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40 Posts
First of all, let me just say how much I hate dealing with dealerships and making warranty claims. I have been a mechanic since I was 17 years old. Started picking my certifications up starting at 18. by the time I was 24, I was an ASE certified master tech, and I was ford certified on the powerstroke 7.3, and the new powerstroke 6.0, and I had a job as a Fleet Manager at a medium size towing company. I serviced, maintained, and repaired 9 trucks, ranging from an F250 4x4 wheel lift, all the way up to a UD HD 20k lb pull capacity (which I should point out routinely carried 2x times its lift/pull capacity).
I was also going to college during this time. it took me 7 years to get a BS degree from UCF. When I graduated, I made the decision to go to Law school. I sent out my applications, and then had a retirement party 2 months before law school started in Miami Florida. In addition to that, I used to run a speed shop out of the tow yard after hours, I have drag raced, road raced, street raced, and everything in between.
I blew through law school in 2.5 years. I had an awesome career. I won competition after competition, had decent grades, and won the respect of my colleges and professors. I decided to open my own practice after graduating. It was rough, and slow going at first. But eventually picked up to the point where, even though I was living at home with my parents rent free, I was able to pay my loans, and had some left over. I decided to treat myself. I wanted a mustang 5.0 (long time ford guy, but never owned a mustang. seemed like the perfect car to jump in with). After searching high and low, all over the south east united states, I came to the realization that I was not going to come away with a 5.0 with a track pack for less than 39k out the door. Too much.
The camaro was awful, and after driving it, I didnt even bother to test the negotiation waters. Then I went to Arrigo Dodge, and test drove a 2010 super track pack challenger. With the 3.92 gears, and the stripped out interior, it felt every bit as fast as the camaro, and was bigger, more comfortable and better looking than either of the other two. And, my salesman Rufus, was cool as hell. My parents had recently bought a Hemi 300C from him, and he cut me a ridiculous deal on a Challenger.
I had never been prouder. I have owned alot of fast cars, and even a few nice ones, but this one is my favorite. It is the first new car I bought on my own, and its also a work car. I practice from as far south as Dade County Florida (Wade County in the month of March) to as far north as Volusia County Florida (daytona). I am taking good care of this car. I am babying it. I have a special way to open my doors. I keep a wipe in my car to wipe dirt off after I get to any destination. If I have to take a road trip on I95, I intentionally do 63 miles an hour to lessen the damage of rock chips (as well as maximize the mileage of the thirsty hemi), and I stop every 90 minutes to wipe bugs off of my car.
On the other hand, it is a Hemi Super Track Pack Challenger. I would be lying if I said that after a very very professionally done 700 mile break-in, I didnt get on it hard a couple of times. This car is so powerful, that combined with the gearing, it Routinely chirps 4th gear on aggressive shifts. She is spectacular.
I havent even figured out how to properly launch the car from a dig yet, so I dont really do it. I just ease into the throttle, and if I feel froggy, I lay into the throttle coming off of a roll.
Now comes the problem. I developed gear whine, well honestly probably almost immedeately. at 500 miles it was faint, and at 700 miles, at 45 miles an hour there were noticeable harmonics, including a nasty grumble on decel, out of gear hitting the brakes.
I take it into my dealer, in the middle of my work day, after I get out of court. I am wearing my suit and tie, I have my briefcase, I am clean shaven, and I look professional. I explain the problem to the service guy, and I get alot of "Yes Sir. No Sir, Absolutely Sir, Common Problem Sir, Look at it right away sir."
it is determined by a tech that there is a problem, he sends an email off to mother chrysler to determine the next step. I leave with the car, and await an answer.
I come back in a couple of days later, this time wearing my street clothes. T-shirt, Jeans, Adidas (typically how I'm found if I'm not in court). Another tech drives it (even though I made a note with the service guy that I wanted to go ON the test drive with the tech). He comes back with my car, and before I can even open my mouth, he starts using words like "banging gears, power shifting, racing, and abuse."
It doesnt take me very long to get $#1tty with the tech. I explain that thats ridiculous, its my work car, and I dont care what I did to it in 700 miles, theres no excuse for the noise the rear diff is making. I can tell he understimates my knowledge and background, and its also obvious to me, that he may have either the same, or slightly less than my 9 years experience.
After a 15 minute argument, including bitching at the service manager, they reveal to me, that the original tech's email was returned by chrysler, and that they are calling for a complete differential replacement.
