My Experience with HSV @ Heartland Parramatta

[Uwish]

Guys, today I went to test drive an R8.

As I live in the Parramatta area I thought i'd go to these guys.....
Boy what a terrible experience, I will NEVER buy a car from there or recommend these guys.

Firstly no r8 to test drive... No problems I'll drive the GTS to see what the power and size is like. Suspension.... I'm going Tiens anyway!

I opened my mouth about a VIC dealer who does extremely cheap HSVs ...That is where I went wrong. As soon as I said that the salesman told me 7 times that the price is mid 60s. No problems just let me test drive this car!
Still no test drive.... The sales manager comes over ( Emanuele Cirillo ) and says they are not interested in my business as I'll just buy the HSV in Vic. I said don't worry about the price yet as I'm still not sure on the car as it is quiet big as I'm coming from a WRX ( 331kw at all fours ).
So I walked out with my wife extremely pissed off. I will be emailing the dealer Principle with a complaint. I know I can't get the price in Sydney that I could get in Vic. But by the time I transfer the car and pay stamp duty with 20s its in the 60s any way.

Then we drove to Hunter Holden @ Ryde! Great Service Monica has organised for me to test drive an R8 tomorrow.
So it looks like i'll have a Black R8 in my driveway in March. Also the MY08 R8 has a great interior standard! I'll pass on the leather!

Sorry for the long essay! But I am pissed at Heartland

[German Statesman]

Hahaha!

Just saw the dealership on Footy Legends on Foxtel today...there was a wank sales manager in the movie too! :rofl:

[planetdavo]

There's always another dealer.
Most dealers get a large number of tyre kickers wasting their time with HSV's. Your talking about Vic dealers doing super cheap pricing, then going "how about that test drive", probably meant they put you in the "tyre kicker" basket.
Perhaps they got it wrong this time, but with so many time wasters, it's the risk one takes with a desirable product.

[Uwish]

I'm no tire kicker!!

[red_hot]

I had a similar experience when in the market for my 2nd hand SV8.
I wasn't taken seriously due to my age, and when mentioning my price range, i was literally laughed at by a condescending asshole of a salesman.
It was his claim that i'd never find one that cheap, etc.
:flipoff:
2 weeks later, I was driving one i sourced from a private seller, which was a good grand under my budget.


I can understand not being taken seriously due to my age, but i accompanied a friend of a similar age to a Mitsubishi dealer when he was in the market for an Evo 9.
Fantastic service.

When dealers claim that their higher prices are due to the extra service, etc. that the consumer is meant to recieve, it's not hard to expose just how much of a crock of sh** that justification can be at times.=

[Strick]

I actually brought my VY II HSV R8 from these guys. I think because i was paying cash i got delt with fine even at my age. I did find though that after i had brought the car the salesmen that sold it to me didnt want much to do with me, so i was talking to the manager alot.

I think their attitude some times eg while i have been waiting for my car to be finished with the service i see how they deal with other customers, they are not always poilite and short with people, could be improved but this is not store wide, Its not hard to have a few manners.

They did replace my front break disks due to them having very bad shutter when breaking at speed, so even though they might of sold me only a marginally safe car they recitified the problem.

[iamhappy46]

I'm no tire kicker!!

In the eyes of the car dealer, you were not buying from them so why should they let you take one of their cars out for a fang?

[Auto Ls1]

I was interested in buying a vz hsv r8 at suttons at roseburry in sydney got similar treatment, could not find the key to the car they said , I said when you find it give me a ring so I can take it for a test drive, never heard from them again,and I was a genuine buyer, Ill never go back their again.

[Uwish]

In the eyes of the car dealer, you were not buying from them so why should they let you take one of their cars out for a fang?

If the price was right I would have signed the papers today for March delivery.

I want a new car. I want the R8. I know what they are worth. That's what I'll pay.
All cars have an RRP and they can negotiate from there. They lost the sale and it looks like Hunter Holden are going to get the sale.

Also If I don't buy from there, but their service was good, I would recommend them.
No chance of that now.

[planetdavo]

I was interested in buying a vz hsv r8 at suttons at roseburry in sydney got similar treatment, could not find the key to the car they said , I said when you find it give me a ring so I can take it for a test drive, never heard from them again,and I was a genuine buyer, Ill never go back their again.
Unfortunately, sometimes, whether you are a legitimate potential buyer or simply a time wasting "want to tell my bogan mates I got a free fang of an R8" knob, both sides say they have the money, and are in the market for a new car.
Some salespeople are a bit better at sorting each side out, but it is a problem for the industry, and not one with an easy "fix".

[sk0690]

I totally agree here. When we went out to look at the Barina for my wife when Holden had a sale on. The saleman was polite enough but when we were talking deal with the manager it's a different story...... He practically was an A**h**e, telling us not expect too much of a deal from him since it's was only a Barina and only 'not well off' people will buy it !!!

What kind of customer relation is that ??? I know they don't make big magins for selling Barinas. However, there're ways to persuade customers to buy up to another models or being polite about it and don't put people down because they're buying a cheap car.

We just told him that he's missed out 2 sales because we are also looking to trade the Monaro for a VE Clubby after buying the Barina......Basically,we told him to stick it and walked out the dealer.

Remember this, sales people are there to persuade us to buy the products they sell and not the otherway around.

[LSX-438]

With most things it really depends on who you get (salesman). You can be lucky or otherwise.

I have bought a few new cars from Suttons (Homebush, Rosebery and City) and they've been happy to price match Vic dealers.

[black vxss]

Its all down to the sales staff not the dealer as a whole. I've purchased from Parra before and they were fine. Last purchase came from Hunter and they were great on the sales side - service dept is another story.

[VNV8]

im with planetdavo here, they would have just written you off as wanting a test drive with no prospect of a sale. and to be honest turning up in a modified WRX wouldnt have helped your case much either! but obviously there is no need for bad/rude service, now they have ruined any future chance of a sale with you or your mates. its their loss though, not yours, its a buyers market. theres always another dealer.

[Wonky]

Yep, my sentiments too VNV8.

[Sonnymad]

If the price was right I would have signed the papers today for March delivery.

I want a new car. I want the R8. I know what they are worth. That's what I'll pay.
All cars have an RRP and they can negotiate from there. They lost the sale and it looks like Hunter Holden are going to get the sale.

Also If I don't buy from there, but their service was good, I would recommend them.
No chance of that now.


Hi there,

How much did you end up settling for ?

regards sonny

[Uwish]

Sonny, I haven't driven the car yet. Today I'm driving it!

Then we'll talk $$$$ I sort of know what I want to pay.
Parra said mid 60s 65k? And that was just off the cuff without anything else.

But they were rude and didn't let me drive the car.
I'll let everyone know more this arvo!

Also I didn't take my wrx. I talk the work ute!

Should I rock up in my brothers Lambo? Would that get me a drive?
Or his new m5?
It shouldn't matter if I rock up in a Lada. I have $$$ I want a car.
They shouldn't judge a book by its cover!

[planetdavo]

It shouldn't matter if I rock up in a Lada. I have $$$ I want a car.
They shouldn't judge a book by its cover!
True, but unfortunately life it often like that.
If a (very well off) tradie in slightly dirty overalls asks an expensive jewellers about an expensive diamond ring, most wont show interest.
If people go to snobby nightclubs but they don't have "the look" that club wants, they often get knocked back.
If most of us see a poorly dressed person with scruffy hair going into a bottle shop, we think they are a dero (lets be honest everyone).
Life is about "judging" people, whether we like it or not, and that means forming a very quick first impression. If the salespersons first impression is that you were a tyre kicker, you were going to remain a tyre kicker in his eyes.

[Idiocyxplained]

he he too true ^^^^^^ drive a 360 spider in wife beater boardies and thongs...... makes for some interesting stares and glares..... was asked why by one dude and said " because i can!"

[Micks]

This is typical of the white shoe brigade, they generally treat the average Joe with contempt.
Its about time they got used to it..after all this is the business there in. The $$ the dealerships overall make outta vehicles are very profitable..anyone telling me different is a liar.

My two cents worth.

