I'm writing in to tell you about what a superb experience I've had with Research Garage when I ordered my A500C. It was ordered on 3rd July with a big specification.
The handover on 12th October (after 101 days waiting!) at Research Garage was a day to remember. Ben Thorpe kept me in the loop with updates and also he was more than happy to let me text him on his mobile. There were times when I acknowledged that I was being difficult, but Ben has had the patience of a saint.
I even grilled him about alloy pedals on the A500C!!!! Small details matter to me, but RHD cars get a different set up to LHD cars.
When I arrived at the showroom, there was no sign of my car. I met Ben and he looked after me very well, taking me through every important (and not so important!) document to make sure I haven’t missed anything. I can tell you they were not itching for the funds but made it as if it was a pleasure dealing with them. Cue a number of crossing the 't's and dotting the 'i's and putting my signature on some papers.
Once this was done, he took me through to the workshop where my A500c was waiting. It stood there gleaming and with my reg no on it. I admit I was overwhelmed thinking ‘is it REALLY my car?’ I took my time inspecting the car and everything met expectations. They had fitted the chrome door mirror cappings – a special Exoticaholic request – and branded valve caps. I sat in it and felt at home. The leather seats were very comfortable and the thickly rimmed steering wheel a revelation to grip in my hands. As I was used to the gear shift knob in my outgoing Fiat 500, I forgot there wasn’t one in the A500c, having fumbled in mid air for the non-existent knob.
We returned to Ben’s office and it was time to do the transaction. It was fun running between two desks because the card reader was on the other desk at the service dept and I was in Ben’s office literally typing the conversation on my textphone. Ben was on the phone next to the card reader to take questions firsthand from my bankers for additional security measures. I wrote my answers down for Ben to relay back to them. Payment had been authorised.
The car was driven out of the workshop by Ben and parked next to my black and white Fiat 500. It was quite a sight to say the least. I took photographs for posterity and to record this particularly special occasion.
Just when I was about to get in, Peter Robinson, Abarth UK’s sales manager turned up! In his company A500. I had dealings with him at the Moving Motor Show at Goodwood. He came over and complimented me on my specification.
Nearly two hours had lapsed, and it was time for me to hit the open road. In my own Abarth 500c. We said our goodbyes and I turned the key which exploded the 1.4 turbocharged engine into life and there was a nice burble, just feeling the dashboard and that was when a new chapter was about to unfold.
I was so excited that I missed some small details and upon admiring the car again (well who wouldn't) at home....I noticed the colour of the fixing plugs for the number plates matched the area where the holes were drilled. In other words, one white plug for the white background and the other being black, to match the lettering at the front. At the back, two blue plugs to match the EU flag area, and the other two in yellow to match the yellow background.
Now that is STERLING attention to detail.
I would like to convey my thanks to Ben and his team for what was an enjoyable journey from enquiry in March 2010 to collection in October 2010.
Anyone considering an Abarth, I strongly recommend you going to Research Abarth in Warwickshire and ask for Ben and his sales team. You will be pleasantly surprised!
The handover on 12th October (after 101 days waiting!) at Research Garage was a day to remember. Ben Thorpe kept me in the loop with updates and also he was more than happy to let me text him on his mobile. There were times when I acknowledged that I was being difficult, but Ben has had the patience of a saint.
I even grilled him about alloy pedals on the A500C!!!! Small details matter to me, but RHD cars get a different set up to LHD cars.
When I arrived at the showroom, there was no sign of my car. I met Ben and he looked after me very well, taking me through every important (and not so important!) document to make sure I haven’t missed anything. I can tell you they were not itching for the funds but made it as if it was a pleasure dealing with them. Cue a number of crossing the 't's and dotting the 'i's and putting my signature on some papers.
Once this was done, he took me through to the workshop where my A500c was waiting. It stood there gleaming and with my reg no on it. I admit I was overwhelmed thinking ‘is it REALLY my car?’ I took my time inspecting the car and everything met expectations. They had fitted the chrome door mirror cappings – a special Exoticaholic request – and branded valve caps. I sat in it and felt at home. The leather seats were very comfortable and the thickly rimmed steering wheel a revelation to grip in my hands. As I was used to the gear shift knob in my outgoing Fiat 500, I forgot there wasn’t one in the A500c, having fumbled in mid air for the non-existent knob.
We returned to Ben’s office and it was time to do the transaction. It was fun running between two desks because the card reader was on the other desk at the service dept and I was in Ben’s office literally typing the conversation on my textphone. Ben was on the phone next to the card reader to take questions firsthand from my bankers for additional security measures. I wrote my answers down for Ben to relay back to them. Payment had been authorised.
The car was driven out of the workshop by Ben and parked next to my black and white Fiat 500. It was quite a sight to say the least. I took photographs for posterity and to record this particularly special occasion.
Just when I was about to get in, Peter Robinson, Abarth UK’s sales manager turned up! In his company A500. I had dealings with him at the Moving Motor Show at Goodwood. He came over and complimented me on my specification.
Nearly two hours had lapsed, and it was time for me to hit the open road. In my own Abarth 500c. We said our goodbyes and I turned the key which exploded the 1.4 turbocharged engine into life and there was a nice burble, just feeling the dashboard and that was when a new chapter was about to unfold.
I was so excited that I missed some small details and upon admiring the car again (well who wouldn't) at home....I noticed the colour of the fixing plugs for the number plates matched the area where the holes were drilled. In other words, one white plug for the white background and the other being black, to match the lettering at the front. At the back, two blue plugs to match the EU flag area, and the other two in yellow to match the yellow background.
Now that is STERLING attention to detail.
I would like to convey my thanks to Ben and his team for what was an enjoyable journey from enquiry in March 2010 to collection in October 2010.
Anyone considering an Abarth, I strongly recommend you going to Research Abarth in Warwickshire and ask for Ben and his sales team. You will be pleasantly surprised!
