Southern Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram FIAT - Service Center

I was going to let this go, but I got a phone call and several text message survey requests asking about my visit, so I will oblige. A friend who owns a Fiat 500c recommended Southern Fiat to me. I sch several text message survey requests asking about my visit, so I will oblige. A friend who owns a Fiat 500c recommended Southern Fiat to me. I scheduled an appointment (online), and in the notes section I wrote a specific request for a FIAT trained technician/specialist to perform an in-depth pre-purchase inspection (I was willing to pay for this). The car was a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth (the 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged engine) at 50xxx miles. The appointment was Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM. I left my work early to bring the car in. When I arrived (20 minutes early around 12:40pm), a lady behind the service desk informed me that the appointment wasn’t at ‘that’ service area, but to go over to the ‘Express Lane’ department and they’d ‘take care of it’. It was my understanding from the Southern website that the Express Lane is drive up service only (no appointment required). So I drive over to the Express Lane and got in line. It was 1:10pm when I drove my car into the enclosed area. The service advisor (he drives a red Celica, name was Fabrice) was very nice and professional. Based on his opening questions about ‘what brings me in today’, I began to suspect that this was not going to be the scheduled in-depth inspection I had taken time off from work to get done. I handed over the keys and was directed to the waiting area. There were two other customers in the waiting area, both disgruntled and griping to each other about how long it was taking for their oil changes. I wasn’t particularly affected by this as I had anticipated a decent wait for the level of inspection I had requested. That was until I noticed my car was still sitting outside over an hour later (I watched it being driven back from windows just outside the waiting area). I was in the waiting area for about 2.5 hours total when Fabrice came back with the keys and report. It was a general inspection (nothing wrong noted except for a ‘Alert’ for the front brakes at 3/32). Not an in-depth inspection that I had requested to be performed by a Fiat specialist. I chatted with Fabrice and the tech (Andre) who did the inspection (again, both super nice guys) for a moment about this, and Fabrice mentioned that ‘David’ was the Fiat expert ‘on the other side’. I had been there for about three hours by this point, was rather disappointed that this ‘David’ didn’t check out the car in the first place, and was ready to be on my way. That same week I left the car with an independent European shop for the (Fiat) engine inspection (there were some problems identified, one serious, seller paid for repairs). I also had an independent shop (that’s very familiar with Mazda Miatas) inspect the convertible top, body, transmission, and differential (more problems were found, repairs also paid by the seller). None of these issues (except front brakes) were found in the inspection by the Express Lane at Southern. I am not sure if there was a miscommunication in the scheduling of the service (was the Fiat tech request note missed?) or if the service department just didn’t want to deal with the car and pushed it over to the Express folks. I did, however, get the impression that not many Fiats make their way over to that dealership, and certainly not a 124. I did not get any ‘warm fuzzies’ about coming back. The experience was overall a 2/5, but I added a third star because of how excellent Fabrice and Andre were, and the general inspection only cost me my time. I would be interested (there is no obligation though) to hear back from someone about why I was diverted to the Express Lane. Southern missed out on over $3800 worth of repairs made by the two independent shops I mentioned. Is there actually someone there who is *specifically* trained on these engines and where to look first for common issues? Also, I did end up buying the car after the repairs were completed. More

Customer service was quick, respectful of my time. Very friendly and made me aware of my car. Very friendly and made me aware of my car. More

Prompt, courteous service. Easy to get an appointment and the service was done extremely fast. Easy to get an appointment and the service was done extremely fast. More

Southern is very fast and efficient. They have always taken care of my service needs. When I have to bring my car to them I have no worries They have always taken care of my service needs. When I have to bring my car to them I have no worries More

Norfolk southern did a wonderful job fixing my 2019 Ram! Thank you so much Sam! Thank you so much Sam! More

I Love the staff and loved the environment they have created and fostered for the people getting service done. created and fostered for the people getting service done. More

I had an appointment and was checked in promptly. Vehicle was serviced and ready in what I considered are resonable amount of time. Vehicle was serviced and ready in what I considered are resonable amount of time. More

I have an appointment for June 9. They need to work on other cars before they get to mine because they don't have enough mechanics. They do good work anyway. The prices are ridiculous They need to work on other cars before they get to mine because they don't have enough mechanics. They do good work anyway. The prices are ridiculous. Need to lower the prices. The mechanics aren't getting half the money so they need to lower the prices per hour. More

I requested a state inspection and it was done Nothing outstanding was done. No recommendations, no crash. It was just an inspection outstanding was done. No recommendations, no crash. It was just an inspection More

Service was good and quick I got out of there at a great time thanks for the great service. time thanks for the great service. More