this thing won't let me edit after 5 mintues... But I meant to say that Infiniti called and told me a new nav unit needed to be installed, but that it was backordered.

To clarify the botched spoiler job on my TL. The dealership was 130 miles away. I made an appointment to get my free oil change, and have my spoiler installed. I drove there, got a loaner, and tooled around for a day, because they said it would take about 6-7 hours. They called me about 7 hours later and said everything was done...

I saw my TL sitting in front. But there was no spoiler installed. I asked them what was going on. They said they ordered the wrong color spoiler. They said that I could just keep the RL until the correct piece arrived, and they finished the work.

I didn't mind they ordered the wrong color spoiler. (Mistakes can happen I guess). But they should've told me earlier. If they knew they were going to let me keep the loaner, I could've driven back home or went to the beach since it was a nice saturday, innstead of tooling around this city for a day waiting for a call.

Acura never did correct their computer system's though. I went to a different acura dealer here in Portland to get touchup paint. When I asked for Redondo Red Pearl, the dealer told me my car cannot be Redondo Red Pearl. They said in the computer it says it's Ruby Red Quartz. They told me to get the paint code off the door. OK. I got it. They said, "Yup, ruby red quartz". OK.. Whatever... I go to the dealer. Pickup my order. I look at the bottle... "Redondo Red Pearl"

 

WOW!! Definitely seems like your experience with the Infiniti was slightly better than with the Acura. Very informative post AVS.

 

AVS007,

I truly believe that after-purchase experience is based on your area.

In my area, Infiniti is known for the double-speak, but Acura is VERY good... kinda like your story in reverse.

As for your comments: I know that the sunroof was NOT a stand-alone option in the G35 sedan during at least one model year (can't remember if it was with the 05s or the 03s and 04s). That said, you got some nice extras with the package that made it worth the $.

Next, I am the one that made the comment about the trunk hinges. I too believe that they should have used the hydraulics, as they do with the hood. However, there is a reason that this is a bad idea with the TL IMO. If one of those hydraulic arms takes a dump... you can't get into the trunk to fix it (can't fold down the seats to fix it). Rare? Yes... but it still happens.

More importantly, the comment was made in response to a poster who stated that the ALTIMA had a superior trunk mechanism to the TL because the TL's lift arms cut down on trunk space. Now as we all probably know, both the TL and the Altima have similar trunk mechanisms. However, Acura took the time to redesign their trunk to keep the mechanism as unobtrusive as possible, whereas Nissan's mechanism does restrict the usable trunk space and have a great habit of chewing up luggage if you aren't careful.

 

AVS007: Yes it does appear that this thread has been in circles. I replied to one of the first posts without reading the entire thread to see that this has been beaten to death.

I would say that your Acura dealer really sucks, and I would also say that your Infiniti dealer has done exactly the correct things that we should expect from any near-luxury dealer, at the minimum.

I have not had any direct experience with Infiniti, just Nissan, and my Nissan experiences are about the same caliber as your Acura experiences.

I had a Nissan Sentra in for a engine light sensor problem which they said was fixed, but they still had to keep it overnight to drop the oil pan, just to make sure it was ok. This made no sense to me so I asked to see the car. When they finally brought me into the service area to see it, there was a big sign that was taped over the driver's door that said "DO NOT START ENGINE" So when I looked at the car, I asked them why the sign was there, and after some shitting around I finally got out of them that they broke off the oil dipstick and when they tried to get it out they pushed it further down into the crankshaft. They tried to hide this from me.

They also crashed my Altima into a pole or something (assuming by the size/shape of dent) When I picked it up and noticed it, some halfwit told me that it was there and I obviously tried to have it repaired already because he had years of experience doing body work and he can easily spot an old dent. I showed him the check in sheet where the dent was not marked off, and asked him if he thinks someone would miss this dent. About an hour of arguing with him and the manager they agreed to fix it. When they fixed it, it looked like someone did a dukes of hazard slide all over the car and scratched it with the buttons on their jeans. They told me that this was already there again. After another hour and countless explitives, they agreeed to fix it again, on which they performed a terrible job.

