Update! Bought a new car. (Actually 2) NOT hONDA

 Hello people of the internet!

Since my last post, I traded in not only my cursed accord but also the family odyssey.  That's right, I'm living my best honda free life! (ok I guess not entirely true, I still have a honda mower)

Let me bring you up to speed.  In November of 2019 my wife and I started the process of getting PADI open water certified. (scuba diving)  We did our confined water training and the plan was to complete the training in the nice warm waters of the Caribbean the following spring.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen (covid) and we ended up finishing our training in the nice cold inland waters of Minnesota.  After that, I was smitten and I drug my wife along with me diving all summer.  After the first couple trips to the dive sites in our family van, I realized we couldn't keep doing that and needed something more suited to "rough road" driving.  Since we still (thought) we needed the space, the only logical thing to do was trade in my accord.  But what to buy?  We finally decided to check out Subaru, and I'm glad we did!  We found a great dealer (St. Cloud Subaru) who was totally fantastic and I got an awesome deal on a very nearly almost new 2020 Outback.  We drove the Outback to many local scuba diving locations all summer and into the fall, and affectionately named it the Scubaru. 

After scuba season I continued to be impressed with the Outback, especially when it started snowing.  The AWD system make a noticeable difference compared to the FWD accord (and the FWD odyssey).  During this time, we noticed the odyssey started showing its age, despite only having around 76,000 miles.  We spent numerous hours researching other vehicles and throwing out different ideas and none made sense for our family.  

Sometime around February 2021 my wife noticed a small spot on the Outback's passenger seat where the leather had flaked off the seat bottom.  I also noticed a spot on the same seat near where someone's left shoulder would rest.  Since I had been through this warranty process before with Honda, I assumed this would not be covered and bought a repair kit online.  Since it was still winter here in Minnesota, I couldn't even attempt the repair until the weather started warming up.  A few weeks later (end of February-ish) I ended up bringing my car in for a recall.  While I was there, I mentioned the cracking leather to the service advisor.  They took a look and let me know they would have the service manager check it out and determine if it would be covered under warranty.  Roughly an hour later they were done with the recall work and let me know the car was done.  The service advisor also informed me the service manager had taken a look and determined the seat issue WAS covered under warranty and they had already ordered the part!  To say I was floored (based on my previous honda experience) was an understatement.

A couple days later they called to let me know the parts had arrived and I scheduled a time to bring my car in.  Even though the repair was estimated to take only 2-3 hours, the dealer hooked me up with a *free* loaner no questions asked.  I could not believe how well I was being treated and wondered why I hadn't made the switch sooner!  Since we were at the dealer, my wife and I walked around and looked at all the different Subaru models the dealer had on the lot.  My wife had wanted an Ascent, but the looks of the Forester Sport started to sway her towards the Forester.

After we got home, we started seriously discussing trading in the odyssey.  The only real problem was we felt like we were downsizing (which we were) since the van had so much room.  In the end, we decided the kids could suffer "squished" together in the backseat for the handful of times we all needed to go somewhere together.  In addition, we determined if my wife did go with the Forester Sport we could get a rooftop cargo box that would fit BOTH vehicles.  That would increase our cargo room for luggage while still leaving the rear cargo area available for travelling with pets.  My wife loved that idea and started shopping online for vehicles.

Another really long story short, we ended up getting a 2019 Forester Sport.  We added roof rails and a cargo box as planned.  Even though we were prepared with everything needed to trade in the van and drive the Forester home that day, there was a mechanical issue that needed to be resolved.  St. Cloud Subaru was again excellent to work with and treated us fairly.  They gave us a loaner car while the issues with the Forester were being resolved.  Our sales guy (Joel) called us every couple of days to let us know the progress.  When the car was ready (after a week, parts delay), Joel drove it to our house!  (Nearly an hour away) How is that for service?!?!?! 

So, now we have officially finished the conversion and are no longer a honda family.  Subaru has won me over (hopefully for life). The Subaru build quality is top notch, they have put a lot of effort into the safety features and St. Cloud Subaru ROCKS for customer service.  If anyone is near St. Cloud and is in the market for a car, I would highly recommend St. Cloud Subaru.  If you do go in, let them know I sent you.

