Just talk to the Sales Mangager in person. Call occasionally to remind him. I took delivery of the first Z at my dealership and they did absolutely everything I asked. They delivered it to me unwashed with the shipping paper still on the exterior, plastic still covering the interior, and the sales manager personally handed me the front license plate bracket.

 

Here's what I emailed to my dealer:

1. Please DO NOT drill the front bumper for the license plate. I would like you to remove the bracket from the car immediately upon arrival and keep it out of the hands of the PDI personnel.

2. Please DO NOT adhere any dealer badging/advertising to the vehicle. We both know how many people will be asking about the car and I will gladly tell them where I purchased it.

3. Please do not buff or wax the vehicle's finish. A clean water wash and air dry is sufficient. I will be using a special car polish called Zaino Bros. which will not work right with any other waxes or treatments.

4. Please DO NOT allow anyone other then your service manager or yourself to drive my car.

5. Please drive the vehicle only enough to insure it is functioning properly. I expect the odometer to reflect this request. And please DO NOT redline the engine.

6. I would like the original window sticker intact. I believe all the dealer needs is a copy for their records.

They did everything but the car came with 15 miles on it. Much more then it should have been.

 

Actually I went through the sales people with my requests for delivery and they gave me the car almost right of the truck, but later I found a problem with the car that maybe it could have been picked up by the service department if they had a chance to have it a little longer. I did it because of my distrust of the sales people.

I would suggest you go in and talk to the Service department manager or director, if he is like mine they are really into the car and making sure you are happy because they want to see you more often for maintenance plus mine was a Z fan as well. I wish I had met him before I got the car I think he would have understood my desire for no one to mess with my car but I would have felt more comfortable with them looking it over a little longer and maybe avoid or caught the problem sooner. So go in and make friends with the service department you will have to deal with longer than with your salesman.

 

Here's a copy of the one I sent. The dealer people were very receptive and did exactly as I asked. They even kept the car locked in the back room where they detail the cars when I told them I couldn't get if for 4 days after it came in (I was out of town).


Dan: As I had mentioned in the past, I wanted to send you a list of requests concerning the delivery of my car. Since we are inside of a month for delivery, I thought now would be a good time.

I have purchased numerous new cars and have made these same requests and I have never had any problems with any other dealer. I trust that the same will hold with Star Nissan.

While I assume your dealership does not make it common practice, I would like to ensure my 350z is not tested inappropriately or in any manner that may damage the car or is not within accordance with the "break in" procedure recommended by Nissan and their service manual. I plan on following Nissan's recommendation of keeping the RPM's under 4000 at all times within the first 1200 miles of driving. I request that this be CLOSELY adhered to during your PDI. I ask that the vehicle absolutely not be "redlined" at any time.

I assume that a FULL tank of gas is part of the PDI process. Nissan has recommended 93 octane fuel for this car and I would ask that ONLY 93 octane be used. If this is not possible then I will waive this free tank of gas and ask that you put in just enough to get me to a nearby gas station so I can do so myself.

Please DO NOT allow anyone other than you or your service manager to drive my car. I ask that no other sales persons drive the car. If the car is available before I get there, I ask that it be placed in a safe and secure area and that it NOT be used as a "show car". I also ask that it be kept locked.

Please DO NOT allow any type of orbital buffer or power waxing equipment to touch the finish of my car. A careful hand wash will be fine if done by your best detailers. Please DO NOT apply any wax to the paint as I plan on using a special polishing system on the car.

Please DO NOT affix ANY type of dealer badging/advertising (plates, stickers, plate holders/covers) to the car. This car is going to attract a great deal of attention and many people will ask me where I purchased it. You can trust that I will be sure to tell them all about Star Nissan!

***Please DO NOT drill holes for or attach any type of front license plate bracket!***

I would like the original window sticker intact. You may remove it but please leave it intact and in the car.

I ask that no additional dealer installed paint sealants, fabric guards or dash protectants etc. be applied to the inside of car.

I expect that the odometer will reflect the fact that the car was not driven any more than absolutely necessary. I think 10-15 miles is more than sufficient for assembly line, loading and unloading, and PDI.

***Please send back an e-mail as confirmation of this list as well as any potential problems you might see in fulfilling these requests. I would also like a copy of your routine PDI procedure.***

Thank you for your attention to this list. I realize that it may seem "nitpicky" but I have always prided myself on the care I have given to each and every car I have purchased. This car, however, is even more special than most and I would appreciate your help with these requests.

Thanks again Dan!

Ed Uberti (soon to be a new Z owner!)

 

Awesome post Ed! May I have your permission to use your letter sent to Star Nissan? I think it is the perfect letter.

This is my first car that I have been able to pay up front and I want everthing to be as perfect as possible. Thanks!

 

Sure but it isn't really completely original. I took bits and pieces of multiple posts when this was a hot topic about 3-4 months ago before any cars were around. I just compiled this from the best of all of those.

 

I also sent this letter after reading some horror stories about people taking delivery and getting added charges at the last minute:

Dan I was resending this just in case you didn't get it. I just read that another Z owner was screwed by his dealer on a $1000 "paint protection package" that no one told him about until he went to pick up his car. He said that the salesman was on his side but the sales manager is the one who is giving him a hard time.

Now, you have already acknowledged that NO EXTRA CHARGES will be waiting for me when I come to get the car. You said (via e-mail) that the FINAL COST of the car will be $37,632.04. That is after my $1000 deposit. This includes tax and title and all other charges.

I am holding you to YOUR WORD on this DAN. I am counting on your integrity! BUT, that may not be enough. I want you to get something IN WRITING from your sales manager stating that the above cost will be the FINAL COST of the car.

I have made arrangements for my pick up to be a festive event. A friend of mine is coming down with me. I'll have a digital camera to record the event, my Z key ring to put the keys on after you hand them to me (the joyous event recorded on film of course) and pictures of me driving it away. I have even burned a special 350Z cruising music CD to play on the way home. PLEASE, don't let some surprise charge or dispute ruin that for all of us!

I again would like you to refer to my "Letter to the Dealer". I want you to PRINT it out and show it to your sales manager. If you need another copy of it let me know and I'll send it again. I'm counting on you my friend! Don't let me down.

I need something IN WRITING from your sales manager with the above assurances. Please send them to me via fax ASAP 724-962-xxxx.

Thank you so much Dan.

Ed

It must have worked because in 3 days I had a letter signed by the sales manager stating that there would be no extra charges and there were none when I picked up the car.