Got my new CS1 today!

[Tuscany]

Wasted breath..
I'm sure after being in that business for as long as you have, you know what it takes to be successful.

Here comes my rant.
The sad thing is that I'm not even disappointed. I'm more upset at the waste of my time.
I expect inept service nowadays because most dealerships hire minimum wage slobs, or some kid off of the street to do their branded service, and think they are going to deliver a good product.
Either they care, or they don't. Most don't, and talking to them won't change their managements approach to the 'don't GAF" culture in their shop, because if they did, this sort of stuff wouldn't be as systemic as it is today.

That's why I generally do my own servicing. Problem is that this particular truck needs to be on a lift to get to some of the zerks.
After four Ford Superduty trucks, I thought I would change it up for something different. I'm a Ford Superduty guy who will be going back to Ford next year because of their ease of service, and I personally like them better for a lot of reasons. But, even my Ford dealer got grease from their shoes all over the light carpet of my last truck... drives me nuts.

Frankly, I expect no more from my Cobalt dealership than I do from my GM serviceman. I guess we'll see.
Hopefully, I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I won't be shocked to see grease all over the inside of my motor box.

So hopefully, the OP doesn't have to deal with the disappointment of having someone waste their time. Cobalt should do the right thing and find that gentleman a new boat.

[TwoBurgers]

Wow! At first I thought you were going to follow up with April fools... For any boat, this experience is inexcusable. For a Cobalt this is unacceptable. If you are not happy with the boat, do not accept it - and certainly now that it had a fire. As others have said, best to get a new boat - and it should be expedited and not cost you a penny.
Based on my experience at dealing with the Cobalt factory, they will support you. IMO, if you feel like the dealer is being anything less that amazing, cut them out of the communication cain and work directly with Cobalt. Good luck and keep us informed.
Chris

[Ytmsn]

Man I feel really bad for you Notstock! I can't begin to imagine having my family in a boat I've waited for and it catching on fire. It had to be a fluke of some sort. I see another new boat in your future for sure, and I'm betting Cobalt will take care of you, and probably bending over backwards to be sure you're satisfied. In today's age of instant "word of mouth" social marketing they can't risk their reputation like that. Let us know how it turns out.

[liquid]

That is wildly unacceptable. Hopefully your daughters weren't too shook by the experience and can move past it once you get your new boat.

I say NEW boat because there is not a chance in hell you should take delivery of that boat. Sets on fire on it's maiden voyage after you saw a boat smoking and offered to help? That is some bad JuJu there my friend.

I'm certain Cobalt will make you whole again but the real crime here is your time. Who knows how long it will take for you to get a brand new boat with the correct specs. I'd be absolutely irate.

Sorry for your crap experience but glad to hear you reacted correctly and got your family out of danger.

[ixispy44]

First commend you greatly for handling the situation as you did and getting the family off safely and second also the boat in a position to be extinguished to minimize damage. Agree with others that Cobalt/the dealer should take boat back and give you new different boat. Can't imagine what you're going through as I just picked up my new CS3 on Friday. Keep us posted!

[notstock4long]

Heard from Cobalt today. They got the boat back yesterday and opened it up to find the cause of the fire. It was caused by a pinched transducer wire. The pinched wire must have created a dead short somehow, and eventually melted the insulation and caught something flammable nearby on fire, I guess. I'm unsure how this would happen on the fused side, so perhaps there was a pre-fuse hot wire running nearby. Apparently a section of wiring was fastened in the wrong position, which led to some other component pinching it upon installation. They are taking the issue very seriously, and had halted assembly at the factory by the time I spoke to them. I'm not sure if this will require similar boats to get checked out by the dealers or what.

I'll have an update on how the rest is being handled tomorrow, as far as a new boat and all that. Sounds like they had to tear this one apart, and didn't even consider attempting to salvage it, although they'll likely use the engine and out drive in the replacement, which I am fine with.

