Acknowledging the good Fiat Studios out there...

[Welshy]

I want to send a big thank you to the team of OC Fiat on 2524 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa CA. We picked up our PE#408 on the weekend and the service we received was exceptional.

The process (which included me trading in my car), was clear and precise and no funny business. From Randy Redmon who showed us the vehicle, to Katrina who took us on the test drive, to the non-pressure, clarity and efficiency of Neda Ingram, the time we spent at their Studio flew by.

Every thing was explained, no up selling of unnecessary services and although there were a few problems with the car, an appointment arranged first thing this morning and a free courtesy car available to me, will finalize the experience.

This dealer is one to keep in mind if your in Southern California. They had the cars waiting, the paperwork in line, the Studio freshly installed and a friendliness that made us feel really special.

I think its important to recognize those that have upheld the integrity that FIAT has wanted to bestow on the release of 500.

Thank you OC Fiat (hope the forum doesn't mind me putting their number up) - [phone]

[Wimbledon]

Thanks for posting that -- our community needs as much dealer feedback as possible right now.

[5*(10)^2]

I almost switched my delivery to OC Fiat though geographically I am closer to MVLA. Glad that you had a great experience.

Did the finance manager pressure you to buy anything, ie more anti theft, lojac, hijac, midjac and wheel protection etc?

[prontoFiat]

its a shame we didn't have that experience at Costa Mesa Fiat.
my wife and i stopped by OC Fiat this weekend to buy a fiat, as we were not lucky
enough to have ordered a PE last year.  we were told that somebody
had backed out of a PE, and they had one for sale.  when we got
there we asked if if there was a mark-up.  technically no. but
the dealer had installed a mopar system at $750, hi intensity headlights
at $1250 and nitrogen filled tires at $179.. thats over 10% of the
price of the car with non negotiable dealer installed accessories. then we
find out that every non PE they get in stock they (the dealer) installs the mopar, nitrogen
tires and a graphics package.  when we pushed back on the price,
we were told "these are selling well over sticker on ebay"
and when pushed back further we were told to get a Fiat at sticker
we would have to order one.  then the kicker was, as we were wrapping things up,
were told that "they were not sure if they wanted to sell us a car because of what
we may say on the buyers survey".

the happy ending is that we swung by motor village on the way home
and bought the exact Fiat we were looking for at sticker.. no fuss no muss.
no pressure and amazing service.   i could not have had a better car buying
experience from motor city and we LOVE our new Fiat.  we worked with Dee Dee
in sales and Renee in finance.

[Welshy]

No pressure at all.
The manager (Neda Ingram), offered us LoJack and an extended service warranty (the latter we have bought in the past and was a good deal - and we knew the provider), and that was it. Very simple.

[Alvon Elrod]

In response to Pronto:

Crooks.  Plain and simple.  Please report your experience to Fiat.  

Alvon

[Fiat500USA]

prontoFiat wrote

its a shame we didn't have that experience at Costa Mesa Fiat.
my wife and i stopped by OC Fiat this weekend to buy a fiat, as we were not lucky
enough to have ordered a PE last year.  we were told that somebody
had backed out of a PE, and they had one for sale.  when we got
there we asked if if there was a mark-up.  technically no. but
the dealer had installed a mopar system at $750, hi intensity headlights
at $1250 and nitrogen filled tires at $179.. thats over 10% of the
price of the car with non negotiable dealer installed accessories. then we
find out that every non PE they get in stock they (the dealer) installs the mopar, nitrogen
tires and a graphics package.  when we pushed back on the price,
we were told "these are selling well over sticker on ebay"
and when pushed back further we were told to get a Fiat at sticker
we would have to order one.  then the kicker was, as we were wrapping things up,
were told that "they were not sure if they wanted to sell us a car because of what
we may say on the buyers survey".

the happy ending is that we swung by motor village on the way home
and bought the exact Fiat we were looking for at sticker.. no fuss no muss.
no pressure and amazing service.   i could not have had a better car buying
experience from motor city and we LOVE our new Fiat.  we worked with Dee Dee
in sales and Renee in finance.

Hi prontoFiat,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new car!  

