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I got a phone call from Mossy Nissan about an hour ago. I couldn't talk for long because I had my 3-year-old with me, but the salesperson ("Leaf Specialist?") introduced himself and indicated he got my info from Nissan and said he'd be in touch again via e-mail and phone to keep me updated with the latest information they have on the Leaf.

This is better than the experience I had e-mailing folks at Mossy directly... I'll see if I can learn some more.
 
Bicster said:
I got a phone call from Mossy Nissan about an hour ago. I couldn't talk for long because I had my 3-year-old with me, but the salesperson ("Leaf Specialist?") introduced himself and indicated he got my info from Nissan and said he'd be in touch again via e-mail and phone to keep me updated with the latest information they have on the Leaf.

This is better than the experience I had e-mailing folks at Mossy directly... I'll see if I can learn some more.

We have about 6 Mossy Nissan dealer locations in San Diego. I didn't know that they had locations outside of my area. I have been trying to decide which location to select as my "preferred dealer". I'm probably going to select the closest one in case I need repair/maintenance related to the battery or charging system.
 
Frank said:
We have about 6 Mossy Nissan dealer locations in San Diego. I didn't know that they had locations outside of my area. I have been trying to decide which location to select as my "preferred dealer". I'm probably going to select the closest one in case I need repair/maintenance related to the battery or charging system.

My assumption is that they are not related to the Mossy locations out west.

Most Nissan dealerships will be able to service the Leaf. I've always bought cars at the dealer that gave me the best deal, and had them serviced at the dealer that gave me the least BS or was most convenient. Usually they're not the same dealership. The only perk I've lost as a result is access to free loaner vehicles, which service departments usually reserve for folks who buy their cars from them.

Hopefully the Leaf won't require much service. My Subaru has only been back to the dealership once, for a simple recall, in 5 years. Seems like the VW I owned before it spent half its time in the service bay.
 
Bicster said:
Hopefully the Leaf won't require much service. My Subaru has only been back to the dealership once, for a simple recall, in 5 years. Seems like the VW I owned before it spent half its time in the service bay.

My Nissan Maxima has gone to a Nissan dealership exactly once* in 11 years - for a recall.

* : Which they promptly screwed up ! On the coldest night for many years I was left stranded on the freeway after the recall service in St Louis.
 
LeafHopper said:
My local dealer took me with him to the test drive of the Leaf test vehicle. He was very enthusiastic and seemed well informed. He is certainly going to be my choice. His name is Robert Gortarez at Avondale Nissan in Avondale, Arizona.


They have a leaf in Avondale,az. I live in chandler I would like to see and drive one.
 
I have searched BBB and found no dealer has no complaints I think that goes with being a car sales man! but from A+ to B in my area. I was going to buy from my local dealer but they have the B. I could drive a few miles away to get A or accoss town to get a A+. What do you guys think. To buy the car at MSRP and maybe to get a loan. I will not buy the warrenty at the deal on the day I buy the car because I know you do not need it until the 3 yrs is almost over.
 
1. Automatic transmission worked perfectly and very smoothly. At 110,000 miles I decided to give the transmission a "treat" with a "service" at the dealer. Never worked smoothly again.

2. Four trys to fix the loss of coolant in the air-conditioning system. Replaced more and more expensive parts (so they said), and refilled with refrigerant. Worked for some months (during the hot months), but the loss of refrigerant happens again. Were they incompetent, dishonest, ... or what?

3. One local Dodge dealer's service reported a leak and said that I needed the block's coolant system freeze-plugs replaced (expensive). Another mechanic shop said the freeze plugs are OK, and that the leak was elsewhere, which they fixed.

4. Mechanics missed deteriorated or missing motor mounts, "resulting?" in a bent axle that had to be replaced.

In each case, wthout better evidence, I did not report these incidents to the BBB.

But, I no longer go there.
 
garygid said:
1. Automatic transmission worked perfectly and very smoothly. At 110,000 miles I decided to give the transmission a "treat" with a "service" at the dealer. Never worked smoothly again.

2. Four trys to fix the loss of coolant in the air-conditioning system. Replaced more and more expensive parts (so they said), and refilled with refrigerant. Worked for some months (during the hot months), but the loss of refrigerant happens again. Were they incompetent, dishonest, ... or what?

3. One local Dodge dealer's service reported a leak and said that I needed the block's coolant system freeze-plugs replaced (expensive). Another mechanic shop said the freeze plugs are OK, and that the leak was elsewhere, which they fixed.

4. Mechanics missed deteriorated or missing motor mounts, "resulting?" in a bent axle that had to be replaced.

In each case, wthout better evidence, I did not report these incidents to the BBB.

But, I no longer go there.

