Ok, I did it, I pulled the trigger and I'm picking up a Celestial Silver/Ebony RL either tomorrow or Tuesday. The car still has the plastic on the interior and that coating on the paint from shipping. What should I remember/check during delivery?

When I pick it up, they will have completed the 3M PaintGuard, on the entire front fascia, front section of hood, mirrors, door edge guards, and the entire rear bumper as well. I didn't go for any accessories, as I've learned on here that they are cheaper purchased online. (want the floormats and wood shift knob)

Can the dealer turn off the DRLs for good at delivery?
Is there something in the menu that allows them to be turned off?

What's the "break-in" period? How soon should I do an oil change? (I'll likely switch to Mobil 1) Does the car come with "break-in" oil that is supposed to remain in the car for a certain time-period?

I'm sure I'll think of a zillion more questions before I pick it up, but I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on what to look for!

Randy

 

Congrats on your new car. Smart move with the clear bra right off the bat. My dealer didn't offer that option and I got a chip driving it to the clear bra installer where i got the full install including the door edges and rear fascia deck. My dealers service department is open on Saturdays so I had its first oil change at 5K. Yes, the oil from the factory has that break in oil stuff that the service manager said was good for 7K for long distance driving, or 3,750 for stop and go city driving. I went for in-between those recommendations because it went against my learned practice of an early first oil change. Just looking at your number of posts, you probably already know in your mind what is right.

 

McGrath Acura of Westmont -- very pleased with my experience as a whole. I was looking at McGrath (competing brother) of Morton Grove, but I had several salesmen try to sell me a USED RL with 10K+ miles on it for $1000 MORE than I paid for my new RL ($45,100). Also, Westmont gave me a better value on my trade-in. McGrath of Westmont was great -- they sell over 170 cars a month, and it shows. The dealer in Naperville that wouldn't let me test-drive lost my business -- they also claimed that they "couldn't go lower than $46,900." Fine by me, I bought it elsewhere...

I had the 3M Scotchguard Paint Protection Film installed on the front fascia, front 24" of hood, mirrors, A-pillars, roof in front of windshield, door edges, and entire rear bumper (running from rear wheel to rear wheel). This was an additional $1000, for all of it. Great installation, very clean. The installer recommended using a protectant called 303 rather than wax on the 3M film.

I ordered the floormats, trunk tray, and cargo net; I may also order the wood shifter at some point. The dealer wouldn't match the online pricing , so I ordered it online instead. Any pros/cons on the shifter knobs? Does the wood get hot in the sun? Is it just me, or is the wood knob larger?

I need to go back and have them replace the driver's door handle, as someone put a big nick in it (paint AND chrome is chipped) during prep, and have them hardwire my Valentine One.

MP3 CD-R works great, as do DTS CDs. Next, I'll experiment with DVD-Rs...

Love it so far!

Randy

 

two brothers own competing acura dealerships? That's hilarious...

congrats on the car Randy.

 

The McGrath family also owns Lexus dealerships. I also bought from McGrath of Westmont (salesman was Peter McGrath, was a very good experience). Peter told me they own property across the street from their downtown Lexus dealership (the big one on Divison next to the Kennedy) and have been trying to get approval to build an Acura dealership there. I'm really looking forward to that so I don't have to drive out to the 'burbs anymore. I don't see how people can do that kind of commute on a daily basis, blech.

 

So are the brothers competing or do they just want to monopolize the dealerships in town? If they are competing does anyone know why they don't seem to like each other? It would seem if that is the case sibling rivalry didn't end during their childhood years...

 

I sensed there is some rivalry there, because when I said something like "Oh, your other dealership,", they said, "Oh no, it's not connected to this McGrath, that's a different McGrath." Only later did someone say, in a whisper, "Yeah, they're brothers, actually."

Also -- the DRLs cannot be turned off. Oh well.

Randy

 

They are family, yet they each have their own business. They compete but don't hate - I'm sure they all have Thanksgiving together but at the same time they need to do what any business needs to do, which is compete against anybody else in their market. Chicago is a large enough market where having a north suburban dealership vs. a west suburban dealership provides both an ample supply of customers. I just look forward to having a downtown dealership so I don't have to out to the hinterlands, AKA "The Land Beyond O'Hare", anymore. I don't know where the notion that they don't like each other comes from - could someone please cite a reference for that? I've never heard that before this post.

 

In my experience, it was never stated outright, it was just implied in both dealers' tone... When I asked about McGrath of Westmont when I was *at* McGrath of Morton Grove, the salesman said, "No no no - that's an entirely different McGrath." For all I know, there is just some friendly family competition.

Randy

 

Just seems odd and doesn't seem like a normal "business" style. If they liked each other then logically I would think they would join forces rather than compete against each other.

I just think of two brothers competing against each other and chuckle since it sounds like a movie.


Maybe they have another brother and he will be opening that downtown acura dealership.

 

I could see them getting together on the weekend:

"Hey bro, I had a good week. 5 clients who visited your dealership first ended up buying from me as I discounted them an exta 500 bucks each. Looks like I'll be getting my wife that diamond necklace now that ehr and your wife nancy have looked at"

Seriously how can anyone not find two bros competing with the same brand dealership odd? How can anyone not see they must have some animosity towards each other? Brothers who like each other don't compete against each other with the same business in the same city. Sorry, doesn't happen....at least not in a sane world.

 

When you find a sane world, please send me the address.