Dealer Service in Texas

[SAFE4NOW]

I understand that Oversea's has one tech, who comes in 1 day a week, to perform Lotus repairs and Service.

Autoscope Park Cities is getting alot of their " over flow ", but
NON-Warranty work all the same.

If I were in Austin though, I would do business with Soulspeed as well!

Steve

[hs39]

Does anyone have any other suggestions for good shops for an Elise in Dallas?

It does not matter if its warranty or not.

Would be great to get a good reliable shop. The Internet gives "Sam & Joes" and "Auto Scope".

Any other you guys would recommend?

[LotuShii]

My car has been waxed for two times in 7 days at Dealership, Austin (Some warranty questions, but not trying to be a cheap a$$). I think they definately have great services.

[niteowl]

I have also been treated like Overseas Motors did not want my business on several occasions and by different service reps. so in desperation I tried the Autoscope in Plano, TX, for an A/C problem where my blower motor and blower motor resistors went bad. This all occurred about 2 or 3 months after my warranty expired. I will have to say that at least Autoscope was enthusiastic and wanted my Lotus business. During the extensive repair, an Autoscope tech damaged my body work. However, Autoscope brought this to my attention and paid to have everything repaired. I would go back to Autoscope - Plano again. By the way, the A/C repair was quoted to be $3,000 by Overseas Motors and ultimately cost me $3,000 at Autoscope as well.

[Tejs]

Originally Posted by niteowl

I have also been treated like Overseas Motors did not want my business on several occasions and by different service reps. so in desperation I tried the Autoscope in Plano, TX, for an A/C problem where my blower and A/C controller unit went bad. This all occurred about 2 or 3 months after my warranty expired. I will have to say that at least Autoscope was enthusiastic and wanted my Lotus business. During the extensive repair, an Autoscope tech damaged my body work. However, Autoscope brought this to my attention and paid to have everything repaired. I would go back to Autoscope - Plano again. By the way, the A/C repair was quoted to be $3,0000 by Overseas Motors and ultimately cost me $3,000 at Autoscope as well.

30 grand for the AC repair? wtf

+1 for Autoscope as well

[niteowl]

Sorry, typo. I was quoted $3,000 (fixed above) for A/C repair at Overseas Motors. Again, this is eventually what it cost to get it fixed at Autoscope Plano, TX.

[jtj]

I walked out on Overseas earlier this month. I was coming in 2 days a week while going to school to do something else with my life besides work for places like that, and ultimately it just made things worse for me. I was tired of the rules changing on me weekly, getting stiffed on paychecks/money and MANY other issues that should have been red flags to blow out of there months ago. Instead, I felt an obligation to them to saty as much as I could so they were not left without a Lotus tech, and the promises they made to me in order to make that viable were NOT kept by them. When they told me to pound sand AFTER the fact on 1 day holiday pay and 2 sick days I was entitled to, and had not informed me about it until I got a check for nothing and asked about it, I had enough. (This isnt the first time that has happened either.)

If you take your car to Overseas or have taken it in the last 3 weeks, they DO NOT have a Lotus tech. Wen I was out Sick i September, They had a new guy who had never seen the cars before he started there working on the ones that came in. Contrary to what you may hear from Overseas, I HAVE NEVER TRAINED ANYONE to so much as do an oil change on one of those cars. Lotus has not had any factory training classes lately (and last I knew it would be a couple-few months before they would). Your car will not be seen to at Overseas by any tech who has more than a few weeks of trial and error experience. I am not by any means saying they are dumb and cant figure it out, but even after I quit, my phone has been ringing like I am still their tech support line, and I refused to answer it. I hate to do that to a couple of people there, because they are still friends but business is business and if they wont pay me when I worked there, I surely am not doing it when I no longer work there.

I think I have a good relationship with many of you I have dealt with, some we have not gotten off to a good start and I apologize. The extent my hands were tied there was unbelievable. I tried to change alot of things on the lotus end but in the end, the HIGHER management there DOES NOT CARE. The last 2 or 3 months there have been such a drain on my self worth and mental state that I know I was a disservice to many of you when I shouldn't have been. I apologize and hope there are no hard feelings.