Cheers
VYT
:xmas:

[08blo]

I've just had the same sort of experience when i was looking for a VE R8 but i was looking at the used car market (just to try and not have as much of a loss when driving out of the dealer). I went to eager's Holden and they really didn't want anything to do with me because i was looking at trading in my new Harley. They didn't even consider giving me a test drive and i was lucky they even came out to talk to me. Must be the tattoo's. So I went to Llewellyn Motors Quality Used Cars and talked to them. I told them my budget and said if they can get me that price then they had a sale. He called back after about 5 days and said if you still want the car then they would sell it to me at that price. I got very good money for my bike as the car was advertised at 59,990 plus on roads with 15000k's I ended up getting it for $30,000 change over. So I'm pretty happy:)

[WraithGTO]

I had a similar experience when trying to buy a GTO in Perth.

I went to a couple of dealers looking at purchasing a GTO and got the cold shoulder from both.
Yes I was wearing boardies and thongs, But it was a 38c day in perth. And no way was I going to put a suit on just to buy a car (By the way I don't own a suit) .
I ended up flying to QLD to buy a GTO and had no problems in QLD.
Dealer was going to pick me up from airport , Now that's service. Thumbs up for QLD.

A few months later my brother was after a Monaro, so I went back to the Perth dealer to find one, ( Yes in boardies and a singlet this time) And spoke to the manager he was all to happy to help as he remembered me from the first time and saw me Just roll up in my GTO with QLD Plates .

Lets just say he was not impressed with the salesman. (Meanwhile salesman slinking away to a dark corner).

What Davo said is all to true , People Always Judge a book by it's cover, It';s the society we live in today.

I must remember it's not the correct etiquette to Drive a GTO whilst wearing Boardies :)

[Uwish]

LOL, so I should rock up in the Murcielago!

I just wear cargo shorts and a nice Tee. I do have a forearm tat though!

I might just do that! fu(k em'.

Hunter do have a nice Silver GTS there with red leather for 76k drive away!

I offered 70k yesterday and was rejected!!!!

So I am going to get this Black R8. Just it's a long wait ....March Delivery!:flipoff:

[WraithGTO]

LOL, so I should rock up in the Murcielago!

I just wear cargo shorts and a nice Tee. I do have a forearm tat though!

I might just do that! fu(k em'.

Hunter do have a nice Silver GTS there with red leather for 76k drive away!

I offered 70k yesterday and was rejected!!!!

So I am going to get this Black R8. Just it's a long wait ....March Delivery!:flipoff:

Don't forget the long white socks and sandals and maybe some makeup to cover the tat :rofl:

Good luck with the purchase

[sean_77]

HMMMM, Always shit bag the dealer. Maybe you should tell the forums what really happened. Just a hint

1. Don't brag about what car u have and big note yourself.

2. Don't brag about pathetic prices from other dealers.

3. Speak to sales people like crap

4. Then after all of the above insist over and over about a wanting a test drive.

5. Carry on making threats to sales guys and managers about posting crap on forums and giving the dealership a bad name.

Hence the reason why you never got a test drive. Granted you are a serious customer but acting like that gets people nowhere

[SV6_06]

HMMMM, Always shit bag the dealer. Maybe you should tell the forums what really happened. Just a hint

1. Don't brag about what car u have and big note yourself.

2. Don't brag about pathetic prices from other dealers.

3. Speak to sales people like crap

4. Then after all of the above insist over and over about a wanting a test drive.

5. Carry on making threats to sales guys and managers about posting crap on forums and giving the dealership a bad name.

Hence the reason why you never got a test drive. Granted you are a serious customer but acting like that gets people nowhere

hahahaha, mate thats sometimes the only way, when I was looking at my SV6 alot of dealers wouldn't even help me as I was only 20, then i said the price i was looking for and what I had to replace, the all laughed and said they wouldnt help me, but tried to push me into something I couldn't afford. (All whilst being polite to them).

I found what I was looking for in Ballina, brought it and I have confronted every dealer with the reciept and the car showing them just how good of a buy I actually got, boy I have seen some very red faced salesman this week.

[seedyrom]

us playa's don't usually give away our secrets, but here's one for you.

Use the phone, ring up your preferred dealership and ask them to bring the car you wish to test drive to your house. A sale is a sale and this is something they can orchestrate in a mutually agreed time mid week, not at a peak moment during end of year runouts. This certainly shows more class, AND balls than rocking up and demanding a test drive.
If questioned or are not getting much interest, you can say that you want to be sure the body kit will make it over the dip to get into your driveway.

Its something I always do when buying a second hand car privately :p :lol:

A salesman needs a sale more than you need a new car ;)

[D3CID3R]

If you have decided on the type of car you really want, will the test drive change that decision? Say you have decided on a new R8, then test drive it, do you really think you will be disappointed and buy a Ford GTP instead? I bought my last 3 cars new and never test drove any of them, I knew what to expect. 2 of them from Heartland Parra, the last from Hunter St. Leonards. I can't complain really, maybe I'm too easy going.

[timmyq]

Hey redvzss, bit off topic here, but what do you think about your car? I hardly seem to see any others on the road in my neck of the woods... All good so far???

[Ghosn]

Guys, today I went to test drive an R8.

As I live in the Parramatta area I thought i'd go to these guys.....
Boy what a terrible experience, I will NEVER buy a car from there or recommend these guys.

Firstly no r8 to test drive... No problems I'll drive the GTS to see what the power and size is like. Suspension.... I'm going Tiens anyway!

I opened my mouth about a VIC dealer who does extremely cheap HSVs ...That is where I went wrong. As soon as I said that the salesman told me 7 times that the price is mid 60s. No problems just let me test drive this car!
Still no test drive.... The sales manager comes over ( Emanuele Cirillo ) and says they are not interested in my business as I'll just buy the HSV in Vic. I said don't worry about the price yet as I'm still not sure on the car as it is quiet big as I'm coming from a WRX ( 331kw at all fours ).
So I walked out with my wife extremely pissed off. I will be emailing the dealer Principle with a complaint. I know I can't get the price in Sydney that I could get in Vic. But by the time I transfer the car and pay stamp duty with 20s its in the 60s any way.

Then we drove to Hunter Holden @ Ryde! Great Service Monica has organised for me to test drive an R8 tomorrow.
So it looks like i'll have a Black R8 in my driveway in March. Also the MY08 R8 has a great interior standard! I'll pass on the leather!

Sorry for the long essay! But I am pissed at Heartland

So you basically walked into the dealer, gave him the impression u were going to buy the car somewhere else because they were so damn cheap and yet you whinge about the salesman not wasting his time in giving u a test drive of their car? :confused:

[German Statesman]

us playa's don't usually give away our secrets, but here's one for you.

Use the phone, ring up your preferred dealership and ask them to bring the car you wish to test drive to your house. A sale is a sale and this is something they can orchestrate in a mutually agreed time mid week, not at a peak moment during end of year runouts. This certainly shows more class, AND balls than rocking up and demanding a test drive.
If questioned or are not getting much interest, you can say that you want to be sure the body kit will make it over the dip to get into your driveway.

Its something I always do when buying a second hand car privately :p :lol:

A salesman needs a sale more than you need a new car ;)

A smart salesman would jump at that - I knew a switched on sales girl that would offer that because she knew that the moment you see it in your driveway you are getting used to it being yours - especially when the neighbours start gawking with envious looks at your new car.

This woman would take the very car home with her on a trade plate and go out of her way to call into the prospect's house on the way home.....she had nine home sign-ups in a row I remember and a classic moment when she put the 'do we have a deal' onto a bloke when they were standing in his driveway looking at it, and his kids came running down the driveway from school and jumped all over their new car...sold :)

[Uwish]

Well I settled on the R8 with 20s! I get it in March / April.
I almost settled on a black GTS fully optioned, but we couldn't agree on the price.

Price..I'm very happy with. ( Sydney Anyway! )
The reason for the test drive is.

I own a modded rex, last car before that was a S15 200sx. These cars are not big. The R8 is a big car. I drove it and loved it straight away! The service from Monica was great. Anyone buying a HSV go see her!
I just can't wait to take delivery in March / April.

By the way. We rocked up in the Lambo and the M5.
Giddy up!

[seedyrom]

By the way. We rocked up in the Lambo and the M5.

LOL!!

You should have just dropped in with the Bell Jetranger III.

Just so they know you were serious.

