Silver Star - First experience

[Ripple]

Well the morning started out pretty normal. Get up, shower, walk to the garage start the Lotus, head back in and make my lunch. This particular morning I had to drive to work the long way and it ended up being a good thing. Simi to TO is about 18 miles for me. Being 6:30 in the morning, I really didn't realize that the car wasn't at temperature when I got on the freeway or when I was driving for 15 minutes (I don't hammer on it cause if it's too early for me to sprint down the street, it's to early to subject the car to that, mutual respect kinda thing ). As I'm pulling off the freeway I take notice and think "yeah, that's not right". I drop my daughter off and turn the car off. I'm thinking maybe the sensor is too tired to be bothered at 6:30. Start the car right back up and still the same. I drive a couple of more miles and the temp finally shows up but when I jump on the freeway it drops low enough for it not to register. I've seen this in my other cars and have a 99.9% idea what it is. Stupid $35 part. I think to myself, hmmm, go to the auto part store, pick up the thermostat and throw it in. Then I remember that little thing about having to purge the air out of the system once you refill the coolant. I'm a glutton for punishment and will do most maintenance myself (and enjoy it) but I didn't want to deal with this today (or this weekend). In the past, I've never bought an extended warranty. When I sat down last year to buy the car it was offered up. I negotiated the price down a little bit but still was thought I was throwing money out the window. After all, we're talking about a Toyota drive train, what can go wrong with that Any way, the fact that it would only cost me $100 to get it fixed and being 2 or 3 miles from the dealership that just opened for the day, I turned around and headed in.

Now I've never been satisfied with service or part departments at dealerships. The people that work there seem really annoyed that you would have the nerve to bother them. Silver Star isn't your typical place. I walk in and I'm guessing the manager walks over to me and asks me how he can help. Mind you, I'm 36 and look like I'm going on 21. I'm in torn jeans, Vans and ridiculous t-shirt. Yet, I was treated just like the other customers that walked through the door at the same time (that were much better dressed ).

Monique took great care of me. She was writing up the work order and I asked if I could talk to the tech that was going to work on my car. A minute later Richie walks through the door and introduces himself. I tell him what was going on and he confirms what I thought the problem was. Richie is the tech that so many people here recommend and I will add my name to the list. They got the car fixed today (same day), took care of working with the extended warranty company to work out the billing and even fixed my window that wouldn't roll up all the way and didn't charge me.

I couldn't have asked for a better first time experience. And to top it all off, I run into my cousin who works there as well. I know who I'll be hitting up for a family discount when its time to upgrade to an Evora

[agirls]

They always seem to do their best to accomodate their customers. And every Lotus owner in SoCal you talk to seems to know Richie and praise his work. I really like the friendly attitude at Silver Star.


And I have to say, I have only walked into 2 Lotus dealerships, Silver Star and Desert European Motors, and both dealerships greeted us and treated us with respect. Even with the long haired dude wearing camos next to me. That attitude is actually probably the main reason why I bought my car. We were just driving by and stopped to check it out. We were only there for a moment before someone came out to us. We put a deposit on the car that day.

BTW - glad your car was fixed hassle free!

[Jack]

Jeff,

I told you that Richie is the BEST!

[Flash G]

+1

I've always received great service at Silver Star.

[Ripple]

Originally Posted by Jack

Jeff,

I told you that Richie is the BEST!

I mentioned to Richie that Jack spoke his praises

[PatrickShim]

+1

[shay2nak]

Ritchie is da shiznit

[daysineuropa]

Fo' shizzle!

I turned up for a while-you-wait fix and he brought me into the shop to show me how i could fix it myself next time. He then gave me a cool little bulb and fuse kit.

Richie is da man!

[JMA]

+3 (or 4) I've been to Silver Star 3 or 4 times, and always was completely satisfied with their service. Coming up for 7500 mile service, so will go there again, soon. Hope they stay in business a long time.