[BLEUBYU]

While at the Criswell Chev show yesterday, I took the opportunity to check out the Dealership's position regarding mods I might want to make to the Z06 I am ordering from them.

In the past, I have heard a range of experiences on that subject both on the Net and in discussions with other Vette buyers. I talked to Criswell's guy who runs Corvette service and told him that I wanted to know the dealerships approach to what, if any mods will void any or all parts of the warranty. Also, emissions inspection is pretty rigorous in Northern Va., and I do not want hassles every year - been there and done that with my heavily modified '93 ZR-1 - never again!

Anyway, the dealership service manager told me that as far as shifters, air intakes such as Vortex/Halltech, aftermarket exhausts, and headers there is no problem on their part (as long as you are not taking off the cats). If the rumors are true that the '02s no longer have pre cats, I guess the dealership would not even view long tubes as an issue.

In fact, as far as this particular dealership goes, unless you are opening the engine up, you probably will have no warranty problems.

For all of those folks going through the ordering process, it might be worthwhile to initiate a similar discussion. It would be interesting to hear what various dealerships consider to be warranty violations.

It seems to me that it is best to have this kind of frank discussion with your dealer before

 

[fcalmes]

Thanks for the info...loss of a warranty is always a concern for me. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

 

[hcvone]

My dealer has no problem with bolt on mods of any type, I know this for a fact because I have been dealing with them for 12 years. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

 

[fcalmes]

On 2001-06-04 07:24, hcvone spewed forth this drivel:
My dealer has no problem with bolt on mods of any type, I know this for a fact because I have been dealing with them for 12 years. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif But you only drive your car 12 miles a year, Carl!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif Garage Queen!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif Trailer Queen!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

 

[PA_Z06]

My dealer has no problems with bolt ons. Some in the area do.

Frank give us PA guys a break.. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

_________________
Mark's Web Site
*** Harrisburg Area Zaino Distributor ***

01 Z06 -MY/BLK,Zaino,Lowered,Ripper,Halltech Tric Ti,MAG,Magic Box - No time slips yet
92 RS ProStreet Camaro (454) - Best E.T to date 10.15 @ 136 mph

 

[Ranger]

My dealer's service manager supports bolt-ons too. I've seen his wife at a Corvette show. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

 

[M3NOMORE]

BLEUBYU:

A business partner of Criswell's is a customer of mine. He tried like heck to get a Z for me, but never came through. He tried to sell me one as new with 500 miles on it. I had to pass.

I'm curious how your purchasing and delivery experience goes with Criswell. If you don't mind letting me know about it when the time comes I would appreciate it.

Mike

 

[bsteinhagen]

Mike: My experience when I purchased my 1992 Corvette from them was not good. The car was delivered with no power steering fluid and at 200 miles guess what happened to the rack & pinion system! I tried twice subsequently to buy from Criswell and had lousy deals offered to me. I have been using Pohanka Chevrolet in Chantilly for my servicing and purchase needs. I picked up my new SW Z06 that I ordered from them last Thursday night and the car was delivered flawlessly. Kirk Faett is a great salesperson to work with as well. They have a Corvette tech (Joe) who is very good also. They move a lot of Vettes through the dealership (new & used) and so they have a good following. They are about the same distance from the beltway to the west as Annapolis is to the east.

 

[LT Crunch]

BLEUBYU
Didn't I see your car at Sport Chevrolet getting serviced? (Same plate?)

 

[BLEUBYU]

I guess every dealership has at least a few people who can relate to a horror story about them. In my case, I would not deal with certain Chev dealers in my area due to my own problems with them. In the case of these particular dealers, I know of many other folks who have also had problems with them, so those experiences reinforced my own impressions.

As for Criswell - they came highly recommended to me by a number of people who have done business with them. My own relations with them have been fine to-date. The new car sales manager has been attentive, courteous and willing to deal with me on price decently below MSRP, when many other dealerships would not. According to several of my corvette owning friends - their service is good and their attitude to performance in general and bolt on mods is receptive. They get a large allocation of Z06's (40-50) so I thought I would have a good shot at getting what I wanted and not have to wait 6-9 months. Furthermore, since i am getting a Museum delivery, I do not think i will have any new car prep problems - at least i hope not.

So, those are my experiences to-date, all positive so far. If time proves my assessment of this dealership to be wrong, I will report it as such.

I went to the large vette show they sponsored last Sunday and their staff, including their service manager seem to be very knowledgeable and supportive of our toys - time will tell for sure...

 

[Craigk]

I bought my Z from Criswell and had no problems with the deal or with the service to date. The vette service lady is also very nice. The salesman manager checked on my order several times and it arrived on time and in perfect shape. My only other experiences with Chevy dealers in Northern VA has been with Rosenthal (I would stay away from those characters, they don't know their own product). Criswells service department is cleaner than my garage and I like that. I would buy more cars from them in the future. Bottom line is they treated me with respect and nowadays that seems like allot to ask for.
Hope the info helps.
Craig

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
If I may, I do the deliveries of new c5s, and it is my job to advise the customers of mods that are acceptable.
I would agree that bolt ons, as longs as they do not affect emissions in any way, are permissable. However, I evaluate each mod on an individual basis, and that is how it should be taken.
Every car is different, and so is the answer.
My feeling on this matter are that as long as it does not affect the engineered reliability of the vehicle, as per GM guidelines, I will do it.
Best to all, c4c5

 

[lazygun]

Criswell treated me great. I ordered way back in june last year, and Criswell was the only dealer in the capitol area who either knew what the Z06 was and/ or were not adding up to $10000 to the sticker price.

They were completely knowledgable about the order process and had no problem sharing all the information they received about my order. I gave specific prep instructions (including installing the CAGS bypass) to my salesman (who has since left Criswell) in July, and the day I went to pick it up on Sept. 9, my instructions had been followed exactly. I test drove it with my salesman and had some concerns about the transmission. Both the service advisor and the lead corvette mechanic came out and drove the car a little to discuss the issue. Turned out to be nothing (just my hypersensitive ears listening for the slightest weird noise.)

Nevertheless, I was very happy with their concern and immediate attempt to fix my problem.

So while my experience has been good so far, there are people who were not happy with Criswell. It seems to be kind of random.