Earlier last month I purchased a 2003 Infiniti G35 coupe from Carmax Roseville-Sacramento. When I bought it I noticed the CD changer was jammed, and made an appointment to bring the car in to have it repaired under the 30-day warranty Carmax provided.

On 2/19 I dropped off the G35 and got a Pontiac G6 as a loaner. My service advisor told me they'd keep the car for the weekend to dismantle the headunit and repair the CD changer.

2/22: Service advisor calls and says that they need to order a part from Clarion. Scheduled arrival of said part was 3/12. They told me to continue driving the loaner and the service advisor called me every day to update (always "Hello, still waiting on parts..."). G6 isn't that bad of a car.

3/12: Said part did not arrive. Service advisor said he does not know WTF happened. Kept driving the G6.

3/18: Was told that Clarion shipped the parts to the wrong vendor. The vendor is going to ship it to Clarion, who would overnight it to Carmax. Promised finish date was last week, week of 3/22-26. Still tooting around in the G6.

3/28: Still driving the Pontiac. Managed to get a speeding ticket in this bucket.

I'm thankful to have a loaner to drive around in (put 2,300 miles on it since I got it 5 weeks ago), but this is getting ridiculous. Simply put, I want the G35 back! I have mods sitting in my room ready to install on the car, and I drove the G6 more than the car I bought. G6 is fuel efficient, has a lot of pep for a I-4 car, and I'm enthralled by the red gauge lighting, but that's about it.

I plan to speak with the service manager in the morning, and I'd like to assemble an arsenal of ideas on what to say/do for Carmax to put some pressure on getting the radio repaired. Any input?

 

Sounds like its not nessecarily all the dealers fault. If they are willing to foot the bill for the loaner, then i dont see a big issue. I do, however, understand wanting YOUR car back. I do not see how they couldnt just order the part and let you drive your car. call you when it came in? Sometimes things get messed up and these things happen, but if you arent having to pay for anything, you are still getting a good treatment.

Now if the service manager or anyone else for that matter starts treating you badly, you would have something more serious to complain about.

I had a problem like this with the last car my wife and I had. Dealerships had the car for 6 weeks trying to sort this out. The story is here.

Needless to say we were angry enough to get a different car entirely, and part with $5,000 in the process.

 

It does not make sense why they have to keep your car while repairing the radio. Have you asked them this?

 

This has been going on for a month.. I feel your pain as to wanting your car back.. At least you have a loaner..

 

Count your blessings that you have a loaner. I understand your aggravation, but at least they are calling you constantly to keep you updated. I'd wait it out and enjoy the loaner because the minute you become belligerent I guarantee you that loaner will be yanked or they will do a half assed job reassembling the radio. A loaner is a privilege, not a right. Most dealerships these days do not give out loaners due to liability AND the mileage (2500 miles you say) that gets put on them. Do not cut off your nose to spite your face my friend.

 

I hate to say it, but I agree. I would let it ride and just continue to rack up the miles on the Pontiac and consider that the G35 is sitting pretty with no miles added.

I do think it sucks though, nobody gets looks in a pontiac (old school and G8 excluded) which is why you bought the G35 (sick car by the way).

Just wait it out and if it gets too unbareable, ask to drive it will the parts come in.

Good Luck.

 

Just out of curiosity... do you know how many miles were on your car when you dropped it off? After them keeping the car that long, I'd be curious as to how much it has moved. And also: I'd also rather have the car until they get the part in. I can definitely live without a radio/stereo.

 

I disagree. Of course, almost ANY car beats walking, but the G6, IMO, is a borderline POS, and is much less impressive than its nice sisters Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura. The G6's only saving grace, as I see it, is that it offers a retractible hardtop version at a low price......something that its competitors don't.

As far as the missing CD part is concerned, if they can't get the specific part they need, just tell them to order a whole new changer. That would also (probably) be less work for the guys in the shop...it's easier to just take the old changer out and put in a new one than to take the whole unit apart to replace just one piece. Of course, I'm not a technician or an expert on CD changers, but at least ask the service manager if this is an option. But I suspect that they don't want to do that because it will cost them more to order a whole new changer than just one piece.

 

Best of luck with the fix and the loaner. Yep like most Pontiacs over last decade POS, RIP.

 

I completely concur with that statement, and I feel obligated to note that I'm really grateful to have a loaner to drive around. Not having a car would make my life very difficult. Not racking up mileage on the G35 is a plus too, but I purchased that specific car for its power and handling through the mountain road I drive to get in and out of Santa Cruz and into the Bay Area. The G6 has a lot of pep for an I-4, but the handling is horrible and the steering wheel is ginormous. Again, all I want is my car back, and I understand that the situation isn't entirely the dealership's fault.

The service advisor called me again and said they're still waiting on parts. I asked if the incorrect vendor who got the parts sent it back to Clarion yet, and the service advisor didn't have a clue. Doesn't seem like Carmax is putting any pressure for expedited delivery.

Also the car has been sitting in the sun for five weeks straight and the windows are not tinted. I'm pretty worried about the leather.

 

your leather will be fine man. Infinity makes quality cars, much like lexus. It takes years for leather, even untreated to get damaged from the sun. Just give it a good detailing and use some leather conditioner when you get it back. PM me if you have any questions, I will be happy to help. With used car dealers (even carmax, one of the best), getting warranty work done, correctly and quickly, isnt usually going to happen. They will do it, but you arent paying them, and they are giving you a car to drive for free, so in their mind, you will have to wait.

The last carmax I dealt with, Warranty repairs went last. Paying Customers Always had Priority. Its unfortunate, because its a HUGE incovenience, but in the end, thats all it will be. (hopefully).

 

I had a 2003 G35 sedan that had 6 CD player replacements .........yes ....6. ( Things like this is what made me to run to Lexus)

 

ouch....known issue?