Raleigh Ford Dealers - Overall Service?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:58 am

I'm seriously thinking of ordering a new Mustang which I'm likely to keep for a decade. Since I live near the airport the closest dealers are Capital and Crossroads in Wake Forest. I'm "assuming" that I can get as good a deal from either on a special order so the real question is long term "service" for stuff I cannot or will not do myself during or after warranty. I would like to buy from the dealer I want good service from in the future . . . in case it is needed.

Thanks!

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:22 am

Dick,
I purchased my 08' GT and 11' GT from Capital Ford. As far as service, the 08' GT never needed any repairs, and the 11' GT has had a TSB and one other minor warranty repair done. I've only had two service tickets on it, but Capital has been pretty reasonable so far. That being said, if I own mine out of warranty it wouldn't go back to the dealer. I always believe there is someone better to work on my car other than the dealer. That's more of a personal preference though.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:55 am

Michael Westerfield wrote:

That being said, if I own mine out of warranty it wouldn't go back to the dealer. I always believe there is someone better to work on my car other than the dealer. That's more of a personal preference though.

Ditto. I bought our '07 Fusion from Capital Ford in Rocky Mount, but when the warranty expires I won't be taking it there for any work. When I bought it I wanted to change the transmission fluid so I inquired about the type, cost, etc. and the service manager told me "Oh, in a manual transmission the fluid never needs to be changed". I said in my experience there is no such thing a "lifetime fluid", especially in a transmission, so I'll just handle it myself...thank you.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:51 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

That being said, if I own mine out of warranty it wouldn't go back to the dealer. I always believe there is someone better to work on my car other than the dealer. That's more of a personal preference though.

Ditto. I bought our '07 Fusion from Capital Ford in Rocky Mount, but when the warranty expires I won't be taking it there for any work. When I bought it I wanted to change the transmission fluid so I inquired about the type, cost, etc. and the service manager told me "Oh, in a manual transmission the fluid never needs to be changed". I said in my experience there is no such thing a "lifetime fluid", especially in a transmission, so I'll just handle it myself...thank you.

Well except for BMWs, they never break so they can keep the transfluid for a lifetime.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:16 am

JamesShort wrote:

Well except for BMWs, they never break so they can keep the transfluid for a lifetime.

Tossing a softball for me James? :brow:

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:22 am

Thanks guys.

My normal practice is to only use a dealer for warranty and "special" service if I cannot do the work myself or find a trustworthy independent. Given how little our previous Mustangs have needed I'm not too worried about a new one, especially since it will be driven by a little old man in his declining years . . .

Of course the "plan" is to put a hitch on it so it can be the backup tow vehicle for our racecar. :lol:

George Bright · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:40 pm

Driven only on Sundays by a little old man, huh?

The only dealings I have had is with CrossRoads on a wheel bearing recall on the focus. They broke the center covers on the wheels and then tried to tell me that they did not need to pull the center covers to replace the wheel bearings.

Don Ingerslew · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:52 am

In my experience with the 98 Cobra (98 to 04), I greatly preferred Capital over Cross roads. The ABS in that car didn't like the track until I finally went to SRF fluid. Cross would just bleed the system and let me go. Cap dug into the problem and made some recommendations. Cross did work around some of the track mods on a recall, so that was good.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:59 pm

Dick, Capital Ford has done very well by me with regards to servicing my F250. It needs a new clutch right now, and I'll get a quote from them at a minimum. If their pricing is similar to the independents, as it has been every other time, I'm taking it to them.

Often, I find "anywhere but the dealer!!!" suggestions a bit closed minded, to be totally honest. Particularly if they're coming from sources that haven't actually had service done by the dealer in question. I know there are plenty of dealer horror stories, but there are plenty of horror stories with independent shops as well.

Me? If it's something I can't (or won't) do myself, I just want to take it to the best place. I don't really care if it's a dealer or not. :shrug:

(Note: my Capital Ford experience is with the truck department. If different people deal with autos, I can't speak to that.)

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:07 pm

Bought the Bullitt from University Ford in Durham. Have never used them for service. I have used Capital Ford's heavy truck service on my PSD Excursion - only twice in 11yrs.

1st time - replaced a glow plug relay and adjusted my headlights. They left my headlights on all day killing the batteries. Two months later I had to replace both batteries.

2nd time - replaced cam position sensor and brake pressure switch. No problems.

Overall, I'd say they are knowledgable and adequately competent. Customer service is OK - they don't always return calls promptly or call when they say they will. They tend to suggestive sell alot of stuff - "while-we're-at-it". I guess that's part of any successful business model. I'd probably use them again.
Good Luck - get the Boss 302!

THSCC Forums

Raleigh Ford Dealers - Overall Service?

Who is online