New car issues?

[kort]

So Saturday morning +1 and I are super excited to pick up our new car (Subaru Impreza hatch). We pick it up, and about three quarters of the way home we realise the indicators are not working - no lights, no sounds, nothing.....we get home and confirm that no lights are working at all?!

Quite p1ssed off at this stage I ring up Subaru and tell them that the lights, indicators, interior lights do not work - they ask us to drive back to the caryard. We say "no", you should come and pick up our car given its not safe for us to drive back without indicators.
They agree and give us an brand new "interim" car whilst they work out why the smeg a NEW car does not have working lights.......

Whilst I have little experience buying cars, is it fair to assume that a new car should have working "everything"??!! Before we walked off the showroom floor they gave us this piece of paper showing us how Subaru does this "120 point quality check" for every car....I recall thinking "they probably just tick the box without checking it" and after this experience my thoughts seem justified.

Given something as essential as lights not working, I have to question what else could possibly be wrong? Should I get the dealer to give something "additional" - extra warranty, etc.

Whilst they were quick to respond with a temporary car, my level of confidence of Subaru is rather low - any thoughts/experiences?

[snowhappy]

Ideally a new car with everything working would be nice but aint gonna happen

[kort]

I would assume that something as "essential" as lights and indicators should be working by the time the customer drives it out of the showroom

[Podlettte]

when I picked up my new toyota and 6 years later a peugeot the sales person hopped in the passenger seat in the showroom and got me to go through all of the onboard electricals so I knew where they were. Also had the potential to show up anything that might have been wrong at that time.

However, a brand new car should have everything working out of the showroom IMO

[spaz]

Not knowing how mechanically inclined you are Kort and I don't want to offend.
But did you check the fuses?

I do agree though, it should of left the lot 100% working.
Express your concerns and imply to the dealer that you think it's a Friday car. A car built on Friday arvo when the workers are rushing to leave for the weekend, hence cut corners and build a car bellow quality. Tell them you want them to pay for a third party to do a quality check-NRMA. Tell your insurance company, they're the ones with the experience. Contact a Subaru car club they will have heaps of advice.

You have the dealer on the ropes, don't stop throwing punches. It's the dealers job to prevent you from going to the press with a bad story.
Car sales and realestate agent are not honest people!

You might have a dud car that just dropped by $10,000 (when you drove off the lot) that will spend more time in the dealers garage being repaired than in your garaged.

[Bear]

Yes I would call lights essential. Must have got a Friday car. :(

[kort]

Spaz - thanks for that - we checked the fuses (via the manual) and they looked ok to us....mind you there are some fuses ner the steering wheel we didnt touch as the manual didnt mention them in the workbook thing

[bdenny4]

The point is that it should have been working when you droive out.

I am doing my homework on getting a Subi - hope that doesn't happen to me! That will be the first thing I check now if/when I get it.

[Azz]

You find this attached to things being sold on ebay.........

"Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased (but not at auction) if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description."

I think its the ACCC who you would be asking for help. I'd straight out ask for another car. Make sure you keep a diary of events.

[spaz]

I would think this is an isolated incident. Subaru's are, by design, the best "bang for your buck" cars on the planet.
Unless your after a specific feature of a vehicle, in the price range nothing will compare.

Remember though these are <$100k, they mass produce them using robots and every know and then a dud will get through.

I've never owned a Subi, I've driven more than a few and know plenty of happy owners.

[spaz]

Kort, follow Azz's advice. Don't listen to anything the dealer says! Just follow Azz's advice.

[Caboose]

Originally posted by kort:
why the smeg boyz from da Dwarf ..... graemlins/cold.gif

[ 30.03.2009, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Caboose]

also I'm surprised you made it out of the dealership/past the 1st corner without the indicators working .....

maybe that new car smell had its effect ;)

[Jahoota]

http://www.marque.com.au/usedcars/images/1986%20Holden%20Camira%20%20JD.jpg

http://www.milesago.com/Features/images/p76.jpg

[kurross]

I wouldnt be too worried, I'm sure Subauru will sort out the problem pretty quick as you have one of their loan cars (It would be another story had you not been given a loan car).

And as some reassurance on subarus, ive had 4 in the last 5 years (2 liberty's and 2 wrx's) and I think they are great cars. The first one was a 2000 liberty (5speed)I put over 220,000km on it and other than changing oils i rarely serviced it (didnt even do the big 100k service till 170k) but this car was perfect when we sold it (only selling due to our family out growing it).

[foncusmaximus]

car dealers and real estate agents are the scum of the earth. sorry a bit harsh but true.

i purchased a new rig in cooma 45k + and from the time i signed to the time i picked it up 100km were added to the clock. guess they took it for one last rap eh ?

[spaz]

At least they knew everything worked. smile.gif

[kort]

So Subaru came around and took the car away to do a quality check on the car. Came back a few hours later the delivery manager guy has assured me they went through the car with a fine toothed comb. They also gave the car a nice wash and filled it with petrol - They were very apologetic to me about the lack of lights/indicators so I was OK with that. Have driven the car and it all seems very nice :)

All in all my confidence in Subaru is back - not quite 100% but I think I made my point and got my way which I was satisfied with :)

[Azz]

Hope you have many years of happy motoring in your new Subu kort. smile.gif

[kort]

Thanks Azz :)