Viper purchase in NYC

[ek1]

Hi, Everyone

I want to buy a 2016 ACR and am looking for feedback from other forum members as far as where to buy. As far as I understand, there are 3 choices - Tomball, Woodhouse or a local dealership. I live in NYC and have HUGE concerns about both buying and servicing the car locally. I had a few Chrysler & Jeep cars in the past and local dealerships are pretty much the worst you can have. I am not going to to into all the dirty details, but "scum" is the best way to sum it up in one word. Dealerships out on Long Island are a bit better, but still play the same game, only to a lesser degree.

I am looking for a worry-free purchasing experience and I realize that both Tomball and Woodhouse deliver that 100%. However, when (and I know its a matter of when) something goes wrong with the car, I wont exactly be able to get it towed to Nebraska/Texas, and the local dealership will definitely be a PITA because I did not buy from them. Even if they welcome me with open arms, I know that they are clueless about Vipers because I have not seen one around NYC for over 5 years. I also read a few nightmare stories where owners experienced serious problems (engine failure, etc) and if this happens to me, the last thing I need to deal with is a dealership with a bunch of idiots working there.

I am sure this question was asked several times before, but I did a quick search did not find any info convincing me to go one way or another.

Any suggestions? PMs are welcome.

[viperdriver5150]

Roanoke, John is the best person I have ever dealt with.

[Mazak]

John in Roanoke Illinois is another at the top of the chain.

I also had a good experience with Criswell Dodge in Maryland.

I have never been to either dealership but have traded for new ones at both and had them delivered. Both went well .

[Dman]

John in Roanoke Illinois is another at the top of the chain.

I also had a good experience with Criswell Dodge in Maryland.

I have never been to either dealership but have traded for new ones at both and had them delivered. Both went well .

Interesting, I've had 2 horrible experiences with Criswell and go out of my way to recommend to anyone to not go to them, glad you had a good experience, must be 1 person there who knows how to do something.

Those are certainly your trusted and go to dealers, if I were ordering an ACR I'd only go to one of them for it.

[thetalonguy]

For local service you can look at Security Dodge in Amityville on Long Island. They have a pretty good Rep and are an SRT dealer. Then of course, if you want skip the whole dealership service thing, you have Chuck Tator in West Salem, NY.

[ViperJon]

Buying the car is easy, and of the big three will do and many others.
Servicing the car on the east coast is a nightmare. There are no recommended dealers. None.
There are many Viper owners here and if its something minor we would pay out of pocket before bringing it to a dealer.
Major and under warranty you'd have to think about shipping out of state as ridiculous as that sounds.

If my motor grenaded and had to be replaced I'd ship the car to one of the big three at my own expense.
That's how bad it is.

[mikesax]

Jon is correct!! Bought my last 2 from John at Roanoke!! Minor warranty work at Ramsey Chrysler- they have been great and their tech is awesome- but NO ONE does enough out here on the East Coast to be truly proficient!! I WISH there was a larger more passionate dealer out here-but I don't think so?! Tators in Westchester is phenominal on Gens 1-4: however he doesn't have all the access he needs for the 5!! SUCKS cause Chuck is GREAT!!! ANYTHING above minor and I would be sending my cars West-comical that someone hasn't grown in to the "place to go to" in the Northeast for ANYTHING Viper!!

[pythonpete]

Agree with Jon, I pay out of pocket for warranty work at Chucks. He's the only one I'd trust locally. The dealerships in ny ALL suck

[ViperSmith]

"No east coast" is a bit of a stretch, while not Tomball or Woodhouse, quite satisfied w/ my local dealer and service manager for fixing shit down in VA.

But it is a sad situation up in NE.

[Bill Pemberton]

You have a PM

[Dajerseyviper]

NY and NJ is not a good area to own a newer Viper that requires maintenance.. I have a Gen II and do all my own work, but the Gen V is way more complex and you need a dealer close with a really reputable service dept. And unfortunately, Reputable and NJ/NY dont go in the same sentence.. (bridge gate)

[Bill Pemberton]

Incorrect --- Scott Sorentino is in Manhattan and has worked on Vipers for years. He also worked with NARRA as the Tech Inspector , so definitely a guy who knows his way around the Snake!! Chuck Tator is up in S. Salem , New York, and though he can not do warranty work, he is extremely knowledgeable about Vipers and many have him do routine service,etc.