So Now I sit here and wait for the parts to come in, wondering if the tech is going to scratch up my car, or stain my interior, or bend my exhaust pipe, or break something else under there, while I ponder why a brand new car would need a new rear end at under 1k miles. Its my first Dodge. I hope things improve from here
Although, all of the ranting aside, I still love this car. I feel like a mayor in a parade everywhere I go. It makes children smile, it makes girls throw numbers at me, and it makes baby boomers reminisce about their booming days. I treat it well, and I have loved just about every day of my ownership. I just hope this problem goes away and doesnt come back, although my initial research using the "search button" tells me this may be a recurring theme in my Challenger Ownership. WTH Chrysler??????????? :scratchhead:
I was also going to college during this time. it took me 7 years to get a BS degree from UCF. When I graduated, I made the decision to go to Law school. I sent out my applications, and then had a retirement party 2 months before law school started in Miami Florida. In addition to that, I used to run a speed shop out of the tow yard after hours, I have drag raced, road raced, street raced, and everything in between.
I blew through law school in 2.5 years. I had an awesome career. I won competition after competition, had decent grades, and won the respect of my colleges and professors. I decided to open my own practice after graduating. It was rough, and slow going at first. But eventually picked up to the point where, even though I was living at home with my parents rent free, I was able to pay my loans, and had some left over. I decided to treat myself. I wanted a mustang 5.0 (long time ford guy, but never owned a mustang. seemed like the perfect car to jump in with). After searching high and low, all over the south east united states, I came to the realization that I was not going to come away with a 5.0 with a track pack for less than 39k out the door. Too much.
The camaro was awful, and after driving it, I didnt even bother to test the negotiation waters. Then I went to Arrigo Dodge, and test drove a 2010 super track pack challenger. With the 3.92 gears, and the stripped out interior, it felt every bit as fast as the camaro, and was bigger, more comfortable and better looking than either of the other two. And, my salesman Rufus, was cool as hell. My parents had recently bought a Hemi 300C from him, and he cut me a ridiculous deal on a Challenger.
I had never been prouder. I have owned alot of fast cars, and even a few nice ones, but this one is my favorite. It is the first new car I bought on my own, and its also a work car. I practice from as far south as Dade County Florida (Wade County in the month of March) to as far north as Volusia County Florida (daytona). I am taking good care of this car. I am babying it. I have a special way to open my doors. I keep a wipe in my car to wipe dirt off after I get to any destination. If I have to take a road trip on I95, I intentionally do 63 miles an hour to lessen the damage of rock chips (as well as maximize the mileage of the thirsty hemi), and I stop every 90 minutes to wipe bugs off of my car.
On the other hand, it is a Hemi Super Track Pack Challenger. I would be lying if I said that after a very very professionally done 700 mile break-in, I didnt get on it hard a couple of times. This car is so powerful, that combined with the gearing, it Routinely chirps 4th gear on aggressive shifts. She is spectacular.
I havent even figured out how to properly launch the car from a dig yet, so I dont really do it. I just ease into the throttle, and if I feel froggy, I lay into the throttle coming off of a roll.
Now comes the problem. I developed gear whine, well honestly probably almost immedeately. at 500 miles it was faint, and at 700 miles, at 45 miles an hour there were noticeable harmonics, including a nasty grumble on decel, out of gear hitting the brakes.
I take it into my dealer, in the middle of my work day, after I get out of court. I am wearing my suit and tie, I have my briefcase, I am clean shaven, and I look professional. I explain the problem to the service guy, and I get alot of "Yes Sir. No Sir, Absolutely Sir, Common Problem Sir, Look at it right away sir."
it is determined by a tech that there is a problem, he sends an email off to mother chrysler to determine the next step. I leave with the car, and await an answer.
I come back in a couple of days later, this time wearing my street clothes. T-shirt, Jeans, Adidas (typically how I'm found if I'm not in court). Another tech drives it (even though I made a note with the service guy that I wanted to go ON the test drive with the tech). He comes back with my car, and before I can even open my mouth, he starts using words like "banging gears, power shifting, racing, and abuse."
It doesnt take me very long to get $#1tty with the tech. I explain that thats ridiculous, its my work car, and I dont care what I did to it in 700 miles, theres no excuse for the noise the rear diff is making. I can tell he understimates my knowledge and background, and its also obvious to me, that he may have either the same, or slightly less than my 9 years experience.
After a 15 minute argument, including bitching at the service manager, they reveal to me, that the original tech's email was returned by chrysler, and that they are calling for a complete differential replacement.
So Now I sit here and wait for the parts to come in, wondering if the tech is going to scratch up my car, or stain my interior, or bend my exhaust pipe, or break something else under there, while I ponder why a brand new car would need a new rear end at under 1k miles. Its my first Dodge. I hope things improve from here
Although, all of the ranting aside, I still love this car. I feel like a mayor in a parade everywhere I go. It makes children smile, it makes girls throw numbers at me, and it makes baby boomers reminisce about their booming days. I treat it well, and I have loved just about every day of my ownership. I just hope this problem goes away and doesnt come back, although my initial research using the "search button" tells me this may be a recurring theme in my Challenger Ownership. WTH Chrysler??????????? :scratchhead:
