PFAFF, what a joke.

[torro]

I recently bought a used NSX from PFAFF McLaren. I was mostly concerned about the mechanic's of the car and if it was ever in an accident. Everything checked out, so I was happy. I knew that buying a 12 year old car would come with some problems. I didn't think much of it because I could get most things fixed with no hassle.

After owning the car for two weeks I took it to everyone's favourite mechanic, Rob, and he found a broken plastic trim piece on the passenger side door. Not too sure how they missed that? When test driving the car I had noticed that the alignment was off. That was not a huge concern knowing that I was going to change the lowering springs to coil-overs and have the alignment done at that point. The thing that got me about the alignment, is that PFAFF's service record shows that it was actually done. You can ask Rob how bad it was.

The last straw for me was yesterday when I was cleaning the car and decided to check the air filter to see how dirty it was. Never, have I EVER seen a dirtier air filter. I cannot believe that a $20 air filter was not swapped before selling the car at a premium? Really, a $20 part, that's a f**king joke.
If Ron Dennis saw something like that I am sure that he would flip.

I know I'm not spending $300K+++ on a McLaren, but anybody buying from a so-called "premium" dealership should be able to trust that not only would the air filter be changed, but that the alignment would be done properly. It's sad to me that PFAFF McLaren is no better than Joe Schmo's Used Cars. If in the future I am looking for a high end used car you can be sure I won't go there.

 

[Oyagi]

Oh man, looks like you'd better sell the car!








I'm just teasing you of course. How you should take that is that these are all really minor things in the grand scheme of things. Yes, this is a very premium car centre and yes you paid a premium for the car, however the NSX is not their area of expertise and as long as the car is legally certified and etested that's pretty much all they owe you. I think the lesson for all of us here is if you are buying an NSX, bring the NSX to an NSX expert (aka Rob M or anyone recommended by the local aficionados and you'll have full peace of mind.

Btw that broken door trim...no one spotted that pre purchase? That's in a pretty conspicuous area!

Summer is short up here in Canada, don't sweat the little things and enjoy the car

 

[torro]

I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that there would have been such a problem in the passenger door. I've never seen that before in any car that I've bought, and I've bought my fair share. It was fixed for $100, no big deal. An filter, on the other hand, is a pretty basic part of the car wouldn't you say?

 

[BAVARIA]

The importance of a thorough PPI by a marque expert as Oyagi says. However, you had the car at Rob's and presumably he pronounced it sound aside from the three issues you mentioned. Assuming that is the case, chalk this up to experience and enjoy the car. Having said this, I've never seen an air filter with so much crud in it. Any idea what that white stuff is -- doesn't look like the typical dirt you see in old air filters.

I've been shopping around for a replacement for my beloved /06 TL and I'm finding that car dealers have a well earned (bad) reputation. Total pain in the neck to deal with and general honesty/integrity in short supply. I've found the shopping experience to be such a hassle I've abandoned the search! That's ok, the old TL suits me just fine and only has 137,000 miles (that's approx. 220,000 km) and is in near perfect shape.

Again, congrats on your purchase and enjoy.

 

[Jinks]

Damn! Did they drive that thing through a plastic grocery bag recycling center or what? Looks like it sucked up someone's thong. Lol! Shitty you should find that buying from a premium dealer but also, the least of your worries if mechanically sound. I imagine an nsx at a McClaren dealership is like a scion being sold at a bmw dealer. But I can definitely understand your frustration. New air filter, inexpensive interior part, trips around the block under vtech will make everything worth it.:wink:

 

[The King]

My car came with a hairline crack in the same plastic piece in the passenger door. I bought the replacement piece but have had no other reason to take the door panel off, so I haven't swapped it out yet. I figured somebody shut the door with the seatbelt buckle in the way.

 

[Nukem]

If an air filter hasn't been changed I highly doubt the timing belt/water pump have been done...Hoses are probably original. Good luck. I would get a compression check and just set aside some money to get the car back into tip top shape.

 

[blue_myriddn]

almost looks like a mouse was making a nest in that air filter

 

[Tony Montoya]

My new air filter was $60.

 

[Oyagi]

I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that there would have been such a problem in the passenger door. I've never seen that before in any car that I've bought, and I've bought my fair share. It was fixed for $100, no big deal. An filter, on the other hand, is a pretty basic part of the car wouldn't you say?

Absolutely PFAFF cheaped out on you (who around here was writing that PFAFF is not your corner used car dealer? *cough* *cough*). Live and learn, but again, the items you mentioned are minor. You've got one of the finest examples of one of the finest cars ever made, just move on and drive the thing.

FWIW The NSXCC just acquired a K&N drop in filter with a shitload of maintenance oil for a song from a past member. Might be a good time to press the club benefits into action and pick it up

Good luck with the car! Like you I've had my share of experiences buying used cars (20 cars and counting since 1996) and these little things are annoying but part of the fun of playing the field.

 

[myw]

have to agree with Torro. my buddies that have gone to pfaff with thier p-cars have gone through massive headaches.... and LOL at their PPI's!!! (many things missed).

Torro, thank the fact that in the grand scheme of things you can goto an expert like Rob that pretty much won't miss anything.

 

[torro]

Guys, let's get one thing straight. I am not worried about anything, nor am I concerned about prices, money isn't the issue here. The issue is that car dealers are all a joke. They all claim to be the better then the next guy, and they are all shit. It doesn't matter who it is or how much you spend.
Can you imagine letting a student working on your Audi a3-s8, or your beloved 911? How about when I brought in my S5 to PFAFF Audi and they could not figure out what was wrong with it. Really, a multi-million dollar company that has no clue how to fix their product, what a joke.
Also let's not forget, without the NSX there would not be a McLaren F-1. They had the professor's car, Alain Prost, a Honda McLaren in their showroom, and Gordon Murray had an NSX and put 75 thousand km's on it.
PFAFF should do a better job with attention to detail. The whole point of McLaren is attention to detail. The General Manager told me a story about Ron Dennis and his entourage were visiting the PFAFF McLaren show room when it opened, and made a comment on how he did not like the way the ceiling was done. Imagine he found out about my air filter, I am positive he would not be amused, considering they sold my car under the McLaren banner.
You can have the best restaurant in the city but if you screw up just once, everyone will remember that, and not the countless times you were perfect.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

Live and learn. Either do things yourself or bring it to a trusted mechanic. If you are too far from Rob's place, PM me. I go to a decent guy in Markham.

 

[nikey22]

I don't see what the big deal is here, none of those things sound unbelievably horrible...
And if you think the air filter cost $20, you bought the wrong one.

agree with Nukem, air filter is least of worries. Timing belt/pump/hoses/fluids - all ticking time bombs. Set aside about $2k to get this done.

 

[BioBanker]

Torro, you will get that car sorted shortly but the advice about getting the belts and rest checked is important to listen to. If you dont have records showing that these were done, they probably were not. The stuff that you're complaining about here is minor compared to if your belt goes, etc...And it looks like that car sat - thats a mouse living in the intake. Id make sure you clean all of that out, including in the duct. I cant believe that the car ran properly with all that in there!

 

[BAVARIA]

You guys in the GTA and parts west of GTA are lucky -- only two words you need to know for NSX -- Rob Magro. If I had acquired Torro's car I would have Rob go through it top to bottom (and he may have already done this) and I would follow his recommendations. End of story. I travel from Michigan to Guelph to have Rob work on my NSX. He is excellent. Torro, if your car has been sitting and you don't have service records probably makes good sense to do TB/WP, valve adjustment, gaskets, etc. soon. Rob did a bunch of work for me (nothing was wrong -- just maintenance) including valve adjustment, cam plugs, valve cover gaskets and while doing that he noticed a few other very minor items that he handled, including one coil pack that had a hairline crack. His attention to detail and communications while doing the work were very much appreciated. When I got car back it ran significantly better than before Rob did the work. Money well spent. Enjoy your new ride and I agree with you 100% as regards car dealers -- as I said in my post above, I've been looking around for a new daily driver -- dealer integrity generally in short supply.

Best,
Jeff

Torro, you will get that car sorted shortly but the advice about getting the belts and rest checked is important to listen to. If you dont have records showing that these were done, they probably were not. The stuff that you're complaining about here is minor compared to if your belt goes, etc...And it looks like that car sat - thats a mouse living in the intake. Id make sure you clean all of that out, including in the duct. I cant believe that the car ran properly with all that in there!

 

[qik1320]

Hello All, I'm Jimmy Vervitas and I'm the GM at McLaren Toronto. A client of mine brought to my attention this post about Torros vehicle. I was fully involved in the transaction with this car and I really felt that our relationship was strong enough that he could reach out to me on these deficiencies. I would like all to keep in mind that delivery was on March 24th of this year. I would also like it to be clear that we did not perform a major service on this vehicle. Documentation was supplied by myself showing of a belt service which was done within the last recommended interval from an Ontario Acura dealer. Torro had decided to have 2 people inspect the vehicle on his behalf. We put the car on a hoist for them and let them have at it. They came back and said they're happy with what they saw. We met every request of Torro's during the entire process. None the less I still would have loved to be informed by Torro of these deficiencies instead of having to hear about it this way.

Whatever the case, I would just like anyone here to know that if you're looking at a car I'm selling you are free to take any approach to PPI or inspections you feel necessary. I want my customers to feel comfortable and excited. I passed this same courtesy on to Torro.

I don't want to cause an argument, but I certainly don't feel like I was given a fair opportunity to rectify any of the issues in this particular case.

Thank you!

J

 

[Bram]

I would say you know the issues and his beef....why not just go ahead and correct them, end of story...do you need his number?

Bram

 

[qik1320]

I called him and emailed him prior to posting on this forum. No response both times.

 

[Oyagi]

I think it's pretty big of PFAFF's GM to come on here to state his side of things.

At the end of the day, like I posted, it's all pretty minor stuff. Typical mis-communication issues?

Summer is short, get out there and enjoy the car.

 

[piran1]

I think it's pretty big of PFAFF's GM to come on here to state his side of things.

At the end of the day, like I posted, it's all pretty minor stuff. Typical mis-communication issues?

Summer is short, get out there and enjoy the car.

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