Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 08:19:13 -0400
Reply-To: Shannon Mitchell <vze4rq5j@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Shannon Mitchell <vze4rq5j@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon warranties/ general rant
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I feel your pain.. I live in Maine and for two years I drove my 91 vanagon
75,000 miles with no problems.. Then the dreaded coolant leak started and I
needed the heads replaced.. I went to every mechanic that I could and asked
if they would work on a 91 vanagon.. I always got "that thing?" "sorry no"
and a whole other assortment of responses.. I found a small car/vanagon
dealer that would work on it. Powers Motors in Hampton, NH. I know that it
doesn't help you out in LA, but if there is anyone in Maine or NH looking
for a great mechanic let me know I will get you the info.. The longest they
have had my van was 4 days! and this was for a head, coolant lines, and
exhaust replacement..
Shannon
91 Vanagon
----- Original Message -----
From: "zampano" <matthias.k@ATTBI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 2:21 AM
Subject: Re: Vanagon warranties/ general rant
> Steve,
>
> They (Fast German) repaired the problem, but I pretty much paid for it.
> They initially wanted me to pay $1600 to get it done. I said no way,
> and offered to pay $1000, all included with a fresh warranty. They
> refused, and we ended up arguing for 5 min, with me leaving, and them
> steadfastly refusing to do it for that kind of money. I told him he'll
> hear from the local small claims court as I left. On my way up, 1 hr
> into the drive, the shop owner calls me on my cell saying that he
> agrees to do it, for $1025. I said ok.
>
> (I paid them originally $2500 for an over the counter rebuild with new
> AMC heads, how good or honest that rebuild was you can find in the
> archives)
>
> Two weeks later they called me it was ready and I went there and picked
> up the van, acting all cool and buddy like, as did they. They gave me 6
> mos. warranty. They kept the van for a full 5 weeks.
>
> 2 days later I notice that it's leaking coolant. Great I figured. I saw
> that a hose clamp was not tightened, so I tightened it. The leak
> persisted though to a much smaller extent, but still there was a puddle
> every morning. I just had my transmission replaced by a different shop
> last week, and they said the leak comes from the water pump seal. I
> guess I will be heading back down there again (1-3 hr drive depending
> on traffic/time of day, taking a cab to the train station, taking train
> to L,A., have friend pick me up downtown)
>
> As far as I am concerned, all mechanics "specializing" on "problem"
> cars such as Vanagons, Jaguars, Alfa Romeos or Fiats and the likes are
> cunts. They all get into the business to rip you off, and lie like
> persian rugs.
>
> The whole warranty issue is a joke because they will take forever to
> fix it, once they finally agree to, and in the meantime you need a
> rental, full collision insurance etc., not to mention time and money
> spent on rides, towing, taxis, buying dinner for your friend driving
> you etc.
>
> Living in L.A. now for 7 years I have gotten to accept a certain amount
> of b.s., I actgually don't mind getting lied to and ripped off, as long
> as it's actually fixed. Problem is: It isn't.
>
> My other car is an Alfa Romeo. It was in the shop last week too and
> they did stuff like replace the fuel sender, coolant temp sensor (ECU),
> replaced clutch slave which came to $1200. I have spent another $5000
> over the last year at same shop.
>
> I get in the car and my fuel gauge still does not work. I ask him what
> happened. His answer is: They were still waiting for the part. BUT THEN
> WHY DID YOU CHARGE ME FOR IT. IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE PART, THEN YOU
> DIDN'T DO THE WORK, RIGHT??
>
> So he tells me to bring it back and he will fix it. Cool, I say,
> thinking that I just caught him with a lie. I drive two blocks (2
> bloody blocks) and the clutch pedal sticks to the ground, does not
> release. I open the hood and there's also fuel dripping from the rail.
>
> So again I drive it back, he looks it over, tinkers around and tells me
> I need to bring it back. WTF??? They basically never even took it for a
> test drive. That's ridiculous.
>
> With both vehicles I am at the third mechanic now, over 2 years, and
> have yet to find a decent one, though for the Vanagon I think I might
> have now.
>
> I know I am not just blowing hot air, because on both vehicles I have
> pulled the engine myself, reinstalled all the ancillaries like water
> pump, electrical, yada yada. And me as a layman never had such problems
> as leaks from seals or non starting issues.
> These days I don't have those budget problems anymore that force me to
> do things myself, and the results so far have been worse.
>
> What to do?? I always pay by credit card now, always. I also know now
> that you just have to spend a lot of money on bad/crooked mechanics
> until maybe you find a good one. And
> probably need to spend some time litigating. I am also not afraid to
> give those mechanics a bad rep on the internet, at clubs etc. And I am
> pretty good at ruining somebody's business a lttlte weenie bit that
> way. They deserve it. These days, if you type "Just Tires" into Google,
> the first four websites are ones that tell you how much they suck.
> Can't be too good for business.
>
> The list so far of mechanics to avoid in SoCal are:
>
> Fast German Auto in West Covina
> Swiss Motors in L.A.
> Alfa Only in Glendale
> Alfa Omega in Culver City
>
> The one shop I can recommend is Buggy Builders on La Brea and Venice
>
> They tell you our cars are special, complicated and poorly engineered.
> Bullocks. They just don't know what they're doing, and lie and cheat
> you on top of it.
> Not surprising since Corporate, read: Government, America (which these
> days seems to be all that's left of America) itself indulges in and
> fosters corruption, lies and hallucinated bottom lines.
>
> The best way I guess would be to do all the work yourself and have a
> VERY understanding girlfriend/wife, or buy a Chevy or Jap car.
>
> End of rant.
>
> Y'all have a wonderful week.
>
> Peace
>
> Matthias ('84 WBX Wolfy 4spd)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, April 12, 2003, at 08:55 am, Steve Gough wrote:
>
> > Matt,
> >
> > Just ran across your January post on your warranty
> > problems while searching the archives. I haven't
> > followed the list for a while.
> >
> > A couple of years ago, I bought a Boston Bob engine.
> > Burned a rod bearing after about 1200 miles. A real
> > bummer. Bob sort of split the damage with me, because
> > he said he could find nothing either of us did wrong.
> > I wasn't happy about that, but was in a bad spot and
> > agreed.
> >
> > Did you get your problem resolved? I hate to bring
> > up Bob's behavior on the list, but have thought several
> > times about polling the group to see if ANY of these
> > rebuilders really honor their warranties.
> >
> > Steve
> > '86 Westy
> >
> > Steve Gough
> > Little River Research & Design
> > 1125 Wood Road
> > Murphysboro, IL 62966
> > 618-529-7423 fax 618-529-0927
> > stevegough@emriver.com www.emriver.com
> >
>
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