Can anyone recommend a good service center in Miami?

[lostcause]

I don't have a lot of confidence in my dealer...Saturn of South Dade. My top is misaligned and I took it in this morning to have them look at it. When I go to close it,the pins are always slightly off to the right and I have to push/pull the top sideways toward the driver's side to get the pins in the holes. Also, the area where it meets the door is misaligned on the passenger side and I have to open and close it a few times before it finally lines up right.

Here's a picture of that. The rubber corner on the top is supposed to fit into the opening on the car. Mine ends up on the outside of it most of the time



It misaligns like this about 70% of the time when I go to close it, and always on the same side. The driver's side also looks to align slightly to the inside of where it should be, although it's not as bad as the passenger's side. Basically the top is shifted slightly to the passenger side.

So anyway, the service advisor first said this is probably normal for a convertible top since it's not on any kind of a track and moves back and forth. I explained that it's not that it misaligns on one side one day, then the other side the next day..it's misaligned like this on the same side all the time and since the pins also always end up to the right of the holes, it seems that the top is shifted slightly to the right. He said he didn't think anything could be done but that if I wanted to, I could drive over to their body shop myself and see if they thought it was actually a problem and if so, if anything could be done.

So I go to the body shop and the guy there looks at it and says there's a service bulletin about the top alignment but he's not sure if it addresses that. He also told me they'd never done a top alignment before. Anyway, he does look it up and says he thinks they can fix it but that the service center should have been the ones to bring the car to him, not me, and that I need to go back and have them fill out a service order. He also said they would provide me with a rental car since he didn't know how long the repair could take since they've never done one before.

So I go back to the service center, the guy says he hadn't heard about the service bulletin for the top alignment but that the body shop had just called him and told him about it. Then he tells me that they will not provide me with a rental car and the best they can do is give me a ride home.

Anyway, they weren't unpleasant about any of this but they just didn't leave me with any sense of confidence that they actually know what they're doing when it comes to working on the Sky, or even what the policy is about providing rental cars.

So, can anyone recommend a dealer in the Miami area with a service center that might have a little more experience working with the Sky? There are only a couple of saturn dealers in the area but I'm hoping at least one of them has experience working on the sky.

[SunneySky]

I had the same experience at the same dealer... The top has been fixed, however I have found that to get the top to set correctly both windows need to be down. If it put the top up with one window down and one up its difficult to allign the top correctly. When both windows are up its difficult to get the latch to engage.

I think the Saturn dealer in the Dural area is part of the same dealership - so I doubt there any better - and the body shop is near the one you went to.

They are friendly, do good work, but slow... It took 2 hours for an oil change - two days to install the hid lights... Two days to fix the top allignment (and no rental car)... I think if there was another dealer near there with better service I'd go there too.

I can provide you with the web page of the company that mystery shops saturn dealerships... I understand they are looking for people to do mystery shopping... That way you could get reimbursed for your oil changes etc... and put your 2 cents worth in where people may listen.

[MidniteBlues]

My dealer is up in Pembroke Pines, in Broward, that might be a little to far for you to go--If not, let me know I'll PM info--They also have a body shop on the property--They are very very good BTW--

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by SunneySky

I had the same experience at the same dealer... The top has been fixed, however I have found that to get the top to set correctly both windows need to be down. If it put the top up with one window down and one up its difficult to allign the top correctly. When both windows are up its difficult to get the latch to engage.

I think the Saturn dealer in the Dural area is part of the same dealership - so I doubt there any better - and the body shop is near the one you went to.

They are friendly, do good work, but slow... It took 2 hours for an oil change - two days to install the hid lights... Two days to fix the top allignment (and no rental car)... I think if there was another dealer near there with better service I'd go there too.

I can provide you with the web page of the company that mystery shops saturn dealerships... I understand they are looking for people to do mystery shopping... That way you could get reimbursed for your oil changes etc... and put your 2 cents worth in where people may listen.

good to hear I'm not the only one with a negative experience there. I had a very negative buying experience there also. They did not act like a Saturn dealer is supposed to. They played all of the usual games and tactics that other "shark-infested" dealerships play. That would be great if you could provide me with the company that mystery shops saturn dealers.

