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cody (Mightyreal)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 10:58 am: | 
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Last week I took my wife in to test drive the '03 disco, and just "while were here" she wanted to test drive the Freelander, which she liked better than the disco. Even though the vehicle is mainly for her, I planned on using it occasionally off-road, etc. when given a kitchen pass. Yes, the Freelander is less expensive, but my main concern is this: If I end up buying the "runt" of the Rover family, should I expect different treatment from the dealership throughout the course of owning it? To put stock in my concern, I knew a Merc. salesman who once told me they always took "special care of their V-12 customers..." Sorry for the long post, but I think a worthwhile topic. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:03 am: |
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two sides to this equation:
1) if you drop $75k on a new RR they may try to keep you, the Big Spender, happy so you get A-1 service; or
2) if you drop $75k on a new RR they think "now here's a guy with serious funds so let's milk him for all we can and put him in the revolving door service program."
If it's really for her, I'd go with a Freelander...those are sweet little rigs. If you want to play with it too, then maybe a Disco is in order. Any kids in the equation? |
bgnrd
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:08 am: |
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I have heard stories of dealers not catering to Freelander owners the way the do Discos and RR. Not overing loaners, not having the "labor hours" for Freelanders, etc....Make sure you check with your dealer with what the offer, and get it in writing... |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:19 am: |
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The Freelander can still do some pretty cool things off-roading too...and you can always modify it a bit. If you look in the Freelander board, you'll see what some folks have done to their Freelanders. But personally, maybe I'm cynnical, but I do think there is a difference in how dealerships treat customers who buy a RR vs a Disco vs a Freelander. Or even between used or new of same model. If you ask them, of course they're going to say "we treat everyone the same" but in reality, you think they're going to cater to someone who bought a new RR versus someone who bought a second hand Disco the sameway? I doubt it, unless the dealership really has a strong policy to treat everyone the same. I'm not saying, it couldn't happen but I'm more inclined to believe the opposite. When I was a kid, I used to work as a lot boy at a Mercedes dealership and I saw it all the time. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:37 am: |
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from what I've seen, it's #2 referenced above... |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:38 am: |
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but of course, always with a smile and a friendly "thank you sir" from the guys and gals in safari gear... |
cody (Mightyreal)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 12:51 pm: |
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Blue...kids, yes: 4 and 1 yoa. Also, FWIW, if we go with the FL it'll likely be an HSE with a vehicle kit of some sort. ...before anything is final, I told my wife we're going to throw the car seats and the stroller in first, if she likes the room she has left (or lack of) then I guess we'll go with it. |
Don Collins (Donc)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 03:04 pm: |
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As long as I call ahead of time LR Fort Worth has had a loaner for me. It all depends on what center you go to. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 04:43 pm: |
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Quote:I told my wife we're going to throw the car seats and the stroller in first, if she likes the room she has left (or lack of) then I guess we'll go with it.
sounds like you know what you're doin. Enjoy whichever you end up with. |
Jay Hobbs (Jayxd)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 04:48 pm: |
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I'd say get to know your dealer regardless of what model you buy. If they have monthly trail rides or an annual customer event (whatever they call them), try to go to some. Loaner policies I guess differ from dealer to dealer but I thought it was standard under a factory warranty to offer a service loaner. I've been offered a loaner when I've taken my Disco to the dealer before and I didn't even buy it from them, but they are a great bunch of guys and I trail ride with them probably every other month.
See what is offered with the Freelander, it may be different, but you shouldn't expect to be brushed off, although I'd expect different treatment for those who just plopped down $75k on a new RR or long time customers. |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 10:53 pm: |
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something tells me they treat the old farts in the new rangies a little differently than they way they treat me, early 20s pulling up in the monstrocity known as my Disco. Whether it is Blue's #1 or #2 option I don't know but I bring lots of lube anyway........ |
Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 10:34 am: |
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I think it all depends on the dealership. I purchased my 97 Disco a while back, and this year an 02 Freelander for my wife from the same dealership. They know that I do a lot of my own work on the Disco, but still treat me very well. They also go out of their way to take care of the Freelander, and have given my wife a loaner when the Freelander has been in for service.
Another example of them going the extra mile; about two months after we got the Freelander, my wife went to the mall. While she was parked, somebody tapped the rear of the Freelander, and broke one of the bumper taillights. I didn't think this was something that could be reasonably called a warranty claim, and it would not make sense to try and cover it under our insurance policy either, so I just called the dealership parts dept. and ordered a replacement. When it came in a few days later, my wife went over to pick it up. The service manager saw her, and asked her what she thought she was doing paying for the part. He then went outside, and installed the light for her. No charge for the part or labor, and we didn't even have an appointment. This was a pleasant surprise to us, and a good business move on the dealerships part. Of course they didn't collect $60 for the light that day, but the long term investment they just made in customer loyalty is worth far more. The dealership is Land Rover Woodbridge on Rt 1 in New Jersey. They are part of the Peter Miller family of dealerships. I can highly recommend them, both for getting a vehicle and for service afterwards. |
Glenn Guinto (Glenn)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 12:13 pm: |
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I ditto that Ax, I bought my 99D1 from LR Parsippany, under the Paul Miller umbrella, and they are indeed very nice people. I highly recommend them... Unlike the other one close to me, LR Paramus, under the "Prestige" group of dealerships, which are snotty at times. They (paramus) seem to be more of the "elitist" dealership who cater more to the yuppies type.
-glenn |
cody (Mightyreal)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 12:53 am: |
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Well, completed the paper work and deposit on a silver FL SE with plenty of Kit; will take delivery in a day or two. For you Don: LR Fort Worth was an absolute pleasure. I never needed to consider the Bermuda Triangle of Dallas/Frisco/Austin with the deal FTW gave me. Wonderful folks...I'll post a few pictures next week. |
Kennith P. Whichard III (Kennith)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 11:53 pm: |
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Yeah,
The Land Rover Westchester guys are always nice to me. They seem to get much enjoyment out of me rolling up with all kinds of stories. They also like making fun of me and any bits I've managed to break.
I go down for tea sometimes, and usually leave with some sort of cool trinket from the gear shop. I have been taking apart and painting one of those little Disco II models for a while now (painstaking work with my darn shaky left hand), to make it look like mine.
I have noticed that premium automotive dealerships tend to favor the enthusiast, and as such, when my friend recently purchased a new BMW 5 series, bought him a BMW hat to celebrate the occasion, and wear for servicing.
Most people tend to love the freelander at the dealerships, and it is indeed becoming an entirely new facet to the Land Rover lifestyle.
Cheers,
Kennith |
Don Collins (Donc)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 10:02 pm: |
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Cody,
I was just up there on Sat getting some things sorted with a recall. I think I saw the FL that you were looking at. If you are in the area let me know if you want to try to take them out one weekend. (I am in Austin myself but spend my weekends between Houston or Dallas)www.mylander.com has some pics of some owners from the area.
BTW LR FW is great when it comes to mods. We had the sales staff out with us on Sat to look over a muffler change that was done on a 02 FL. (rear overhand problem fix) |
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