Car came wrong spec

kerten

It really sounds strange that when there is a spec change planned in factory, all the existing orders are not put on hold until they are confirmed by dealers as customer is ok with such change or not. I am pretty sure such changes are not done overnight in factories. It sounds like brand doesn't care much about customer experience and letting dealers to take the heat in process.

Toyotafanboi

That's assuming this was a fresh factory order and not a stock vehicle. We really dont know enough about the original deal here to give good advice. Even a brand would be helpful and wouldn't identify the OP.

tedpan

Del2005 wrote:

Did you order a "Luna" spec if it was Toyota and did you receive a "Luna" spec car? Because if you did you got what you ordered. Unless you told the dealer that you wanted the push button start and folding mirrors then they haven't done anything wrong you just got caught in an update cycle.

Yeah, the Corolla Luna sport is about 5k extra, so it must have been the Luna

Stallingrad

Both items are hardly deal breakers in that they don't change the driving experience (like missing cruise control or something), you can live quite happily without them.

It is annoying of course, I would be seeking compensation, a few free services, extended warranty. etc.

ExoPolitic

Something doesn't seem quite right with the OP here, are we being trolled?

Lantus

It's annoying but if that's the only two things it's not a huge issue.

I would look at something like a free service in the future.

Had the heated seats missed off my new car, but that was an extra. No big issue and I'll just get it on next one.

Like cooler heads have stated specs change as car models get updated. It goes both ways. When a friend ordered an octavia they got a load of extra stuff not yet listed as that spec level was being updated. So parking sensors, cruise control etc. All good.

OldMrBrennan83

The only thing is that if a free service or two are the compensation then you know we'll it'll either be driven in, parked, and handed back to you, or fleeced for extra 'problems' to recoup the costs.

I wouldn't be letting this go if you haven't got what you ordered and paid for.

tedpan

Definitely this^^

Although from what the OP said, the extras come with the next model up, which is 5k more. Not sure if he paid for them?

GreeBo

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

It's not like you're making out. Push button start would be an obvious one to cop on to. If you were expecting a push button start car and you have to put the key in to drive away, you'd just walk back inside and say hang on a minute.

You might not be "expecting" a push-button start, but are aware the car should have it. Its not like the OP bought a new car to get Push button start, it was just one of the features on the car....except its not actually on the car.

I'll ask again, do you go around and check every feature on a car before taking it away? Cornering headlights, auto tail lift, auto wipers, auto dim head lights, etc, etc.

tedpan

GreeBo wrote:

I'll ask again, do you go around and check every feature on a car before taking it away? Cornering headlights, auto tail lift, auto wipers, auto dim head lights, etc, etc.

I definitely would when it's a brand new car. Maybe it's because I'm a car guy but I would look for all the extras immediately

PsychoPete

GreeBo wrote: »

You might not be "expecting" a push-button start, but are aware the car should have it. Its not like the OP bought a new car to get Push button start, it was just one of the features on the car....except its not actually on the car.

I'll ask again, do you go around and check every feature on a car before taking it away? Cornering headlights, auto tail lift, auto wipers, auto dim head lights, etc, etc.

If the car had push button start then you'd have to push the button to start it so obviously you'd notice that

el Fenomeno

It really depends on whether the dealer has delivered the wrong model to you, or whether the manufacturer has changed the spec on the model you ordered.

Imagine the following 3 Models and advertised as the following at the time you placed your order.

Model 1 – Basic spec. No Push button.
Model 2 – Medium spec. Push button.
Model 3 – High spec. Push button + more.

Manufacturers often change the spec, so that’s why most purchases of new cars have a “subject to manufacturer spec” or some line to protect the dealer.

If the spec didn’t change, and you were delivered Model 1 instead of the Model 2 you ordered, then the dealer is at fault.

If the spec did change, and you were delivered a Model 2 like you ordered but the manufacturer no longer puts the push button in the Model 2, then there’s nothing else to be done as you agreed to accept that the spec could change on the Model 2.

