AONE Dealer Visit To Alexander's In Thornaby

I recently introduced myself to Rob Little at Alexander’s, the new Alfa Romeo dealership in Thornaby, and enquired about the possibility of them hosting an ‘open night’ for forum members.

Rob called me this morning to say they are keen to get something organised before the end of August.

I’d like to use this thread to find out how many people would be interested in attending and to discuss what we would like to see and do at the event.

Alexanders in Thornaby on Tees, Teesside. Authorised Alfa Romeo dealership

I'm up for that.

Not sure what could be organised really other than things like plenty of cars to look at, sales and servicing staff to talk to, a look around the servicing facilities perhaps?

And naked dancing girls, obviously.

Not for me.

I will never buy from a dealer, nor will I pay £80+ per hour labour.

They want sales, nothing else. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Don't all rush at once...

Not sure what we could really do at the dealers, besides look at the new cars. Are they gonna let us have test drives in them? I'd be up for that, but they know I aren't a new car buyer so probably won't want me braying their cars if I'm not going to shell out.

I expect there will be cars available to both view and test drive.

I would be interested, havent managed to visit them yet. I have a lot on this month though so let me know when you arrange it and I will see if Im available

Yeah this sounds good, i also have not had a look at this place yet.
Its a top idea to get our feet under the table, and even beter if there discounts involved
If it is a night do then it depends what shift i am on.

I would be up for this one this time depending on the date.

Not that I'm in the market for a car yet but have they got much used stock in yet?

They haven't got any, never mind much and to be honest, I think they're going to struggle.

Wentane FIAT were moving away from Alfa Romeo when Vardy's lost the franchise as they couldn't keep up with servicing - the nearest dealer was previosly Newcastle or Harrogate. With Alexander Alfa now opening, it gives them a firm foot hold back in the Alfa market for theri servicing obligation and I think Alexander's will struggle against an already very, very well established independent dealership. Especially with the new range of Bravo's being so good looking.

I sincerely hope there's room for two, but I doubt it.

So where are Wentane then and are they selling Alfa's or were you talking about Lyles being the indie dealer?

Wentne FIAT - Yarm Lane, Sockton on Tees. Quick google search will help you;

Wentane | Fiat new car dealer/garage, Stockton on Tees Cleveland. Free quotes.

No mention of Lyles - I wouldn't recommend them to anyone and they're not "franchised".

Wentane are a very long standing FIAT dearlership who sold Alfa's previously and used Vardy's for their servicing, etc to keep up warranties etc. When Vardy's dissolved and they lost the franchise, Wentanes distanced themselves from Alfa's as there was no authorised Alfa dealership nearby. Picadilly in Ripon or Benfield in Newcastle (who have twice been on the brink of closure themselves) were the nearest Alfa delership, so totally impractical.

Now there's an Alfa dealership is in Stockton on Tees again (on the same side of the river no less) I'm sure they'll pick up with Alfa again - if they haven't already.

You with me now?

If there's some test drives up for grabs, I'd be up for it. If it's just to have a mosey round the showroom and chat to the sales guys, I've already done that

Haven't seen any Alfas in Wentanes Rosso, would be surprised if Alfa UK would want to supply them with new cars with a dealership less than a mile away.

Nobody mentioned new Alfa cars, Wentanes have only ever sold "used" Alfa's as they're a FIAT dealer.

I've spoken to Rob at length, very helpful he was too, so yes i'd be keen to pop down and it give me a chance to meet up with some of you too......party sausages and Vimto?

Originally Posted by KNIEVEL77

party sausages and Vimto?

Oh I do hope so.

I visited Mangoletsi on Saturday, I counted 9 staff and not one of them asked if they could help me, obviously they have more customers than cars, of all the dealers i've ever visited Alexanders have been the most helpful!

Originally Posted by KNIEVEL77

I visited Mangoletsi on Saturday, I counted 9 staff and not one of them asked if they could help me, obviously they have more customers than cars, of all the dealers i've ever visited Alexanders have been the most helpful!

What a coincidence none of the staff wanted to help me either but this was after visiting them twice in a week and parting with a shed load of cash in exchange for one of their cars

I'd be intrested in a visit, already popped in once but always up for another look around and some freebies always go done well.

how about a free rolling road test to measure bhp, if people find any problems they may get the work!?

Originally Posted by andrew77f

how about a free rolling road test to measure bhp, if people find any problems they may get the work!?

Alexanders, not Max Power.

Ment as a diagnostic session not tunning, last I did it on my golf was surprised how much under power it was.

Not for me, I think - but let us know how you get on.