Dozen Problems/Rant

[The_Roadie]

...I did a google search and typical he owns multiple dealerships, which means stay away ...

Chevy, Ford, AND Toyota all in the same town?!?!?! Man, that just ain't right.

But he seems to have a philanthropic presence in town: Bubba and Lena Mae Oustalet Foundation - Jennings, Louisiana 721404576

Oops. Bubba himself and his wife have passed away. Bubba in 2001: A. J. M. "Bubba" Oustalet (1922 - 2001) - Find A Grave Memorial

Lena Mae in 2012: Lena Mae Easley Oustalet (1927 - 2012) - Find A Grave Memorial

So the dealerships are being run by a collection of their kids? They may need a lesson in how to treat the locals with respect and honesty.

Mrs. Oustalet is survived by her seven sons, A.J.M. "Butch" Oustalet III (Andi) of Gulfport, MS, Richard C. "Ricky" Oustalet of Jennings, Ronald R. Oustalet (Andra) also of Jennings, James B. Oustalet (Michelle) of Jennings, Lance R. Oustalet of Long Beach, MS, Joel P. Oustalet (Lisa) of Jennings, and Fred Z. Oustalet also of Jennings; her three daughters, Connie O. Byrne of Long Beach, MS, Roxanne O. Lagarde (Jules) of Covington, LA, and Michelle O. Lyons (Jimmy) of Jennings; 28 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind one brother Robert Lane Easley of Jennings, LA.

 

[SEMIJim]

I don't shop dealers because they are the worst place to buy a vehicle.

I think that depends upon the dealership.

Of the last four (used) vehicles my wife and I have purchased: Two were private sales and two were from dealerships. We've been done right at least three of the four times. (The fourth transaction is less than a month old, so...)

This last purchase, my new-to-me 2007 TrailBlazer, was from a nearby dealership. They treated us like royalty. The truck came with a 3-month/3000-mile powertrain warranty. I immediately took the truck to the mechanic we've been using. All he identified was a leaking pinion seal and "badly" rusted transmission coolant lines. The dealership replaced the pinion seal under the warranty and cut me a deal on the replacement of the transmission coolant lines. (And, upon my request, dropped and lubed the spare tire mechanism while it was in there, at no charge.)

But we were careful to work with a dealer that has an excellent reputation for customer service. When we were shopping: First we researched the vehicle, then, if it was a dealership, the dealership. If the dealership did not have an excellent reputation, we didn't even go look.

Jim

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

All he identified was a leaking pinion seal and "badly" rusted transmission coolant lines. The dealership replaced the pinion seal under the warranty and cut me a deal on the replacement of the transmission coolant lines. Jim

Why did they not replace the transmission lines under warranty?

 

[SEMIJim]

Why did they not replace the transmission lines under warranty?

Because, they argued, they weren't actually "broken," per se, just rusted. Hard to argue with that. It's a warranty, not a preventative maintenance agreement .

Jim

 

[nopaybob]

Why did they not replace the transmission lines under warranty?

My guess, Replacing rusted trans lines would be considered preventative maintenance.

 

[signalnc]

Chevy, Ford, AND Toyota all in the same town?!?!?! Man, that just ain't right.

But he seems to have a philanthropic presence in town: Bubba and Lena Mae Oustalet Foundation - Jennings, Louisiana 721404576

Oops. Bubba himself and his wife have passed away. Bubba in 2001: A. J. M. "Bubba" Oustalet (1922 - 2001) - Find A Grave Memorial

R.I.P. Bubba

 

[kade]

You guys have been awesome teaching me things I'd never think about. Been doing a lot of work on the trailblazer the last 3 days. Got the dash off, seals checked for leaks, a new actuator on order, radio harness wired, speakers ordered etc. Just need to FIX the leak and she's good to go. I also have AMAZING news. Parents like the blazer more than I. So, they're going to trade-in the Kia Sedona and take my blazer after everything is fixed. I'll use the money from the trade-in to get something with smaller and with better gas mileage. Going back and forth to school in this tank is killing my pockets. $50 every 4-5 days on gas. Seems like my old Mazda Tribute was the smallest SUV I've ridden in. 25mpg . It was really nice on gas mileage, but it's time to try something besides an SUV. Let's face it...I have no money to fill the back with 4 12s like I always wanted and the only person who ever rides in my car is the ole' lady. No need for a 4door much less than a whole other row of seats.
Since I won't be owning a trailblazer anymore, does that mean I have to find a new forum? lol

 

[kade]

Chevy, Ford, AND Toyota all in the same town?!?!?! Man, that just ain't right.

