Saleen quality control???
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Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 3:03:01 AM
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sf49er
Posts: 19
Joined: 9/29/2006
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As alot of you know i'm getting ready to order an 07 Saleen. After reading some of the posts regarding QC i'm quite concerned . My question for you current Saleen owners is the QC really that bad or is it an issue with the dealer from whom you purchased the car. Secondly has anyone talked with Bill Tally and brought these QC issues to his attention.Finally i thought i read on this forum that Saleen has cash flow problems, is this correct ? I certainly hope that all of you whom have unresolved issues put them in writing and forward them to management at Saleen.
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:32:54 AM
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walc
Posts: 173
Joined: 10/7/2006
From: Salisbury, MD, USA
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My issues, after 1 month and 1000 miles, are due to Saleen; not the dealer. Specifically, rear quarter window trim blowing off and an improperly installed front strut.
I'm sure Saleen already knows about the poor quality control, due to the warranty claims it receives. I'm not going to waste more of my time, in addition to getting repairs, writing letters to tell Saleen what it already knows.
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2008 Mustang GT Bullitt Coupe, #2678, dhg
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:46:54 AM
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AmyVCTexas
Posts: 895
Joined: 8/5/2006
From: Alameda, CA
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In answer to your questions sf49er:
Question 1: IMO, the answer is YES on both counts. There have been (and still are) issues with dealers and issues with Saleen.
Question 2: I believe Bill Tally is a regular reader and participant of this forum. He is one of the positive aspects of the situation because he cares and he takes action. Sometimes that is enough, sometimes not.
Question 3: Regarding cash flow problems, the only people who could confirm this are Steve Saleen and his accounting people. The problems with Saleen's QC and their dealer network have led many to surmise that there are cash flow problems. When service issues become a consistent theme, it is natural for those affected to wonder why and develop some theories. Cash flow is a reasonable theory, but not necessarily the answer.
Question/comment 4: I have put my issues in writing to both Saleen and the dealer, as well as Ford and the BBB.
All of that said, in fairness I can also say that when my car is not in the shop, it is a tremendous joy to drive. These are truly special automobiles that have generated a great deal of enthusiasm among owners and passers-by. Just spend a few minutes reading the forum and that becomes obvious. There are issues with the dealers and issues at Saleen and IMO both are ultimately Saleen's responsibility. I for one am not frustrated to the point of regret for having purchased the car, nor would I tell someone such as yourself not to purchase one. The best approach might be "expectation management": as you are already doing, become as informed as possible and expect some bumps after the purchase. It's kind of like building a house from scratch: there are lots of frustrations and aggravations along the way, and at times you wonder whether you did the right thing. But when everything is complete, you are happy because what you ended up with is a custom product that is one of a kind and truly your own. You just wish it hadn't felt like being in labor (or as one comedian said, passing a bowling ball throug a garden hose) for several months beforehand.
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Amy
'05 Windveil Blue S281 #52, aka "Georgia"
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:51:44 AM
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sowaxeman
Posts: 3897
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Indianapolis, IN
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My problems with my car when it was new were Saleen related - but very minimal. The process of getting them fixed via the dealer was actually more painful than the original problem  My car is an EARLY build for '05 and I don't seem to have any of the "Saleen" issues that several have complained about: front suspension popping, gears grinding, steering wheel badge, side skirt fitment, etc.... (yes I know a couple of those are Ford issues).
I'd find it hard to believe Saleen is having cash flow problems considering all the cars (especially E's) they've sold the past couple years
Bottom line is - the problems IMO are NOT that bad. Order the car without reservation because you will enjoy the hell out of it 
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Saleen Club Of America - Central Region Director
http://www.saleenclubofamerica.com/Central
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:56:05 AM
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06SALEEN1246
Posts: 84
Joined: 10/27/2006
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95% of all my problems were due to SALEEN the only problem that wasn't anything to do with SALEEN was the AC vents extremely loose...You couldn't even position them without falling down ...Ford put in a new set...Even though that was overlooked after the first Month in the shop...The paint chip in the SALEEN rear spoiler should ave been noticed at the factory...the rear corner piece that I'm now waiting on SALEEN to send was done at the SALEEN factory. Instead of replacing something they broke they did a bad patch job that was making it stick out on the corner.....This was descovered when I was getting the paint match and fixing what the idiot paint shop my dealership used. My HID headlights pointing at the road was due to SALEEN my dealership didn't know how to adjust them I had to figure out online how and do it myself....Not programming that the car has cruise control in the computer was because of SALEEN name an 06 GT that doesn't have cruise control in any model? and explain this one....That took a month after sending the computer back and fourth...If I didn't have nearly $2000 in my aftermarket SALEEN SC hood I'd contacted a lawyer on a lemon law...Not to mention $600 in insurance payments I've loss from being without my car....from the car being in the shop waiting weeks for parts from SALEEN...
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06 SALEEN 3v #1246 Screamin' Yellow w/Scenic Roof...
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 9:00:34 AM
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06SALEEN1246
Posts: 84
Joined: 10/27/2006
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When your car comes in I'd inspect everything from top to bottom...test drive it and if you find any problems what soever make sure the dealership repairs them first so you don't have to wait months without your car like I'm having to do....
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06 SALEEN 3v #1246 Screamin' Yellow w/Scenic Roof...