[KingClifton]

If it's any consolation, European car buyers often get the same treatment. Over at www.ozaudi.com there are stories of people with six figures to spend getting treated like crap. It seems to be endemic to any sales-driven industry: there is such pressure on these guys to not only make their targets, but to get X% conversions. At some dealers, if you let 10 guys a week test drive a car but only sell 5, you're actually penalised compared to the guy who turns away 5 but signs a deal with the remaining five.

My advice is that you need to make the dealer think you're serious. Good idea is to telephone in advance and arrange a time. If I was in the salesperson's shoes, I'd be thinking that someone who takes the time to call up in advance is more serious than someone who rocks up wanting to take a car - particularly a hero car - for a spin.

[lukey73]

Its also the attitude the buyer has when the walk in, i work with a guy who when people do what you did a Heartland would treat people like you were treated.

Put it this way, would spend potentially 1/2-1 hour of your time with someone who told you they werent going to buy a car from you and watch other potential buyers walk past? Sales people get paid on sales not on test drives!

Also what a toss turing up in the lambo and M5, if it were me i wouldnt care and would not give you as much of a discount as i would had you turned up in a s**t box as i would think you had money to burn.

The old adage of treat people how you expect to be treated rings so true in life and it seems at times we think we are all so special than the person we are dealing with.

[Highway]

Well I settled on the R8 with 20s! I get it in March / April.
I almost settled on a black GTS fully optioned, but we couldn't agree on the price.

Price..I'm very happy with. ( Sydney Anyway! )
The reason for the test drive is.

I own a modded rex, last car before that was a S15 200sx. These cars are not big. The R8 is a big car. I drove it and loved it straight away! The service from Monica was great. Anyone buying a HSV go see her!
I just can't wait to take delivery in March / April.

By the way. We rocked up in the Lambo and the M5.
Giddy up!

Make sure you go to one of Monica's skid pan days at Eastern Creek when you get the R8.

They also have a mobile service if you cant get the car to their service dept.

[Trek52]

Last weekend my wife and I drove 7 different cars ranging from 50k-100k. No problems at all. All drives were in Parra and we told them the cars we were interested in and were open with our plans. No one had an issue and I actually thought the car industry had changed.
Only one of the dealers tried to actually sell the car....

If you go with the right attitude I think you will be treated with the same respect. Any knob that needs to turn up in a Lambo to be cool prob is rude to people so gets treated the same !!!

[Alan Shore]

This also depends on the salesmans attitude as well. A few yrs back the mother in law wanted an updated car and set me a budget of $15000 plus her car as a trade. Rang a few dealers in Melbourne (3 hrs away) on the Friday and told the first one we would be there first thing Monday morning and if the car sold could he please call and let me know.
Rocked up at the yard (a major Ford dealer) asked for salesman by name and told him who I was. He asked if we wanted a test drive, I said we have $15k plus the trade in max and if he could do the changeover for that we would otherwise I wasnt going to waste his time driving it.
He checked the trade in and said no probs we can do that so off we went. Got back and he says $15375 changeover??? I say I told you $15 max no more. He says you havent said if you will buy the car or not yet??? I say give me the keys thanks we arent interested now as I told you $15 max. He keeps on about it but I got the keys and we left. Got to the next yard (Garry & Warren Smith) and bought a car there, told the salesman exactly the same thing and he couldnt have been better. Proffesional sales people treat everyone as they would like to be in my book. If not Im out of there.
Apologies for the long post.

[milkojnr]

I understand where you're coming from with your purchase but...

You should of taken this up with the dealer not on here.
If you where unhappy with their service go somewhere else.

The final thing is complain to Holden.

Life is to short...

i hope your car turns up on time and nothing is wrong with it. And if there is a problem none of us on here want to hear about it.

i don't blame the sales guy, from what you have said on this site I would of told you to go away too. I am always really nice to my sales guy and even put some extra sales on to him. You should see the deals I, my family, and friends get from the dealer because of my relationship. It is all about building relationships with your dealer.

It is not about walking in and expecting the sales guy to bend over and grab his ankles as soon as you start talking shit out of your mouth.

[fatas]

we got our barge from there the sales manger was grunpy his staff were up themselfs and i still got it from them :confused:
he left his computer open and i found out the base cost to them. :rofl:
then when he came back i offered him $5 more than his min cost on the car then watched him squirm and shake and then he asked me how i came at that figure and i told him you left your computer open :rofl:
got it at that price then got a full tank of fuel :)
got warranty work done there only and i will never go back there again there dealership stinks :soap:
wakeling holden @ campbelltown for me ask for GUSS

[CS1234]

you have to look at it from both points of view, if someone came up to you and said the same thing, you might have done what the salesman did to you.
maybe after the test drive you should of sat down and woked out a price and said to him that you will sleep on it and call him back.
call him back the next day and say if you can match the price we have a deal.

my 2c

[Uwish]

Look, at the end of the day I'm happy.

Monica was GREAT, she let me drive the R8. She knew everything about the car.
She was very polite, and I even said that I would be happy to stay with her if any other dealer was 1k cheaper. That's what I wanted SERVICE. 1k when spending 60k plus is nothing. She has great, and yep I'll be doing a skidpan day with her!
The other dealer lucked out. I told the truth about the Vic dealer. BUT let me say I think its crazy how a VIC dealer can be so cheap compared to our Sydney dealers.

I am happy! That's the main thing. I'm happy with what I'm paying. THe car is unreal!
Although the GTS would have been very nice.

Now a quick question.
What springs are the best to lower a VE R8?
Kings
H&Rs
Eibachs?

I want the guards level with the tyres on the 20s!!!

[CarlFST60L]

So you basically walked into the dealer, gave him the impression u were going to buy the car somewhere else because they were so damn cheap and yet you whinge about the salesman not wasting his time in giving u a test drive of their car? :confused:

Exactly what i was thinking.

[Uwish]

Impression......

He fu(ked up! I told him what a VIC dealer is doing. big fu(king deal.
If they are selling so many HSVs they don't need my $$$ then more power to them.

Hunter Rocks. Also the HSV service coming to me is GREAT.

I can't wait to get this beast!

[ti0350]

Guys, today I went to test drive an R8.

As I live in the Parramatta area I thought i'd go to these guys.....
Boy what a terrible experience, I will NEVER buy a car from there or recommend these guys.

Firstly no r8 to test drive... No problems I'll drive the GTS to see what the power and size is like. Suspension.... I'm going Tiens anyway!

I opened my mouth about a VIC dealer who does extremely cheap HSVs ...That is where I went wrong. As soon as I said that the salesman told me 7 times that the price is mid 60s. No problems just let me test drive this car!
Still no test drive.... The sales manager comes over ( Emanuele Cirillo ) and says they are not interested in my business as I'll just buy the HSV in Vic. I said don't worry about the price yet as I'm still not sure on the car as it is quiet big as I'm coming from a WRX ( 331kw at all fours ).
So I walked out with my wife extremely pissed off. I will be emailing the dealer Principle with a complaint. I know I can't get the price in Sydney that I could get in Vic. But by the time I transfer the car and pay stamp duty with 20s its in the 60s any way.

Then we drove to Hunter Holden @ Ryde! Great Service Monica has organised for me to test drive an R8 tomorrow.
So it looks like i'll have a Black R8 in my driveway in March. Also the MY08 R8 has a great interior standard! I'll pass on the leather!

Sorry for the long essay! But I am pissed at Heartland


Had the same problem from them when I bought my SS, plu took my old VS down there one day years ago to get something looked at and they told me my brake pads needed changing I'd only had new pads put on 2 days before..
Wouldn't go near them, while I didnt buy my car from Hunter Holden I did look at a few cars there and found their service unreal..

[CarlFST60L]

Impression......

He fu(ked up! I told him what a VIC dealer is doing. big fu(king deal.
If they are selling so many HSVs they don't need my $$$ then more power to them.

Hunter Rocks. Also the HSV service coming to me is GREAT.

I can't wait to get this beast!

I to bought my car from Monica at Hunter, she got the easiest sale of her life, i called and said i want to come sign a contract for a new E R8 M6 for this much, she said yes, deal was done in 1 minute flat.

