can get a loaner anywhere.

[quote="texex91"][quote="EVS Motors"]


Nope, can do it at ANY dealer. I bought mine at a dealer 6 hours from where I live, and I have it serviced locally. Have your dealer call DCX, and straighten them out.

 

Some of the dealers are mixing apples and oranges, and it's confusing them and some customers.

The 'loaner' you get from the dealer is not a loaner at all, but according to the program, a rental from a separate rental company.

If you read the plan, what the Crossfire comes with is a RENTAL program, and if the dealer follows it they send you to a rental company (or have one, like Enterprise) meet you at the dealership. You sign all the usual rental papers just as if YOU were renting the car...but it gets billed by the rental company to the dealer.

That's how it is done by the book.

Many dealers may find that process a bit cumbersome, and find it easier to just give a customer, especially a regular customer, a loaner off the lot our out of the sales fleet.

You should've gotten in the mail shortly after buying the car a copy of the rental car plan from DC. Take that to ANY dealer and they'll work with you.

 

[quote="EVS Motors"]Problem is you can only do it at the dealer you purchased it at. I recently moved and the dealer thats by me refuses to give me a loaner because it wasn't purchased there. With a BMW or MB you can get a loaner anywhere.

This post should be duplicated on the "I hate car dealers" thread. If I were a religious man I would pray for the demise of the dealer you are talking about. What a bunch of MFers.

 

Guys,

You're over reacting!

You should've received a letter from the Director of DaimlerChrysler Service Contracts, shortly after purchasing your car, with how to use the rental car program.

It is NOT simply getting a loaner...it's a little more complicated than that...but it beats the alternative!

If you did not get this, contact DaimlerChrysler Service Contracts at P.O. Box 2700 Troy, Michigan 48007-2700

Call 1 800 521 9922 in the USA, 1 800 465 2001 in Canada. Getting this straight from the letter I received from DC within 3 weeks of buying the car in August.

It's a decent program, and while just a little cumbersome in getting a rental, it DOES let me drive a rental at someone else's (Daimler Chrysler) expense while getting my car worked on. Doesn't make ANY difference whether you bought the car from a given dealer, 'cause they're reimburese the cost of the rental.

C'mon, you gonna get this from a Z car, a Mustang GT, an Audi TT, or a Boxster????

 

To be exact it was Chrysler of River Oaks in Houston! It is annoying how we spend $35k+ and can't get a loander, but a rental? Its a bit inconvenient, to have to go to enterprise to get a rental. Plus they give you an allowance of only $35 a day, which rents you a Ford Aspire or something to that effect, maybe a Neon.

When I had a '99 Land Rover, I was getting 2000 Model Land Rover Discovery's for loaners. With my Porsche Boxster, I got a newer Porsche Boxster for a loaner. Can't beat that. My buddy with a BMW M Coupe, which is out of warranty, was still able to get a Z4 loaner from Momentum BMW.

I think if the Domestic dealerships rack up customer service they'll be getting more sales. I've usually turn away from domestics due to the shorter warranties and customer service. I understand a dealership of Ford or Chevrolet not offering top notch loaners, but to me Chrysler has always been leaning towards luxury cars right? They have one of the nicest luxury minivans and a long heritage of classic luxury cars. I think it would be awesome if Chrysler became a true luxury manfacturer like MB, Lexus, Cadillac, etc. So far it seems that way with the Xfire and the new 300C.

 

Yes you will get free loaners with a Porsche, thats a bit obvious. Also any Audi you buy you get loaners as well. Atleast in Houston you do. For Porsche they give 5 speed or Tiptronic Boxster for loaners, sometimes Cayenne S. For Audi they give you A4s.

For Ford and Nissan, most likely not.

 

Actually, you're underreacting. When I had my car in for the wind noise deal the service writer had me in a rental no questions asked. No hassle, no reference to the service contract. I hope the clown(s) at River Oaks Chrysler in Houston who had a part in denying the guy a rental end up on the street.

Trust me on this, I have years of experience with these "Five Star" A-holes from my 300m ownership. These putrid loads of Five Star manure will be what fails Chrysler as they try to take the brand upscale.

 

Who cares it's a temporary car for a few hours. The Lexus dealer here in Austin use to give me a Camary when I would have my Lexus in for service. Yes, at Chrysler you have to get a "rental" but I did at my Lexus dealer also--NO big deal. The bottom line it's not a BMW--do you expect the dealer to have Crossfire loaners ready for you to drive when you bring your's in? Yes, it's one extra step in the process, but it's FREE.

Okay off my soapbox 8)

 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the trouble and replied to my original thread - all your comments have been very helpful.
I took a first "in the flesh" look at the car yesterday (solid black) and I must say that apart from looking blindingly beautiful there was something in its overall shape which made me empathise with it - the proud agressive front melding into the sumptious swooping sexy lines of the rear and a welcoming cockpit oozing class. Wow. Test drive only next month :-(

 

So far my "5 star" dealer is doing fine by me. Free cars when I come in
for any service ( Volvo's ), had it in now 3 times. Once for the wind noise and 2 oil changes.....and yes, the oil changes were free as they should be.

 

My only question is:

How could you look at this car and not take it for a ride immediately?????

 

Hi jsisabella - #2476,
I'm in Portugal. The car in the Oporto showroom is just to gawp at or buy and drive. The only test drive car (yes for the whole country !!) isn't available in my neck of the woods for another 3 weeks otherwise I would have been out on the freeway immediately. I've driven the Nissan 350z, the Z4, the Boxster, and the Rx8 - just waiting to trial the Crossfire to decide where to place my money.