Toyota Service

**dbhost** · 03-31-2009, 02:23 PM

I worked for an auto dealership chain for quite a while. What you are witnessing is the effect of regional management. Toyota is a bit different from other makes. They have MUCH greater control of their franchise dealerships through the contracting process. It is broken up into various regions, and whatever the Toyota regional VP wants goes... You won't see anything similar with Nissa, Honda, Hyundai, Volvo, BMW etc...

I have always liked certain models of Toyotas, having been through 2 Celicas, 2 Toyota pickups after they were called HiLux but before they called them Tacomas. I would LOVE a Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser as an off road toy...

I am far from impressed with the Tundra. At least the current model. The first run of them kept snapping cam shafts, and the frames flex so much you can see the bed of those trucks dancing around as you follow one down a dirt road...

The Taco still looks like a good truck. If I needed a compact pickup, the Tacoma would most likely be my first choice...

**cgallery** · 03-31-2009, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by jackellis

I'm sure it's not a coincidence that I got follow-up calls from both dealers. Probably required by their franchise agreement. Do the American badges do this? Shouldn't they?

Not around here. I'm not sure if the cost is warranted. If there is a problem, you can call the dealer. So I'm not sure what is to be gained by the dealer calling everyone, unless you just want the warm fuzzies? But maybe I'm missing something?

**scmhogg** · 03-31-2009, 03:52 PM

LOML drives Audi TT's. I use the plural since this is her second. I have been awfully suspicious about how frequently the service manager calls my wife. The only thing that restrains me, is the fact that the prior service manager did the same thing, and she was a she.

Their service is terrific, however.

I drive a 1996 RAV4 2 door. It never needs service!!

Steve

**cwsmith** · 03-31-2009, 05:58 PM

Not sure if it's a requirement by Toyota, but from my experience (regardless of brand) so much is really up to the particular dealer.

I had a VW which I bought back in 1965, it was my first new car. Service was spectacular. Followup calls, service manager inspected and test drove each car after any service call.

I had a 1984 Toyota and the first year it was a nightmare with starting problems! On my last scheduled maintenance I discovered the oil had not been changed. (It was on the schedule and I had been billed). I always check the dip stick and the filter before I drive away.) I went back to talk to the manager and he scheduled me for two days later.

When I went to pick up the car, it chugged and lerched and sputterd... I took it back in immediately and they couldn't find what was wrong so I was given a car for the evening.

Went over the next afternoon to pick up my car and it wouldn't start at all. They checked and a hose was off as well as two of the spark plug wires!

Never went back to the dealer after that! Reported it to Toyota, but nothing was ever done and the same guy is still the Toyota dealer in our area. (I should point out that once I got it out of the dealer's hands, and had a local garage do my service, the car was terrific and I ran it for fourteen years and it proved to be the most reliable car I've ever owned.)

That same dealer sold a friend of mine a new Toyota truck. Jeff blew the engine on the way home..... NO oil! The truck was replaced, but obviously he would never return to that dealer for service.

So, having a good, competant dealer is spectacular!

CWS

**Ed62** · 03-31-2009, 06:32 PM

I might be wrong as usual, but it might be that the individual dealers have a lot to do with that. Our dealer has always been customer oriented. They call after service to see if you're completely satisfied, and the sales people go out of their way to make the customer feel like they're being taken care of. Ours is a GM dealer, and if and when the GM dealers start falling by the wayside, I'd give odds our dealer will be the last to go anywhere. They are not all the same.

Ed

**jackellis** · 03-31-2009, 06:39 PM

Today there was a note in the mail and a $25 off coupon for major service. I have to say that I like the attention and the follow-up.

**Uncle Cracker** · 03-31-2009, 06:49 PM

LOML bought a new Toyota early last year. She's a tough sell. She loves the car, drives it hard (and often), and the dealer has been very proactive in solving even the slightest problem. They do treat the customers like family, and the service manager calls every couple of months to ask after the car. I have owned numerous makes, including Cadillacs, and currently a Lincoln, and I have not encountered a level of service after the sale that even approaches what she gets with the Toyota. I think their share in the marketplace is no accident.

**jackellis** · 03-31-2009, 08:41 PM

Actually, I do have one complaint about my Tacoma.

There wasn't an available diesel engine for it, even though Toyota offers a diesel nearly everywhere else in the world.

**MilDoc** · 03-31-2009, 10:23 PM

Not a coincidence to me. Bought my RAV4 in 2004. Got a follow-up call every 3 months for a year to see how I liked it, any complaints, etc. Each time it's been to the dealership (regular stuff only, no other problems), follow-up calls again. Plus emails with special offers, prices, and an email at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years asking if any complaints (nope, NONE!).

**herb fellows** · 03-31-2009, 10:47 PM

The dealers get 'kickbacks', for lack of a better word, from high marks on customer satisfaction surveys.

It would be nice if the dealer really cares about you, but you can bet he cares about his bottom line!

I have had Toyota dealers talk right over me while I was trying to tell them something, with 'Be sure to give us an outstanding rating if you get a customer survey'. Some of them don't quite catch on that an outstanding rating would be forthcoming without a prompt if the service was indeed outstanding!
All that being said, they are good cars on the whole.

**knotley** · 04-01-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by jackellis

Actually, I do have one complaint about my Tacoma.

There wasn't an available diesel engine for it, even though Toyota offers a diesel nearly everywhere else in the world.

I agree, that is the only complaint I have about the Tacoma. Everywhere else, other than Canada and the USA, the Hi-Lux gets a diesel. I think the Hi-Lux is a very slight size smaller and built on a Toyota Prado platform as is the LX470. Maybe thats why we don't get the diesel?

**avbclark** · 04-01-2009, 03:29 PM

Jeep Service

I have to say the Jeep service at our local Jeep dealer (Spencer's in Heber City UT) is great. Small town, small town service. Even though we just moved there 4 years ago, they treat us like they've known us forever. Jason is the service manager. He calls me everytime the Jeep is in for routine maint. to let me know everything is fine. We drive 108 miles a day round trip to work. Change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles for $17.95. This is not just on the Jeep we bought from him, but also the 1999. I think it helps that the owner works in the service bays, which he did when his dad started the dealership. His son runs the front. If Jeep is still in business next time I will buy from Spencer's again.

**Wood_workur** · 04-01-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by jackellis

Actually, I do have one complaint about my Tacoma.

There wasn't an available diesel engine for it, even though Toyota offers a diesel nearly everywhere else in the world.

diesel is the environmentally friendly way of the future.

Toyota Service

Toyota Service

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