It Arrived!!

[sambot]

Finally, finally, after months, the Blueberry arrived. It almost seems anti-climactic. I'm cautiously driving around icy streets getting used to it.

2007 Versa SL BlueberryTechnology PkgMT

First impressions? It's been so long since I test drove a Versa I'd forgotten what it felt like. The MT is noisier than I remember. Changing gears sounds like an automatic. The trunk area is a little grubby - the walk-thru (gallop thru?) inspection of the trunk area was pretty fast. I'll have to remember to lock the doors myself when I get in the car, and I will miss the heated seats from my old car.

But for an econobox, and it is an econobox, I am happy. It's nice to get out of a car without doing deep kneebends.

[proxim2020]

VERY BIG CONGRATS!!! I was starting to think the dealer was purposely toying with you for some unexplained reason.

[IDParrothead]

So how long did you wait for your? I ordered mine October 30. I have been told the delivery date is March 1, but it might come in earlier. I am ready for it to be here already!!!

Ordered:Onyx Blue SL CVT with Convenience package

[sambot]

Parrothead, I waited about 16 weeks. Part of the problem is that for some strange reason, Western Canada is totally off Nissan's radar, when it comes to ordering, and Edmonton, which is located further north, just gets forgotten.

My biggest gripe was the sales staff couldn't be bothered to check in with us. We had to get in touch with them to see what the status was, and then I found the car in their inventory and had to call them to ask if this was my car.

What's weird is having to wait months for what is essentially an econobox. Hope yours comes soon. And yes, I have enjoyed the few kilometers I've managed to put on the car.

(I parked behind the elderly, blue Mazda MPV. One of my kids said the V looked like the MPV's daughter. More like niece, I think.)

[proxim2020]

My biggest gripe was the sales staff couldn't be bothered to check in with us. We had to get in touch with them to see what the status was, and then I found the car in their inventory and had to call them to ask if this was my car.

I bet if you went in there and said you wanted to order a 350 or Armada, they would've treated you differently. I think those interested in the V are getting the short end of the stick since the car is so cheap (price wise). The Westside Canadian's are really getting screwed. It almost seems like Nissan considers the market too small or something.

[7speed]

I totally agree about western Canada getting shafted. I'm still waiting for mine, but it's only been 3 weeks... Sambot's car is identical to what I want. Blueberry, Tech package, MT, SL.

Congrats Sambot!

[IDParrothead]

I almost think it is about the same for wait in Idaho! I haven't even really bugged the dealer about it, figuring they probably couldn't speed it up. My gripe is they should call me every few weeks to give me an update on it, or have Nissan do that. I've heard when you order a Mini Cooper, you get periodic updates, some with pictures!!!

[proxim2020]

The guys at Panoz invite you out to see your car being built. I wouldn't mind driving down to Mexico to see my car being built.

[IDParrothead]

Is there a way to contact them to see the progress? We obviously all know the dealer has not idea!

[proxim2020]

Lol, they play like they have no idea. There's no way to call Nissan directly to check the status. The only tool we have as consumers are the Nissan North America Consumer Affairs lines. These are the people you complain to when you don't think you're being treated unfairly among a host of other issues. The only problem with this group of people, they have no record of a car until the its been sold and the warranty is active. So what can you do?

-Demand you're given the VIN or Order number. When a dealer submits the order, they are given an order number. When the engine meets to body of the car, their records get updated with the VIN. If they aren't able to provide you with this, then it's time to walk. Either they are not telling you the truth or they don't have the info because they never ordered the car (which has happened numerous times to members).

-Ask for "a print out of NNANet for my car". This is the system that every Nissan dealer uses to track the progress of their orders. Remember, this is a business. To not know the status of orders or no way to track inventory would be unacceptable for any owner. This is why this network exists.

-Ask for the ETA. There's a section of the NNANet report that will display the estimated delivery date. It will say the week of ___ when it's still being built. When it's getting ready to ship, it changes to specific days. This will give you an idea of when you should expect.

-Ask other dealers to give you the current status. Once you have an order number or VIN, you can take that to other dealers to get the status. NNANet is a shared network for all Nissan dealers. One dealer can check the status of a car that's destined for a different dealer. Granted it will be tough to find one willing to help you since you purchased the car from another dealer, but if you let them know you're looking for another dealer to go to for all your out warranty services and maintenance, they quickly change their attitude.

-If all else fails, walk. Yep, get your deposit back and walk to another dealer. Even if you have to go as far as picking a different manufacturer. But make sure that you notify Nissan that you're walking away because of "...". If Nissan receives enough complaints about a dealer, they'll remove their certification. One goal of a dealer should be to provide you with an excellent buying experience. If they can't, someone else out there most definitely will.

Make sure you show up when you do any of these things. I find that sales people tend to jerk you around more over the phone than they do in person. When you show up, they know you're serious. Not only do they get to hear the passion in your voice, but they get to see the anger in your eyes.

[sambot]

Sambot's car is identical to what I want. Blueberry, Tech package, MT, SL.

Congrats Sambot!

I will be sooooo careful when I drive through Calgary, so you won't be envious. I saw blueberry V parked next to my old car while I was in waiting mode. So close, yet so far.

I've been told that there will be more Vs in W. Canada now, so you might not have to wait 4 months.

According to the inventories, there is a matching SL, blueberry, tech, MT available at Ericksen Nissan in Edmonton. Just think, you could get one tomorrow. They also have one with a charcoal interior, except is has CVT.

[7speed]

As painful as it is, it's okay that I have to wait. A second car would stretch our budget too thin right now, so I'll wait until I'm out of school and on internship at the end of the semester.