I am suppose to pick up my blue 1.7 tomorrow. But North Toronto Acura called me this afternoon and said that my car was damaged during transport. They said there are scratches on the bottom of the rocker panel and they are saying that the bottom is a piece of plastic instead of metal. I went to NTA after work trying to see how severe the damage is, but they refuse to let me see the car. I've talked to the manager and they are trying to order the plastic piece and get it fix ASAP...I also checked out the 1.7 in the showroom and I don't know if that piece is really plastic or not (I didn't have a magnet with me). I find it hard to believe it is plastic as it seems so "integrated" with the rest of the body. So...would somebody grab a magnet and stick it under their car and tell me whether it is plastic or metal. It is the part where the paint looks like orange peels. Sorry for the long post everyone. But this really sucks.

You can refuse it.. and you should.. I saw some new reports on 60mins about this stuff car dealers recieve the car damaged in some way and fix it before they give it to you and you'll never know. Your lucky they even yold you.. ask for another if possible.. Steve

damn that sucks man! Yeah...you should actually bitch to them and get another one ordered. It's not the same when your new car has already been in an "accident" before you've even driven the damn thing!!!

It's very strange that they wouldn't allow you to see the car. After all it was shipped in for you. I would assume that they are trying to hide something. Acura is a great product NO DOUBT however, the quality of any dealership doesn't necessarily meet the product's standards. If this is their method of treating their customers, it's an indication of what is to follow. I would say to either request that another car be brought in for you or change dealership. Not the VIN# of this car prior to receiving another El from them. The El is a great car! Gary

If you aren't in a rush to get your car, I would demand them to get you another one! Since you don't want a car that is damaged, not to mention the work might not be as good as the factory. I find it very strange they wouldn't let you see the car, did they say why you couldn't see your car?

They said the car is not at the dealership...but at an offsite parking lot where they park all of their inventories. Anyone knows where North Toronto Acura park their cars? > If you aren't in a rush to get your car, I would demand them to get you > another one! Since you don't want a car that is damaged, not to mention the > work might not be as good as the factory. I find it very strange they > wouldn't let you see the car, did they say why you couldn't see your car?

I did a quick fridge-magnet-to-the-rocker-panel-test and it stuck on the side but not the underside. So I guess the underside is plastic, but just beneath the door it's metal.

Hey...thanks alot!!!!! This is good news for me....i guess.... But how can they remove the underside rocker panel? They seems like one piece to me.

That's bad luck about the 1.7, I don't know if N. Tor. Acura uses this storage area, but on Markham Rd., just north of Sheppard Ave., there is a bridge and by it, I can see new vehicles of all makes. It's near a rail line too. Did they say how it was "damaged"? Maybe an overzealous [or not too swift] "car jockey?" Of course they are not going to admit to that last one. Hope you get your ride soon, Jackson

Ouch, sorry to hear about your car. If you can wait, try to get a new one. If not, kindly let them know that you'll be letting Acura know about this when they send you the After-Sales (Customer Satisfaction?) survey that everybody gets. Acura of North Toronto has a bunch of cars in the underground area below the dealership. Not sure where the rest of the cars are.

I doubt they use that area, it's way too far away from them. Besides, I believe the lot you mentioned is all fenced and I can't get in. They said the damage is "minor", just some scratch on the bottom of the driver side rocker panel. It is suppose to be a piece of plastic and can be repair with body filler and a paint job, but they want to replace the entire piece instead of patching it. That's what I've been told. What I'm worrying about is that the damage is not minor at all. I'm going to get off work early and go to that place again tomorrow and insist to see the car. Just some more info: My dad used to be a car salesman as well (Markham Dodge Jeep at Woodbine and Hwy. 7). I've called him in the evening and he said this is actually very common in the business. Cars get damage on the lot as well as during transport. But most dealers just tell their customer their car has been delayed while they fix it up and you'll never find out. > That's bad luck about the 1.7, > > I don't know if N. Tor. Acura uses this storage area, but on > Markham Rd., just north of Sheppard Ave., there is a bridge and > by it, I can see new vehicles of all makes. It's near a rail > line too. > > Did they say how it was "damaged"? > Maybe an overzealous [or not too swift] "car jockey?" > Of course they are not going to admit to that last one. > > Hope you get your ride soon, > Jackson > >

I told the sales guy that I want a new one and I can wait. He said he can't make any decision cuz the GM wasn't there. But here what I'm thinking: if they can fix up the car in 1 or 2 days and get it ready for delivery, they can say that I've violated the contract and take my deposit away if I refuse the car. The reason being that the car is in "acceptable" condition and no visual defects are present. Total helpless and confused....what should I do? > Ouch, sorry to hear about your car. If you can wait, try to get a new > one. If not, kindly let them know that you'll be letting Acura know > about this when they send you the After-Sales (Customer > Satisfaction?) survey that everybody gets. > > Acura of North Toronto has a bunch of cars in the underground area > below the dealership. Not sure where the rest of the cars are.

My vehicle delivery date was delayed by a couple of weeks though not because of damage. Well ... they didn't say it was damage anyway. However, I was also freaking out a bit but looking back, it was just because I was anxious to get my new car and start driving me. Assuming the extent of the damage is limited just to a few scratches on the rocker panels, I don't think you should worry too much. True ... its a new car and you paid a lot for it. However, the rocker panels will be scratched up pretty soon since they are at the bottom of the vehicle. They say they're going to replace it and they did tell you about the damage so take it for what its worth. Perhaps if you complain enough or express your disappoint in their unsafe delivery method, you might get some freebies from them. In the end, I don't think you should worry too much.

True...that's what my dad told me over the phone too. At least they told me the truth. Just hope that part won't rust out in couple years.

Another good idea...thanks for reminding me. > > Why don't you just tell them that when the part is replaced, you > want them to keep the old part ( damaged piece ) for you to inspect > when you pick up the car. Then you can see for yourself the extent of > the damage, and how difficult it would have been to remove it ie: was > it cut off or simply unbolted.This will also prove to you that they > did actually replace something and not just repair it. Good Luck.