But he seems to have a philanthropic presence in town: Bubba and Lena Mae Oustalet Foundation - Jennings, Louisiana 721404576

Oops. Bubba himself and his wife have passed away. Bubba in 2001: A. J. M. "Bubba" Oustalet (1922 - 2001) - Find A Grave Memorial

Lena Mae in 2012: Lena Mae Easley Oustalet (1927 - 2012) - Find A Grave Memorial

So the dealerships are being run by a collection of their kids? They may need a lesson in how to treat the locals with respect and honesty.

Mrs. Oustalet is survived by her seven sons, A.J.M. "Butch" Oustalet III (Andi) of Gulfport, MS, Richard C. "Ricky" Oustalet of Jennings, Ronald R. Oustalet (Andra) also of Jennings, James B. Oustalet (Michelle) of Jennings, Lance R. Oustalet of Long Beach, MS, Joel P. Oustalet (Lisa) of Jennings, and Fred Z. Oustalet also of Jennings; her three daughters, Connie O. Byrne of Long Beach, MS, Roxanne O. Lagarde (Jules) of Covington, LA, and Michelle O. Lyons (Jimmy) of Jennings; 28 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind one brother Robert Lane Easley of Jennings, LA.

Forgot to mention that...The dude that chewed my ass out over the phone was the grandson of Bubba Oustalet. Ranting and raving about 60 years of exceptional customer service and top sales of automobiles in Jennings, Louisiana. "My father and his 3 brothers in those offices over there"...blah blah blah..."60years later and you want to question the integrity of this company?"
I wa...
"YOU WERE QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY WEREN'T YOU?!" *punches own fist*

dude was a arrogant nutcase. Youngest Oustalet in his own glass office. He should be outside washing the trade-ins.
Just glad I made him mad and ruined his vacation. Think he got 5 or 6 calls about my video and my dads comments about the company while he was away

 

[meerschm]

You guys have been awesome teaching me things I'd never think about. Been doing a lot of work on the trailblazer the last 3 days. Got the dash off, seals checked for leaks, a new actuator on order, radio harness wired, speakers ordered etc. Just need to FIX the leak and she's good to go. I also have AMAZING news. Parents like the blazer more than I. So, they're going to trade-in the Kia Sedona and take my blazer after everything is fixed. I'll use the money from the trade-in to get something with smaller and with better gas mileage. Going back and forth to school in this tank is killing my pockets. $50 every 4-5 days on gas. Seems like my old Mazda Tribute was the smallest SUV I've ridden in. 25mpg . It was really nice on gas mileage, but it's time to try something besides an SUV. Let's face it...I have no money to fill the back with 4 12s like I always wanted and the only person who ever rides in my car is the ole' lady. No need for a 4door much less than a whole other row of seats.
Since I won't be owning a trailblazer anymore, does that mean I have to find a new forum? lol

nah, plenty of room here for off topic posts, let us know how school goes and what you set your goals to be after that.

 

[The_Roadie]

..does that mean I have to find a new forum? lol

You can look. Doubt you'll find one like this. Let us know.

 

[navigator]

I think they key like Hardtrailz said is you have to check the vehicle out. If you don't know much about them, take someone with you that does. YOu also need to do a good bit of research on what you are getting. I would advise against buying a vehicle the first time you look at it. Go home, read some reviews on the vehicle and the dealer and then go back armed with as much knowledge as you can.

Even if you do check everything with buying something used you are going to likely have a few issues. A lot of the used dealers here buy a lot of their cars from auctions in FL and really don't know much about the car. I think you expect them to be in reasonably good shape to be on the lot for sale.

A decent dealer will work with you on things you identify quickly. On our new Suburban we bought, it had a few things we noticed during the test drive (upholstery imperfections, missing 12V covers) and some things we didn't notice until we had it a few days ( a door out of adjustment, rear defroster issue). They worked with us on those issues because they want us to tell others to call them when they need a car. Here, there are a bunch of used dealers in the area of town we were so they need any competitive edge they can get.