As for what spec they can get away with changing, I don't really know. Obviously if the manufacturer turns it into a 2 door instead of a 4 door, that's a huge change that I don't think a simple "change of spec" would apply to. I imagine there's some definition of material - or even common sense - that's generally adhered to.

TheChizler

PsychoPete wrote: »

If the car had push button start then you'd have to push the button to start it so obviously you'd notice that

If you were buying the car just for that yes, maybe less so if that's just one of many different features. If you were used to turning the key in the ignition and sat in to your new car I think you'd be forgiven for doing the same automatically, instead of running through a mental checklist of all the features in the car.

TheRiverman

GreeBo wrote: »

How is that relevant?
Its not like the OP popped the button out and is now looking for another one.

Do you check every aspect against the spec before you leave the forecourt?
Better count all those bhp, just to be sure.

No I don't,but I would definitely know before moving off what type of starting mechanism is in the car.Maybe the car had been started by someone from the dealers and left running before OP poster got in to drive it home,but still I find it hard to understand that keys/keycard etc.was not checked.

Toyotafanboi

GreeBo wrote: »

You might not be "expecting" a push-button start, but are aware the car should have it. Its not like the OP bought a new car to get Push button start, it was just one of the features on the car....except its not actually on the car.

I'll ask again, do you go around and check every feature on a car before taking it away? Cornering headlights, auto tail lift, auto wipers, auto dim head lights, etc, etc.

Personally, no, and you could forgive him for missing something more subtle like auto dimming lights, cornering lights or whatever like that. At the same time, it's the second biggest purchase most people will ever make, so it's possibly no harm to ask for a moment to get acquainted.

My point is if push button start is such a big deal to them, it was a particularly obvious spec omission for them to have missed upon collection.

At the same time, I don't want that phrase to sound like he's not entitled to the spec he was expecting to receive because of whatever has happened in the mean time. More trying to evaluate that he probably didn't buy the car purposely for push button start, so would some degree of a cash refund or goodwill gesture in terms of a tank of fuel and first service or two free might clear the air. On the other hand if push button start was a necessity for the purchase, then we can advise better on how he should battle that.

BarryD2

Have to smile at this 'push button' start option. First car I drove was old family estate, Opel Rekord back in the 1980s. The ignition switch must have been causing trouble at some stage so my father (who was handy) had whipped it out and replaced with a switch and push button, so no key needed. I don't think the insurance company were ever aware of it and I used a bit of distraction when starting her up for the driving test etc. Otherwise it was grand

micks_address

Had same thing with a Honda Civic few years ago . Website advertised car having rear break discs.. didn't come with.. asked Honda.. they updated their website.. I just lived with it

Squidgy Black

How soon did you contact the dealer after you realised the spec wasn't what you were expecting OP?

If it was a case of that same day or even the following, but if it was longer down the line that you copped it'll be much more difficult to try and persuade them.

Also, another important part, was the car ordered, or did you buy it straight off the floor?

20/20

OP you need to tell people what type of car it is (Not the dealer) and other owners will share there experiences.
You have been asked at least three times for this info, why the secret ?

Personally I feel that maybe the OP bought a new car at a good price not realizing it was old stock. When he got home a neighbour had also bought the same new car but new stock and started asking why the OP didn't have push-button start or folding mirrors. Its only now he is checking the current adverts and brochures. That could be one explanation why he didn't notice the key start.

Henry Ford III

I think accepting the car day 1 has considerably weakened your hand OP.

I'd ask the dealer "what would you suggest to put this right?"

p.s. Price the cost of the items omitted and be prepared.

TheRiverman

Some cars that have push button start would also have a keycard which has to be pushed into a slot first to turn on ignition e.g. Renault Megane/Clio,others e.g. Ford Focus Titanium just have a fob for locking/unlocking doors and the push button start has the ignition switch on facility built into it also,so whichever would be very hard to overlook before driving the car.

