General => Lounge => Topic started by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 11:11:38 AM
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 11:11:38 AM
So I work at the bottom of the Goodyear ladder, if you could concider it a ladder....JustTires. Yes all we do is tires and tire related work....aka alignments.
So this rich guy comes in and leaves his very expensive car there for 3 days to get 4 tires and an alignment. Well since the manager left, of course we were going to take it out. I tell ya, 450hp from a V12 is a totally different animal than the puny Grand Am I drive everyday. I had it fast enough in the parking lot to scare a few passengers. :D
I NEED TO GET IN A RACE CAR NOW!!!
Oh, by the way, it was an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage.....:bowdown:
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: oldraven on January 23, 2006, 11:33:40 AM
Avoid getting your tires done at the Goodyear in Downingtown, PA. Gotcha. Thanks for the warning.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 12:06:10 PM
Well I'm not at the Goodyear in Downingtown, haha....Frazer is more like it...up the road from the Goodyear in Downingtown....we are the "green side" as my manager puts it.
But if you ever need tires....we see.....exactly 0 Fox cars at our shop. And I call all of the cars that I like to pull in....mostly SN-95 Mustangs...which end up V6 Autos. We sometimes get a few fox Stangs....but either way, I take good care of the Fox cars.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 5.0willgo on January 23, 2006, 03:58:58 PM
It's stuff like this why I put my car on stands and haul the tires to be mounted and balanced off in my dad's truck.
3 days for 4 tires and an alignment :eek: The owner of that car is a complete moron.
Glad you had fun in it just don't get fired:D
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: tbirdscott on January 23, 2006, 08:09:21 PM
I've emailed this thread to your boss.....
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 08:33:33 PM
I didn't do anything...it gets driven after the alignment, and I did the alignment so I took it for its NEEDED TEST DRIVE. Jeez...its not like I go out and drift the car or burn the tires off of it. I just went on the usual route and brought it back...No harm done doing my job....I see why I don't post here so often.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: tbirdscott on January 23, 2006, 08:38:34 PM
Just pickin on ya jeez just dont break anything and dont get caught
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: JeremyB on January 23, 2006, 09:07:16 PM
Quote from: Billyf17
I didn't do anything...it gets driven after the alignment, and I did the alignment so I took it for its NEEDED TEST DRIVE. Jeez...its not like I go out and drift the car or burn the tires off of it.
Quote from: Billyf17
I had it fast enough in the parking lot to scare a few passengers. :D
I hate to sound like an old man, but I hope you're joking/exaggerating.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 302Fairmont on January 23, 2006, 09:11:10 PM
Expensive cars in shops make me nervous. Didnt you feel like you were going to trip and throw your tools/wheel/bondage equipment on it everytime you walked by?
We had a vintage, pristine Porsche Carrera for about 2 weeks at the shop I used to work at (think Fuhrman 547 4 cammer 1600 - BIG bucks) - Everytime I walked by it I just imagined tripping over an air line or something and heaving whatever I was carrying at it by accident (cylinder head, block, crank, etc) and destroying the body.
yeesh, it still amazes me that I didnt drop anything on it - it was a tiny shop and Im clumsy
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Cougars 2 go on January 23, 2006, 09:13:53 PM
Quote from: Billyf17
So I work at the bottom of the Goodyear ladder, if you could concider it a ladder....JustTires. Yes all we do is tires and tire related work....aka alignments.
So this rich guy comes in and leaves his very expensive car there for 3 days to get 4 tires and an alignment. Well since the manager left, of course we were going to take it out. I tell ya, 450hp from a V12 is a totally different animal than the puny Grand Am I drive everyday. I had it fast enough in the parking lot to scare a few passengers. :D
I NEED TO GET IN A RACE CAR NOW!!!
