Sounds like the dealers the problem mostly .... I know of a few awesome dealerships and some real crummy ones in my area.

 

The antenna for mSirius and XM are very compatible. They are slightly different sizes, but they function identically. That being said, they still should have been able to order a Siius model "SIR-GM" and the appropriate interfacing cables and made the seamless installation using the OnStar ant. I just did one of these today on a Silverado HD 08. Works great.

 

In 04/08 I look for XM-GM or SIR-GM for a 07 HHR with XM ready HD unit and was not listed for HHR. If it is now I'm interested

 

My son is 23 and in the Engineering Masters Program here at UNM. As bright as he is and maybe some of you, you have no experience in this stuff but you do now. Should not view parents as negative all the time. We've just been down that road before and we know what we're talking about.

A few years ago my boy paid 6k for a 3 year old 4x4 suv at an auction. it had been wrecked and fixed and was/is a nice vehicle. Problem is at the time, he didn't care about the "salvage" title that came with it.

He didn't understand that my beautiful 82 Vette came with a Salvage title and I can sell it anytime i want for the price i ask as this is the type of car that can accomplish this.

He can't give this suv away. The only thing he can do with it is keep it and fortunately for him, it runs well and looks good but he has since regretted it all.

I'm a salesmans worst nightmare. Purchasing the wifes Acura a few years back brought her to tears with us storming out during "round 1." I'm completely unpredictable. They wil not volunteer to tell you anything or give you anything unless you ask. Reason is it is all money in their pocket if you do not get the floor mats, spare key, or anything else.

I bought my HHR used a couple months ago. They owed me mats. They told me they didn't have them. I called the parts directly and they did!. Wheres my spare key, owners manual etc. Get vocal and in public and in front of customers and you'll be surprised what magically appears from the closet.

I've been on this ride for 35 years. When i go buy a car, I don't do the jerking me around or they will pay dearly. They don't care about me one bit so why play the game, so lets get it the dealover with.

So the end result of my deal on the HHR was driving it over to the first dealership and showing it to the finance manager. (really) I was a buyer and my demands were within reason and he didn't want to sell a car. You want to have fun with saleman of all types? Last year i was working half the day out in the yard. I was a mess and stink of sweat. I already had plans afterwards to go down to the mall jewelry store and by my wife a very nice ring. Shoot I went "as is." When I finally got some help. I showed the lady what I wanted, paid for it and left with the first lady wtching it all fromn a distance. She lost a heck of commision on that one.

I guess to get off whatever soapbox I got myself on here, If your engaged in a conversation and getting negative feedback from the family, evaluate it. Maybe just coming from experience. Part of growing up is learning from mistakes but some mistakes are too costly and someone is trying to keep you from a big one.

Theres a new thing going around now too and this really Pi$$es me off and you need to watch it. I went in for a tire change on my truck a few months ago. (This was the truck I traded for the HHR) I peek through the waiting room door and my hoods up and Sh_t all over the place. Baby was i hot. What the hell does a tire change have to do with my oil, coolant, plugs egr valve and half a dozen other things? Nothing thats what! Trying to sell me al that crap at 4 times what it normally costs. "They're checking it for me. Want me to be safe driving down the road. I guess that day I must have dressed as dumb as i look."

They made my tire deal sweeter for that one. Right after i got the HHR, I found a nail. Went back to the same place and this time I told them to stay out of it. They did.

Customer service is in the toilet. Do you want to be to nice and not get them upset and have it cost you more money or admit it right up front your their to make a purchase as your not going to remember my name by the time I get to the front door.

If a deal on anything in life is not going well, don't sweat it, there's always something else. Be patient. I may not sound like I am but I have the patience of a snail on most everything in life except BS. ON this HHR. I wanted side moulding since i got it. Can't find anything but wide size. I don't want wide. Almost gave in but said no. I'd rather have nothing. Sure enough it shows up and i get what I want.

 

^^^^^^ ^^^^^^

 

And Further More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wow. I for one think you got racked. If a dealer can't make a small matter right, how are they going to handle a major issue?

As for experience, it takes time, but eventually you learn how to handle it. I've learned to no longer bother to give dealers a hard time. If they jack me around, I walk off the lot. And I make sure to tell them why, and remind them that there are thousands of cars for sale, and that word of mouth is a powerful tool. I have a lot of nasty stories, but I can at least say that I've never bought a car unless it "felt" right. And I've never been sorry about a purchase either.

I finally found a dealer that is such a pleasure to deal with, I check them first when buying a car. Holz Motors in Hales Corners, WI. The first car I bought from them was a '99 Cadillac. The deal was OK. More important, it was about the most hassle free buying experience I ever had. What really knocked my socks off was when I picked up the car, they put new tires on it! They said the inspecting mechanic didn't like the way the old ones looked. I thought they were trying to hide something at first, but I had the car almost 4 years and never had any tire/suspension issues. We have since purchased 2 more cars from them, including our HHR.

 

08 HHR SS 3 paint fixxes. Hatch fix. Now tire sensor to be repaired and 1st oil change(1,000miles) tomorrow. Wish me luck on poor service so far.

 

I believe there's much truth in this statement. In most cases, the true measure of a dealership is in how they handle the details -- the small things. That's what sets the tone for how we feel about their customer service.