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

My dealer is up in Pembroke Pines, in Broward, that might be a little to far for you to go--If not, let me know I'll PM info--They also have a body shop on the property--They are very very good BTW--

Yeah, if you can get me the info I'd appreciate it. It's not too far as long as they can do it while I wait. Looking at the service bulletin someone posted on my other thread, it looks like it should be a pretty simple repair. I'm off work the rest of this week so if I can drive it up tomorrow or friday and they can do it while I wait, I'd rather go with them and not give Saturn of South Dade any more business than absolutely necessary.

[AnonNomis]

I have the exact same problem on a sky delivered March 9th. I had the dealership try to fix it but it still does it. I press it in everytime I use my top. Hopefully if I keep doing it, eventually it will stay that way. My decklid was also off to the right a little. I don't think the two should be related but check your decklid too. good luck

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by lostcause

Yeah, if you can get me the info I'd appreciate it. It's not too far as long as they can do it while I wait. Looking at the service bulletin someone posted on my other thread, it looks like it should be a pretty simple repair. I'm off work the rest of this week so if I can drive it up tomorrow or friday and they can do it while I wait, I'd rather go with them and not give Saturn of South Dade any more business than absolutely necessary.

Whoa now, body work is different than service, so don't expect the car back the same day--LOL (altho anything is possible depending on how busy they are and what day it is, and what the perceived problem is)) HOWEVER, the possibilities of them giving you a rental certainly might be possible if it is a multi day thingy (the rental agency is right there), but ah I donno how that works either. (never needed the free wheels, altho it has been offered) Most of the time I go there, drop off the car, courtesy ride home, cars ready, they come and pick me up. All the same day. When its multiple days, I never needed wheels since I have access to other wheels. Just a ride home is all need, then a pickup when the cars ready. Check your PM, I'll give info on who what and where MB Place is right across North Perry Airport, just south of hollywood blvd and university drive, west side, can take turnpike or i-75 to get there--

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by AnonNomis

I have the exact same problem on a sky delivered March 9th. I had the dealership try to fix it but it still does it. I press it in everytime I use my top. Hopefully if I keep doing it, eventually it will stay that way. My decklid was also off to the right a little. I don't think the two should be related but check your decklid too. good luck

I actually did check my decklid earlier today. It looks like the seal is broken and needs to be replaced. If you look at the very end of the seal, there's a little pin that goes into the trunk lid and holds it in place there. That pin is broken on mine. lol...apparently quite a few fit/finish problems on mine. So far I have the windshield pillar molding, the top, and the decklid seal. That's just what I've noticed so far. I haven't really gone over it with a finetooth comb yet. I wish there was a reliable dealer near me.

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

Whoa now, body work is different than service, so don't expect the car back the same day--LOL (altho anything is possible depending on how busy they are and what day it is, and what the perceived problem is)) HOWEVER, the possibilities of them giving you a rental certainly might be possible if it is a multi day thingy (the rental agency is right there), but ah I donno how that works either. (never needed the free wheels, altho it has been offered) Most of the time I go there, drop off the car, courtesy ride home, cars ready, they come and pick me up. All the same day. When its multiple days, I never needed wheels since I have access to other wheels. Just a ride home is all need, then a pickup when the cars ready. Check your PM, I'll give info on who what and where MB Place is right across North Perry Airport, just south of hollywood blvd and university drive, west side, can take turnpike or i-75 to get there--

Well, what a difference a different dealer can make. I called your place and asked for the guy you mentioned. I told him I wasn't happy with the service department at my dealer and told him what the problem was with my top. He said bring it in tomorrow morning, they'll get right on it, and they'll give me a loaner car while they figure it out and fix it. I guess I'll take the opportunity to also tell them about the broken pillar molding and the broken trunk seal. Let's see if they can take care of those too so I dont' have to go back to saturn of south dade.

I sent you a pm also but figured I'd post it here in case anyone else is looking for a competent and professional service center.