Oh, by the way, it was an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage.....:bowdown:
Quote from: Billyf17
I didn't do anything...it gets driven after the alignment, and I did the alignment so I took it for its NEEDED TEST DRIVE. Jeez...its not like I go out and drift the car or burn the tires off of it. I just went on the usual route and brought it back...No harm done doing my job....I see why I don't post here so often.
I think this is the part over which some expressed disagreement.
Quote from: Billyf17
...of course we were going to take it out... I had it fast enough in the parking lot to scare a few passengers. :D
It kind of follows the all too familiar stereotypical scenario of a valet or mechanic with someone else's nice car in for service or parking. Threads like this don't help those that do their own work or refuse to let a valet park their car - even if the typed words were an exaggeration of what happened.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 09:30:44 PM
I'm not stupid, I would never do anything to endanger someone else's car. I don't need that on my name following me to dealerships.."crashed a $100,000 car." My choice of words were not the best, I agree with that.
Most of the other guys in the shop were scared to touch it. I wasn't I knew it was expensive but fear only makes the situation worse. I do my job with confidence and if something happens...oh well...I know it was an accident and if I get reemed by a customer or have to pay for the damages, so be it. It's part of the risk I agreed to take when choosing this profession.
Notice I said "I have to get in a race car"...I know there are places to drive with reckless abandon..I know the only place to drive above speed limits and cornering with squeeling tires is on the track. I love racing and respect the laws of the road. I know the two do not mix.
We had a 96 Viper RT10 come in one day last year. It was supercharged and full of nitrous. The owner left for the day and left us to change the rear tires. Same situation, this car was capable of 10's. I pulled it in, reved it to hear the engine and the wine. I popped the hood to look at the engine...as I did with the DB7. Then my dopey ex-co-worker pulled it out and decided to take a lap around the building....he almost ran in the back of the building because he couldn't handle the car and thought he could slide it around the building no problem. He learned a nice lesson that day.
I just wanted to share a story...and again my words were not the best, but rest assured I did nothing to danger that car. I pulled it out and took it for its test drive. I opened it up once to get a feel for 450 hp....but I did not break the speed limit. And as for my parking lot comment, it was exaggerated, I maybe went...35 in it...which is reasonable concidering its long enough to get my Cougar upto 60 before having to turn into JustTires. But just the fact that I hit 35 in about half a second scared the person who was helping me do the alignment. We are both the most responsible and most experienced workers in the shop and both know what not to do with someone else's property.
I treat every car with the respect that I have for my Cougar. I will choose my words a lot better next time.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 5.0willgo on January 23, 2006, 10:17:48 PM
I'm just curious why the owner would drop off a car like that for 3 days for work that can be done in an hour.
I know you have to test drive it as part of your job. No problem there. It's just the way it sounded that's all. Just by looking at the pics of your car, I can tell you aren't wreckless. You can tell a lot about someone from their personal vehicle and yours is too purdy.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Billyf17 on January 23, 2006, 10:32:15 PM
The owner was out of town for the 3 days it was at the shop. And we did have it done in about 2 hours....the tires were probably the longest part...but the alignment was toe and go. Except it took all night before we could get to it, as it was a drop off it was 2nd priority.
My manager also suggested leaving it there because in the unlikelyhood something would either break or be worn out suspension wise, we could get it and install it. Or I would install it as everyone else believes JustTires means "I don't do anything but tires." I end up having to replace broken studs and replacing tie rods. One time I was almost forced into changing coils and struts without a spring compressor. :eek:
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: jkirchman on January 24, 2006, 10:53:21 AM
I say good on you man. I would have done the same thing. And so would everyone else here unless they were too afraid. There I said it. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: srv1 on January 24, 2006, 08:28:54 PM
Quote from: jkirchman
I say good on you man. I would have done the same thing. And so would everyone else here unless they were too afraid. There I said it. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?
