Dealers in the North

[chevronb37]

Chaps,

While I cannot lay claim to an Aston myself, my Father is currently considering replacing his E92 M3 with a V8 Vantage. He is intending to get a 4.7 Coupe. As he lives in the North West, he went to Stratstones in Wilmslow. Unfortunately, by all accounts, the woman there didn't take his enquiry seriously. She didn't so much as offer him a drink and subsequently hasn't emailed him the details she promised. Does anyone else have any experience of this place? What about JCT600 in Leeds? I popped in to grab him a brochure and the Sales Manager couldn't have been more helpful. When you're making a serious enqiry about a car like that in the middle of a recession, you expect to be treated quite well, wouldn't you?

Any ownership advice would also be appreciated. I see something regarding fuse22. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Thanks very much,

Andy

[handyman 1417]

Hi Andy. I live near Preston and although I didn't buy the car from JCT600, they have serviced it and I have just taken out the Aston extended warranty with them. I can honestly say it's the best customer service I have experienced and as I have said on other threads,it's made the ownership of my vantage great fun and not a constant worry. I know they have some good deals on new and used at the moment, with a good selection.

[chevronb37]

Thanks very much for the information. I had a test drive in an Elise there before Christmas and the sales guys I dealt with were attentive and respectful. It makes such a massive difference when you use a company with good customr focus and service.

[Bemmer]

chevronb37 said:

Thanks very much for the information. I had a test drive in an Elise there before Christmas and the sales guys I dealt with were attentive and respectful. It makes such a massive difference when you use a company with good customr focus and service.

Did you buy the Elise..??

[disad-vantage-d]

A few years ago I made enqs. with both Stratstones (then Reg Vardy) and JCT600 Leeds prior to the launch of the AMV8. No comparison with regard to service. I would much rather deal with JCT600, even though they're 40 miles further from my home.

[chevronb37]

Bemmer said:

chevronb37 said:

Thanks very much for the information. I had a test drive in an Elise there before Christmas and the sales guys I dealt with were attentive and respectful. It makes such a massive difference when you use a company with good customr focus and service.

Did you buy the Elise..??

I didn't, mate. It was a "demo" drive to get an impression of the car - unfortunately it was out of my budget. However, as my local dealer, I will be going there to service to service my proposed Elise. Just waiting to find the right car at the right price.

Thanks for the further information. Interesting to hear other positive comments about JCT600. I'm pleased, as I live in Leeds. Shame Dad lives near Chester, but services would be a good excuse for a visit!

[cardigankid]

chevronb37 said:

My Father ... is currently considering replacing his E92 M3 with a V8 Vantage. He ... went to Stratstones in Wilmslow. Unfortunately, by all accounts, the woman there didn't take his enquiry seriously. She didn't so much as offer him a drink and subsequently hasn't emailed him the details she promised.

It's a car dealership, not Spearmint Rhino.

[GetCarter]

Take fuse 22 out (in the fuse box in the boot). It stops the butterfly valves from closing in the exhaust. So you get the full noise at all revs (rather than above 3k only). Most of us here have done it. Only not advisable if you live in a crowded street and leave at 5 a.m.!

[chevronb37]

cardigankid said:

chevronb37 said:

My Father ... is currently considering replacing his E92 M3 with a V8 Vantage. He ... went to Stratstones in Wilmslow. Unfortunately, by all accounts, the woman there didn't take his enquiry seriously. She didn't so much as offer him a drink and subsequently hasn't emailed him the details she promised.

It's a car dealership, not Spearmint Rhino.

True enough, mate. But in every dealership I've ever stepped into, I've been offered a drink and been made comfortable. As someone who is about to spend £90K on a car in the middle of a recession, I would expect to be treated with a degree of respect. By all accounts, this has not been the case at Stratstones. One does not want the moon on a stick, but a cup of coffee does not seem beyond the realms of possibility.

[tuscaneer]

One does not want the moon on a stick, but a cup of coffee does not seem beyond the realms of possibility.
[/quote]

that is the single funniest thing i have heard all week!!moon on a stick is absolutely going into my reportoire from right now!!
with reference to stratstone`s, i find the sales guys and reception people absoluteley fine but i think they have probably got used to me from the old days when i was mithering them to take a tvr in as a part exer.i suppose if you look at it from the other side can you imagine how many dreamers go through that front door every day??i know it would leave me very jaded if i worked for aston.coupled with this i also feel that they don`t like to swarm all over you.there is nothing worse than getting one foot in the door of a place then having 3 sales guys ushering you to sign on the dotted line.

[chevronb37]

That is true enough, mate. They must get a lot of speculators going in there, so I can understand a degree of cynicism. Unfortunately for them, he has the cash sat in the bank and is ready to buy a car. I don't think he has heard anything further and is intending to go to JCT600 instead. You win some, you lose some, I suppose. I would welcome any further commentary, however.