Loaner Car
Loaner Car
Can anybody tell me if Infiniti dealers will loan you a car for regular scheduled maintenance similar to what Lexus, Mercedes, BMW do?This is becoming an issue on deciding whether or not to buy an Infiniti.
The Infiniti dealers will typically loan you a G35 sedan or I35.
Cadillac dealers give you a "red carpet" treatment (paste from CadillacForums.com):"It was a cool experience and Cadillac dealers go all out when you go to pick it up. For example, my Dad got his pic taken while he was handed the keys. Also, we walked into the service area (which was very clean) and that beautiful White Diamond DTS was right in the middle of the floor. They were waxing it and put on the plates. As soon as we walked up to it, all the other servicemen or mechanics came over to see our reaction and see it for themselves, very cool! The dealer also makes the new owners fill out a survey for the dealership and dealer himself. (which was kind of senseless because he TOLD my dad to check off everything as "excellent" to keep HIS good standing at the dealership) They also take you out for the Maiden voyage to go over all the features and options, which can be a little complicated for someone in their late 60's who cannot set their VCR. Red carpet treatment all the way baby!"
I'm not sure how other dealers (BMW, Infinit, Lexus) present vehicles to new buyers. I'd imagine its much the same?
-Jesda
Cadillac dealers give you a "red carpet" treatment (paste from CadillacForums.com):"It was a cool experience and Cadillac dealers go all out when you go to pick it up. For example, my Dad got his pic taken while he was handed the keys. Also, we walked into the service area (which was very clean) and that beautiful White Diamond DTS was right in the middle of the floor. They were waxing it and put on the plates. As soon as we walked up to it, all the other servicemen or mechanics came over to see our reaction and see it for themselves, very cool! The dealer also makes the new owners fill out a survey for the dealership and dealer himself. (which was kind of senseless because he TOLD my dad to check off everything as "excellent" to keep HIS good standing at the dealership) They also take you out for the Maiden voyage to go over all the features and options, which can be a little complicated for someone in their late 60's who cannot set their VCR. Red carpet treatment all the way baby!"
I'm not sure how other dealers (BMW, Infinit, Lexus) present vehicles to new buyers. I'd imagine its much the same?
-Jesda
my dealer always gives me a loaner car...even with 136K on my Q....from what I understand is that they are not suppose to give you a loaner once your car is out of warranty, but they give it to me anyway becuase I have always had my car serviced at the infiniti dealer. I just had the rear brakes redone about 6,000 miles ago and they gave me a loaner during the 3 hours they worked on it Saturday morning without asking for a loaner and I also got a loaner for the 120K service....
Jesda wrote:I'm not sure how other dealers (BMW, Infinit, Lexus) present vehicles to new buyers. I'd imagine its much the same?
At the Acura dealer I used to work for they had a delivery area where they parked new cars to be delivered. The salesman would go over all the features with the customer and then send them on their way.
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AZhitman
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FYI - Lexus provides a glorified Camry (if you get a loaner at all) and charges a reduced daily rate.
Mercedes has some econobox cars for loaners (if you get one at all) Mercedes doesn't build anything that competes with infiniti (price and features) so it's irrelevant.
BMW? Ha. My buddy has a new 740il, he went in for service and they gave him a 100K mile 318ti. He griped, and they swapped it with a Ford Focus from Enterprise Rental. Make sure you're aware of BMW's brake rotor issues.
Infiniti provides a G35 sedan for minimal to no cost. I had one for 2 months (and my 95 Q has 105K on it). Try rolling into a BMW/Benz/Lex dealer with a 1995 with 100K+ and see if you get a loaner.
Also, Infiniti's "Total Ownership Experience" is second to none, and is recognized as industry-leading.
Plus, customer satisfaction topped the charts this year, knocking Lexus out of its 1st-place ranking.
Lastly, NICO members get significant discounts on parts, accessories and sometimes even service at participating dealers.
Mercedes has some econobox cars for loaners (if you get one at all) Mercedes doesn't build anything that competes with infiniti (price and features) so it's irrelevant.