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 3:11:07 PM
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06SALEEN1246
Posts: 84
Joined: 10/27/2006
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I feel after I get this last part fixed my car will finally be ready for me to enjoy....I've inspected a lot of things on it...including the window louvers and everything else looks sound:) If it wouldn't of been for the paint chip or flake in the rear spoiler...I doubt I'd ever found the broke piece on the corner spoiler from SALEEN even though it didn't fit quite right...it was close....The paint issue has been on going for 2 months the computer problem took about a month....
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06 SALEEN 3v #1246 Screamin' Yellow w/Scenic Roof...
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 3:27:27 PM
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unclemilti
Posts: 266
Joined: 4/5/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 06SALEEN1246
I feel after I get this last part fixed my car will finally be ready for me to enjoy....I've inspected a lot of things on it...including the window louvers and everything else looks sound:) If it wouldn't of been for the paint chip or flake in the rear spoiler...I doubt I'd ever found the broke piece on the corner spoiler from SALEEN even though it didn't fit quite right...it was close....The paint issue has been on going for 2 months the computer problem took about a month....
I hope everything is to your satisfaction!
These are great cars once you get them to where you are happy.
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:15:11 PM
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walc
Posts: 173
Joined: 10/7/2006
From: Salisbury, MD, USA
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I have noticed plenty of unsold 2006 Saleens on dealers' lots.
So, I guess the good news is we'll no longer have to worry about Saleen warranty work, because we won't have any warranty, when Saleen goes down the tubes. 
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2008 Mustang GT Bullitt Coupe, #2678, dhg
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:49:12 PM
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unclemilti
Posts: 266
Joined: 4/5/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Red6
I'm lucky as well being close to Saleen to get issues fixed  .
I have to say it’s a sure bet Saleen is having cash flow problems its obvious.
For one they are looking to build other Saleen’s for manufactures other then Ford (Steve said it himself possibly GM). I can see why its because of the satuated market from competition direct from Ford (Shelby) Foose, Roush, and Steada.
They cannot service their dealers fast to get parts for current customer’s issues. Cars wait for weeks for parts and approval.
They cannot keep up with demand for aftermarket products (takes at least three weeks to get parts). If demand is high up production hire more people etc.
They have a high turnover rate in employees. They don’t pay employees enough to stay or give them incentives to go the extra mile. People are not trained correctly as well.
Also Long time employees have left and they have cleaned house with other long timers. Found out in the past their pay checks has even bounced.
Saleen is known for being flakey. I know a part share holder of the company (he’s says this as well) and all my interactions with the higher ups have confirmed this.
I really like the car and they way their go about their products but have to say quality control and interactions with management are piss poor.
I know they are restucturing so hopefully they can better manage their facilitiies and customers.
Not sure how much of what you are saying is true- but I have no doubt Saleen is struggling to move cars because of the new Shelby, Roush, and the popularity in general of the GT.
When I bought my car, they showed me both the Shelby and the Roush as alternates- I had already made up my mind I wanted the Saleen. The service manager said the repair rate/QC issues were next to nothing on the Roush, and were pretty bad on the Saleen. I bought it anyways.
Still holding my breath..hope I don't regret the decision.
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 8:58:20 PM
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ncponygirl
Posts: 324
Joined: 7/26/2006
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I'm afraid to say anything because everything's going great so far and I don't want to jinx it.... 5000 miles in three months, and the only issue I've got is that the steering wheel badge keeps popping up in the corner. But hey, in a crash, my airbag would probably work instead of being glued down shut.
I drive it every day to work and make up excuses to drive it all weekend. I'm getting a few nicks here and there, but you know what? It is SO worth it!
If you want a factory-made car with most of the production kinks worked out, get a car that they made millions of last year. 
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'06 S281 Satin Silver Convertible with Speedster bar and tonneau
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 9:23:08 PM
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walc
Posts: 173
Joined: 10/7/2006
From: Salisbury, MD, USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ncponygirl
...the only issue I've got is that the steering wheel badge keeps popping up in the corner....
Assuming I will soon have the steering wheel badge fall off, I wonder can't it be glued back on?
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2008 Mustang GT Bullitt Coupe, #2678, dhg
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RE: Saleen quality control??? - 11/1/2006 9:33:45 PM
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ncponygirl
Posts: 324
Joined: 7/26/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: walc
quote:
ORIGINAL: ncponygirl
...the only issue I've got is that the steering wheel badge keeps popping up in the corner....
Assuming I will soon have the steering wheel badge fall off, I wonder can't it be glued back on?
Yes, but don't let your dealer do it! Mine tried to do it when it was in for an oil change (without talking to me about it) and they smeared glue all over the badge. It stuck where they glued it, but popped up in another place. The problem is that the stock Mustang emblem is domed shaped, and the badge is flat, so it keeps popping up around one side. I read somewhere on here about prying the stock emblem out and replacing it with the Saleen badge, but I don't know how that affects the airbag, so I'm leaving it alone. Not a biggie, really, in the grand scheme of things. Every time I clean the car I put a little more Goo Gone on the glue and it's (the glue) eventually going to be gone... I just know it!
It all boils down to -- nobody is going to take care of your baby like you do! And that's what makes us fanatics.
< Message edited by ncponygirl -- 11/1/2006 9:34:53 PM >
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