marinrain

I'm comparing total costs/convenience etc. Have a CL and do NOT get a loaner. Is a loaner standard for service with 2004 TL? Thanks

HacksawHilliard

I think it all depends on what kind of service you get (warranty or just servicing) and if it's just servicing, how much are you paying. For warranty service where they have to keep my car for a few hours, my dealer gives me a loaner. But you have to ask for it in advance cause they only have so many to loan out. It may make a difference on how soon you're appt will be too. I think they'll provide one if your service will cost you $250 or more too, again with the same conditions.

EmuMessenger

I demand a loaner! When I had an Infiniti, they made you fight for loaners. When I had a Lexus, it was a given for both parties.

Ken1997TL

Some Acura dealerships will do it, especially if you let them know ahead of time. One dealership, I got an '02 RL (this was not even a year ago) for the day, all that was asked of me, was that I put a full tank of gas in before I bring it back. That was fine with me!

Other Acura dealerships are downright rotten, they are way down the food chain. In fact, Butler Acura here in Oregon, laughed at me when I asked for a loaner while I was getting warranty work done that would take the whole day.

1SICKLEX

I know with Lexus the dealers have a huge amount of ES 300 loaners. RX 330s will soon become loaners as well. It comes with owning a Lexus. Better treatment. #1 in customer satisfaction.

On the contrary, when my friends get a loaner from their Acura dealer, its a RSX at best, or an Integra, Corolla or rental.

EZZ

Depends on the dealer. The SD dealers give you corollas at the Lexus dealer and the G35 sedan at the Infiniti dealer. In fact, you gotta pay $5 to get a loaner in San Diego (Lexus)

mook

Every dealership it appears have different policies. I've seen a lot a variance in this. Unless you see it in writing, you have no guarantees that you will even get a loaner car for warranty work at some places.

Service is very important to me too and when I am ready to buy that will figure strongly into my decision as to what car I will buy and what dealership I will get it from. I'm lucky in that I live in Houston with 4 Acura dealers alone, not to mention the other brands I'm considering.

I've tried in the past to get a dealer to commit to loaner cars at the time of the sale and it doesn't happen. Also never take the old line from the salesman "just call me and I'll get you a loaner or a ride". Most of us are lucky if we see our salesman after the sale is over, let alone have them help us with service issues....

My advise is to ask a lot of questions and try to get their service/loaner policies in writing if possible. If you can talk to folks who have used that dealers service department and see if they are happy or not.

madlaw

I picked up my 04 TL yesterday and I get the first 2 services free and a loaner with each and every visit. Delray Acura

nyctl

the dealership i go to usually tries to put you in a similar vehicle i.e. TL or CL.
If no advance notice, that's when I may get put into an rsx.

another method would be to take an extended test drive. drop your car off for service and "test drive" a vehicle to where you need to go. only works for same day service jobs of course and with an amenable dealer.

SCWells72

When I have my Lexus serviced I get my choice of an IS300, ES300 (haven't had an ES330 yet), or RX300/RX330. Most of the time I get an IS300 (unfortunately auto only), but I have tried out the newer RX330 a few times since my wife is interested in a new SUV and it makes for a nice long-term test drive.

What's funny is that when we bought our Z3, we were told we would ALWAYS get a BMW loaner as part of the service. I think that's only been the case a few times even though we cite our sales experience every time they shaft us. BMW's are fun to drive, but at least our dealer/service center stinks when it comes to the customer experience. Especially relative to how Lexus treats me...

TorontoTL

In Toronto, I have always received a loaner car, a 1.7 EL currently at my dealership as long as I prebooked it so they would make sure they had one for me.

mrtortoise

In NYC, based on my experience, the dealers only gave out loaners to people who brought the car from them. I went to 2 dealers in Long Island for some work in the past and got turned down for loaners just becuase I didn't buy the car there. So, like the others have said, it really depends on the dealer.

need4spd

My dealer does loaners as long as you ask up front, even for oil changes. Also, every other service is free, plus a car wash

Totally dependent on market and dealer, I agree.

Rocketsfan

I brought my new TL home this past saturday from Houston but didn't get it tinted. I can get the tinting done cheaper here. I asked a dealer here in Dallas if they allowed loaners if I got them to tint the car. They said they'd either hook me up with a loaner or give me a ride to work (which is only a few miles away).

99WDP

My dealer always has a loaner for me if I call a few days in advance and request it. I just sold my '99 and the '04 won't be in until 11/17, called them up and they said they would give me a loaner until the new car arrived.

Elcaddis

It really depends on the dealer. I haven't yet get a loaner from my dealer, cuz I never ask for it, always waited for the car.
Some dealer will give you whatever loaner is available. Like my friend(96 integra) got loaners occations, RSX and TSX, which I was surprised. She said that TSX is really well made, especially the interior.

scottt

I have always received a loaner from any Acura dealer I have dealt with (on my '95 Legend LS Coupe, and my '03 3.2TL Type S with Nav)

ray85158

I have always received a loaner for my Acura. If fact, I also receive a loaner for my Honda too.

Sherlock

It is my assumption that Acura TLC policy says you get one. Advance notice is a general requirement as one dealer here only has 4 avail TL's for loan.

When my 04 sat in the shop all week, by friday when the part didn't come in they said they could get me one saturday morning. Out of spite I demanded one Friday and got an 03 TL-P that had rolled in at 5:15pm.

Tho the first two times my baby went in they didn't even offer.. sat for 6 hours there.

mook

Sherlock,

You must have the patience of a saint. After reading what you've gone through, I would be pounding my fist on the counter demanding a loaner... that is unless you really like sitting in a dealership waiting room?

This just goes to show that it depends on the dealership on what you get in regard to loaners. I have had dealers that provide them with little to no fuss (advance appointment) to some that look at you like you sprouted a third eyeball when you ask.

Best thing to do is talk to the folks at the dealership you buy from. If you can, ditch your salesperson and wander to the service department and ask a service rep what it takes to get a loaner. If they look at you funny or laugh, you know you are not going to get one easily, but on the other hand they may say "just call us in advance so we can schedule one for you". Remember in most cases a salesperson will tell you what you need to hear to sell the car.