In saying this, make sure that you get everything on the contract (I didn't get premium plates, but i CBF casing it up)
Make sure you tell them not to touch your paint unless you like swearl marks and scratches from what ever retard touched mine :vpo: Give Sponge and Bubbles (see sponsors area), he will do your paint much better than they will.

Have you ran your 331kwaw rex at WSID/circuit? Are you going to find it hard to go from an easy 10 second car to a 13 second car? What gear box are you running in the WRX?

[C4B]

If you want to be treated seriously (regardless of dealership), walk into the showroom with a CHEQUE BOOK hanging out of your shirt pocket.......

PS. Doing the same thing at a boat dealership has an even bigger effect...... They will literally $#@ themselves!

[BigFella]

Guys, today I went to test drive an R8.

As I live in the Parramatta area I thought i'd go to these guys.....
Boy what a terrible experience, I will NEVER buy a car from there or recommend these guys.

Firstly no r8 to test drive... No problems I'll drive the GTS to see what the power and size is like. Suspension.... I'm going Tiens anyway!

I opened my mouth about a VIC dealer who does extremely cheap HSVs ...That is where I went wrong. As soon as I said that the salesman told me 7 times that the price is mid 60s. No problems just let me test drive this car!
Still no test drive.... The sales manager comes over ( Emanuele Cirillo ) and says they are not interested in my business as I'll just buy the HSV in Vic. I said don't worry about the price yet as I'm still not sure on the car as it is quiet big as I'm coming from a WRX ( 331kw at all fours ).
So I walked out with my wife extremely pissed off. I will be emailing the dealer Principle with a complaint. I know I can't get the price in Sydney that I could get in Vic. But by the time I transfer the car and pay stamp duty with 20s its in the 60s any way.

Then we drove to Hunter Holden @ Ryde! Great Service Monica has organised for me to test drive an R8 tomorrow.
So it looks like i'll have a Black R8 in my driveway in March. Also the MY08 R8 has a great interior standard! I'll pass on the leather!

Sorry for the long essay! But I am pissed at Heartland



i see you side of the story, but to some extent i agree with the dealer.
If a customer came to me saying 'can i drive your new civic type r, and that i know of another dealer doing them lots cheaper than you '
I would be pissed, as this customer is commin in to my dealer with no intention of buying a car from me, and just getting a price and ringing the melb dealer to get it better again. SO if i had test driven the client, wasted my time knowing they had no intention of buying from me, and missing out on other potential sales whilst on the test drive!

imo u started off on the wrong foot.



By the way. We rocked up in the Lambo and the M5.
Giddy up!

thats great so if a customer rocks up in those cars they should be treated differently or percieved to be filthy rich? why?
If u think that makes u look cool then good on you!

I dont care what car people drive, if they are in a suit or things and singlet, as far as im concerned they have all the money in the world so spend...
thats untill i qualify them and see what they actually want lol

[seedyrom]

an old boat salesmans trick is to look at the customers watch.

Often boaties will go into a sales office looking like a disheveled bum (especially if they've just come ashore). But those with money always have a nice watch. ;)

[German Statesman]

an old boat salesmans trick is to look at the customers watch.

Often boaties will go into a sales office looking like a disheveled bum (especially if they've just come ashore). But those with money always have a nice watch. ;)


Geez...my Brietling fake cost me $30 in Bangkok :)

[milkojnr]

an old boat salesmans trick is to look at the customers watch.

Often boaties will go into a sales office looking like a disheveled bum (especially if they've just come ashore). But those with money always have a nice watch. ;)

These days most of us don't wear watches. I have my fu$king work Blackberry Mobile who needs a watch. If was going to buy a boat it would be the first thing i would through over board when we go to the deepest part of the ocean!!!!

[red_hot]

an old boat salesmans trick is to look at the customers watch.

Often boaties will go into a sales office looking like a disheveled bum (especially if they've just come ashore). But those with money always have a nice watch. ;)

Thanks for the advice, Seedy.
I'm a uni student.
Anyone wanna lend me a watch?
:jester:

[sjhugh]

Make sure you go to one of Monica's skid pan days at Eastern Creek when you get the R8.

They also have a mobile service if you cant get the car to their service dept.



I must agree Monica knows how to make a sale, simply she looks after her customers before, during and after the purchase. In the last 12 months she has sold me a VE R8, a VE Calais V and I currently have a VE SSV Ute on order with her. I'd recommend her to anyone. I've been to a couple of the skidpan days with her and you're guaranteed a good time.

[planetdavo]

You do all realise why many dealerships have at least one nice, calm, helpful FEMALE salesperson on the payroll don't you?
(Hint: it's got nothing to do with equal opportunity employment)

[Uwish]

I to bought my car from Monica at Hunter, she got the easiest sale of her life, i called and said i want to come sign a contract for a new E R8 M6 for this much, she said yes, deal was done in 1 minute flat.

In saying this, make sure that you get everything on the contract (I didn't get premium plates, but i CBF casing it up)
Make sure you tell them not to touch your paint unless you like swearl marks and scratches from what ever retard touched mine :vpo: Give Sponge and Bubbles (see sponsors area), he will do your paint much better than they will.

Have you ran your 331kwaw rex at WSID/circuit? Are you going to find it hard to go from an easy 10 second car to a 13 second car? What gear box are you running in the WRX?

Nope, I haven't run the rex.... and 331kw atw is short of its power on pump. It was climbing to 350kw but the tuner pulled it back. Not too worry. Also I run a STI 6spd! no problems with power there.

10sec rex to 13sec R8. No problems at least i'll get to drive it.
I'll keep the R8 fairly stock for a year, then I'll be going a APS TT kit.
BAck into the quick times!

[seedyrom]

You do all realise why many dealerships have at least one nice, calm, helpful FEMALE salesperson on the payroll don't you?
That'd be to try and put an end to the machoistic, boy's club, jocular nature amongst sales staff wouldn't it? :stick:
An environment where existing and prevailing cultures, create an almost animalistic and testosterone fueled approach to selling, where the customer is treated like injured prey that has stumbled across their pack.

I assume that's what you are talking about ;)


Nope, I haven't run the rex
<snip>10sec rex to 13sec R8
<snip>BAck into the quick times!
Good luck on those quick times. I didn't realise time taken to get to max HP on the dyno was a competitive thing.

[Uwish]

Seedy Generally when you have over 300kw atw ( Genuine ) it makes for a very quick street car.
Bikes have trouble with you.
So I'd imagine with 400kw + atw with a TT kit in a HSV it would be a quick street car as well.
That's all I was getting at.

Sorry for quoting power and times.

[Animal]

Monica used to work for Heartland Parramatta.

Great move on her behalf to leave them

[WIKED]

These days most of us don't wear watches. I have my fu$king work Blackberry Mobile who needs a watch. II hear you on that one

[seedyrom]

These days most of us don't wear watches. I have my fu$king work Blackberry Mobile who needs a watch. If was going to buy a boat it would be the first thing i would through over board when we go to the deepest part of the ocean!!!!
If you're in the middle of the ocean, your blackberry doesn't work, and the battery is dead after 5 days ;)


Thanks for the advice, Seedy.
I'm a uni student.
Anyone wanna lend me a watch?
You about to buy a boat?


When you boys have enough coin for a big boat, you'll probably have bought yourself a nice watch by then :)

And the reason fake watches look so good, is that they are never displayed with a genuine version next to them :D


That's all I was getting at.

Sorry for quoting power and times.
No worries mate, just stirring the pot. ;)

I drive a car with a 10 sec in it i'm sure. 90/10's up front, firm but not too firm suspension at the back, anti tramp kit, 275 wide drag radials at the back with custom made alloy rims to support them, fuel system, turbo, stereo removed etc etc etc.

HOWEVER ... My PB is a 12.1@120mph.

Therefore my car is a 12 second car, in my eyes anyway.
Yes, my time was on 6 cylinders when my engine blew, but I can't claim otherwise till I have my fist clenched around a slip of paper saying otherwise :D


People can get pretty angry on this site regarding quarter mile times and claims ;)
Just something to watch :D

[Citric XR6]

I didn't have a very good experience at that dealership either. I had to book a week in advance to test drive an SS. When I got there at the correct time and day, it was like I dropped out of the sky. They had no idea what was going on and I ended up driving a V8 Berlina. Needless to say I wasn't real impressed - especially considering they had an SS and an SSV parked out the front on display. Its not as if I wanted to take a Maybach for a spin!