Ummm no. Your only speaking for yourself. Bragging on the internet about what you did to a customers car is pure stupidity. People like you should never get behind a wheel of a car unless it is an Escort. Someone is trusting their investment/toy to you, don't fornicate it up by bragging on the net even if it was just to screw around in the parking lot. You might see it as harmless but the owner definetly does not. I have worked on very expensive cars, Porsche, Audi and some really other expensive cars. Not once did I ever drive any of those cars irresponsibly regaurdless of how much horsepower was under the hood. Their is a difference between a mechanic and a technician, which one are you?
James
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: V8Demon on January 25, 2006, 08:50:06 AM
Quote
I'm just curious why the owner would drop off a car like that for 3 days for work that can be done in an hour.
My guess is it would make sense that someone who can afford that car probably travels a bit for business ventures and might have been out of town.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: jkirchman on January 25, 2006, 11:03:37 AM
Quote from: srv1
Ummm no. Your only speaking for yourself. Bragging on the internet about what you did to a customers car is pure stupidity. People like you should never get behind a wheel of a car unless it is an Escort. Someone is trusting their investment/toy to you, don't fornicate it up by bragging on the net even if it was just to screw around in the parking lot. You might see it as harmless but the owner definetly does not. I have worked on very expensive cars, Porsche, Audi and some really other expensive cars. Not once did I ever drive any of those cars irresponsibly regaurdless of how much horsepower was under the hood. Their is a difference between a mechanic and a technician, which one are you?
Okay thanks Dad I'll keep that in mind the next time. ;)
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Chuck W on January 25, 2006, 11:19:35 AM
This is a prime example of why my cars never go any place to be worked on, unless I'm able to see what's going on.
Not that I own an expensive A-M or anything, but folks have no consideration for other people's property.
I've had customer's tell me personally "Go ahead, give it hell", but other than that it's not some "right" you have to treat a customer's car like a rented mule....period.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Haystack on January 25, 2006, 11:56:04 AM
I woulda opened it up alittle bit. Its not every day you have the chance to drive a car like that, and if it didnt hurt anything or squeal the tires, I dont see what is wrong with it.
With gas prices these days though, the owner might just track you down for the .1 gallons you used.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: kyle2ooo on January 25, 2006, 03:23:03 PM
hell taint a big deal he hit the gas a lil in the parking lot and then test drove the thing after he alingined it id have the same thing
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on January 25, 2006, 06:54:43 PM
Quote from: jkirchman
I say good on you man. I would have done the same thing. And so would everyone else here unless they were too afraid. There I said it. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?
Exactly everyone here would have done the same i dont care if you call yourself a Technician or a Mechanic. Because if your a Technician you were once a Mechanic.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: srv1 on January 25, 2006, 07:05:40 PM
Quote from: 20th anny 5.o
Exactly everyone here would have done the same i dont care if you call yourself a Technician or a Mechanic. Because if your a Technician you were once a Mechanic.
Yeah but bragging on the net isnt the smartest idea. Still isnt yours to mess around with regaurdless if it was just a little squeal. Not your property. Test driving car is one thing, horsing around with it is totally different. If you are going to mess around with it, don't brag on the internet about it, that is just plain stupidity.
James
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 302Fairmont on January 25, 2006, 07:23:45 PM
Quote from: srv1
Yeah but bragging on the net isnt the smartest idea.
James
That might be the most important thing. Does anyone remember the thread on some Mustang board where a Tech makes a post stating that he took a customer's Cobra up to 120mph on backroads, burned the tires, and revved the shiznit out of it? People went nuts and it was everywhere, flooded the board, and finally the owners of the car were contacted, got on the board, and then showed it to the dealer and had the guy fired. I can't find it, but it was in an archive of the best/stupidest/greatest threads ever.
It was an extremely entertaining thread. People are touchy when it comes to this kind of thing, so I dont want to get on either side of this. But I worked at an extremely high end shop, and my boss took me on some serious thrash runs in customer's cars - all with the customer's blessing of course, and all with engines (and usually transmissions) that we built and had already flogged on the dyno. But I've never personally taken a customer's car out, and think it would be immoral since the customer left the car in my boss's trust, and in his care, not mine.
