Hmm err well I think I scratched the loaner. A pretty nice loaner too, 2010 Cayman. It's about a 3 inch front bumper scratch. It must have happened when I was parked somewhere or, It was already there and I didn't notice when I checked the car out. I'm kind of freaking over this and am not sure what to say to the dealer other than the truth or keep my mouth shut. Beyond all that has anyone been in this situation before?

Wonder if they'll make me/insurance pay for the damage? Am I making a bit to do over nothing. Three inch scratch after all.

But I'm kinda freaking about it. I've never been in this situation before.

 

Just be honest with the dealer, obviously you are concerned. That's why the dealer has insurance.

 

**** happenes, just tell them when you return it, I am guessing you are not the first customer to have a little issue while out in a car, and they know what to do.

sorry about it, but maybe its better in their car than in your own

 

I heard a great story from Rick Bye, who manages the Porsche press car fleet for, at least Canada, maybe North America, about a brand new 911 turbo that a journalist took home. While in the garage, his teenage son sat in it and turn the key so he could listen to the radio. Well, he turned the key too far, it started, and it was in gear, and launched through the closed garage door...

A scratch on the bumper of a Cayman isn't that bad in comparison.

 

There are paint repair guys that routinely come around to the dealerships (all makes) to touch up such things, primarily on trade-in cars. Just tell them up front, apologize profusely, and offer to pay for the repair. They may tell you not to worry about.

The worst that can happen is they charge you for the touch up repair, which would actually be fair. If they scratched your car while they had it, I am sure you would expect to have it repaired at their cost.

 

Not certain if you signed a document when you picked up your loaner. Did they ask for a copy of your drivers license and insurance card before they handed you the keys? If so, you and your insurance may be on the hook for the repair. If no documents were signed of any kind, then the dealer is on the hook for the scratch... normally.

 

Thanks all for your great advise and anecdotes. To answer ThunderTubs question, yeah I provided my drivers license, insurance and signed a loaner agreement.

My real dilemma here is that it may have already been there. I can't think of any scenario this weekend that would have the front bumper scratched. I went to the families so no, I went to a restaurant to pick up food and parked in front nose first so no. That's about it.

I picked the car up at night a may have not noticed it there. The only time I did notice it was the first sunny day on Saturday. The rest of the days were cloudy and raining. I picked it up Wed night last week.

 

I will point it out at the dealership. What is a bit disconcerting is this is the first time at this particular dealership so building a solid relationship has been on my mind. 'course I'm getting $2000 worth of work done on the 996.

 

Yah the pre check lighting might be the case. A week into a rental one time I walked up to the car wondering who banged a big dent in the lower drivers door. When turning it back in their records showed it was already there. I just missed it.

I hope thats the case for you

 

if they missed it in the pre check, ask them to check a few records back, just to see if it shows up on another pre loaner check.

 

Don't you have to put the clutch in to start it.
I mean no cars today can be started in gear.

 

That's a good point.

All we really have is the teenager's story... since he was the one in the car in the garage. It's his claim that the car "just started up and lurched forward."

 

No word from the dealership yet. It's supposed to be done today. I'll post the outcome when I get my car back.

 

BTW - OT

Blues your avatar looks SWEET !!

 

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