All I can say is that I havent been happier in my life, especially while unemployed. I have actually been able to spend time with my kids, work on my photography business, keep ahead in school and make it thru a whole day where I am not pissed off above the boiling point.

[toedrag]

Originally Posted by jtj

I walked out on Overseas earlier this month. I was coming in 2 days a week while going to school to do something else with my life besides work for places like that, and ultimately it just made things worse for me. I was tired of the rules changing on me weekly, getting stiffed on paychecks/money and MANY other issues that should have been red flags to blow out of there months ago. Instead, I felt an obligation to them to saty as much as I could so they were not left without a Lotus tech, and the promises they made to me in order to make that viable were NOT kept by them. When they told me to pound sand AFTER the fact on 1 day holiday pay and 2 sick days I was entitled to, and had not informed me about it until I got a check for nothing and asked about it, I had enough. (This isnt the first time that has happened either.)

If you take your car to Overseas or have taken it in the last 3 weeks, they DO NOT have a Lotus tech. Wen I was out Sick i September, They had a new guy who had never seen the cars before he started there working on the ones that came in. Contrary to what you may hear from Overseas, I HAVE NEVER TRAINED ANYONE to so much as do an oil change on one of those cars. Lotus has not had any factory training classes lately (and last I knew it would be a couple-few months before they would). Your car will not be seen to at Overseas by any tech who has more than a few weeks of trial and error experience. I am not by any means saying they are dumb and cant figure it out, but even after I quit, my phone has been ringing like I am still their tech support line, and I refused to answer it. I hate to do that to a couple of people there, because they are still friends but business is business and if they wont pay me when I worked there, I surely am not doing it when I no longer work there.

I think I have a good relationship with many of you I have dealt with, some we have not gotten off to a good start and I apologize. The extent my hands were tied there was unbelievable. I tried to change alot of things on the lotus end but in the end, the HIGHER management there DOES NOT CARE. The last 2 or 3 months there have been such a drain on my self worth and mental state that I know I was a disservice to many of you when I shouldn't have been. I apologize and hope there are no hard feelings.

All I can say is that I havent been happier in my life, especially while unemployed. I have actually been able to spend time with my kids, work on my photography business, keep ahead in school and make it thru a whole day where I am not pissed off above the boiling point.

Wow jtj...thanks for posting. My limited experience with you and Overseas was always good. I feel fortunate based on your post.

Sorry for the trouble you've endured, but glad things are looking up. Let us know where you land. Autoscope has been picking up more Lotus work, maybe there's an opportunity there for you.

[TTZip]

Where can I have warranty work done on my Lotus closest to DFW not including Overseas? The last thing I want is them messing up my car due to lack of knowing what they are doing.

[toedrag]

Originally Posted by TTZip

Where can I have warranty work done on my Lotus closest to DFW not including Overseas? The last thing I want is them messing up my car due to lack of knowing what they are doing.

Lotus of Austin is the next closest.

[TTZip]

Originally Posted by toedrag

Lotus of Austin is the next closest.

How are they over there? As much as I would hate going any further the last thing I want is my car messed up or damaged.

[LotuShii]

Originally Posted by TTZip

How are they over there? As much as I would hate going any further the last thing I want is my car messed up or damaged.

I will change weatherstrip (Problem - wind noise caused by a gap between door window and weatherstrip) of my 06 Exige there in this week. It is under warranty. Will let you know how the work is.

[Tr4]

Overseas for the most part does not want your business. At least that is how it came across when I was looking around for my Elise in February of 07. Walked in picked the car out, drove it, told them that I would come in with a Cashiers check in a few days. Went to the bank no problems, but when I go to do the paperwork.... "we do not accept cashiers checks"... they only wanted a wire transfer... I even tried saying they could take the check, deposit it, and get back to me when the check cleared so I could come pick up the car. Of course they were not willing do this. I call Star down in Houston while in Overseas showroom, ask if they take Cashiers checks and told them how much it was for, and by the time I walked out of the showroom in Dallas, I had a silver Elise waiting on me down in Houston.
I drove the car back from Houston the next weekend. Needless to say Star has MUCH better customer service, and actually act like they want your business unlike the dealer up here.
John Eagle also got my service when a Lexus GX470 decided to park in the "trunk" of my car not even 1 month after getting it. They were extremely easy to deal with and I am beyond satisfied with their customer service

[jasperw4]

Originally Posted by TTZip

How are they over there? As much as I would hate going any further the last thing I want is my car messed up or damaged.

david is a great guy who does things the right way, i'd definitly recommend them for any warranty concerns.