[Big Block Power]

Very interesting. Sounds like a recall might be coming. Can't wait to hear from you tomorrow!

[liquid]

I expect nothing less. Did they give you an ETA?

[notstock4long]

Before Cobalt's customer service manager had contacted me last week, I had been primarily speaking with the salesman I worked with at the dealership, and he with his regional Cobalt rep. They had asked if I would be interested in upgrading to a CS3 with similar options, if they could make that happen, as it would be much more feasible to find a CS3 somewhere in the country with the Volvo 300hp engine since the CS1s typically get the v6 280 engine. While a larger boat sounds great, I wanted to stick with a CS1 because it'll fit in my garage, and it's really just the exact right size for our family, so I mentioned that I'd prefer to wait for a new CS1, but with a few additional options totaling a cost not to exceed the price jump from a CS1 and CS3. The conversation stopped there for a while, as the boat was on the way back to Cobalt, and things were kind of in limbo while we all waited.

I spoke to the Cobalt CSM yesterday after they checked out the boat, and he asked if I'd be happy with a 2018 CS2 50th anniversary edition boat, to be delivered by the end of this month. Additionally, he asked that I get with the salesman I have been working with, and to pass along the options I'd like to see. I got confirmation tonight that the 2018 CS2 will have everything I requested. It'll have the engine and out drive from the original boat, which I specifically said I would be fine with it before they suggested it, otherwise they probably wouldn't have.

It sounds like the CS2 will take the place of the CS1 for 2018, and that it will be mostly the same, with some sort of anniversary badges. It would be cool if it is a limited production boat, but I have no idea yet. I'm anxious to hear more about it, and I guess I'll know in a few weeks. I'll be sure to show it off when it arrives.

While I still have mixed feelings about the whole incident as it put me in a situation I really didn't enjoy, I couldn't be more pleased with the way everything has been handled by the local dealer and Cobalt. Everyone has been genuinely concerned along the way, and I don't know how it could have been handled any better. I know that shit happens, and that's all this was. Cobalt has taken full responsibility and made every effort to make things right as far as I'm concerned. It sounds like the issue was just caused by someone on the assembly line who slipped up, and I can't help but think it would be unfair to hold Cobalt responsible, especially after everything they have done. I'm probably more of a believer in Cobalt's reputation now than I ever was before.

[notstock4long]

I expect nothing less. Did they give you an ETA?

End of this month, but I've had a Mastercraft X30 loaner since the incident, which will be swapped for a Cobalt 200 before this weekend.

[Big Block Power]

For waiting a month for next year's model and anniversary edition I think is a good option. Especially at no cost. The only bad is a 2017 engine in a 2018 boat. So it will be interesting how they put that on the bill of sale and build sheet and title. Really the good part is you knew what's going on and they are not hiding that part. There's a bigger story behind that. Yes you guys buying new boats should Make sure it had the current engine model in it.

[notstock4long]

For waiting a month for next year's model and anniversary edition I think is a good option. Especially at no cost. The only bad is a 2017 engine in a 2018 boat. So it will be interesting how they put that on the bill of sale and build sheet and title. Really the good part is you knew what's going on and they are not hiding that part. There's a bigger story behind that. Yes you guys buying new boats should Make sure it had the current engine model in it.

Damn, I didn't think about that. Can't really complain though as it was my suggestion.

Does the title actually specify engine info?

[Big Block Power]

Yes the bill of sale does and the certificate of origin I think. I know of a issue going to court over this right now. But it's really bad what the dealer and or manufacture did and didn't disclose it properly.

[Southernboatman]

I thought motors (all type vehicles) had a manuf date but that doesn't always match up with model years of whatever it goes into. how could they ever keep that straight?

[Skiingstrongman]

My father has a 2001 226 with a 2000 leftover 7.4L 300 hp. they stopped making them for the 2001 year so he wanted the older engine for the displacement. I think BB is right in that it's how they disclose it and fill out the paperwork properly.