[jrourke]

Hi all. I'm new to Dodge products having driven GM for the last 20+ years. Thought I would be in another when I began shopping, but found few cars that I thought were visually appealing and had the options available I wanted. The few I liked were foreign and/or recommended premium gas which is not a good thing now. Then I discovered the 2006 Charger while surfing the net last weekend. The SXT with options is now at the top of my list (don't need the hemi) in spite of a few small things like slightly less est MPG than my current car or no auto headlights on the SXT. Stopped at a few dealers, but only a handful of RTs on the lot and no SXTs yet. I expect I'll be asking a lot of questions until I make a decision. Will do my best so they won't be too ignorant, be posted in the right forums and not be dupes.

Here's question #1: What's the deal with labelled "five-star dealerships"? The Dodge site talks about higher standards, better facilities, etc. and their inventory search will only show 5-star dealers. One I visited was not impressive at all, but I guess that could just be the sales guy that grabbed me. A non 5-star dealer I visited had "5-star dealer" on their business cards and knew a bit more about the car although they hadn't seen any of the SXTs yet. Is there a reason I should stay with just the 5-star dealers listed at the Dodge site? Thanks

 

[Tricster]

My dealer is a 5 star, and what it means exactly, I think is based on the volume of cars that they move. Not really for sure though.

When I bought mine, from this dealership, I get lifetime oil changes, and lifetime loaner car. Not sure how many others get this, but I think it is a good thing.

I'm sort of used to good service, cause with my wifes BMW, they even have Vallet parking... la de da. That is nice also.

My 5 star dealer has the same thing with my Dodge.

Now, I have found that since I surf these forums alot, I do know as much or more about my car than most of the people at that dealership... But that is something that is also probably expected.

So, if I am not mistaken, 5 stars are given by volume of cars moved, and I'd suspect they have to have a very clean facility. Other than that, I'd say Knowledge of their product isn't a factor.

Just my 2 cents.


Tricster

 

[GotACharger]

IMHO some 5 star dealers are crap others are OUTSTANDING for instance the Chrysler/ Jeep dealer where I bought my Jeep was outstanding with sales and especially service. Although the Dodge dealer where I purchased my Charger the sales and F&I were good but service sucks so I have deciced to let the Chrysler/ Jeep dealer service my Charger. Shop around the dealers in your area ... most people will be able to tell within a few minutes weather they want to do business there. And I didn't need the HEMI either but after I drove it I had to have the HEMI and most people in this forum will say the same if you can afford a little extra on the payment get the HEMI great milage if you stay out of the HEMI (It's hard to do)the MDS workes wonders on this engine I have gotten as good as 27.8 on the freeway 70+ mph. The worst 14.3 city and getting the HEMI to sing alot. I would say this is one of the best Chrysler products ever produced...... Nothing GM's got at this time can hold a candle to the LX group of cars. DCX dealers earn thier 5 star rating through surveys and inspections from DCX. But still some bad 5 star dealers fall through the cracks. My suggestion is to BUY that car SXT or R/T YOU WILL NOT be dissapointed. This link http://www.allpar.com/dealers/fivestar.html
explains the whole program if interested.

 

[Billybobs R/T]

5 Star means they maintained a customer satisfaction rating of 98% or higher for over a year.

 

[beezn]

I get lifetime oil changes, and lifetime loaner car. Not sure how many others get this, but I think it is a good thing.

Dang son! Ive never heard of that with any dealership at all, I'm impressed!

 

[jtfisher63]

The store I work at is Five star. It requires strict standards from DCX to maintain a five star status. I work in parts and have to do lots of training per the five star criteria. There is many different aspects of five star such as keeping a high score in Fixed First Visit, Customer Satisfaction Index, and also procedures and cleanliness. Does it make us a better store? I don't know, but the boss does everything to make sure we keep our five star status. Jason.

 

[gweempose]

When I bought mine, from this dealership, I get lifetime oil changes, and lifetime loaner car.

Is this something that you negotiated at the time of purchase, or are these perks extended to all of their customers?

 

[JSA 007]

5 star is a crock. Most just bribe their customers to give them the survey.

If it was based on real info, you'd think there'd be so many of them?? Seems like the majority of dealerships I see are "5 star"...

 

[BT1024]

In two Chrylser/Dodge purchases at 2 different dealers in the past 7 years - I have never had a "5 Star" sales experience. BUT, with my purchase 7 years ago, I bought the car from the dealer because their service department was a "10 stars" on the 5 star scale (That was Videon Chrysler, Newtown Square , PA).

So, below is my experience with a "5 star" dealer, for the purchase of my Dodge Charger. It was not a good experience until the Parts and Service manager took care of my last issue, himself (And did so in a "5+ star" manner).

So, I would have to say that the Service Departments have always been "5 Star" or higher. I think that my experience has been that the Parts and Service guys and gals work at a "higher" level than the rest of the dealership - and they probaby don't get all the recognition they deserve.

"5 Star" Experience, in 2 parts:
Part #1:
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1241

Part #2:
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292

Brian T.

 

[chargershed]

5 star is a crock. Most just bribe their customers to give them the survey.

If it was based on real info, you'd think there'd be so many of them?? Seems like the majority of dealerships I see are "5 star"...

You got to love people, who have absolutely no clue on what they are talking about, give their opinion... It is based on real info, as an employee of a 5-star dealer; I MUST take and pass 8 diffrent training modules every year, or my dealership can and will loose thier 5-star status. The dealership I work at is in an older building ( built in 1962) and we have to remodel just to keep our 5-star status. the reason you see so many 5-star dealers is that if you don't have it, you don't get ad dollars, your hold backs will be less etc. Does that mean that everybody has a good buying experience? no. It is like the food service industry, ask 10 people how the restraunt was they ate at and 80% will say it was good and 20% will say it sucked, no matter what...

 

[JSA 007]

You got to love people, who have absolutely no clue on what they are talking about, give their opinion...

Maybe there's a lot more other stuff it's based off too, but the good survey ratings are BS

I don't buy for a second that it's based off "real" info. Like I said, the dealer's BRIBE people to give them the customer survey. My salesman said, and I quote, "In a couple weeks you'll get a survey from dodge. Don't fill it out! Bring it back to me and I'll give you a free car wash and fill it up with gas." Given the gas prices these days, that survey is worth ~$50.

Also, think about all the horror stories people have about going to dealerships. You think 98%+ are going to fill out everything "excellent"....