Why I will most definitely NEVER EVER buy another Honda

Since my last post, I was contacted by Honda corporate. (from here on out I will not be capitalizing honda, they suck)  This was only after I reached out via email.  First I emailed the "customer relations manager".  After not hearing anything back for two days (zero, zilch, nada, not a peep) I proceeded to email the "senior vice president, auto sales division", the "executive vice president and coo" and the ceo himself.  About a day after sending my email to those folks, I receive a phone call out of the blue from honda customer service on June 11, 2019.  The strange thing about this is I NEVER gave them my phone number in any correspondence with them.

The customer service rep summarized my issue and promised to look into it and call me back by the following Monday (June 17).  After not hearing anything back, I called them today (June 19) to follow up.  I had to leave a voicemail for the rep.  He called back within a couple hours and told me he had spoken to the dealership and the "zone rep".  I was informed that the dealer had determined that the issue with my steering wheel was not a defect and therefore the warranty claim was denied.  The rep then continued to tell me he had inquired about an out-of-warranty goodwill replacement.  I was then informed this was also denied because of an email I sent that hurt the dealer's service manager's feelings.  The rep then told me, and this is a direct quote, "You basically talked yourself out of the goodwill replacement".  I sent ONE email to the service manager and NEVER got a response.  How they use this for a basis of denial for some "goodwill replacement" is beyond me.  Why even tell me about this option then???  The rep then told me the other option discussed was splitting the cost of the replacement with me.  I declined this option for two reasons.  First, I'm not paying to fix a material defect and second, after how I was treated by this dealer I am NOT going to be spending any of my money there.  

So at this point, I am sticking with my $17 steering wheel cover from Amazon. (Which is better quality than the leather-wrapped steering wheel on my $32,000 car)  I also plan to discourage everyone I know from buying honda vehicles.  I have been buying and driving honda's since 2007, and honda values my business so much they are willing to throw it away over something that costs them less than $250.

For anyone wondering, here is the complete email I sent to the hurt feelings honda dealer:

Hi Steve,

I was in there Tuesday to have you guys submit a warranty claim for the cracking leather on my steering wheel.  Yesterday I received a call from the other Steve informing me that the zone rep had denied the claim.  He also advised me to contact the selling dealer (Walser) in order to have them resubmit the claim to try and fight the denial.  I spoke with Walser yesterday, and the adviser there told me I should have been given a reason (by the zone rep) as to why it was denied.  Could you please send me that information?

Before I make the seemingly pointless trip to Burnsville to have Walser resubmit this, is there anything else you can do on my behalf to appeal the denial?  It is very frustrating to have a brand new car with a defect and have some random "zone rep" determines (based solely on pictures) it is not covered by the warranty.  I took pictures in the daylight yesterday and anyone with half a brain can clearly see the leather is cracking along the grain.  This is not damage caused by me.

Thank you,

Corey

Why I will never buy another Honda

In February 2019 I purchased a new 2018 Honda Accord touring.  No issues at the dealership, I was treated fairly and got what I thought was a good deal.  Now, 4 months later, not so much.

I came out to my car a week ago (6/3/19) and immediately noticed something scratchy on the wheel.  Upon further inspection I found the leather on the steering wheel to be cracking.  No problem, I thought, I will take it to the dealer and they will fix the problem post haste...I still have a factory warranty.  The car only has 4,000 miles on it, still practically new.

I end up at the dealer, they take photos and briefly explain the process.  They send off my claim and call me back 24 hours later.  I was informed the "zone rep" had denied the warranty claim.  I'm stuck, I have no other recourse available to me.  I was expected to bring my car into the dealer so they could physically see the damage, but the person making the warranty decision only needed to see pictures?!?  How is this fair?  I drop $32k+ on a car, I expect the materials to last a little longer.

I contacted Honda customer service via twitter and was told they would defer to the zone rep.  All attempts at contacting anyone at Honda corporate have fallen on deaf ears.  No response from anyone.  I sent another email off to the dealer who submitted the warranty claim, no response.  At this point I am beyond frustrated.  The biggest factor influencing my decision to purchase a Honda vs. Tesla was the dealer network if I ever needed service.  To say I am sorely disappointed is an understatement.

I still like this car, and plan to drive it for at least the next 10 years.  That being said, unless something drastic happens with this situation when it's time for me to buy my next car, it will NOT be a Honda.