[Brockfan05]

Tried to buy a VX V8 back when they were new from my local dealer, the salesman would not move $1 dollar from recommended retail and standard on roads, even though I had the money to do the deal there and then. So I bought an optioned up, brand new WRX in a beautiful blue/black metallic which I got an exceptional deal on, then drove it over to the the Holden dealer who was too stubborn to move on the VX price. Said hello to the salesman who lost the sale, as I drove past him in my new car. Needless to say, 12 months later when I came back looking to get into a new Holden, I received somewhat better service and pricing. Now when they started to look after me a bit, I reciprocated and have bought every Holden/HSV from them exclusively since that time. They always look after me with price and service now. Another tip I found helpful, is to reply (HONESTLY) to the surveys you get for Holden when you buy a new car and dont forget to mention the dealer you bought it from. Most dealers and Holden themselves take these surveys seriously. So seriously, I even got a call from one of the VE engineering team asking what I thought about my SS, and going through my survey responses to get a good picture of what I was talking about - all good news for future product if you ask me. Sorry for the long post........

[Tuppo]

Trust me mate i've had bad experiences with Heartland especially Emmanuelle Cirillio

For starters I bought a VZ SS ute problems include

- Vents on front side quarter guards not flush (had to be re installed)
- Problems with air conditioner (needed fan bearing replacement, it was making a wining sound)
- Needed new battery as a cell had died in the old battery (even though it was a brand new vehicle)
- Track stripes fitted (bubbles and water marks throughout stripes), No HSVi compliance plate fitted, suspect the stripes fitted throgh after market detailer!!)

Be warned about Heartland Holden! Dont buy from them!!!!!!!!!!! This was a brand new car and i'm still gettin stuff fixed on it! Dont trust Courtney or Emmanuelle from Heartland. I mean what is pre delivery doing before they dipatch a car from the dealership, especially when u pay $43 grand+ for a car

[Merlin]

These dealers really have to stop judging books by their covers - in these days of stupid credit just about anyone can get their butt in a $60K car. Salesmen work on sales believe it or not, and dishing out testdrives is going to maximise those sales - hey the drive might be so great that the unserious person may suddenly become very serious.

In the end the best revenge is to simply go somewhere else which you did. Just remember the customer is the one with the money, salesmen need to sell cars more than you need to buy one and if they won't come to the party someone else always will. Even if you were rude to them or whatever - who gives a toss - money speaks louder than words...

Screw 'em.

[benny76]

They refused to give my mother a price unless she signed a contract agreeing to buy the car.

[Uwish]

As I said Hunter @ Ryde FTW~!!!!!

Monica knows her shit, and is easy to talk to and extremely helpfull.

[SS Enforcer]

Geez...my Brietling fake cost me $30 in Bangkok :)

I must have got ripped I paid 900 Baht about $38 for my fake brietling. The watch looks great but I am sure I end up lobsided due to it's great weight. :confused:

Everyone has a dealer sob story I have a few as well even once wandered around Suttons at Roseberry office with a chequbook in hand trying to by a new VY SS ute years ago there and then only to be told that the particular salesman wasn't in today !!! And there other salesman were busy this was about 1 pm on a weekday. There was another guy in the dealership complaining that he needed to buy a car today and they won't even give him a price on one. So I walked out with my son and bought one the next day at another dealer.

About a week later I got a call from THE guy at Roseberry who was pissd off that I had bought a car before he could ring me back. Another time a salesman at the same place wouldn't give me a price because I wasn't serious as I wouldn't drive the new car all I wanted to do was talk price. I went and bought a Ford the next day or so ... True. On another occasion at same dealer The dealer insisted I bring my wife in so we could discuss MY new car all together I explained it was MY money My car but the clown still wanted me to bring my wife in. Actually that was the day before I wanted to buy the ute and went back avoided the used car guy and the new car guys couldn't sell me one.
I had my son with me and he couldn't believe how hard it was to spend $40k on a car .... I don't look like a derro and pulled up in decent looking cars at the time.

I think it's just the industry and really the more you buy cars the better you get at dealing with sales people. Even though they change their learnt lines every year or so. Their down pat phrases get updated I am sure as I hear the same ones say for this car I bought but I bet if I shop around a few dealers next time I will get a new set of lines.

cheers

[Glenn@Autowerks]

Interesting thread, in the last 5 years I have walked in and bought 3 new cars, the last 2 at Heartland @ Blacktown. Last Sunday is the 1st time I have gone to a dealer and gone home empty handed. I met up the the salesman that sold me the Clubby, I left the premises totally unimpressed with his attitude towards me. :confused:

[Caprice270]

I'm not one to defend stealerships - but whats this business about turning up in Lambos and M5s? I could walk into a stealership in jeans and a tshirt and make a deal happen. As long as you have decent people skills, you dont need no Lambo or M5 to impress, thinking that makes you a tosser. Next time be polite, ring ahead to arrange a time for a test drive and give them a chance to sell you a car.

Telling them about the Vic dealer before negotiations was a BIG mistake and the outcome is not surprising at all.

[Uwish]

Caprice....

Why was it a mistake? He should have told me that the price was crazy and by the time the car came up here and all the charges would add up to a very similar price.

Also Why should I have to phone ahead? I got the shits with the rex and wanted a new car there and then. Pretty simple really.
Heartland could have dealt with it differently. Tough shit to them I spent mid 60k with Hunter which is there competitor!

Rocking up in the Lambo was the 2nd day I went to Hunter. The owner of Hunter also sell Zondas and know my brother so it was no biggie!

I can't wait to get the r8...come on March.

[fatas]

very surprised we have not heard a word from heatland or one of there reps just goes to show you they dont care :confused:
this is the place i would start if i knew this was going on ! :soap:
any way i will be off to see gus at wakelings or monica when i need a new holden :)

[COSMOS]

HMMMM, Always shit bag the dealer. Maybe you should tell the forums what really happened. Just a hint

1. Don't brag about what car u have and big note yourself.

2. Don't brag about pathetic prices from other dealers.

3. Speak to sales people like crap

4. Then after all of the above insist over and over about a wanting a test drive.

5. Carry on making threats to sales guys and managers about posting crap on forums and giving the dealership a bad name.

Hence the reason why you never got a test drive. Granted you are a serious customer but acting like that gets people nowhere


I thought this was the dealer response...

[lukey73]

Why was it a mistake? He should have told me that the price was crazy and by the time the car came up here and all the charges would add up to a very similar price.




Not really a mistake but a pointless exercise if you wanted to drive the car, you really should have test driven the car then told him the price Melbourne dealers were prepared to sell you the car.

I used to work for a broker and i had people call me constantly saying cars were X dollars down south, when i pointed out the cost of transport / fuel / stamp duty costs / time to drive back to QLD it changed alot of people's minds about buying cars like that.

ALL dealers pay the same amount for the car so i dont see why it would matter if you bought it in VIC / NSW / QLD at the end the price would have worked out around the same.

[H.T]

My Experience with Heartland.

Two years ago I looked at a 2002 VXII R8 that I was interested in buying, when I looked at it, it had two slotted discs and two standard discs, there excuse was that its a second hand car and they only needed to fit "Standard Disc", after going over the car and then negotiating with them, I asked if I could come back the next day to hear the car start up cold and give them the deposit, when I got there the car had already been run at was at operating temperature, there excuse, we had to move it, I wanted to see if it had piston slap, either way they reassured me that it didn't have piston slap, and as it was sold brand new by them and serviced by them and "HSV" certified there was nothing wrong with it, I being niave belived that "HSV" actually checked the cars independantly, I found out not long after that the apprentices do the checks.

I picked the car up and have to say was considerably happy with the car, ohh and the engine was warm again despite my second request.

The next morning i started it and it rattled around for over 5 minutes before it quitened down, but the noise reappeared at 1500-1700rpm.

I took it back to them and they said they would look at it, so it was left with them for a week so that "HSV" could look at it, whilst I was left without a car, then they advised that they would rebuild the engine.

When I went in to pick the car up, it had a massive ding in the door where some f__khead had opened the door on the hoist, so I had to leave it there for paintless dent removal.

