<<it is still a fact that the customer/factory realtionship is a heck of a lot more personal and useful>>
Apologies we are going off topic now
Very sadly, I'm aware of many people who would dispute this "fact".
In my case I wasn't that bothered about not getting the hood at the time - I was too excited about the imminent arrival of my +8. It was only later that the "Take it or leave it, we can sell as many as we build" attitude began to rankle. Not helped by my car shedding pints of water 4 miles after I picked it up from the factory and breaking down after 5 miles. And reinforced by the "they all do that sir" response about an awful clunk I was getting from the rear wheels - and a number of other incidents
Some people at the factory were helpful (very), but the buying experience was not memorable compared to buying a TVR or Caterham. Both of whom gave me a bespoke experience.
Not anti MMC, I would buy another one but with my eyes open.
(but don't start me on "craftsmen built", I am in the process of replacing rusty mild steel self tappers driven through now rusty thin mild steel)