BMW? Ha. My buddy has a new 740il, he went in for service and they gave him a 100K mile 318ti. He griped, and they swapped it with a Ford Focus from Enterprise Rental. Make sure you're aware of BMW's brake rotor issues.
Infiniti provides a G35 sedan for minimal to no cost. I had one for 2 months (and my 95 Q has 105K on it). Try rolling into a BMW/Benz/Lex dealer with a 1995 with 100K+ and see if you get a loaner.
Also, Infiniti's "Total Ownership Experience" is second to none, and is recognized as industry-leading.
Plus, customer satisfaction topped the charts this year, knocking Lexus out of its 1st-place ranking.
Lastly, NICO members get significant discounts on parts, accessories and sometimes even service at participating dealers.
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Jeff Williams
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- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Montgomery Infiniti - phenominal! I have had brand new Q45's, G35's, QX4's, I35's and once, a G20.
All gratis, they clean my car, spotless, every time I have even the oil changed.
They don't care how long I keep the car (usually 6 to 7 hours).
I even told the servcie writer, I was going to do a lot of driving, and he told me NOT to fill the car up, just return it.
In the winter time, he preheats all the loaner cars, so when you get there, you are not getting into a freezing car, but a nicely warmed one.
I use this time, to test drive the new demo cars, and the sales manager says "What do you want to drive, today".
I have only bought 1 I30t from this guy, and it was December 22, 1999, and he remembers my name, and treats me very nice.
I have no experience with any other manufacturer, other than NISSAN, and I don't intend to find out either.
All gratis, they clean my car, spotless, every time I have even the oil changed.
They don't care how long I keep the car (usually 6 to 7 hours).
I even told the servcie writer, I was going to do a lot of driving, and he told me NOT to fill the car up, just return it.
In the winter time, he preheats all the loaner cars, so when you get there, you are not getting into a freezing car, but a nicely warmed one.
I use this time, to test drive the new demo cars, and the sales manager says "What do you want to drive, today".
I have only bought 1 I30t from this guy, and it was December 22, 1999, and he remembers my name, and treats me very nice.
I have no experience with any other manufacturer, other than NISSAN, and I don't intend to find out either.
My local dealer, that did not originally sell my car, much less sell it to me, provides me with a loaner at no-charge if they're available. Generally, they need a week or 2's notice to have one available. All I have to do is replace any gas used.
My friend had a MB and was given a Saturn (w/out power windows
) whenever she had her car repaired (avg $800). She switched to a Lex and now they get her a Focus.
<Also, when I pick up the car, it's washed and vac'd.>
My friend had a MB and was given a Saturn (w/out power windows
) whenever she had her car repaired (avg $800). She switched to a Lex and now they get her a Focus.<Also, when I pick up the car, it's washed and vac'd.>
Good god, Saturns and entry-level Fords? Not even a new Mustang or a Grand Marquis?
How do they stay in business? Seriously... you purchase an MB-brand product for luxury, performance, and panache... and what if you worked in sales or real estate?
"I'm going to show you some multimilliondollar properties. Everyone climb into the Saturn!"
It would be terribly improfessional and depending on how long the service took and what your plans were, it could ruin a nice weekend. Thats an insult.
If theyre going to make you sputter around in a piece of junk, they might as well loan you nothing and offer a ride home (like Chrysler dealers).
-Jesda
How do they stay in business? Seriously... you purchase an MB-brand product for luxury, performance, and panache... and what if you worked in sales or real estate?
"I'm going to show you some multimilliondollar properties. Everyone climb into the Saturn!"
It would be terribly improfessional and depending on how long the service took and what your plans were, it could ruin a nice weekend. Thats an insult.
If theyre going to make you sputter around in a piece of junk, they might as well loan you nothing and offer a ride home (like Chrysler dealers).
-Jesda
[quote=" AZhitman FYI - Lexus provides a glorified Camry (if you get a loaner at all) and charges a reduced daily rate.[/quote]
Nop. Lexus here tries to give the same model you have. My buddy gets RX300 even if he needs an oil change. For free.
Quote »Infiniti provides a G35 sedan for minimal to no cost. I had one for 2 months (and my 95 Q has 105K on it). [/quote]
You have a special case there. Don't think they do it everywhere for everybody (I wish they did). Last year they stopped to give a loaner during an oil change and minor maintenance unless you want some major work done (more than 3 hours).