There, I think I managed to get on both sides a little bit.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: srv1 on January 25, 2006, 07:42:23 PM
Quote from: 302Fairmont
That might be the most important thing. Does anyone remember the thread on some Mustang board where a Tech makes a post stating that he took a customer's Cobra up to 120mph on backroads, burned the tires, and revved the shiznit out of it? People went nuts and it was everywhere, flooded the board, and finally the owners of the car were contacted, got on the board, and then showed it to the dealer and had the guy fired. I can't find it, but it was in an archive of the best/stupidest/greatest threads ever.
It was an extremely entertaining thread. People are touchy when it comes to this kind of thing, so I dont want to get on either side of this. But I worked at an extremely high end shop, and my boss took me on some serious thrash runs in customer's cars - all with the customer's blessing of course, and all with engines (and usually transmissions) that we built and had already flogged on the dyno. But I've never personally taken a customer's car out, and think it would be immoral since the customer left the car in my boss's trust, and in his care, not mine.
There, I think I managed to get on both sides a little bit.
Yeah it was on Mustang Works. I'am a member there. But still doesnt give anyone the right to mess with someone elses property or abuse the trust of a customer.
James
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: shame302 on January 25, 2006, 07:45:03 PM
drove somebody elses car. big deal. its not yours, you didnt earn it, and will probably never own one. ive driven vipers, cobras vettes, porshes, mercedes etc...who givs a rats ass.
abusing somebody elses shiznit is weak and is just like steeling.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: srv1 on January 25, 2006, 10:48:16 PM
Quote from: shame302
drove somebody elses car. big deal. its not yours, you didnt earn it, and will probably never own one. ive driven vipers, cobras vettes, porshes, mercedes etc...who givs a rats ass.
abusing somebody elses shiznit is weak and is just like steeling.
Huh? I don't know if that was aimed towards me or not nor do I understand what you are trying to say. The first sentence sounds like it isn't a big deal and the third sentence you say it is. Which is it?
James
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: Ifixyawata on January 26, 2006, 03:25:14 PM
I was going to mention the thing about the guy's Mustang but 302Fairmont beat me to it. I'm pretty sure I'd be too scared to mess around in someone's expensive car that way.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: shame302 on January 26, 2006, 03:54:44 PM
wasnt directed towared you. i meant, as far as bragging rights go...big deal. i cant see bragging about driving a certain car. its like saying something like " my uncle or grandparents that live in FL is rich" for example. or "my boss owns a certain car or is loaded or something."
i think its disrespectfull and somewhat like steeling when you abuse someone elses property. the car was dropped off in trust that it would be respected. if hey left permission or knew about it it would be a different story. still would have been weak too brag about though. just my:2c:
it would also be another thing completely if it was like, i drove a ford gt and this is my take on it rather than, this guy dropped this ford gt off at our shop and i took it for a ripper, drifted it and took it too 102 mph on an onramp...etc
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: V8Demon on January 26, 2006, 03:59:36 PM
I think this sums it up..............
Quote
Vincent: What's more chickenshiznit than ****ing with a man's automobile? I mean, don't **** with another man's vehicle. Lance: You don't do it. Vincent: It's just against the rules.
Title: Not something you get to drive everyday
Post by: 4thqtr on January 27, 2006, 12:05:02 AM
Quote from: Billyf17
So this rich guy comes in and leaves his very expensive car there for 3 days to get 4 tires and an alignment. Well since the manager left...
I don't mean to judge you, so don't take too much umbrage in my comments. However, if your version of the "test drive" was standard operating procedure, why would you have to wait for the manager to leave? Also, i've known people in the same situation that didn't come out as lucky (http://"http://www.nbc4.com/news/2730741/detail.html"), so be careful out there.
Anyways, kudos for getting to drive a car like that. I'll probably never get that chance.