[SunneySky]

Originally Posted by lostcause

Well, what a difference a different dealer can make. I called your place and asked for the guy you mentioned. I told him I wasn't happy with the service department at my dealer and told him what the problem was with my top. He said bring it in tomorrow morning, they'll get right on it, and they'll give me a loaner car while they figure it out and fix it. I guess I'll take the opportunity to also tell them about the broken pillar molding and the broken trunk seal. Let's see if they can take care of those too so I dont' have to go back to saturn of south dade.

I sent you a pm also but figured I'd post it here in case anyone else is looking for a competent and professional service center.

I had the decklid alligned at the south dade dealership. They did a good job on it. The service people have really been ok to deal with - just sssllloooowww. Anyway, It hasn't been bad enough for me to drive all the way to Pembroke pines. However, after having bought three saturns there... and after the miserable experience buying the last one was.... I will make the drive to pembroke pines next year when I plan to buy the next one. REEAlly, does it need to take 7 hours to buy a car that you don't even finance! And did I really need to go through an experience of negotiation - like you do at non-saturn dealers JUST to get MSRP without stupid add-ons? And finally - It was sad to know that i knew more about the car than the salesman who sold it to me... they gave me bad information. Told me I couldn't add XM radio to the standard radio in the sky... Yes you can - its a 225 dollar plug in device you can buy over the internet. Ahh, it felt good to vent.

At least the end result is EXELLENT, I LOVE my sky!

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by SunneySky

I had the decklid alligned at the south dade dealership. They did a good job on it. The service people have really been ok to deal with - just sssllloooowww. Anyway, It hasn't been bad enough for me to drive all the way to Pembroke pines. However, after having bought three saturns there... and after the miserable experience buying the last one was.... I will make the drive to pembroke pines next year when I plan to buy the next one. REEAlly, does it need to take 7 hours to buy a car that you don't even finance! And did I really need to go through an experience of negotiation - like you do at non-saturn dealers JUST to get MSRP without stupid add-ons? And finally - It was sad to know that i knew more about the car than the salesman who sold it to me... they gave me bad information. Told me I couldn't add XM radio to the standard radio in the sky... Yes you can - its a 225 dollar plug in device you can buy over the internet. Ahh, it felt good to vent.

At least the end result is EXELLENT, I LOVE my sky!

Wow...I went through the exact same thing. Non-saturn type tactics and negotiations, I also knew more about the car than the salesman..plus he told me it had a bunch of options it ended up not having (I caught this before I bought it). At least you managed to get msrp. I ended up with a few hundred over. I beat you by two hours though. I was only there around 5 hours.

And my end result is the same. I love it!! Can't stop driving it. Almost 1000 miles in around 2 weeks. That'll slow down when I go back to work next week though...

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by lostcause

Well, what a difference a different dealer can make. I called your place and asked for the guy you mentioned. I told him I wasn't happy with the service department at my dealer and told him what the problem was with my top. He said bring it in tomorrow morning, they'll get right on it, and they'll give me a loaner car while they figure it out and fix it. I guess I'll take the opportunity to also tell them about the broken pillar molding and the broken trunk seal. Let's see if they can take care of those too so I dont' have to go back to saturn of south dade.

I sent you a pm also but figured I'd post it here in case anyone else is looking for a competent and professional service center.

Cool, I replied to your PM. The only way your stuff will not get fixed right away is if they gotta order parts (which happens occasionally and has happened to me in the past) Normally takes them 3,4-5 daysto get parts however, altho the body shop seems to have some stock on hand. I ordered the air dam for the Sky Mondy, have not received a call yet whether the part has made it yet. I usually don't botherr them, they have ALWAYS called me when the parts arrive, so I,m patient--I pretty confident they will treat you as you expect to be treated and that your issues ALL of them will be addressed, if parts are needed they'll give you the option on what you want to do, u want them to hold the car and fix it, or do u want car back and bring it back in when all the parts are in--Either way, your complaints WILL be taken care, they just always have for me--

[YellowSky]

i deal with the same dealership and my RL has the same top problems.. my base never did have a top problem.. this one has already been there once for the top and its still doin the same problem its a 2 hr hike for me so there given me a car no matter what when i show up.. there good tho alot better then some in FL i can promise you that! talk to eather pavel or david next time u go to SD.. let me know ur outcome i want urs fixed before i make that drive again to leave mine

