posted 12-06-2002 05:20 PM                  

STAY WITH THE CAR every second, and DON"T take your eyes off of it FOR ONE SECOND. Anything can happen, even at a great dealership.

Following this rule last week probably saved me the cost of a new rear trunklid, and possibly a new convertible top frame, as "Monstro, the World's Strongest Mechanic" was getting ready to smite the rear latching pins a series of mighty blows with his balled-up fist (!!!!!), because he couldn't get them to engage after he checked the trans fluid levels.

Monstro would have left CRATERS in my deck lid and would have probably bent the convertible top frame had I not screamed in the nick of time.

And just moments before, Monstro had done something that actually impressed me with his care - there was a factory sticker of some sort about the size of a postage stamp on the rear of the differential that was starting to dry out and come off. Monstro actually removed the sticker carefully, carried it into the office, applied some glue, and put it back on to keep everything "original".

Just goes to show...you can't trust anyone alone with your car. ALSO, be sure that you have the service manager do a total walk-around when they take the car in, and mark any scratches, dents, etc. on a diagram.

If you pick up your car and find damage, guaranteed the dealer will claim it was already there, and you'll be screwed.

In fairness to all, I took my car to the local Dodge dealer, because the local Chrysler shop is staffed through their "Hire The Criminally Insane and the Mentally Deficient" program. Monstro is the Dodge dealer's Viper tech.

I guess those Vipers are built pretty tough...

I also picked up what might be some interesting info on Prowler performance tweaks, which I will post later on a different thread. I first want to see if anyone that posts or reads these boards is left alive after "The Great Horsepower Robbery" thread disintegrates in a pool of toxic venom...