What you wish you knew before giving your 7 to a local mechanic

[IamScotticus]

Let's hear the horror stories!

 

Sometimes we get lucky and find a shop and a mechanic who will give your 7 the right treatment.  Often times not.  They simply don't have the investment in your car that you do.  And perhaps to them, your idea of a golden toy is one they have no respect for no matter how they fawn and gush over it when you bring it in.  That should be a clue there.  Well intended or not, I have heard of many bad experiences of 7s being taken to the wrong man with $hitty results.

 

Oh, how do I screw thee? Let me count the ways!

 

Thread rules:  No names!  Regardless of how much someone deserves to be called out, please don't mention specific people, business or any detail that can infer to them.  We don't want to bring the forum any slander or liable suits.

Edited 10 hours ago by IamScotticus

[wdb]

It did not happen to me, rather the prior owner. He took the car to a regionally well regarded restoration shop to have the engine fitted and some other items done to get the car completed. As I went through the car after I bought it I found workmanship that was far, far below the standards I would have expected from a shop with its reputation. (I've since been told that the business went through a period where quality slipped a significant amount; I've also been told that the situation has since been rectified.)

 

I guess the prior owner would have liked to know that before sending the car there. And before writing those substantial checks.

 

I know of two places locally that might work on my 7, and that I might let work on it. So far though I'm the only to blame for the horror stories.

[IamScotticus]

One of the things I like to say about 7s is, they are not cars.  They have car parts, yes, but if you treat it like a car, you will tear it up in no time.

[theDreamer]

So many stories so little time. If you haven’t read my stories in the “Member Rides” section I’d suggest you do that first.

Start with: Our summer fun has been put on hold because

Then read: Hopefully we will have our car back soon

I have more stories to add as I'm sure others do too.

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by theDreamer

[theDreamer]

Funny coincidence, our little Group of Sevens email list has been discussing some of the problems found by those who imported a car from the UK.

One member mentioned that his car was in a pretty sorry state when it arrived, just poorly cared for and not as good as the photos and description had him believe. Furthermore, some issues were not disclosed that should have been.

Another member said his car was advertised with 13” wheels but arrived with 15” wheels. Upon delivery he contacted the dealer and demanded the dealer ship the 13” wheels ASAP at the dealer’s expense. There were other issues as well but not discovered until much later so thought that too much time had passed. The worst was the buyer was informed the car did not have a LSD. The buyer paid to have a LSD installed. After owning the car for some months he learned of Mr. Martin Phipps, the Caterham archivist. He asked Martin for and received documentation on his car. It showed his car was ordered and delivered with a LSD. The dealer should have sent the old diff along with the car but he did not.

One thing seems clear, many UK dealers are not happy to let the best cars leave the UK. It appears that some use bait and switch tactics. They lure buyers in advertising great cars but then turn them onto the lower quality, high mileage and poorly maintained cars offering reduced prices. Speculation is that they want to move those types of cars out of their inventory. If they sell one to a local and there is a major issue then the dealer has to bite the bullet and fix it. Less likely they would pay when the car is across the Atlantic.