Despite being rebuilt, the engine still sounded like shit, but I had enough of it, and was told by another Holden dealership that at the end of the day its an aluminium block, it has extractors and any noise is/may get multiplied to sound worse than it is, so I left it at that.

About a month later, I was pulled over by Highway Patrol, and they wanted to do some checks on the car, as it was around the time that a number of HSV's were getting stolen.

I got a shock when the Officer advised me that the car could have been a number job, as the HSV plate indicated the car left HSV in February 2001, and the compliance plate indicated the car left Holden in late 2002.

When I visited the dealership, and showed them the car, there simple reply was, it happens, mistakes happen, to this I said fair enough, but;

- The car was sold brand new by Heartland Holden/HSV, surely it would have to have gone through some sort of Pre-Delivery checks to ensure everything stacked up.

- It was supposedly serviced by them from day one.

- It was "HSV" certified and had a comprehensive check done.

They ordered a new plate from HSV, and replaced it so that it was correct, but the worst part of it was that they were extremely rude about all the problems and couldn't wait to have me out of the dealership.

After this experience, I personally would not buy another car from them.

[Uwish]

Seems Heartland just aren't the place to buy a car from.

[Caprice270]

As I was saying, I'm not one to defend a stealership. They are all the same in my experience, especially service departments and second hand car sales. But there's a right way and a wrong way to get a test drive.

Madtrk, sounds like you got royally screwed.

[Highway]

very surprised we have not heard a word from heatland or one of there reps just goes to show you they dont care :confused:
this is the place i would start if i knew this was going on ! :soap:
any way i will be off to see gus at wakelings or monica when i need a new holden :)

Dont worry Heartland are watching this thread and are aware what is going on.

Unlikely they will answer any of the comments.

[ssgirl2]

Dont worry Heartland are watching this thread and are aware what is going on.

Unlikely they will answer any of the comments.

Surely not...don't know why they'd bother. Under the circumstances (all of them put forward by Uwish) the Salesman didn't handle the situation poorly.

Heartland@Parramatta wouldn't be on my list of dealerships to go to for a great Used Car Sales (don't know about New :1peek:) or Service experience, but I don't think any dealerships would lay out the red carpet for anyone who said the same things as Uwish did.

Sorry, Uwish...:)

[Uwish]

No need to say sorry.

I don't care anymore. I have laid down a fairly big deposit for my r8 clubby.
Each to there own I say.
There loss is my win. Especially after reading a few replies!

[JustCruising]

Every badly treated customer will tell at least six others.
I bought mine off a dealership in Brisbane and the salesman drove about 50k to my place for a test drive, then sat at the kitchen table sweating while I tried to get another quote over the phone from opposition dealer- said he'd phone straight back,NEVER did (we'd talked previously and he knew I was going to buy) Of course I bought it off the guy that made the effort and threw in a few goodies to sweeten the deal.
Cheers

[NefariousLS1]

i kno its not the same but 18mnths ago when i bought my VU ss i wanderd in with a v6 vs ute after dropping off my gf at the time to work and was bored and basicaly demanded 3g over what i payed for the vs (worked out to 12g) and knocked off 2g on the ss (26g knocked down with 49k on the clock) they said no i left a card with my number 2 hours later i was signing thr papers lol it pays to play with salesmen, i didnt want to sell the vs but they bowed to my demands so i pareted with it

[ti0350]

I have more then 1 story from heartland parra since they are 5 min from my place i've been there more then once although the end to this one is a happy one not for heartland but for me.. I thought the first time was the service department so went down there again to look at a couple of 2nd hand SV6's salesman was all to quick to get us into his office to have a chat.. then preceeded to crap around for 20 min not to talk price in the end we were getting sick of the going around in circles bit and finally asked wat was the best deal he could do.. Eventually he told us the price on the 29k on the windscreen was final and said he wouldn't go under it and said if we could find the same car cheaper somewhere else go buy it.. Needless to say the next day walked into another holden dealership 45 min later we were signing the paperwork for our VYSS got 3k off the price that was listed which was under 29k so I'm damn happy.. A win for me in price, service and I ended up with an LS1 instead of a V6... :)
Btw people are right when it comes to word of mouth and car dealers have 5 people I know including my dad who have bought holdens in the last 6 months and none of them would go near heartland..
The good thing about this thread is if they are watching then they might actually do something to improve their service which might not be something they were aware needed work on...

[10sec_rx7]

we have brought the last 5 new holdens (vn calais, vt berlina, vz berlina, vy s ute, vz s ute) from heartland in castle hill, never had a drama with price, never had a drama with service or warranty issues,
my neighbour just brought a VE sv6 from them and didnt have any problems either and they beat the price of 4 other holden dealers...

so maybe the small drive from parramatta to castle hill might be worth the effort!

[Uwish]

I would have but there are only a few HSV dealers and they aren't one of them.

[Glenn@Autowerks]

I would have but there are only a few HSV dealers and they aren't one of them.

Blacktown informed me that the HSV rights they had have been transferred to Castle Hill...

[Uwish]

Too late now!
I thought Heartland Parra was the only one around there!

[HSVMAN]

I used to work for an HSV dealer. We NEVER gave out prices over the phone to somebody we didnt know. We NEVER gave test drives without qualifying the buyer first. Test drives normally always included the salesperson.

Currently VE models are selling very well so I imagine it would be even harder to get favours especially when you start by saying XYZ dealer has better prices.
If we thought you were going to test drive and run off to somebody else, you wouldnt get a test drive until we had established a few pertinent facts regarding the possible end result.
The dealer I worked for sold (and still does) the most HSVs in NZ.

That same dealer now has a new sales manager who is somewhat hard nosed and not well respected so things may change.....

It all comes down to establishing a good relationship with the salesperson from the beginning and that goes both ways.

In this case I think both parties got off on the wrong foot.

Enjoy your new car Uwish :)

[FatBoy]

Dont worry Heartland are watching this thread and are aware what is going on.

What, that they are bunch of clowns who should be working in a circus ??

My girlfriend and i split for a few months a few years back, whilst we weren't together she bought a new Astra from Heartland Parramatta. The salesman was great apparently, until after she signed the purchase order / agreement or whatever they call it. Then he pretty much p!ssed off and didn't acknowledge her or her old man again. He then denied having agreed to "throw in" floor mats, tinted windows and a tank of fuel. They also (somehow) managed to present it for delivery with a dent in the door...

Despite the above, i had a quick look at their yard when looking for my SS. Some ignorant goose came out and started telling me if i was serious i'd need to agree on a price before driving the car - wtf ?? I said i'd rather drive it, if i like it i'll negotiate a price and if we agree, i'll put a deposit on it there and then. He refused so i walked out...

I then wandered out to Heartland at Blacktown and spoke to the sales manager there. He was brilliant. He had two VZ SS's, and a VY R8. His exact words were "Drive all three, decide which one you like and come and see me..." I did exactly that, chose the low km VZ and told him what i was prepared to pay. He couldn't come down that much, so i left - and he was cool about it. A few days later he rang me, told me i was a tightarse and laughed, then said "If you want the bloody thing, come down and put a deposit it on it and you can have it at your price..."

So in summary, Heartland at Parramatta were pretty average and i wouldn't go there again. The guys at Blacktown were great, it's just a shame they are so far away from my place !!

And BTW - it shouldn't matter what you wear. A good salesman knows whether people are serious or not. I always make a habit of rocking up very casually dressed. My old man does the same thing - buys houses, cars, boats, whatever dressed in stubbies and a t shirt. Why make people think you have money ??

[Greeny34]

...

I then wandered out to Heartland at Blacktown and spoke to the sales manager there. He was brilliant. He had two VZ SS's, and a VY R8. His exact words were "Drive all three, decide which one you like and come and see me..." I did exactly that, chose the low km VZ and told him what i was prepared to pay. He couldn't come down that much, so i left - and he was cool about it. A few days later he rang me, told me i was a tightarse and laughed, then said "If you want the bloody thing, come down and put a deposit it on it and you can have it at your price..."


Awesome story :rofl: ... thats exactly how it should be.
Its all about people skills. Treat people well and not only will they come back time after time but they will give referrals (and thats where a Dealership can make money and at the same time be the No1 dealership).