[Welshy]

Sorry to hear that. I saw the PE you mentioned with the accessories and to be honest that should have been sold to the next person on the waiting list and not for general sale. I'm not a big fan of accessories so ordering the exact car was, for us, the way to go. The last car we bought had options already added, but we bought it because they looked good. Pretty much every new car I've seen during my months of research to find a new car, had added this, or that, things that I wouldn't necessarily have wanted. So therefore I didn't buy that car - simple as that.

Happy motoring.....

[Minuszka]

What were the " few problems with the car"?

[Welshy]

Blue and Me didn't work, flashing odometer, hood not aligned. Bumper color doesn't match exactly the main car color...that's it

[jvsgabriel]

Speaking of good dealers, I want to nominate my dealer, Bob Baker Fiat of Carlsbad.  I had a great time, I can't say that buying a new car is actualy pleasurable, but they made it as pain free as possible.  The actual process took well over 2 hours, as I was the first one to get a PE, yet alone a 500, here in San Diego county.  They actually had two of them, a grigio (mine #366, and a rosso, didn't get the number).  And these two cars are the only ones to be sold in county.  They had to make up the procedure as we went.  Financing guy Rex, had to make a special not that they would be getting reimbursed the $500 from Fiat.  

I can't say quite enough about the whole thing.  I had originally contacted them a week after test driving the car in MVLA, with that super lively guy Mitch, NOT.  He was not at all enthusiastic about anything.  But I did get to test drive the car in some LA rain and lots of traffic, but no freeway driving at all.  Then I called Fiat to see what other place was open, and they happen to tell me about the Carlsbad location, which is about 100 miles closer to me than MVLA.  I emailed them and actually got the head honcho, Mr. Chris Baker.  He was super cool and we emailed quite a bit and he always kept me informed of all the new developments.

I got to test drive their one and only demo car on the freeway no less.  And I was quite impressed, so I told Fiat that I would like to have my car sent there, even though they didn't have their licesne to sell cars from the CA DMV yet.  The told me that it would probably be around mid-March.  And just like they said it was March 17th.  I had gotten a call from the financing guy a couple days before to get all that out of the way, so when the sales license came in it would all be done.  They called me again the day before they expected the licensce to come in and said that Friday was the day, and they would know by 2pm.  So 2pm rolled by and I got a call and they gave the best news that they could finally sell me the car.  So off I rushed after work, went home picked up the wife and drive the 45 minutes to the dealer for the 7:15pm rendevous.

And then we got to see the cars, rosso and grigio.  A couple minutes later, the car buying experience started.  We meet Louis our sales guy, who is very knowledgeable about the car.  Get all the t's crossed, i's dotted and other technical stuff.  Get the final financing done, get a Lojack like device installed, and some zylon sealant for the paint and interior (planning on driving the dog in the car).  And two hours later, we get to go outside and then the papparazi stuff happened, the unveiling of the car.  We get the whole kit and caboodle, the fancy printed car cover of the classic red 500, a few pictures.  Take the cover off, and then a few more pictures.  Turn on the lights, and few more pictures.  All in all a great time.  Off on the freeway, speeding home at 65 mph for the 45 minute drive home.  

Car was dent, and mostly blemish free, with the exception of a small etched mark on the drivers window.  But besides that, everything else worked, got to try the blue and me, and the ecodrive as well.  No USB flash drive though, and also no jack or tools either,  but I emailed and will see what comes of it.  I actually got a call today from Louis, I will have to call him tomorrow.  But all in all for the first time getting a brand new car, it was somewhat pain free.  Not pleasurable but pain free.  So for all you guys in Orange County, perhaps you make a little drive down to Car Country Carlsbad and pick yourself up a brand new Fiat 500, then go take a little trip to Legoland as well?   I hope that they sell a whole bunch of 500's.  They certainly deserve a pat on the back.  That's my $.02!  

Joel, #366 Grigio, sunroof, "Chuseppi", named after the doggy ChuChu!  

[5*(10)^2]

jvsgabriel wrote

...with that super lively guy Mitch, NOT.  He was not at all enthusiastic about anything.

I was laughing my arse off on this one!  Rate him on dealerrater.com.

So I was not being delusional then. He is a walking dead. Did I mention during the test drive, he did not offer to let my wife in the front with me? And no he didn't move the seat forward to let her out either when we returned.

That bloke has been working there for almost 4 decades. Reminds me of Milton from Office Space...I wonder if someone took his red stapler.