[ViperTony]

Incorrect --- Scott Sorentino is in Manhattan and has worked on Vipers for years. He also worked with NARRA as the Tech Inspector , so definitely a guy who knows his way around the Snake!! Chuck Tator is up in S. Salem , New York, and though he can not do warranty work, he is extremely knowledgeable about Vipers and many have him do routine service,etc.

Bill, is Scott working for a dealership in or around Manhattan and able to perform warranty work?

[ViperJon]

Bill, is Scott working for a dealership in or around Manhattan and able to perform warranty work?

I think we are talking about two different issues here, warranty vs non warranty.
Would love to hear there is a knowledgeable tech at a DEALERSHIP if true.

[City]

ek,

I'd strongly suggest you have a serious conversation with Chuck Tator before you purchase! He will be able to give you clear and honest direction with regard to Viper ownership here. 914 763.3136.
You can thank me later.

[ek1]

Guys,

Thank you very much for providing this info - it's really helpful. Essentially, all these nice dealerships in IL, VA and MD are many hundreds of miles from me - if I have to go there, I may as well stick with the Tomball/Woodhouse instead. I can't imagine driving for 400 miles one way for someone to take a look at something like a NAVI issue.

@City: Thank You, I will definitely give Chuck a call, but looks like I am out of luck as far as reliable dealership service in a tri-state area is concerned.

[RonVpr]

I bought my 2010 From Stevenson near Albany. He had a few exotics in there as well. Never had any service done, but he was great on price if you didn't want to go far.

[mitsu13gman]

Lurker-turned-first-time-poster here.

I'm noticing that most of these discussions are topping out around the NYC area. Is it even worse getting up north of Boston? I can see that, with the earlier cars being less computer-dependent, independent maintenance was a viable option. But with all of the nanny's etc. on the Gen V, it seems like some dealer access is necessary.

Is there ANYBODY with that capability north of Boston or in NH/ME?

[Bill Pemberton]

Yes, Viper Tony, our good buddy Scott Sorentino is SRT certified and working now at Manhattan Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, 212-765-6634. His cell phone is 570-620-7824 and I know he would be happy to assist Viper owners in the area. I know some of our customers are already going to see him and hopefully this will help others in the NY/CT and New Jersey Clubs who were not aware he was working there?

[ViperTony]

Yes, Viper Tony, our good buddy Scott Sorentino is SRT certified and working now at Manhattan Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, 212-765-6634. His cell phone is 570-620-7824 and I know he would be happy to assist Viper owners in the area. I know some of our customers are already going to see him and hopefully this will help others in the NY/CT and New Jersey Clubs who were not aware he was working there?

Good to know this. The club was not aware of Scott still being around. The last we heard was that he went to work someplace in Texas I think. The big challenge/concern is performing warranty work and finding reputable service departments with techs to perform the work without cocking it up, at least. I actually found a tech 20 minutes away from me that can perform the outstanding recalls I have on the '13. Will post experience when completed.

Question Bill: Who do I contact at Chrysler so I can report dealerships that sell GenV's, and claim to have certified techs, but actually don't have certified techs on staff? I ask because two of the three dealerships I investigated are completely full of shit.

Thanks.
Tony

[FrankBarba]

I have never had the opportunity to purchase from your list of dealers. John G at Roanoke Motors is the man.
He will not require you to jump thru hoops.....

[TitleMine]

Yes, Viper Tony, our good buddy Scott Sorentino is SRT certified and working now at Manhattan Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, 212-765-6634. His cell phone is 570-620-7824 and I know he would be happy to assist Viper owners in the area. I know some of our customers are already going to see him and hopefully this will help others in the NY/CT and New Jersey Clubs who were not aware he was working there?

Fair warning-The roads into and in NYC are pure garbage.



Take a wrong turn, and you will go in for basic warranty work and leave needing 3 new wheels and a new front bumper. Besides the $40ish in tolls to get into and out of the city, I wouldn't want to drive a Viper in there even if it was free. Too many crooked-uneven streets, potholes, etc.