Scott

[exploder]

Would you really buy a car from a dealer that cant even get their sign up staight? :jester:

http://users.tpg.com.au/antjar/Photo023.jpg

[HSVMAN]

If that's not straight, neither are all the buildings to the left of it :confused:

[macca33]

If that's not straight, neither are all the buildings to the left of it :confused:

The holden emblem is rotated 90 degrees anti-clockwise!!

[HSVMAN]

The holden emblem is rotated 90 degrees anti-clockwise!!

LOL never looked at the emblem :doh:

[scotty82]

They scratched my ute when it was only a few weeks old getting its first service. The manager didn't care and wouldn't apologise even though I rang straight away after I picked it up that it was scratched. They idid fix it however but the whole time was we didn't do it but we are fixing it to keep you happy.

They took 2 full days to get a drivers window replaced. They are rude and I will never go back there ever again.

[V-Car]

Would you really buy a car from a dealer that cant even get their sign up staight? :jester:


Thats one Lion (dealer) going downhill fast! :)

But obviously, there are good and bad dealers, and both should be talked about IMHO.

Ive never personally bought a new car, but i have recently on behalf of a mate in Perth, and have nothing but good things to say about the guys at Zupps Mt Gravatt, especially Michael Lowe.
If i was in the market for a new vehicle, i wouldnt hesitate going back to them for a painless experience.
Dealerships like the main one discussed in this thread dont deserve anyones business.

[exploder]

The holden emblem is rotated 90 degrees anti-clockwise!!


LOL never looked at the emblem :doh:


Thats one Lion (dealer) going downhill fast! :)



BTW that is the sign on the used car lot at Heartland Holden Parramatta. :jester:

[ss60lt]

Well I settled on the R8 with 20s! I get it in March / April.
I almost settled on a black GTS fully optioned, but we couldn't agree on the price.

Price..I'm very happy with. ( Sydney Anyway! )
The reason for the test drive is.

I own a modded rex, last car before that was a S15 200sx. These cars are not big. The R8 is a big car. I drove it and loved it straight away! The service from Monica was great. Anyone buying a HSV go see her!
I just can't wait to take delivery in March / April.

By the way. We rocked up in the Lambo and the M5.
Giddy up!

hey uwish,
i was at the dealer the day u rocked up in the lambo & m5.sweet looking orange murci,& the wheels on the m5 were awsome.anyway id just like to say that i had similiar trouble at heartland penrith a few years ago in which the sales women there,went inside to get the hsv guy to come out as i was interested in a maloo.he just looked out the window seen that i was just wearing work clothes and full of tatoos then sent the lady back out to tell us that he was to busy.anyway finally got a price off her of $58,000 driveaway.so after more looking around i stumbled upon andrew at hunter holden who got me the car for $46,500 d/away(vy2)as he had to make room for the new vz at the time.that was about 3 years ago.since then i have purchased 4 cars from them & i will not buy from anywhere else.i do not need to shop around as i know andrew does the best deals.i just traded my ve ss for a astra sri turbo(misses wanted something smaller)and monica done the deal.i only have one gripe,that my car mats werent ready(big deal).anyway enjoy your r8 when u get it as im sure u will & where was the lambo on friday?could have sworn that was an old shitty falcon i saw u get into on friday arvo?

[Uwish]

Yeah mate that was me in the shitter! I hate driving that thing.
Monica is the Best.She also advised me the 6.2 was BS.
But said if it comes out or advertised to before I take delivery that she will change my order.
Now that is Customer Service!
BTW: Was that you with the missus when we all walked down to the cars???

[ss60lt]

Yeah mate that was me in the shitter! I hate driving that thing.
Monica is the Best.She also advised me the 6.2 was BS.
But said if it comes out or advertised to before I take delivery that she will change my order.
Now that is Customer Service!
BTW: Was that you with the missus when we all walked down to the cars???

yeah mate that was me leaving my beloved ignition ss behind.oh well back to the good ol 2.0l turbos.yeah we bought a black astra turbo.i was so tempted to buy the hsv vrx but i just couldnt justify the extra $10k spend for a bigger turbo,wheels & recaros.plus the extra $700 a year in insurance.anyway seems to go quite well & looks pretty cool.i dont think it will stay standard for too long tho.i just wish someone would start to bring some tuning bits out for them.

[Tron2004]

More from these Heartland Holden Parramatta misfits...

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24225746-5001021,00.html

[Bandit]

Tron2004
that article is a huge concern.

Previously with my Monaro i had it serviced @ Heartland Holden Castle Hill they seemed good. (b/c I was friends with a service guy).

I do feel for the guy in his Monaro though getting written off is a joke!

[VZMY06SS]

I bought my SS at suttons holden in penrith. I'd seen it on carsales.com and just turned up and asked for a test drive. The sales man wouldn't let me test drive the car unless I would agree to buy it. In the end I told him I was going to walk away. He then told me I could have a drive.
After paying for the car, I was offered paint protection, as the car was near new. I couldn't find any marks on the car, so I figured it would be worth while. I was told at the time that it was guarentee'd for 6 years. I paid for it without seeing any official warranty papers. A few weeks after the car was delivered, my front bar started "peeling" paint on one side. Turned out that it had been scratched, probably while parking, and had been resprayed cheaply. A few stone chips had broken through the paint, causing the whole section to peel off. I called up Suttons and they said that it wasn't their problem. I said B/S, I was told that I wouldn't get stone chips with your product. They ended up refunding my paint protection and telling me they had fired the salesman responsible. I'm pretty sure that there was never any paint protection applied to my car. I'm also pretty sure that if I went in there tomorrow the same salesman would be working there.

Moral of the story is to always get any promises that a salesman makes to you in writing.

[Stocky]

Its all down to the sales staff not the dealer as a whole. I've purchased from Parra before and they were fine. Last purchase came from Hunter and they were great on the sales side - service dept is another story.

Sadly you are correct about Hunter. Sales were very helpful, service did not reach sales standards. To be fair, Tom Kerr [Mazda & Subaru] was far worse.

[KCB50L]

I bought my SS at suttons holden in penrith.

Suttons at Penrith??????????? there is no such place, your thinking of Heartland ripoff merchants, went in there when looking for my ute and wanted $36500 for an 05 SS ute with 97k on the clock and would not budge, handed over the $25000 cash for my 94k old 05 SS ute 3 days later at another dealer.

[John_]

More from these Heartland Holden Parramatta misfits...

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24225746-5001021,00.html


Heartland Group CFO Neal Duggin refused to answer question from the The Daily Telegraph regarding the accident, including if other customer cars had been involved in accidents while being driven by employees.

"Any time a vehicle is on the road it is at risk of being involved in an accident." Mr Duggin said in a statement.


DISGRACEFUL!

Heartland Holden deserve bad publicity for this, and should be made a sticky on this forum. More so for the pathetic response of the CFO (glorified accountant) on the matter. If the CFO of the company I represent made such a statement within the same context where an injustice has occurred to a client, he would be out of a job the very next day. I guess this goes to show what unprofessional bogans own and run Shitland sorry I meant Heartland Holden.

Bloody Disgraceful!

[kpop]

just a question for all you guys buying 2nd hand cars from dealerships: why ?

you can go private and easily save at least 4k

[XR4TED]

Again it comes down to the sales person. I went in there about 3 months ago to have a look at a Odyssey VZ GTO, I told them over the phone that I wanted a black one and they still told me to come in a have a test drive. They asked me straight up if there was anything they could do to persuade me to take this colour and I said probably not. Then we went for a test drive. Of course they did the pitch after the test drive but I still wanted black. They continued to call me for the next month or so asking if I had had any luck. They called me one day saying they had a black Coupe 4 to see if I was interested in coming in. i delcined. I think the courtesy and service given to me was quite good.

[FatBoy]

just a question for all you guys buying 2nd hand cars from dealerships: why ?

you can go private and easily save at least 4k

Guaranteed title.

That and many guys trade in cars or require finance. I prefer buying from a dealer as at least if the car is a number job i'm covered. But i sell my car first and pay cash, that way you can hammer them down quite a bit. My VZ was $39,990 on the window (admittedly 2 years ago - so it was 12 months old, 13,000kms on it) and i paid 33k. Back then it was a pretty good buy...