Btw joel, check your email.

[sam500]

I have to add to this! I'm sitting in the "lounge" area at Motor Village of LA having espresso and waiting for my PE to get detailed (they are giving me a complimentary second detailing since the first time around was a bit rushed). I am surrounded by beautiful new 500s, and I'm in happy as a clam.

I know people have had mixed experiences here, particularly with the delivery of the Prima Edizione, and certain sales people (Mitch), but for me it has been an incredibly pleasant experience (one of the best buying experiences in recent memory, actually), mostly thanks to my Fiat rep, Francisco Galvan. This guy has done everything in his power to make sure that I'm happy and taken care of.

He was with me from the very beginning, and patiently waited with me while got my car. You can tell that he cares deeply about cars, and is very excited about Fiat's return to the US. He might not be one of the original Fiat Specialists, but IMHO he embodies the passionate spirit of Fiat more than most. In fact, we just had a really nice conversation about the future of these cars, and the real (non-monetary) value of the Prima Edizione. He asked me about my experience with the car so far, and has put up with the millions of questions an opinions I have about pretty much everything and anything. I really can't recommend him enough!

So, again. I'm sitting here, drinking my espresso, and thinking about how much I look forward to finding an excuse to come back and do this again. To me at least, this speaks volumes.

And a little plug. He told me he has a couple of Prima Edizione cancelations available (red-w/o sunroof and red w/ sunroof) should anyone here be interested.

[5*(10)^2]

sam,

We were 'served' by Mitch because back in February, we called in for a test drive and the operator automatically assigned him to us. Joel and myself aren't the only ones. I know two other PE owners who met Mitch as well. In fact, Mitch is default guy back then. Consider yourself lucky that you test drove with someone else.

[Giallo Edizione]

I'll give two thumbs up to Kelly FIAT of Peabody in Peabody, MA. The sales manager was communicative beginning 2 weeks before the dealership was opened and he and his assigned sales specialist were very patient with my constant nagging and long visits checking out the cars, and my final agony over keeping PE 311 or not. I never felt I had to take a car if I just wanted to beg out of the PE and get my refund back. They were good enough to give me a copy of their entire incoming inventory ahead of time. We learned from each other about the cars and FIAT network along the way. I was not pressured, just asked, about add-ons like LoJack and clear-bra. The car I bought was absolutely immaculate and well prepped on delivery and they took me through the proper delivery process, though the sales associate admitted I knew more about the car than anyone at the dealership. I do wish they would allow longer test drives.

If you do go there, ask for Sean the sales specialist who helped me out. He's a young guy who previously worked at their Infiniti dealership and has that laid back Infiniti sales style.

[sam500]

I'd probably be careful with the operators, since they kept referring me to people who had no idea what they were talking about when I called to ask questions. I actually was fortunate enough to test-drive the car 3 times, with 3 different people (one of them might've been Mitch). Francisco was my Fiat guy from the start (I went to MVLA the day it opened), but I know for a fact that the original Fiat Specialists were always Michael and Edwin. Unfortunately, unless you knew to ask for them, operators would assign random MV sales people.

Thankfully, they are starting to get better about directing customers to the right people from the start (so I'm told). Sorry you guys had to deal with someone like Mitch, who just doesn't seem to get it.

[jvsgabriel]

Yes I totally agree.  Mitch was not a gentleman at all.  He also made my wife sit in the back seat.  As it was raining when we went up to do the test drive, we had to briskly walk to the test car.  As we were walking there, Mitch was moving pretty slowly, so we were getting pretty wet.  And then he mentions that the car is a bit small, but the back seat is quite roomy.  Then ends the sentence with, "but I'M NOT sitting in the back, I have a bad leg."  So lucky that my wife is only 5'2" and she was plenty comfy behind me.  But yes, he is not on my friends list for anything.  

And to add insult to injury, they also forgot to give me back my driver's license.  Of course I had also forgot to get it back, due to my shear giddy-ness from driving the car as well.  But we get a call 25 minutes later, with about 15 minutes to closing that they had the DL there in the copy machine.  My wife and I were patiently waiting at our favorite ramen shop in Gardena, Shin Sen Gumi, Hakata Ramen shop.  So had to drive all the way back in the pouring rain.  Thanks Mitch, you rock, NOT!  you're a big C*ck!

Joel