Hurrache

Renault also have the proximity function so not all of them require the card to be put into the slot.

sue97

I ordered a call and was called to say the spec had changed before I got the car and was given a free gps to compensate. I am not a car person so would never have noticed. At best it’s bad form on sellers part.

GreeBo

PsychoPete wrote: »

If the car had push button start then you'd have to push the button to start it so obviously you'd notice that

Indeed, but if its your first car with push button start and you didnt buy the car to get access to push button start technology, then its probably not front and foremost in your mind and you probably, in fact demonstrably, wouldnt notice its absence.

GreeBo

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Personally, no, and you could forgive him for missing something more subtle like auto dimming lights, cornering lights or whatever like that. At the same time, it's the second biggest purchase most people will ever make, so it's possibly no harm to ask for a moment to get acquainted.

My point is if push button start is such a big deal to them, it was a particularly obvious spec omission for them to have missed upon collection.

At the same time, I don't want that phrase to sound like he's not entitled to the spec he was expecting to receive because of whatever has happened in the mean time. More trying to evaluate that he probably didn't buy the car purposely for push button start, so would some degree of a cash refund or goodwill gesture in terms of a tank of fuel and first service or two free might clear the air. On the other hand if push button start was a necessity for the purchase, then we can advise better on how he should battle that.

I dont think he said it was such a big deal to him....he justs wants what he paid for.

Del2005

TheRiverman wrote: »

Some cars that have push button start would also have a keycard which has to be pushed into a slot first to turn on ignition e.g. Renault Megane/Clio,others e.g. Ford Focus Titanium just have a fob for locking/unlocking doors and the push button start has the ignition switch on facility built into it also,so whichever would be very hard to overlook before driving the car.

I'd a hire Mazda C3 a while ago and when I picked it up the key was in the ignition. I had it a few days and I noticed that when I put my foot on the brake, or clutch can't remember which, it would say you can start now. I tried to start it with the key in my pocket and it worked. So the OP could have a push button start but is using the key fob instead as that's how they always started their car.

GreeBo wrote: »

I dont think he said it was such a big deal to him....he justs wants what he paid for.

From what little information the OP has provided it appears that they got the car they paid for it just that the spec was changed since they ordered. So unless they specifically said that they wanted a car with push button start they have gotten what they paid for, which is Brand X car in Trim level Z.

GreeBo

Del2005 wrote: »

From what little information the OP has provided it appears that they got the car they paid for it just that the spec was changed since they ordered. So unless they specifically said that they wanted a car with push button start they have gotten what they paid for, which is Brand X car in Trim level Z.

Possibly the case... but if the spec for trim level z changes between order and delivery.. I'd expect to be informed.

Del2005

GreeBo wrote: »

Possibly the case... but if the spec for trim level z changes between order and delivery.. I'd expect to be informed.

No one is denying the OP should have been informed of the spec changes. But they signed a contract which allows spec changes so its only a curtsy call more than anything else.

SteM

Del2005 wrote: »

No one is denying the OP should have been informed of the spec changes. But they signed a contract which allows spec changes so its only a curtsy call more than anything else.

So if the spec changes they're not allowed to pull out of the sale when they receive a call? If I bought a car with a sunroof, and the sunroof was one of the reasons I chose that car, but I got a call to say the sunroof had been removed from that model and was only available in higher spec I'd still have to accept it? There'd be no option for me to cancel?

Lu Tze

We had similar (though not as obvious) with a Hyundai i30 2 years ago. Website said the driver's seat had adjustable lumbar support, the only reason we went to look at the car as the girlfriend wanted it for the long drives. Typical, they only had the next model up for the test drive, it had the lumbar support, we bought the car. I picked it up, got home, girlfriend asks where is the lumbar support. They claimed it wasn't included on the spec and showed the brochure. I sent on the link to the website and screengrabbed it. They offer to fit the seat for half the price it would have cost. We asked they return our traded in car and refund us if they weren't going honour what they listed as selling. They fitted it free of charge