This Honda Fit is a piece of E36 M3!

Let me be the first to suggest that if you'd prefer to walk away from the car as-is...

BoxheadTim wrote: At this point you might want to contact the area rep for Honda if they messed up that badly.

This, bark up the ladder until correct things happen.

Definatly.. and you can always start badmouthing them on some online sites that specialize in business reputations

Honestly though, out of all the cars I have owned. The only dealer maintance people that did not treat me like an idiot was Volvo. I do not even want to get into what I went through with Sport Hyundai Dodge here in Pleasantville. Friend of mine from when I pumped gas took a job there was a mechanic (he was a mechanic at the service station we both worked at) and he left after 6 months due to BS

I'd be on the phone with Honda's customer relations until that thing was flat-bedded back to the dealer AND a shiney new free loaner was sitting in my driveway.

Come on poop, you can do better than this!

Time to not be nice. I would demand for more than a free fix and loaner. Start working up the customer servic ladder. I would also report your observations of the service a department.

All: Since the domestic guys already have a half-chub, I'll throw some viagra at it and say that if you need a rental, you could do a lot worse than a CHEVY CRUZE. (Namely: Versa and Yaris.)

Right now I'm being "polite but firm." I HOPE that the conversation tomorrow goes "Mr. Poop, We berkeleyed up. We're replacing the trans at no charge." Doubtful, but I'm giving them that benefit.

As soon as someone starts taking about how much it's going to cost, I'll move up the chain.

I'll deal with the towing/rental charges after the car is fixed.

Drink a half dozen shots of Wild Turkey, then call the dealer and tell them how you really feel.

Ehhh, just stick an LS..ducks...

Toyman01 wrote: Drink a half dozen shots of Wild Turkey, then call the dealer and tell them how you really feel.

I'm 3/4 dozen shots of Evan in right now. Cool as a berkeleying cucumber. :) Sober Mike is angry Mike.

Demand the trans be replaced, it's under powertrain 5/60. Sounds like the dipstick tech A) forgot to put a new crush washer on the drain and fill bolts and B) forgot to tighten them up. or C) both of those with auto fluid.

When I was a tech at Honda, the amount of times some of the C techs and Lube techs forgot to put oil filters on, drain plugs back in, etc was very concerning. Or putting the wrong fluid in the wrong hole. Putting oil in the washer fluid container, etc. I couldn't fathom how they got past the interview process.

And call Honda customer service, it's located in Atl isn't it? If the dealer refuses always call corporate, except for Subaru - they side with the dealers (a-holes).

The Fit is a great car, sounds like you are just having a bad dealer experience.

Javelin wrote: I'd be on the phone with Honda's customer relations until that thing was flat-bedded back to the dealer AND a shiney new free loaner was sitting in my driveway. Come on poop, you can do better than this!

Honda north America's customer service people have no problem making a dealer do things they do not want to do. I've done it.

And as you should know if really need be you can use motor oil for manual trans for a last resort - we had some turds do that all the time...make sure it's not that either. They would pocket the customer paid manual trans fluid for their POS B16 swapped hatch that ran on 3 cylinders and had half of an interior and screw the customer out of their fluid.

poopshovel wrote: I'll deal with the towing/rental charges after the car is fixed.

Not what I would be doing. Your hootus needs to be in a loaner 2013 Civic and you know it. Waiting until after is a bad idea.

I agree. you want a loaner and you want it -now-. Especially if they broke your car

Not that it helps you out at all but Honda and Toyota dealers seem to be the biggest scumbags. I feel dirty when I even visit those places. I can't imagine actually being a customer.

Well, that part is done. It's 8PM, and I'm not driving 40 miles south in the morning, pitching a fit for an hour, then driving 80 miles north to work, only to have to drive back down to pick up the car when it's done. No sweat. If it turns into "We're going to have your car for a week," then I'll pitch a fit.

DirtyBird222 wrote: Demand the trans be replaced, it's under powertrain 5/60. Sounds like the dipstick tech A) forgot to put a new crush washer on the drain and fill bolts and B) forgot to tighten them up. or C) both of those with auto fluid. When I was a tech at Honda, the amount of times some of the C techs and Lube techs forgot to put oil filters on, drain plugs back in, etc was very concerning. Or putting the wrong fluid in the wrong hole. Putting oil in the washer fluid container, etc. I couldn't fathom how they got past the interview process. And call Honda customer service, it's located in Atl isn't it? If the dealer refuses always call corporate, except for Subaru - they side with the dealers (a-holes). The Fit is a great car, sounds like you are just having a bad dealer experience.

Very helpful. Thanks man. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to at least get a dialogue going with Honda NA in the morning.

I have been documenting all conversations, and took photos/video yesterday.

Mike listen, that has bad dealer written all over it. The car itself seems relatively OK, and I would sucpect as you did that they ruined the transmission. Get angry. Real angry. Demand reimbursement for the rental and replacement of the transmission. Make sure you have the Honda folks on speed dial for when they refuse. You're going to have to fight for this one.

