Dealer error nets me a NEW MY04!!!
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NJ
Dealer error nets me a NEW MY04!!!
Here's the brief version...
The Honda dealer where I bought my Silverstone/black made a bit of a paperwork error. Apparently, they sold ANOTHER silverstone/black car out of another of their dealers and their INTERNAL paperwork had the same VIN for both cars. The dealer then tries to collect their $$$ from Honda Finance. HF says, "NO WAY...you're trying to collect TWICE for the same car!." Basically, fixing the paperwork screwup would have meant that the dealer could not get paid their $$$ for about one month.
After telling them that driving on dealer plates and being insured by their insurance carrier was unacceptable, they try to give me ANOTHER S2000. This is the easy way out for them as it would get them their 30k right away. Well, there were no MY03 silverstone/blacks to be found for a swap. After some pissing and moaning they decide that, should I want it, I can take an MY04 right off the truck and pay NOTHING additional. They would simply take back my '03 silverstone and hand me the Rio Yellow '04 with 15 miles that they just received. WHAT'S TO THINK ABOUT?! "Yes," I said. Well to make a long story short, I now have a brand new '04 Rio Yellow in my garage and I am a happy man. Yellow was the color that I had originally wanted, but an '03 Spa was unavailable at this dealer. WOW! Weirdest thing that has ever happenned to me.
Driving Impressions:
Since I drove the MY03 for about 400 miles before handing it back, I was put in a position to compare the '03 and '04 back to back. I drove the '04 yesterday around my house for a while noticing the subtle differences.
First off, the torque CAN be felt. It's not overpowering, but it is there especially in the lower rev's accelerating at a higher gear. Much more "punch."
Second, the wheels look AWESOME. They make the car look sportier and fill the wells much more cleanly.
Thirdly, suspension seems softer. Not Buick soft, mind you, but softer than the '03. It is probably STILL the hardest suspension set-up amongst the most popular drop tops (Z4, Boxster, etc). I noticed that the tail would NOT slide out as easily on throttle induced oversteer on cold tires as my '03 was prone to do.
Fourthly, the aluminum trim inside looks very nice. Adds some contrast that was missing. This is totally subjective, but I like it. I do miss the perforated steering wheel on the '03.
Well that's about it. I'm a new Rio Yellow owner and I'm happy as hell. The wife liked the Silver better, but...IT"S MY FREAKIN' CAR!
The Honda dealer where I bought my Silverstone/black made a bit of a paperwork error. Apparently, they sold ANOTHER silverstone/black car out of another of their dealers and their INTERNAL paperwork had the same VIN for both cars. The dealer then tries to collect their $$$ from Honda Finance. HF says, "NO WAY...you're trying to collect TWICE for the same car!." Basically, fixing the paperwork screwup would have meant that the dealer could not get paid their $$$ for about one month.
After telling them that driving on dealer plates and being insured by their insurance carrier was unacceptable, they try to give me ANOTHER S2000. This is the easy way out for them as it would get them their 30k right away. Well, there were no MY03 silverstone/blacks to be found for a swap. After some pissing and moaning they decide that, should I want it, I can take an MY04 right off the truck and pay NOTHING additional. They would simply take back my '03 silverstone and hand me the Rio Yellow '04 with 15 miles that they just received. WHAT'S TO THINK ABOUT?! "Yes," I said. Well to make a long story short, I now have a brand new '04 Rio Yellow in my garage and I am a happy man. Yellow was the color that I had originally wanted, but an '03 Spa was unavailable at this dealer. WOW! Weirdest thing that has ever happenned to me.
Driving Impressions:
Since I drove the MY03 for about 400 miles before handing it back, I was put in a position to compare the '03 and '04 back to back. I drove the '04 yesterday around my house for a while noticing the subtle differences.
First off, the torque CAN be felt. It's not overpowering, but it is there especially in the lower rev's accelerating at a higher gear. Much more "punch."
Second, the wheels look AWESOME. They make the car look sportier and fill the wells much more cleanly.
Thirdly, suspension seems softer. Not Buick soft, mind you, but softer than the '03. It is probably STILL the hardest suspension set-up amongst the most popular drop tops (Z4, Boxster, etc). I noticed that the tail would NOT slide out as easily on throttle induced oversteer on cold tires as my '03 was prone to do.
Fourthly, the aluminum trim inside looks very nice. Adds some contrast that was missing. This is totally subjective, but I like it. I do miss the perforated steering wheel on the '03.
Well that's about it. I'm a new Rio Yellow owner and I'm happy as hell. The wife liked the Silver better, but...IT"S MY FREAKIN' CAR!
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Congradulations!!!! I think I told you this before, but Garden State Honda (aka Planet Honda) is a bit shady along with their counterpart on Rt22. However, looks like you came out on top and you got an '04 for the price of an outgoing '03!!! I'll be on the look-out for an '04 Rio Yellow. Have fun!
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NJ
Thanks, kev! You were the first person I thought of when this happenned!!! I even told my wife..."Some guy on s2ki thinks this place is a POS...and he's RIGHT!"
I have to give them some credit for resolving the issue so quickly. I was afraid that this was going to be a hellish experience. Thankfully, it all worked out well.
Now...if I can only get the wife to LOVE the yellow...hehehe...
I have to give them some credit for resolving the issue so quickly. I was afraid that this was going to be a hellish experience. Thankfully, it all worked out well.
Now...if I can only get the wife to LOVE the yellow...hehehe...
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From: Livermore
Congratulations on getting the Rio yellow. It's an awesome colour. It looks especially nice in the fall sunshine, I think the MY04 pulls really well in every gear but it has a sweet torque spot around 3000 revs. Short shifting still gives you very pleasing acceleration. The gear change is fantastic. Best change I have encountered since my 79 Escort RS2000. The steering is Quick but it lacks the fantastic feedback of my Miata. I am still getting used to the car and it doesnt give me the same confidence as my Bilstein equipped Miata round my local twisties. A couple of hundred miles to go before Its run in.
