Favor needed...good set of Edmonton eyes!!

grundy said:
Big shout out to Ziggy for giving up his Friday night to check out a car for me. He didn't only check out the car for me he called me to explain everything he noticed with a picture to back it up....amazing!! Thanks so much Ziggy!!!:Cheers2:
Click to expand...

Thank you back Jason, my pleasure. Glad I could help and save you a long wasted trip. I look at it as paying it forward for someone needing a simple hand. If everyone in life were a bit more considerate and giving, what a wonderful world it would be. :thumbs:
 
It's surprising how many people that don't have a 'global view capacity' or the smarts to really look deep when they are contemplating a purchase. I have seen it lots of times with cars or anything else. These people see a shine on the paint... freshly vacuumed interior.... no tears in the seats.... mileage ... and that's all they look at..... Big Kudos go to Ziggy here for in depth looking and good reporting.... One thing I always do with vehicles as well is pull both the engine and tranny dipsticks (auto trans obviously), wipe it on my fingers, look at it and and smell it.If it smells burnt, I walk. So again, Big kudos go to Ziggy here for taking a good look at this car.
 
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Things to do before arriving at the dealership:

1. Collect all paperwork pertaining to the car’s purchase, including proof of insurance.
2. Have a list of all options ordered and carry it with you!
3. Have a list of items which were to be installed by the dealer and their cost.
4. Have a list of all items to be included in the purchase price and be sure you understand the figures involved and the agreed upon amount due at the time of delivery.
5. Carry smart phone and its’ USB cable, MP3 player, USB stick, SD card as appropriate to check proper operation of jacks. Carry tire pressure gauge and flashlight.

Before the test drive:

1. Do a quick underbody inspection looking for scraping on underside of front bumper and sides. Look for any leaks.
2. Check for all factory installed options (painted calipers, etc,) as well as dealer installed options (custom floor mats, etc.).
3. Inspect exterior for fit and finish. Check VIN.
Check paint for excessive orange peel, runs, scratches, touch ups and note location and severity of
defect(s).
Check that the seam gaps on body panels are uniform.
4. If Z51: are the air deflectors mounted on the front lower A-Arms and is rear spoiler present and properly installed?
5. Proper wheels installed and without scratches/scuffs. Tire pressure is correct.
6. Hub caps, badges, lettering present and aligned properly.
7. Hood, doors, gas filler door and hatch open and close properly with proper fit. Doors and gas filler door lock and unlock as intended. Sills are present.
8. Fluids correct and topped off (oil on Z51 should be checked with vehicle level, warmed up and engine off for 5 minutes). Serpentine belt and hoses are in good condition and secured appropriately.
9. All lights operational (DLR, headlights, turn signals and back up). Interior lighting including vanity mirrors.
10. Windshield wipers properly installed without nicks and rubber in new condition. All speeds are present including adjustable intermittent. Windshield washer functions.
11. Window glass clear without streaks or ripples. Power windows operate properly and "index" properly. Side view mirrors are without defects (appearance and functional).
12. Windshield and rear glass are without visual distortion.
13. HUD is functional and all modes are supported. *
14. Interior seams are straight and stitching is even and of proper color. Trim is unblemished and transitions (eg. dash to door) align properly.
15. Seats are as specified and emblems are present (LT2 & LT3).
16. Driver and passenger seat adjustments function properly (manual and power).
17. Steering wheel is "round" and all buttons/switches function properly while the wheel is turned. Horn works. Wheel stitching is well done and of proper color.
18. Steering wheel power telescope/retract and up/down work properly.
19. Gauge cluster and center stack display are functional without a undue number of dead (stuck on or off) pixels.
20. Driving mode selector works appropriately.
21. Performance exhaust (if present) functions properly.
22. Gauges work properly...especially check tire pressure monitoring system.
23. Center stack screen raises and lowers smoothly. USB jack behind screen functions.
24. Radio works.
25. Media works from all jacks.
26. Phone can "pair" and works.
27. Parking brake works.
28. Heating, ventilation and cooling work well including passenger controls and sync feature. Front and rear defroster work.
29. Driver and passenger seat heating and ventilation work well, if so equipped.
30. Center console opens and closes well with good fit and finish. Jacks are functional. Console power port opens and closes properly and power is present.
31. Top removes and installs properly with good fit and finish.
32. Top stores properly.
33. Fuel filler door opens properly and locks as designed.
34. Hatch opens remotely to fob, to button push in rear of car and to button push at the dash. Check for paint over spray/under spray around window inside rear hatch.
35. Key in fob(s) will open hatch.
36. All remote fob functions work properly (both fobs) including remote start if auto. transmission present.
37. Check battery for proper installation and that cables are tight.
38. Check mileage and engine hours.
39. Check convertible top for proper operation, fit and finish.
40. Exhaust tips are lined up to your satisfaction


During the test drive:

1. Speed control works properly.
2. MSRC (if equipped) works appropriately.**
3. ELSD (if Z51) works properly. ***
4. Driving mode selector works appropriately. Pay attention to change in ride stiffness (if MSRC is present), exhaust volume and tone (if performance exhaust is present), steering effort-feel and responsiveness.
5. NAV (if present) works properly.
6. Clutch functions well.
7. Manual transmission-all gears engage smoothly. Rev matching is functional and paddles switch on and off.
8. Auto transmission-all gears shift smoothly. Paddles work properly.
9. Brakes stop car evenly and pedal is firm.
10. Steering wheel is centered.
11. Top does not rattle.
12. Engine power is strong and acceleration is brisk without hesitation.
13. All gauges indicate normal volts, oil and coolant temperature, oil pressure, etc.
14. With car in reverse, check for proper operation of rear view camera

Before taking delivery:
Make sure the price is correct. ALL concerns/defects have been addressed to YOUR satisfaction.
You have received all documentation (window sticker, all manuals, brochures, etc,) and accessories (eg. rotor cooling rings if Z51).

After taking delivery:

Stop reading this list, enjoy the ride and save the wave!!! Along the way, don’t forget the obligatory post delivery post WITH PICS
 
When considering a new purchase at a dealership and/or with a salesperson that I have not worked with previously,
I always ask the salesperson ...
"How much time do you insist it take us for my new vehicle delivery"?
I have been with others who have a delivery salespeople so anxious to get to their next customer (here's your keys, any problems just call)
.. and I have immediately returned their business card to the top of their desk because of that. (no referrals)

This question will most of the time save quite a bit of the worry and gain a lot of trust & respect right away ....
the salesperson should insist it take 30-60 minutes whether you know it all or not. This is where they go through pushing
buttons, fastening belts, doing this, doing that ... and most often the salesperson finds the missed details ... and they get it fixed right away
without you saying one word .... try it - it's how I do it now (new purchase #24 completed last October - for a very happy owner - and good friend) ...

If something can't be repaired right away ... you now have the opportunity to get everything else you find after delivery taken care of.

Driving with you as the passenger to fill the gas tank should be on the delivery list - so that you can pay attention to everything except the driving part.
 
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