Loaner cars

FalconGuy · 12-22-03, 07:28

Dropped off my car for service Friday, expected to have it back that day so I wasn't to pissed when they gave me a ford focus for a loaner. Much to my surprise im told I will have to keep the loaner over the weekend.

My girl and I had a lot of fun with that little focus, its nice to have a car you don't really care about on the NJ roads this time of year. Things went from HAHA funny to uh oh late Saturday night though. While driving in a really bad part of Jersey City, NJ and intentionally hitting every pothole as a kind of silly game

the right front wheel departed the vehicle. Well, let me tell you that girl of mine impressed me with the way she handled a jack.
I never thought I would remarry but this gal has me thinkin.

Ever bang up a loaner? I think I will have to pay, it was a BMW loaner, they are pretty forgiving at times. They haven't said anything to me yet.

Dinzdale40 · 12-22-03, 07:41

how can the wheel coming off be your fault, even if you were abusing the car a little, the freaking wheels should stay on.. lol

FalconGuy · 12-22-03, 08:33

Thats what I was thinking...... Defective car, thats my story and im sticking with it!

bretfraz · 12-22-03, 08:56

I'd look carefully at any paperwork I signed that describes your liability. If you don't have any paperwork, you have no culpability and the dealer has no recourse against you. If the paperwork says you assume all responsibility for the vehicle while its in your posession, you may be hosed. It all depends on what is written.

bet993 · 12-23-03, 07:36

I don't think I would repeat this statement ever again...

"While driving in a really bad part of Jersey City, NJ and intentionally hitting every pothole as a kind of silly game"

The word "intentionally" usually is very bad and can strip you of any protection you may have had with your documentation. Just a thought

FalconGuy · 12-23-03, 08:56

Thanks for the helpful post. I am not going to sweat buying a Ford Focus wheel though, if im on the hook I will pay without complaint. Considering the fun we had its a small price to pay

BW · 12-23-03, 02:00

Wasn't there a recall for the Focus, because wheels were falling off?

FalconGuy · 12-23-03, 07:43

they lived up to their reputation, they said dont worry about it.... I did call to ask and offered to pay for half the cost of a tire and get them a good used wheel ( the loaner was not a new car)

They refused and said it happens more than you would expect

thinksnow · 12-23-03, 08:41

"...more than you would expect" ??

DOH!

Next time, I might ask for the loaner upgrade or more simply, the one that has firmly attached Krispy Kremes.

AndyC · 12-31-03, 04:02

Loan cars - fastest in the world, period (especially if the dealer's really p***ed you off)

EricZ · 01-06-04, 07:45

Quote:

Originally posted by FalconGuy
I did call to ask and offered to pay for half the cost of a tire and get them a good used wheel

You're probably the only person to ever even consider offering that. There's nothing I hate more than people with the attitude, "It's not mine, so why not break it?" I work for a dealership where I get to deal with cars that are loaned to people on a regular basis. People beat the **** out of them. I have a friend who does nothing less than burnouts and neutral drops in EVERY rental car he gets. I think it's childish and irresponsible. I have no respect for that attitude.

FalconGuy · 01-06-04, 07:48

I admit to treating rentals like a fat chick with a black tooth from time to time. I do however feel If I break something I should pay to fix it......