Nop. Lexus here tries to give the same model you have. My buddy gets RX300 even if he needs an oil change. For free.
Quote »Infiniti provides a G35 sedan for minimal to no cost. I had one for 2 months (and my 95 Q has 105K on it). [/quote]
You have a special case there. Don't think they do it everywhere for everybody (I wish they did). Last year they stopped to give a loaner during an oil change and minor maintenance unless you want some major work done (more than 3 hours).
I have always gotten a loaner at the local Infiniti dealer, and I have a 93 J30, waaay out of warranty, that I bought from a private party about 8 months ago.
Granted, I had some sizable repairs done, timing belt, injectors, etc., but I haven't had to ask - they have offered each time.
I have been very impressed by their service. I know they are new owners, working to rebuild the dealership's reputation, but it appears to be working! (Although everytime I bring the car in for service - the service manager asks if I'm ready to trade it in on something newer!)
Marianne
Granted, I had some sizable repairs done, timing belt, injectors, etc., but I haven't had to ask - they have offered each time.
I have been very impressed by their service. I know they are new owners, working to rebuild the dealership's reputation, but it appears to be working! (Although everytime I bring the car in for service - the service manager asks if I'm ready to trade it in on something newer!)
Marianne
Biggest thing is "building a relationship" with your dealer/service manager.
I've had <$500 worth of repairs done (maybe $200 in parts) in almost 2 years, had bought replacement bulbs for my center brake light a week ago, and they gave me the wrong ones. So, Friday I walk in and the service guy greets me by name and asks if I need anything or just here for parts (sorry Joe
). I walk in with the blown bulbs in hand and briefly explain how I had gotten the wrong ones (not assigning blame, who cares) and they get the correct ones, load them in the rear center brake light assembly, ask if I'm in the car, so they can some out and put it in for me. I told them that's alright, and they told me not to worry about the bulbs. Yep, that's right ... free.
Not every dealer would do this, and I wouldn't be surprised if another manufacturer's dealer would do the same.
Research your dealer and the car, then build the relationship. A few extra bucks spent on parts can get you lots of "service".
I've had <$500 worth of repairs done (maybe $200 in parts) in almost 2 years, had bought replacement bulbs for my center brake light a week ago, and they gave me the wrong ones. So, Friday I walk in and the service guy greets me by name and asks if I need anything or just here for parts (sorry Joe
). I walk in with the blown bulbs in hand and briefly explain how I had gotten the wrong ones (not assigning blame, who cares) and they get the correct ones, load them in the rear center brake light assembly, ask if I'm in the car, so they can some out and put it in for me. I told them that's alright, and they told me not to worry about the bulbs. Yep, that's right ... free.Not every dealer would do this, and I wouldn't be surprised if another manufacturer's dealer would do the same.
Research your dealer and the car, then build the relationship. A few extra bucks spent on parts can get you lots of "service".
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AZhitman
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airman wrote:You have a special case there. Don't think they do it everywhere for everybody (I wish they did).
Au contraire - Infiniti of Scottsdale, Pinnacle Infiniti, Midway Infiniti all provide loaners for all service taking MORE than 3 hours (even an oil change if they can't get to it right away).
I have probably put 5K miles on new G35's in the past 2.5 years. Hell, I put 2K miles on the one I had Dec-Jan.
Bommarito Infiniti is full of knowledgeable and friendly people, with competitively priced service and parts. But I was pissed that I couldnt get an 8-mile ride home. At this point, I had already spent about a grand at their dealership within a couple months.
And I was a bit annoyed because I went out of my way and drove 8 miles to their dealership instead of 1 mile to the one down the road from my house because I preferred their service.(Plaza Infiniti/MB/Cadillac/Audi/Rover/Porsche/Lexus/Ferarri is full of stuck-up jerks. My family intentionally avoids their dealership for biannual new car purchases.)
Had to call my sister for a ride.