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by YellowSky

i deal with the same dealership and my RL has the same top problems.. my base never did have a top problem.. this one has already been there once for the top and its still doin the same problem its a 2 hr hike for me so there given me a car no matter what when i show up.. there good tho alot better then some in FL i can promise you that! talk to eather pavel or david next time u go to SD.. let me know ur outcome i want urs fixed before i make that drive again to leave mine

Well, tomorrow I'm going to the one in pembroke pines. They sounded much more professional and willing to help than south dade. They also told me they would give me a loaner car which south dade refused to do. Apparently I'm not the only one who has had some not so positive experiences with south dade.

Unfortunately I'm going to have to go there for at least one more thing. They have my pillar trim panels on order already. Fortunately I think they can handle replacing two trim panels. I might end up having them do the trunk seal also if pembroke pines doesn't have it in stock. I'm really hoping pembroke can take care of my top issue though.

[MidniteBlues]

Just remember guys, as far as I'm concerned the main issue here is getting your issues fixed, & resolved, so you can move on and enjoy your ride, don't care if its done SD or PP, as long as its fixed. Also the way of how you are treated when you go for service to me is just as important besides the fact that your issues and problems are addressed in a professional manner and are fixed. I still stand by PP, if its fixable, they WILL fix it--MB--Fact is, we are at least fortunate enough that in SoFl we DO have options close by--

[lostcause]

Wow! What a difference. Now I know why Saturn is getting a good reputation for their service. I went to the pembroke pines dealer and it was like being in a different world than what I experienced at south dade. They actually seemed to care about the problem and so far have gone above and beyond what I think they needed to. I showed them the problem with the top not seating right, they opened and closed it themselves until they were able to replicate it, then wrote up a repair order with no hassles, no bouncing me around and telling me to go deal with the bodyshop myself... They didn't try to tell me it was normal or they couldn't do anything it. It gets better...while the service advisor was looking at the top, he noticed a small tear in the stitching. It was outside and wouldn't have cause any leaks but he said it was unacceptable and said he's going to see if I might need a new top. Wow! The other dealer barely even bothered to look at the problem I complained about, much less take the initiative and look for other possible problems.

It gets even better...South dade told me they wouldn't provide a loaner/rental car while trying to fix my car. Pembroke pines said that today, all they needed to do was keep my car for a couple of hours to have their convertible top specialist look it over and make sure they order the right parts, then I could take it home this afternoon and bring it back when the parts came in. Well, I told him I could wait if it was only going to be a few hours but he insisted on giving me a rental car for the few hours they would have my car today. What a difference.

I also told them about the other problems like the trunk seal coming off and the windshield pillar trim panels being loose and they're going to take care of those things too. I told them that south dade already had the parts on order for the trim panels and he said no problem, they'll just call them and have them ship it over so they can do the work instead. Awesome!

It's a shame they're so far from me but it's worth the extra drive for that level of service. If their sales department is anything like their service, I wish I wuold have bought the car there also.

[MidniteBlues]

I am glad it is working out for you-- Like I've said, I expect that kind of service from dealers, when I do not, (like at this multi-car dealer right off the Sawgrasse) I quit dealing with them. IN FACT, I took it a step further, I bought a Jeep Cherokee and a Dodge pick-up from them, piss me off or give me the run around with warranty, do as I do, I traded both in. Went to a GMC dealer traded in the Dodge for a GMC Sierra, (much better pick-up by the way), then I took the Cherookee and traded that in for a Jeep Wrangler at different Jeep dealer. You can tell one professional from another, and that is "How do they treat you for warranty work or repairs"? that for me counts big time!! I got lucky when I found this dealer, they use to be in Miami Lakes while under the Williamson banner, (I think they and V are partners). Then last year they moved their operations to Pembroke Pines, made me happy put them closer to me, however even when in ML, I would drive there just because of the service and the quality of their techs--

Anyways I'm glad Albert is taking care of you, your in good hands my friend!!

[SunneySky]

Ok, that does it.

Next time I have a problem to fix - I will drive to Pembroke Pines.