We got fed up with feeding our truck, gas daily. It might have been getting 12 miles per gallon. Totally unacceptable.
Since we are getting ready to go on vacation it was either rent a car or trade in this gas hog. So guess what I got a new Caravan. Love it, lots of room, and with the stow n go seats it is also versatile.
But, and yeah this is pretty big, it does not come with a spare tire. Can you believe it? No spare. Now as far as the company goes they do give you road service for the first 100,000 miles. There is nothing telling you this anywhere. Also the phone number for road service? Not sure, ask the manager and he did not know the number either. I think they need to at least give the dealership more information. Or is it just me?
What is the problem then? Well I live in a very rural area. Cell phone service is very scattered. Plus in our travels we have ran into more than one area without service, so I know this is not just our area. It is great for the people using the vehicle only in areas surrounded by cell towers. What about us? They told us there was a can of fix a flat in the back, sorry not there, and an air pump, that is there.
I personally have been in a vehicle, more than once, that had a blow out. Fix a flat? No! Air Compressor? No Now what? I do not have nor do I want a cell phone. Why do I have to pay for a cell phone to drive my vehicle?
The spare, most people would say just go buy one. Oh yeah, another $300 for a spare. The car does not come with the plate that covers and protects the spare so we have to buy that.
We have found out Chrysler and Ford are both going to this idea of “no spare”. Is this fair? No disclosure at all. I ask about the spare and even the salesman did not know until he checked with his boss. We had signed papers or we would have worked the deal to include one.
My husband was able to call and the manager of our dealership has offered the tire for $150. This is the best we could get.
I wanted you as a consumer to be aware of this and know about it before you end up like we did. Ask if a spare if included!!! If not negotiate a spare before signing anything!
Now we need to tell Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors that this is NOT acceptable. Click on one of these links and send them a message! At the least there should be disclosure before signing anything! This has been part of a vehicle for years and they just take it silently away.
Tweet to Ford @Ford
Tweet to Chrysler @Chrysler
Tweet to GM @GM
For other contact information for GM: go HERE
Ford: HERE
Chrysler: HERE
Now tell me how you feel. Am I wrong? Let me know! Please leave a comment below.
Thanks
Laura
40
Kias don’t come with a spare either but we were told before we signed. They are doing it to take up less space and to cut down on the weight of the vehicle. With Kia we get road side assistance included so it isn’t a big deal. But I do agree they should have told you ahead of time so you could have factored that into your decision.
I was not aware that Kia did this also. I also did not know why because I would think the road side assistance would cost more. Thanks for the new information.