Update on my Hertz UK V5 story

[The South Moroccan]

A quick update for anyone who may be interested.

After buying from an official dealer what was described as an ex Alfa car only to discover that it was in fact an ex Hertz UK rental car, I'm glad to report that the whole matter has been concluded to everyone's satisfaction....well maybe not the dealers, but certainly to my satisfaction.

Rather than ranting and raving I took what I thought was controlled and measured approach with the dealer, stating my position and asking for their assistance and help in resolving it. After only a little bit of arm twisting at the end of a patient two weeks, I eventually got them to give me a full refund on the car, which I returned yesterday.

To add the icing on the cake, this morning I drove up to Inverness to collect a 11 month old 3k miles Alfa Red 2.2 Brera which I'm absolutely delighted with. Not one sweak or rattle, none of the dreaded 2.2 hesitation between first and second gears, and while well off the pace of the 156GTA I had, I do much prefer the petrol engine in comparsion to the 2.4JTD I've just spent the last 5 weeks driving. It's not got anywhere near the torgue of the diesel and you do have to rev it to make even half decent progress, but IMHO petrol engines are just so much more civilised.

So without tempting fate, I'm glad to report a happy ending. Lesson for me will to be weary of any car in the dealer network which is just over a year old with just under 14k miles on it. I was in a National Alamo hire car this morning which had a wee sticker saying must be returned before reaching 14k miles. And in future, when in a dealer, I will always ask to see the whole V5 before signing the new owner slip. Hopefully others can learn from my mistakes, and indeed the "mistakes" the dealer made in not correctly advising me of the car's history.

I realise I have had a bit of luck in this instance, because the wee bit of arm twisting I eventually had to resort to in order to focus the sales managers mind, was me telling him that I went to school with and was pals many years ago with the guy who actually owns the whole multiple franchise group of car dealerships, of which Alfa was only one amongst many. I mentioned that I did not want to, but ultimately would, phone my old pal and give him all the graphic details of how my ex Alfa car had somehow transformed into an ex Hertz UK car. Seemed to do the trick. (Incidentially I was glad I did not have to phone the guy, as I'm sure over the years many of our old classmates have bothered him for a discount or with a complaint about one thing or another.)

Despite what I was told, I just can't believe that they did not know it was an ex Hertz Uk hire car, but they never admitted that they knew and who was I to argue with them given that I was getting a full refund.

[Tony_156JTD]

Glad to hear it all got sorted and you got a nice Brera.

Don't forget to change your 'members car' and post photos!

[rossogtv]

Excellent outcome to a potentially tricky situation.Nice one

[Nev]

Good to hear you got this resolved.

Calm but firm. Nicely done.


And good choice on the replacement
2.2

[The South Moroccan]

Thanks Nev, really enjoying being back on petrol again, 2.2 engine has a nice wee rasp at 3k revs, so enjoying hearing it after the diesel clattering.

[Green Serpent]

I read your original posts about this and was thinking you might have some serious wrangling, but glad you've not had the hassles.

The 2.2 shouldn't drink it too much either on your commute, still cane it when in the mood.

[symon]

Glad you got it sorted mate. I am also glad you are loving your new car.
I read that the 2.2 handles better than the 2.4 Diesel as well due to it being lighter.

[v6toj]

Hi Mark hope your well. I just read your v5 thread quite a story. I must say it's hard keeping up with the Jackson automobile adventures! Really exciting news about the brera. Sounds like a beauty! Just back my hols and yet to clap eyes on my bros black brera! IMHO the brera is the best looking alfa available i prefer it to the spider! If your ever out this way.....Jonathan ps clear your inbox

[BigFoot]

Good to hear it got sorted out and now you have a great Brera to keep you company

[SPPalfa]

Glad to hear that you got this sorted out without too many arguements - shame all AR dealers dont respond in this way

[GhostyDog]

Originally Posted by SPPalfa

Glad to hear that you got this sorted out without too many arguements - shame all AR dealers dont respond in this way

Salesmen = Crook I'd prefer to deal private from now on, over the past few months I've been to various indy and main dealers to look at cars and I can quite honestly say I haven't met a salesman in any of them that wasn't an oily snake.

[Fraser]

Glad it all got sorted to your satisfaction.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Result

[jamieboy]

Originally Posted by The South Moroccan

I realise I have had a bit of luck in this instance, because the wee bit of arm twisting I eventually had to resort to in order to focus the sales managers mind, was me telling him that I went to school with and was pals many years ago with the guy who actually owns the whole multiple franchise group of car dealerships, of which Alfa was only one amongst many.

Shot in the dark here, but did you go to school in Stranraer, leaving '87-'88-ish?

[The South Moroccan]

No Edinburgh, left in 81. Hammy MacMillan (he of curling and big hotel somewhere in Stranraer fame) was also in my class though.

[73GTVJim]

Great news. I'm very glad it worked out so well after your initial concerns.

[Viking Dad]

Nice one! Calm and measured with the threat of firepower. Works well every time

[StescoG66]

Name and shame?? Dealer and salesman??

[nomad]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Glad it all got sorted to your satisfaction.

What he Said !!