When getting repairs at the dealership, I always ask for my old parts. That way, they pretty much HAVE to replace what they say they're replacing.

I also make a mark on the oil filter, maybe the back of the brake pads...whatever I think they're going to be replacing and I check for those marks before I leave the dealership. Only ONCE have I caught them not replacing the oil filter when they said they did. Let's just say the manager was less than happy that I caught them. I reported that dealer to the BBB, Honda USA and never went back. I HATE dishonest merchants!!! :evil:
 
As always checkout reviews before using a service station.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/find.html
 
garygid said:
Apparently does not list Dealerships, but Thanks.

Yes - the for dealerships the best (which isn't that good) seems to be Yelp.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=nissan+dealer&ns=1&find_loc=seattle%2C+WA#find_desc=nissan&find_loc=seattle%2C%20WA&places&rpp=10&attrs&sortby=composite&cflt=car_dealers&start=0
 
When I bought our Acura a few years ago I went to two different dealers, did a test drive of a couple different models, did the same with other makes and when we decided on what we wanted, I knew the exact model and option combo and color. Then I called some distant dealers and asked what was the best out the door price they could give me, explaining I wasn't going to drive 80 or 100 miles without knowing they had it in stock and what the exact price was. I got two or three who said they were willing to fax me an offer with the price on it if I agreed to buy it for that price, since they knew they were never going to get me in there otherwise, so I knew it was their best offer. Then I went back in person to the first place we visited (nearest our home) and asked for them to give me best price. When it was higher, I told them I had a lower price from another dealer but preferred to do business with them since they took the time to give us our test drive if they could just match the price. They wouldn't budge so I shopped around by phone at some other local dealers and found one where the sales manager by chance was a guy I used to work with. I asked for his best price and he gave me a higher number but I told him the lower number I had from the other (distant) dealer. He agreed to match it, but said he would have to dealer trade to get the exact model and color. We agreed to everything over the phone since I was paying cash and we trusted each other, but I insisted on getting it in writing, and once I agreed to that price he did fax me an offer with that number before I ever set foot up there. I faxed back my agreement. A few days later I drove there (30 miles away), wrote them a check and picked up the car. Fast and easy. It saved us about $350 from the local dealer's final lowest price, maybe $1,000 from some of the quotes. The point is, it pays to shop around. A lot of shopping around; and start by phone far away so that they know you aren't going to come in unless you get a final price over the phone or fax. Obviously that's a lot easier if you can pay cash. If you have to finance, or need to pick options, then the credit check and all that gets in the way. There are 13 Leaf-certified dealers within 40 miles of my zip code, so I'm ready to do it again if necessary.
 
Rat said:
There are 13 Leaf-certified dealers within 40 miles of my zip code, so I'm ready to do it again if necessary.

Many of us have already done this. I've in writing from two dealers saying they won't charge above MSRP.

I wrote this in some other place - there are two things very different with Leaf than all other cars - including ones in great demand that are booked in advance.

- International news. Leaf will make international news as it is sold. I wouldn't be surprised if the local governor or mayor is not at hand to give out the keys to the first buyers. That also means a lot of press. I'm sure none of the dealers want the buyer to crib about gauging in that situation.

- $7,500 tax credit. The government isn't offering credit so dealers can make money over MSRP. I consider that unethical and will not tolerate it. I'll make sure anyone who tries that in Seattle area will be featured in a stinker story on the front page of Seattle Times.
 
Dealerships matter.

I basically picked mine out of a hat (closest Nissan dealer). The "Internet Sales Mgr" that I made the deal with was gone by the time the car came. New internet mgr was very accommodating, but I was the first delivery for my dealership (March 26).

All was fine until I showed up pre-approved with my credit union loan and the sales manager came out. First "dealership policy" is to pre-install a collection of useless doohickeys on the car (invisible window etching, invisible upholstery protection, which may or may not actually exist): retail price $1,995 but Yours for the internet discount of $995!!. We wound up paying $300 for it just to get out of there. Also, they wouldn't write a purchase contract for me to take back to my credit union (again "dealership policy"), so I was held hostage to Nissan financing, which fortunately they matched the CU's interest rate.

Moral of the story: some dealerships (and Puente Hills Nissan in particular) are taking advantage of the LEAF enthusasts' enthusiasm and adding costs/conditions at the last minute. Your "Internet Sales Manager" doesn't set the rules for the dealership, and may either not know them all or not be eager to disclose them, even if you visit the dealership a week before delivery (as I did).

Caveat emptor, folks.
 
One GREAT value of this forum is the identification of some really good, honest folks that we have found to deal with (examples: Danny in previous post, and Leon in San Diego).

Also, we tend to identify those to avoid. :)
 
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