Now for Infiniti, a friend of mine has a G35 which had an axle problem.(Not sure of the exact problem) After one or two times of trying to fix it, they asked him if he wanted the same color. He explained that he was confused and asked them what they meant. They told him they were replacing his car, and did he want the same color, or a different color. They replaced his Red 04 coupe with a brand new White 05 coupe. Now that is service. I have also heard other great things about Infiniti, but I has also heard bad. I am a bit skeptical, because after all they are Nissan, and I' scared the Nissan in them might come out at some point. (I'm thinking of getting an 05 G35 Coupe)

I have never had, or known someone personally who has had any problems with Acura, Honda or Infiniti service. So really I think it depends on your location, and more specifically, how the dealer runs their service dept. I'm sure Acura/Infiniti/Etc has guidelines on how it should be run, but as we know, dealers will sometimes cut as many corners and get away with whatever they can.

Oh, and by the way, you quoted me and spoke about trunk hinges, I'm not sure if you directed that portion at me, but who really gives a shit about trunk hinges? That is not going to affect many people's decisions. I'm sure some ways are better than others, but it's not a big deal one way or the other.

 

I would agree that is damn good service. Sadly all the Infiniti dealerships in this area are owned by the same group and is renound for crappy service. Experienced this first-hand a few times.

BTW: was he referring to you or me on the trunk, lol! Either way the original comment was about an Altima, which is not the topic of convo anyway

 

This is why it's important to let corporate know what's going on. A while back there was a story about an Infiniti dealer on the US side near Toronto. (Sorry, my geography in that region sucks...) Anyways, a bunch of people complained to Infiniti corporate. That infiniti actually voided the contract with that dealer, and that dealer was no longer allowed to sell Infiniti products. However, that kinda sucked, because that was the only Infiniti dealer in the area. People had to go to the Infiniti dealer in Toronto. That wasn't too bad, because it was pretty close. What sucked, was that Infiniti Canada isn't authorised to handle warranty claims with Infiniti USA. I'm not sure if Acura works this way too or not. Heck, I don't even know if this story is true...

Nah, I wasn't directing it at anybody. I was just throwing in my two cents about why I thought someone would complain about gooseneck hinges. I don't really care either way. I do think the trunk is on the small side, as my departed Pontiac Grand Am, which is EPA compact, has a larger trunk than the new RL. But like I said... If I really cared about trunk space, I wouldn't of boughten my G35 coupe, which has < 10 cubic ft.

 

The main thing that I can take out of this thread is the dealers make or break the brand. I have had similar experiences with chrysler and dodge on repairing my jeep. You would think that the chrysler dealer would be better, but my experience has been completely the opposite. After getting the run-around for numerous issues at the chrysler dealership, about warrantee work I took the jeep to a dodge dealer 1 mile away... and no problem, right away. What a difference. I went so far as to call chrysler to commend the dodge dealer and to ask why the chrysler dealer had a 5 star rating. they didn't have answer.

My dealing with the local Acura dealer have been good...so far. I guess when you feel that dealer is taking advantage of you need to call up Acura and let them know. No waiting for the survey. I have found that the surveys only come when the service performed is the simplest and the easiest to get an excellent rating.

Let them hear your voice, it may accomplish little but hey what the heck , waste their time and get it off your chest.

 

[QUOTE=KrgTL04].

Then some guy with a Maxima replied with this:

So, enjoy your supposed "prestige" with your upscale Honda. I will enjoy my 2004 Maxima with 16 pounds more torque on a car which weighs 143 pounds less, which is 4.2 inches longer, sits 1.6 inches higher, has 1.0 inch more front headroom, has 0.8 inch more rear shoulder room, 0.8 inch more front leg room, 1.0 inch more rear hip room, and 1.6 inches more rear leg room. Plus, a 3 gallon larger gas tank and a 3.0 cu. ft. larger trunk. And, I don't have to first wind the engine to 3,500 RPMs in order to move quickly.

Yes, I agree. The 2004 Maxima isn't really in the same class as the TL.


hmmm sounds like he is basically saying "F*%k ME, I AM SUCH AN IDIOT FOR BUYING THIS POS NISSAN MAXIMA I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT AN ACURA TL".