[mrcarcrazy]

I was NOT impressed with Overseas motors as well. The service lady was nice, everyone else was not. salesman was a pretentious prick, treated me like I was unworthy to sit in his used 2005. (actually refused to allow me to sit in it.) so I found a new unlocked Exige and sat in it (knowing they were completely different as far as seats go I really wanted to sit in a 2005 before I bought.) He was not amused with me and my friend sitting in it. It was funny I was in DFW to pick up my lotus, but hadn't at that time, and he was trying to sell me on his, but wouldn't let me sit in it.

but yeah that dealership wasn't very impressive to me.

Lotus of San Antonio was much better. the window guys they had install my windshield damaged my body work (with their "windshield removal tool" aka hacksaw with a spatula as the blade), but it was repaired on the spot since I live 6 hrs away. Overall I was pleased. Service lady (can't remember her name now....) was really nice as well.

I got a free hat and a mug too!

[Charlie Lunsford]

+1 for David over at Eagle Euro, great guy and great work ethic!

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by TTZip

Where can I have warranty work done on my Lotus closest to DFW not including Overseas? The last thing I want is them messing up my car due to lack of knowing what they are doing.

My sentiments exactly...Will Lotus provide a way for the DFW folks to get their car still worked on for warranty issues?

[TTP]

Originally Posted by Clovis

So, I have freaking had it!

Where are you guys taking your cars for service and warranty work? Is the Austin dealer still open? How about San Antonio or Houston?

One of these days I'll share some stories about our infamous DFW dealer. I'm sure none of it will be shocking to those who have been there...but probably more than enough to make you

This is a choice among the lesser of evils. Absolutely avoid Gonzaba.

[Clovis]

jtj – I know you don’t get on this board often but appreciate the insights into the overall environment at Overseas. I think it is safe to say based on everyone’s comments that none of us will be going back anytime soon.

My experience with Overseas started in 2004 when I stopped by to put in a deposit on the yet to be released Elise. They told me “not taking deposits, you’ll be first to know if we do, give us a number”. Needless to say no call, and months later I am ~#45 on the wait list. 6 months later, I was informed that they were auctioning off cars to the highest bidders. I pulled my deposit.

I finally got an Elise in late 2005 and the service was pretty good. The advisors were helpful and Chad did good work. I understand that he was one of the first to fix the A/C freeze-up issue. I was told that Chad left to work for a tire store in the Plano/Frisco area.

Last year I traded my 2005 Elise for an Exige S. Overseas was not willing to negotiate a market price so I went elsewhere. From day one my warranty work experience was a nightmare. I won’t go into the detail but I will say multiple-multiple attempts were made to address certain warranty issues. On the last attempt, I was informed that Lotus had decided to VOID MY WARRANTY on these components with next to no explanation. When I requested an explanation, I was instructed by the service advisor that Overseas Management did not want me to return and asked that I take my business elsewhere. Later the repairs were authorized by Lotus and partially addressed by Overseas.

At the end of the day, I think Jason is spot on:
“HIGHER management there DOES NOT CARE”
The service advisor told me directly that higher management does not want to carry Lotus, the sales staff don’t want to sell it, and the service team does not want to do the service the brand.

Tr4 has it right:
“Overseas for the most part does not want your business”

I hope that one day Overseas will make a turnaround to sale, support, and service the brand with enthusiasm. At that point I think they will get a lot more business from a lot more happy customers. My .02

[kverges]

I know of this garage in Dallas and SW of Ft. Worth, but damn is that guy slow! And expensive? Sheesh! But the work is decent.