mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
I don't know how to say it any other way but the 2010 Dodge Journey that came home with me about a month ago is coming to an end & going to the local Dodge dealership & a brand new Caravan Crew with multiple upgrades is coming to replace the void in our daily driver lives.
the journey as much as I wanted to like/love/enjoy was just not cut out for life with Mr. fix it.
Right from the day we test drove it it has a clunking rattle in the front the Honda dealer promised to fix & did not even though they had a week to prep it remained.
the past month has been spent trying to be a nice guy about things but this past Sunday was the icing on the cake when for the first time I tried to peep the horn to a neighbour as we drove away and the stupid thing didn't work!
We have to have a Provincial inspection for safety when transferring ownership and there were concerns and from the get go the clunk was still present with the mechanic claiming they could not hear it.
I heard the second I pulled away...
This was just the start of the adventure...
I took it back and again the yclaimed there was nothing wrong and all was good.
I then took it to a local trusted garage for diagnosis.
The first words out of his mouth after checking it was 'could i take it back and get my money back?"
I was puzzled about this since it is a low mileage DJ.
He told me these suspensions front ans back keep him busy replacing struts, sway bar bushings, ball joints control arm bushings, etc.
All of which needed replacing on my DJ.
This was the front at first I was concerned about.
Everything had play in it with the exception of the new rear struts...
He did say that most of it passed inspection but barely.
So off I go with an estimate to present to the selling dealership.
They turn around ans state it all passes and that' what they are responsible for.
Failed to bring up the fact they promised to fix the clunking. I didn't forget though.
(Top strut load bearings...) Totally shot as I suspected when writing up the agreement
so fast forward to last Thursday afternoon. i had to stop suddenly for a car in front that made a left hand turn without brake lights.
I jabbed the brakes to slow down and suddenly this is pulling to the left into oncoming traffic if I left it but i held on and kept it in my lane.
(A typical issue with worn lower control arm bushings on our modern FWD cars)
so after I change into clean undershorts off igo again to the stealership and tell them happened. i was able to reproduce the action and the response was from the salesperson, "Hey, I'm not a mechanic we can have a look at it sometime next week".
The excuses are coming sure and strong since the pickup date.
Oh, I forgot to mention it was smoked in and they used some bubble gum perfume smell to cover it up.
so they keep putting me off with some sob stories on how the mechanic quit an they don't have time to fit me in.
I do my best to be understanding but I'm running out of time since we are planning to leave to SC to visit our daughter next week.
So back to the horn issue.
I took it to my mechanic for a full inspection only t find out the rear suspension is in big trouble too.
That's it and i go back to request my money back.
the best I finally get is if you buy a brand new Honda then you get full credit but until again I fight for this. after 3 weeks of owning this little turd they offer me the current trade value of $5,000!
I can't afford a new Honda but consider it but the only comfortable auto for me is an Oddessey and it comes to over $50,000 not even including extended warranty or other up charges.
They finally admitted that there are some issues but only replacing again parts to pass inspection. the rest is my own dime.
So I've had enough and go to the local Dodge dealer and made a deal for a B/N 2017 Grand Caravan Crew Plus with all the things needed to make life comfortable.
the touring suspension saved the day and I am out the door with the extended warranties and all for less than $40,000cdn
The final kick in the teeth is when this morning i call to see if all parts ahve arrived to the Honda dealer and they ask why the hurry and I tell them I sold it. now all bets are off and they tell me they will take it back to fix next Wednesday. 2 full days after i trade it in.
I tell them i need it for Monday at the latest.
They refused because they lost my business
I finally threatened to report them to the Ministry of Transportation safety inspection division (which I did many years ago )
I demand a courtesy auto as well and after terminating the call they call back and ask when I can drop it off
I reminded them I have to pick it up no later than 5pm Monday afternoon or the buying dealership will be informed of what took place And they are well aware of the issues typically associated with the DJ’s
Funny part is that my wife takes it in and ups the anti by demanding it be fixed by 5pm tomorrow or else the MTO is coming to do a reinspection or the poop will hit the fan
the journey as much as I wanted to like/love/enjoy was just not cut out for life with Mr. fix it.