[Red Beard]

I agree, guaranteed title is top of my list, but also the peace of mind offered 3 month statutory, and in my case extra 3 year used car warranty. This has saved me serious cash on previous cars. Each to his own though, I've got a mate who's never bought from a dealer, I've never bought private. I've got to say there's a lot of dodgy private sellers in Sydney though, I just don't trust them.

[RUN41T]

Some dealers are dickheads, I went to a local carlot recently to have a look at a LS1 Vy and they wouldnt let me test drive it untill i signed paperwork to buy the car!!! I left and went to Holden dowm the road who where very helpfull and let me test 3 different LS1's and i settled on my Vyss, a certified vehicle with 3year 175k Km warrenty :p

[Rotty]

Sorry to dredge up an oldie...but here is my experience with Heartland Parramatta. Recently saw an E2 GTS '09 phantom, manual, 6 piston brakes, sunroof, Walkinshaw cam, claimed 400kw $82,888. Got in touch, wanted it, put just $100 to hold whilst I got back to Remserve, finance arranged (pending disposal of my current car...which got stolen..unbelievable but true!). I rang Heartland on the Saturday and got the finance manager, told him I wanted to put a larger deposit down as a show of faith that I will be taking the car...today get an email from the sales guy that as I only put $100 down they sold it on Sunday! B@#tards! I always thought a deposit was a downpayment on the sale!

[Toddler78]

Guaranteed title.

That and many guys trade in cars or require finance. I prefer buying from a dealer as at least if the car is a number job i'm covered. But i sell my car first and pay cash, that way you can hammer them down quite a bit. My VZ was $39,990 on the window (admittedly 2 years ago - so it was 12 months old, 13,000kms on it) and i paid 33k. Back then it was a pretty good buy...


I agree, guaranteed title is top of my list, but also the peace of mind offered 3 month statutory, and in my case extra 3 year used car warranty. This has saved me serious cash on previous cars. Each to his own though, I've got a mate who's never bought from a dealer, I've never bought private. I've got to say there's a lot of dodgy private sellers in Sydney though, I just don't trust them.

I understand that hese two posts are 2 years old but both raise a vaild point re the title. We have a new sales person at work that has come from the car industry they were doing the credit checks and organising titles and they told me the number of trade in cars that came through the door with en encumbrance on them was amazing, this even when the buyer had bought the trade in car from a dealer, so no guareentee of title there

[lowriding]

I understand that hese two posts are 2 years old but both raise a vaild point re the title. We have a new sales person at work that has come from the car industry they were doing the credit checks and organising titles and they told me the number of trade in cars that came through the door with en encumbrance on them was amazing, this even when the buyer had bought the trade in car from a dealer, so no guareentee of title there

? I think you missed the point a little. Yeah i would say a large amount of trade-ins have finance owing but thats the dealers problem , they check that and have to clear that title if they want to resell it .This is all factored in part of the trade-in process. As a buyer from a dealership the title is guaranteed.

[Speedy Gonzales]

'Mechanic hoons wasted my Monaro'

* By Tim Vollmer
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* August 23, 2008 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2008/08/22/va1237326120906/Mechanic-hoons-wasted-my-Monaro-6212718.jpg

'Mechanic hoons wasted my Monaro'

Totalled ... Colin Chaffen with his beloved Monaro. Source: The Daily Telegraph

A CAR service turned to heartbreak for Colin Chaffen when his beloved Holden Monaro was written off by two joy-riding mechanics.

Residents in May's Hill were shocked when the $45,000 V8 jumped a gutter and spun through a fence.

The mechanics, from Heartland Holden in Parramatta, then drove the damaged car several kilometres back to the workshop.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the car only narrowly missed his house.

"I was sitting on the lounge when I heard this huge bang," he said.

"I thought it had gone straight into the house. I rushed to the window and saw them take off really quick. I only just had time to get their rego."

The car's owner, Colin Chaffen, a self-confessed "car fanatic", was in tears when he returned to the workshop to discover ten's of thousands of dollars worth of damage to his impeccably maintained vehicle.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage

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* Here, stranger, take my car Adelaide Now, 25 Sep 2009

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

"My car was my pride and joy. There wasn't a scratch on it," Mr Chaffen said.

"I had put $60,000 into that car and these guys only had it for 15 minutes and they wrote it off. It makes you wonder how many other cars they have taken out for joy-rides."

The Daily Telegraph has learned that the incident was not a one off, with a former Heartland Holden employee blowing the whistle on mistreatment of customers' cars.

"They're hoons," the mechanic, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

"Whenever a nice car came in they were all itching to take it for a drive.

"I saw them do burn-outs, speed and drive erratically on test drives, and their attitude was 'it's not my car'."

Mr Chaffen's anger was made worse because the service was only booked after Heartland Holden wrote a letter threatening to void his warranty unless his car was urgently taken to one of their service centres. He had also been assured that there was no need for the vehicle to leave the workshop.

Mr Chaffen's poor treatment continued, with management from Heartland Holden unable to explain the cause of the accident and what action, if any, had been taken against the mechanics.

"They have just told me a lot of lies. At first it had been side-swiped, then they had swerved to miss a car, and finally they said they had tried to dodge a runaway dog," he said.

But the worst was still to come, with Heartland Holden's insurer then refusing to pay the insured value of the car, offering Mr Chaffen almost $10,000 less than its agreed value.

Late yesterday, following inquiries by The Daily Telegraph, Heartland Holden agreed to pay Mr Chaffen the full value of his car.

Heartland Group CFO Neal Duggin refused to answer question from the The Daily Telegraph regarding the accident, including if other customer cars had been involved in accidents while being driven by employees.

"Any time a vehicle is on the road it is at risk of being involved in an accident." Mr Duggin said in a statement.

A police investigation continues.


I remember this one, fantastic service and dealership by most accounts :goodjob:

[commodore sv8]

wow some of you have got shitty service at dealerships, when my dad bought his car he had not agree'd on a price or even a car and the salesman let him take it out for the majority of the day.

[planetdavo]

'Mechanic hoons wasted my Monaro'

I remember this one, fantastic service and dealership by most accounts :goodjob:

Shattering news.
The reality is that this can happen anywhere, as mechanics are often rather simple tools, often simpler than the contents of their tool box.
Something like this means automatic dismissal anywhere, so most have enough brain matter to understand the things you don't do if you want a pay slip each week.
Many, many years ago, a mechanic gave my (4 cyl) car a speeding fine, using it to get his lunch.
It was a respected independent workshop.

[Oztrack Tuning]

Try Heartland Penrith they are a great group of guys.

[R8tourer]

Try Heartland Penrith they are a great group of guys.

I think this is the first time I'll have to disagree with you Steve! I've had some horrible experiences there with having my HSV serviced, each time it comes back worse or just the same. Always get messed around.

I also tried to just have a peep inside a VE Maloo when I was looking at buying a VE HSV late last year, but because I am young I guess, no one took me seriously so a dealer in Melbourne ended up getting my sale in the end!

Its pretty disappointing ...

[Oztrack Tuning]

Thats peculiar, certainly you need to take it up if you havent already with Matt the current workshop boss. He is very well respected and knows his stuff. As far as i know they are very cooperative with warranty claims.

Some of the mechanics that work there are on the 12hr race team i am involved with. Plus i have had many conversations with Matt.

[Toddler78]

? I think you missed the point a little. Yeah i would say a large amount of trade-ins have finance owing but thats the dealers problem , they check that and have to clear that title if they want to resell it .This is all factored in part of the trade-in process. As a buyer from a dealership the title is guaranteed.

no I definatly didnt miss the point, what was happening was the customer was coming in to trade their car only to find that the encumbrance from the previous owner hadnt been stopped by the previous dealer forcing them the hastle of getting it sorted out.obiviously a hassle but the previous dealer hadnt done their job properly and cleared the emcumbrance, your the owner, your problem. dont automatically assume it is a cleared title cause you bought it from a dealer

[miss monaro]

Thats peculiar, certainly you need to take it up if you havent already with Matt the current workshop boss. He is very well respected and knows his stuff. As far as i know they are very cooperative with warranty claims.

Some of the mechanics that work there are on the 12hr race team i am involved with. Plus i have had many conversations with Matt.

since debby clark left i went back no issues better management and always if you love your car dont leave it,wouldnt deal with her toxic my opinion only..and please respect it