Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse

tommo82 · #1 12-08-2008, 08:48 PM

After recently celebrating the first anniversary of owning the most apalling locally built car, I was looking forward to some peacefully reliable motoring.

But I thought too soon!

At the moment I'm waiting on new engine mounts, new indicator module.

Today I left a meeting in the city and was conveniently informed of the following by the dash LCD.

ABS! Who needs that?

But then!

More errors! Stability control out of service now! I'll just drive slower. Then I won't need that either!

More surprises, even at night! This one looks a bit more serious.

What exactly should I check, dear HSV? That the engine hasn't dropped out? (nothing surprises me)

/..... and now the 2 little LCDs on the dash are broken! (notice they're not illuminated below the dials?)

Nanos · #2 12-08-2008, 08:55 PM

thats bad. thought i was having a bad run. atleast yours is informing you off faults. the vs wagon is falling apart and the only way too tell is to look in the mirror and see the bits fall off

Cousin Slow Poke · #3 12-08-2008, 09:01 PM

Holy crap! OK, now you have convinced me you got a bad one... It really sucks mate

This is where we need legislation that forces dealers to take back cars that have seriousy problems or a huge list of problems so they can pull them apart and rebuild them. This really does make me feel sorry for you and understand where you're coming from. You pay a premium for what's meant to be a high quality, high performance car.

I'd be on the phone to HSV first thing if I were you with a list of problems and what they're going to do about it.... It really is unacceptable and thankfully the very rare exception. I suppose it proves that luck plays a part when buying a car. Touch wood, niether of my VEs have had anything seriously wrong.

tommo82 · #4 12-08-2008, 09:07 PM

Already escalated to HSV.

Second time I've had to do it. The first time they ignored me for virtually 5 months (first sent a letter in October 2007) but in Feb this year a very helpful person there put the situation right, so I have some hope.

My concern is the diagnostic procedures used in dealers. I know they are not electrical engineers (fortunately I am though) so I didn't expect alot of science in the troubleshooting.

However, I went to the dealer today and the electrical guy gave me some confidence. There is an issue with a wheel sensor and he explained the fault finding procedure... using the CRO etc. Much more sophisticated than I had expected.

Hopefully it just gets fixed.

My biggest gripe is the amount of time I have to spend taking it in, having no car (because they're always out of courtesty cars) over and over and over and over again.

Cousin Slow Poke · #5 12-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommo82

having no car (because they're always out of courtesty cars) over and over and over and over again.

AFAIK, HSV drivers get a demonstrator if there are no courtesy cars available. I have. Had a V8 Calais V once too

tommo82 · #6 12-08-2008, 09:37 PM

The previous dealer I went to (about 200 metres from work) gave me a V8 Calais, but unfortunately they're not an HSV dealer

So go to a different one now.

50LTRv8 · #7 12-08-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Slow Poke

AFAIK, HSV drivers get a demonstrator if there are no courtesy cars available. I have. Had a V8 Calais V once too

This is where you politely tell the manager that unless you get a car then you can have their own personal car until yours gets fixed. There is no way I would pay that much for a car, have multiple issues like yours and not get something in return.

tommo82 · #8 12-08-2008, 09:51 PM

Oh, HSV did offer me a bit of love.

They sent me a limitd edition Senator Signature wristwatch.

Ironically, it suffered from the same flat battery issue that my VE senator did.

I couldn't help but chuckle.....

DVSV8 · #9 12-08-2008, 10:05 PM

lol how ironic

minux · #10 12-08-2008, 10:09 PM

tommo, have someone steal the ****ing thing and burn it.

Its a worry when you buy a car like this that is meant to be a "premier" australian car and these issues come up. Funny thing is, I know of someone else that is having similar problems.

Evo X FTW.

Cousin Slow Poke · #11 12-08-2008, 10:50 PM

You got it yet minux?

Doctor Bob · #12 12-08-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommo82

/..... and now the 2 little LCDs on the dash are broken! (notice they're not illuminated below the dials?)

just to calm your nerves a bit, if there is a driver warning on the display the other LCD's are disabled.

& BTW not all dealer technicians are raggy assed mechanics, there are people in the trade who know more than you seem to give credit for, use of a CRO/scope is very common practice in diagnostics.
the hardest part is dealing with customers who think they know better.