-Jesda
And I was a bit annoyed because I went out of my way and drove 8 miles to their dealership instead of 1 mile to the one down the road from my house because I preferred their service.(Plaza Infiniti/MB/Cadillac/Audi/Rover/Porsche/Lexus/Ferarri is full of stuck-up jerks. My family intentionally avoids their dealership for biannual new car purchases.)
Had to call my sister for a ride.
-Jesda
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J-Owner
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- Car: 2010 FX35 owner and former owner of an '05 G35 Coupe and a '95 J30T.
My local dealer has always provided a loaner car free of charge anytime I have anything done. I have always had a loaner for oil changes, etc. and sometimes with only a days notice.
Of course, this is my third infiniti and I have gotten to be good friends with the service director. I still received a free loaner anytime I wanted from the other Infiniti dealer in Dallas so I know at least in Dallas they take good care of you.
Oh, and I have a 9 year old car with 121,000 miles and they treat me the same as if I were in a 2004 M. That to me is class and service and that is why I am Infiniti loyal.
Just my 2 cents.
Of course, this is my third infiniti and I have gotten to be good friends with the service director. I still received a free loaner anytime I wanted from the other Infiniti dealer in Dallas so I know at least in Dallas they take good care of you.
Oh, and I have a 9 year old car with 121,000 miles and they treat me the same as if I were in a 2004 M. That to me is class and service and that is why I am Infiniti loyal.
Just my 2 cents.
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driverdriver
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A little bit off the topic...........When you buy a brand new VW/Audi and go to pick it up, the first and only person they introduce you is to the service manager, because they know your going to be coming back very soon (and often) for some major servicing issues.
Couldn't resist. I'm glad the lease on the VW is up very, very soon!
Couldn't resist. I'm glad the lease on the VW is up very, very soon!
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Frontier Infiniti in San Jose charges a small ($5) fee for loaners - I think this is for out of warranty stuff. Of course, I have been a customer of theirs (three cars!) since 1991, so that may be of help!
Sunnyvale Acura does not offer loaners for the 1997 2.2CL we got from them - even when it was on warranty. I used to rent a car from Enterprise near them each time.
Z
Sunnyvale Acura does not offer loaners for the 1997 2.2CL we got from them - even when it was on warranty. I used to rent a car from Enterprise near them each time.
Z
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kblast523
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At this VERY moment, my 1999 I30 is in the shop with air bag issues, and I have a two week old G35X in my driveway. YEEEHAAAAAAAAWW, last time I got a loaner at all was North Park L-M in San Antonio (worlds largest, I beleive), loaned me a Mark VII while my Merkur was undergoing "regular" & "irregular" service...I lived 165 miles from the dealership, they let me keep the car for four days after repairs were completed.Oh, one other time...Got a loaner after my 1997 Contour was recalled for the umpteenth time and I complained...they put me in a 1993 Escort off the used car lot. That was my last Ford.
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kblast523
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Front springs rusting out, headlight switch fire hazard, heater/a-c fan fry, turn signal switch problems, tail lamp socket problems, timing belt cover (2.0) TSB, broken cup holder (3x), engine missing, (no, it didn't jump out of the car), underhood wiring, 2nd underhood wiring problem, underhood wiring recall, just plain crap in a good old amercan (euro) car. Yes, a 1997 Ford Contour.
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AZhitman
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- Location: Surprise, Arizona
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When I worked for the Supreme Court, I made a bulk purchase of 1998 Contours (CNG-powered, no less) for our sworn Probation Officers. (I had 2 choices, those or Cavaliers.)
Needless to say, about a month into ownership, the entire State was pissed at me.
I calculated overall cumulative downtime for the entire run of cars to be 31% IN THE FIRST YEAR!!!!
Needless to say, about a month into ownership, the entire State was pissed at me.
I calculated overall cumulative downtime for the entire run of cars to be 31% IN THE FIRST YEAR!!!!
they dont have to supply rental cars like the infiniti dealers because there cars are so high quality that they do not need to entice you any farther. If you appreciate BMW's and Mercedes-Benz's vehicles, you are usually less concerned with a rental car. You guys can brag how many times your car is in the shop if you would like. I'm tired of my nissan, iti s very unreliable even with the rebuilt motor. I would much rather have a BMW.