 

[kade]

I think they key like Hardtrailz said is you have to check the vehicle out. If you don't know much about them, take someone with you that does. YOu also need to do a good bit of research on what you are getting. I would advise against buying a vehicle the first time you look at it. Go home, read some reviews on the vehicle and the dealer and then go back armed with as much knowledge as you can.

Even if you do check everything with buying something used you are going to likely have a few issues. A lot of the used dealers here buy a lot of their cars from auctions in FL and really don't know much about the car. I think you expect them to be in reasonably good shape to be on the lot for sale.

A decent dealer will work with you on things you identify quickly. On our new Suburban we bought, it had a few things we noticed during the test drive (upholstery imperfections, missing 12V covers) and some things we didn't notice until we had it a few days ( a door out of adjustment, rear defroster issue). They worked with us on those issues because they want us to tell others to call them when they need a car. Here, there are a bunch of used dealers in the area of town we were so they need any competitive edge they can get.

I must admit that my expectations were a bit high, but being that Bubba is the name in town and 1 of 3(or 4) used dealerships...They really don't have much competition. Other place is a Buick, Jeep and GMC shop(1/3) of Bubba's girth. The remainders are solely used car dealerships. Bubba has the upper hand.
If I wasn't pressed for time, I believe this would have been a better outcome.

 

[kade]

nah, plenty of room here for off topic posts, let us know how school goes and what you set your goals to be after that.

A.A.S. Computer Technology: Networking Specialist
A.A.S. Industrial Instrumentation
Tech. Diploma in Industrial Electricity

Already have the computer degree under my belt. The other 2 will be finished December this year. I doubt I'll be making less than $80k/yr when I find a job. Built and educated for the oil industry.
Lot's will happen between now and then. Just hope to get a decent car and make that thing loud. Love car audio.

 

[kade]

Aight I'm back. Been a while, been busy with life and stuff.
Being that the left side of my car wasn't leaking anywhere, I loaded it up with some RF 3way Prime 6.5s. Sounds good off the deck for the price. Fosgate never fails. Put the panels back on the left side and called it a day.
Dash still torn apart though. Looking for the leaks going under my carpet.
What I've been working on is both right side windows. I honestly think there was work done on it that wasn't recorded on the carfax. All my problems are on that side. The leaks, the window regulators, the speakers etc.
Anyway, the leaks are going right down my window tracks. I tried hammering the frame to squeeze the window a bit tighter. Nothing. Tried refitting the seals. Nothing. Do you think I just need to replace the seals are is there something else I can try?

 

[DDonnie]

Aight I'm back. Been a while, been busy with life and stuff.
Being that the left side of my car wasn't leaking anywhere, I loaded it up with some RF 3way Prime 6.5s. Sounds good off the deck for the price. Fosgate never fails. Put the panels back on the left side and called it a day.
Dash still torn apart though. Looking for the leaks going under my carpet.
What I've been working on is both right side windows. I honestly think there was work done on it that wasn't recorded on the carfax. All my problems are on that side. The leaks, the window regulators, the speakers etc.
Anyway, the leaks are going right down my window tracks. I tried hammering the frame to squeeze the window a bit tighter. Nothing. Tried refitting the seals. Nothing. Do you think I just need to replace the seals are is there something else I can try?

You could try this one


Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum

 

[kade]

I read that before but that isn't what's leaking. It's the window tracks in the door. Not the seal between the door and the car. Sure a few drips during a rain is ok, but it's literally raining in my doors the leak is so bad.

 

[DDonnie]

I read that before but that isn't what's leaking. It's the window tracks in the door. Not the seal between the door and the car. Sure a few drips during a rain is ok, but it's literally raining in my doors the leak is so bad.

Gotcha. Do you have a local you-pull junkyard? Or what about taking the stripping off, getting it really hot with a heat gun, and remolding it?

 

[kade]

Well, I'm not sure about remolding it. The only thing I can say what looks to be the problem is its too big for the window? Idk how to explain it. We do have a junkyard like that but I'm not sure how good they will work being used.

 

[DDonnie]

Just trying to think outside the box cuz i know you're on a budget

 

[kade]

What is the technical name for the seal that fits around the windows on the door? I don't know what the prices are

 

[The_Roadie]

Weatherstripping