Right from the day we test drove it it has a clunking rattle in the front the Honda dealer promised to fix & did not even though they had a week to prep it remained.
the past month has been spent trying to be a nice guy about things but this past Sunday was the icing on the cake when for the first time I tried to peep the horn to a neighbour as we drove away and the stupid thing didn't work!
We have to have a Provincial inspection for safety when transferring ownership and there were concerns and from the get go the clunk was still present with the mechanic claiming they could not hear it.
I heard the second I pulled away...
This was just the start of the adventure...
I took it back and again the yclaimed there was nothing wrong and all was good.
I then took it to a local trusted garage for diagnosis.
The first words out of his mouth after checking it was 'could i take it back and get my money back?"
I was puzzled about this since it is a low mileage DJ.
He told me these suspensions front ans back keep him busy replacing struts, sway bar bushings, ball joints control arm bushings, etc.
All of which needed replacing on my DJ.
This was the front at first I was concerned about.
Everything had play in it with the exception of the new rear struts...
He did say that most of it passed inspection but barely.
So off I go with an estimate to present to the selling dealership.
They turn around ans state it all passes and that' what they are responsible for.
Failed to bring up the fact they promised to fix the clunking. I didn't forget though.
(Top strut load bearings...) Totally shot as I suspected when writing up the agreement
so fast forward to last Thursday afternoon. i had to stop suddenly for a car in front that made a left hand turn without brake lights.
I jabbed the brakes to slow down and suddenly this is pulling to the left into oncoming traffic if I left it but i held on and kept it in my lane.
(A typical issue with worn lower control arm bushings on our modern FWD cars)
so after I change into clean undershorts off igo again to the stealership and tell them happened. i was able to reproduce the action and the response was from the salesperson, "Hey, I'm not a mechanic we can have a look at it sometime next week".
The excuses are coming sure and strong since the pickup date.
Oh, I forgot to mention it was smoked in and they used some bubble gum perfume smell to cover it up.
so they keep putting me off with some sob stories on how the mechanic quit an they don't have time to fit me in.
I do my best to be understanding but I'm running out of time since we are planning to leave to SC to visit our daughter next week.
So back to the horn issue.
I took it to my mechanic for a full inspection only t find out the rear suspension is in big trouble too.
That's it and i go back to request my money back.
the best I finally get is if you buy a brand new Honda then you get full credit but until again I fight for this. after 3 weeks of owning this little turd they offer me the current trade value of $5,000!
I can't afford a new Honda but consider it but the only comfortable auto for me is an Oddessey and it comes to over $50,000 not even including extended warranty or other up charges.
They finally admitted that there are some issues but only replacing again parts to pass inspection. the rest is my own dime.
So I've had enough and go to the local Dodge dealer and made a deal for a B/N 2017 Grand Caravan Crew Plus with all the things needed to make life comfortable.
the touring suspension saved the day and I am out the door with the extended warranties and all for less than $40,000cdn
The final kick in the teeth is when this morning i call to see if all parts ahve arrived to the Honda dealer and they ask why the hurry and I tell them I sold it. now all bets are off and they tell me they will take it back to fix next Wednesday. 2 full days after i trade it in.
I tell them i need it for Monday at the latest.
They refused because they lost my business
I finally threatened to report them to the Ministry of Transportation safety inspection division (which I did many years ago )
I demand a courtesy auto as well and after terminating the call they call back and ask when I can drop it off
I reminded them I have to pick it up no later than 5pm Monday afternoon or the buying dealership will be informed of what took place And they are well aware of the issues typically associated with the DJ’s
Funny part is that my wife takes it in and ups the anti by demanding it be fixed by 5pm tomorrow or else the MTO is coming to do a reinspection or the poop will hit the fan