Loved the 'sore dick' comment. Classic.

tuna55 wrote: Mike listen, that has bad dealer written all over it. The car itself seems relatively OK, and I would sucpect as you did that they ruined the transmission. Get angry. Real angry. Demand reimbursement for the rental and replacement of the transmission. Make sure you have the Honda folks on speed dial for when they refuse. You're going to have to fight for this one. Loved the 'sore dick' comment. Classic.

Copy that. Also, FWIW, I've just been saying "THIS FIT IS A PIECE OF E36 M3" for the last 24 hours because it sounds funny. Love the car. Hate the stealership.

Long time dealership employee here. This isn't Honda of America's problem, it's a dumbass tech who didn't tighten a drain plug, overfilled the box etc. Give them a chance to do the right thing on their level.

Go straight past the service advisor, grab the service manager first and demand that the two of you see the dealer principal or general manager. State your case, which sounds like a REAL good one. New transmission and reimbursement of your rental is a good thing to demand.

If they hem and haw, call Honda's customer relations people on your cell in the office. Put them on the spot! Don't be afraid to be an ass, they screwed things up for you. There's a real good chance the tech will be sent packing. Don't feel guilty, he screwed up and they are trying to save their asses financially by screwing you.

I have no advice that hasn't already been said, but I did have one quick question: how the heck does tranny fluid leak badly enough that it covers the REAR window??

Curmudgeon wrote: Long time dealership employee here. This isn't Honda of America's problem, it's a dumbass tech who didn't tighten a drain plug, overfilled the box etc. Give them a chance to do the right thing on their level. Go straight past the service advisor, grab the service manager first and demand that the two of you see the dealer principal or general manager. State your case, which sounds like a REAL good one. New transmission and reimbursement of your rental is a good thing to demand. If they hem and haw, call Honda's customer relations people on your cell in the office. Put them on the spot! Don't be afraid to be an ass, they screwed things up for you. There's a real good chance the tech will be sent packing. Don't feel guilty, he screwed up and they are trying to save their asses financially by screwing you.

Agreed on service manager part. Highly doubt they will send the tech packing as it's like a lower level tech that did this and they'll slap him on the wrist.

Honestly I don't see why they wouldn't replace it. I remember performing a 30k service on an Accord then diagnosing a customer complaint on a vibration at 60mph. After I completed the necessary balancing of the wheels the customer went off. 2 months later the car shows up on a flatbed with a destroyed lower front bumper. Customer states the engine blew up and there was no drain plug in the oil pan and why it blew up...

I get the car on the lift, the undertray, subframe, and other bits and pieces are filled with beach sand. you could tell they nose dived into some sand on the beach and ruined the front bumper then got stuck along the way and while trying to get out blew the motor from spinning the tires at max rpm.

Our service manager knew I never made mistakes, took my word for it that everything (especially after I explained that I took it for multiple test drives after the oil change) yet still replaced the engine for the customer out of warranty. They were pitching a fit in his office and he eventually broke. Hopefully you can do the same even though they really made the mistake.

Curmudgeon wrote: Long time dealership employee here. This isn't Honda of America's problem, it's a dumbass tech who didn't tighten a drain plug, overfilled the box etc. Give them a chance to do the right thing on their level. Go straight past the service advisor, grab the service manager first and demand that the two of you see the dealer principal or general manager. State your case, which sounds like a REAL good one. New transmission and reimbursement of your rental is a good thing to demand. If they hem and haw, call Honda's customer relations people on your cell in the office. Put them on the spot! Don't be afraid to be an ass, they screwed things up for you. There's a real good chance the tech will be sent packing. Don't feel guilty, he screwed up and they are trying to save their asses financially by screwing you.

A little late for that (My fault,) but I'll get on the horn tomorrow. My Dad worked with the GM years ago and they shot the E36 M3 while I was buying the car.

Trying to give them the opportunity to make it right before I put on the war paint.

In reply to irish44j:

Ever drive around with the trunk open a bit for some lumber to stick out? Notice the massive amounts of air that get sucked out? There's a lot of airflow under the car, and a partial vacuum behind it.

My mom once accidentally rustproofed her caravan when a trans cooler line let go on the highway and dumped most of the fluid out. Underside and back of it were soaked.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: In reply to irish44j: Ever drive around with the trunk open a bit for some lumber to stick out? Notice the massive amounts of air that get sucked out? There's a lot of airflow under the car, and a partial vacuum behind it. My mom once accidentally rustproofed her caravan when a trans cooler line let go on the highway and dumped most of the fluid out. Underside and back of it were soaked.

yeah, I've had cars leak stuff (after all, I do own British cars) and am aware of the aero properties, but never to an extent where I would be able to see it on the back glass!

And I rock all my lumber straight up out the sunroof. Because I'm hardcore like that.