No loaner cars???

03z71 · March 25, 2004

I just made an appointment for my 2003 Silverado for warranty repair of the steering clunk problem. I got an appointment to drop it off at the end of the day for service tomorrow and they won't give me a loaner car - they said Chevrolet doesn't give out loaner cars for warranty repairs unless the vehicle is broken down and undriveable. Is that right, or are they trying to screw me? That's a bunch of BS!

Marcus · March 25, 2004

My ZR2 blazer was in the service deptartment to replace the fuel pump under warranty. They offered me a rental car, but I didn't want to go through that hassle because it was going to be fixed by the end of the day. So, they just took me to work and picked me up.

It would seem strange to have a policy where they don't offer a rental/loaner car during a warranty repair period. Who cares is the vehicle is driveable? Its definately NOT driveable while its in the shop! And, since its under warranty, they should provide a temporary vehicle IF that is in your warranty documents.

Mule · March 25, 2004

GM has a 24 hour test drive on some trucks. See if the service manager can arrange it with the sales manager for the same time. My service manager worked it out and gave me a 2004 pickup for a day as a test drive.

03z71 · March 25, 2004

Marcus,

Do you know what the warranty policy is? Is this Chevy dealer just jerking me around? This seems rediculous - I'm at work during the hours the service dept. is open so I can't wait for it and I also can't get to work if the truck is in the shop and I have no loaner. What the heck do they expect me to do?

kclm7 · March 25, 2004

Brian, The dealer where the work is being done, is this where you bought the truck? GM isn't required to furnish you with a loaner car. At the dealer where I work they have cars they loan out as a courtesy and the dealer incurs the cost for the cars. They also offer a shuttle that will run you home or to work if you vehicle is in for service.

If you did buy from this dealer then I would go find your salesman. They want you to be happy and they will find something for you to drive. We put people in 24hr cars and even grab used cars off the lot for them to drive.

I had the hood of my Bonneville repainted under warranty (sh*tty GM paintjob) and the dealership got me a Silverado rental to drive for the 3 days while the car was in the body shop The rental was covered under warranty. I'm sure the fact that I'm a customer and a PT employee didn't hurt though. ;)

Good luck,

Steve

03z71 · March 25, 2004

Steve,

The dealer I called is actually not the dealer where I bought the truck. It is the closest dealer (<3 miles away) so I thought I'd try to go there vs. 15 miles to the dealer where I bought it. I think I might tell the close dealer that I will take my business elsewhere if they don't give me a loaner and if they don't, I'll go to the dealer I bought the truck from. I figured worst case, if I have to bitch to the salesman, I should be able to get a loaner.

techmanbd · March 25, 2004

I was told when I got my truck if there is a warranty repair and can get fixed the day I take it in then there isn't a loaner car, But if it will take longert then they have to provide a loaner

JimG · March 25, 2004

Well, from my experience: If they can fix it in 1 day - no loaner car. Shuttle b/t home and work if you want. I was tempted to tell them I'll take their shuttle to work which is about 50 miles from the dealership

If it takes more than 1 day - you go to a car rental place. Give them the RO (Repair Order) number. They bill the dealership and give you a vehicle to drive.

When my truck was in the shop for 10 days (2 to fix what I brought it in for, 8 to fix it after it got hit on the lot), I was driving around in a Sonoma. Not great, but not bad either. Cost GMC $333 for that.

kclm7 · March 25, 2004

Steve,

The dealer I called is actually not the dealer where I bought the truck. It is the closest dealer (<3 miles away) so I thought I'd try to go there vs. 15 miles to the dealer where I bought it. I think I might tell the close dealer that I will take my business elsewhere if they don't give me a loaner and if they don't, I'll go to the dealer I bought the truck from. I figured worst case, if I have to bitch to the salesman, I should be able to get a loaner.

I guess it's your call. There's a Chevy dealer I can see from my window here at work and a Pontiac/GMC dealer about 2 miles away but I still take everything back to the dealership where I work which is 25 miles away. It's a PITA, but they always give me something to drive or I schedule the work for a Saturday when I'm working.

A dealership will almost always take better care of you if you bought from them.

Steve

OUMike · March 25, 2004

Hmm...I'd think that would be kinda strange that they wouldn't offer. I'd say good rule of thumb would be for dealer just to be nice.

Mule...what kinda Ferrari ya drivin'?

03GMCinBC · March 25, 2004

I am taking my truck in tomorrow for the steering wheel klunk and for my intermittent wipers (that have a mind of their own).

I asked about getting a loaner and they have it all set up they said. I will actually find out tomorrow.

When I bought my truck there, they said I had lifetime loaners when I bring my truck in so I figure I might as well take them up on it.

Marcus · March 25, 2004

What a dealer says during the transaction and what a dealer actually does later on are two mutually exclusive events, so it seems (at least from the dealers point of view).

My warranty docs provide that the dealer will give a loaner car if it is going to be in service overnight. It says nothing about the fact that the vehicle may or may not be driveable. However, I don't know how often GM changes this. That is why you need to look to your own warranty information. I suppose, although it would be hell on any particular dealership, that the warranty documents, and therefore GMs obligations, can change for each sale.

03z71 · March 25, 2004

I called the close "bad" dealer and told them that I needed a loaner or I would have to take my business elsewhere. They said ok, we'll cancel the appt. So I called the dealer I bought the truck from and they didn't even bat an eye when I told them I would need a loaner. The guy I spoke to was very friendly and even told me that I should call just before I bring it in to make sure they have something available for a loaner.

In the end, I guess the level of service really does depend on what Chevy dealer you go to.....

Thanks for all the responses!

Mule · March 25, 2004

Hmm...I'd think that would be kinda strange that they wouldn't offer. I'd say good rule of thumb would be for dealer just to be nice.

Mule...what kinda Ferrari ya drivin'?

My GM dealer has been great with loaners or rides, but here's a funny story:

I took my F-car to the dealer in Denver for some radiator work. He thought it would be a few days and we talked about a loaner or rental, since I am a regular customer. The loaner was the car I had traded in 4 months earlier!

Click on the signature for a pic of the car - 1989 328 GTS.