Very disturbing experience with Toyota dealer

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: THafeez
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Yeah I have my fair share of slimy dealership stories too.

But this past summer I took my Camry in for an alignment at a Toyota dealer. They didn't try to upsell me anything. I was sitting there waiting for the list but none came.

How much did the alignment cost? I've been avoiding getting it done at the dealership cuz of cost and front end shops because most in my area aren't too honest.
$99, plus shop fees and tax it was $112.97

Worth every penny though, they got it spot on.

 

[Ifixyawata]

Originally Posted By: mclasser
Yeah, I'd NEVER take such an old car to the stealership.


You think that's crazy? My FIL bought a 70k mile '94 Camry a couple years ago and has since spent more than what he paid for the car to have various repairs done at the dealer; I think one of the heavy hitters was a catalytic converter and exhaust down pipe section replacement. I told him a year ago that he already has more in the car than it's worth.

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: teddyboy
A month or so ago a door handle broke. It was just over $100 to repair so I decided to get it fixed, the dealer was the only real option.


If it's the external door handle there are better quality aftermarket ones available cheaply painted the right color on eBay.

I'm specifically referring to this handle:

https://www.amazon.com/Depo-312-50011-122-Toyota-Replacement-Exterior/dp/B003ZWHLCU/
Depo 312-50011-122 Toyota Camry Front Driver Side Replacement Exterior Door Handle
Price: $9.75
That would be for a black one on Amazon. They also sell them in black plastic unpainted at auto parts stores as well, but I bought one painted to match based on the car's color code and it was a perfect match. It was also easy to install. One thing is that the OE one used wood screws to hold it in and I could not reuse then because the aftermarket one used M6 machine screws.


Thanks for the tip on the door handle. This was an interior handle so I don't think that your source would be an option. I'm going to link your source for future reference as anyone who has owned one of these cars knows, breakage among the exterior handles is pretty common.

 

[exranger06]

A wrong, more expensive diagnosis could've happened at any shop, even an independent one. It never hurts to get a second opinion, no matter where the first diagnosis came from. And if you don't want the dealer poking around your car looking for other things to upsell you, tell the service writer that when you get there. A few months ago, I took my 99 Explorer with 219k miles to the dealer to have the computer reprogrammed. I had to tow it there because it wouldn't start, and because it had a massive coolant leak that I hadn't gotten a chance to fix yet, so I also had to tow it out of there when they were done. It also had numerous other issues that were on my to-do list. So I told the service writer that it has many issues, I'm aware of all of them, I just want you guys to reprogram the computer today and that's it. I'm going to fix all the other issues myself when I have time, so if you don't want the tech to waste his time and skip the inspection, that's fine with me. And so they skipped the inspection, didn't try to upsell me on anything, and they did a great job fixing what I asked them to.

 

[bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: teddyboy
Thanks for the tip on the door handle. This was an interior handle so I don't think that your source would be an option.


25 seconds on RockAuto found me a large assortment of interior door handles for your Camry, with prices ranging from $2.68 to $25.79.

BC.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
A wrong, more expensive diagnosis could've happened at any shop, even an independent one. It never hurts to get a second opinion, no matter where the first diagnosis came from. And if you don't want the dealer poking around your car looking for other things to upsell you, tell the service writer that when you get there. A few months ago, I took my 99 Explorer with 219k miles to the dealer to have the computer reprogrammed. I had to tow it there because it wouldn't start, and because it had a massive coolant leak that I hadn't gotten a chance to fix yet, so I also had to tow it out of there when they were done. It also had numerous other issues that were on my to-do list. So I told the service writer that it has many issues, I'm aware of all of them, I just want you guys to reprogram the computer today and that's it. I'm going to fix all the other issues myself when I have time, so if you don't want the tech to waste his time and skip the inspection, that's fine with me. And so they skipped the inspection, didn't try to upsell me on anything, and they did a great job fixing what I asked them to.


Some dealers are okay once they figure out you know what you are talking about. Others will try to get you for as much as they can. Had an ex that knew nothing about cars and they told her she needed a new engine, which was not the case at all. It's sad really, and unfortunately not just limited to car dealerships. The consumer must educate themselves as much as possible before buying anything or paying for any type of services.

 

[ls973800]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
If they were fixing the door handle, how'd they come up with the idea that the transmission has an internal seal leak ?


He actually addressed that in his original post

It was just over $100 to repair so I decided to get it fixed, the dealer was the only real option. I was due an oil change so I decided to go ahead and let the dealer do it rather than take it to my independent garage.

While up on the lift they must have spotted the "leaking" transmission fluid.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Ifixyawata
My FIL bought a 70k mile '94 Camry a couple years ago and has since spent more than what he paid for the car to have various repairs done at the dealer; I think one of the heavy hitters was a catalytic converter and exhaust down pipe section replacement. I told him a year ago that he already has more in the car than it's worth.


That's too bad since I discovered an excellent muffler shop recently. Even some dealerships send cars there. One place wanted to charge me for a new converter saying it was very common on the Matrix to rust out in the front of it. Took it to this place and they put a new flange/gasket for $50 with a one year warranty. The place was super busy and everyone in a good mood because they appreciate the place. Free estimates and a nice mom and pop type operation.

Also saw a 1994 Tercel at the dealer that had some paperwork sitting on the passenger seat. A new muffler, pipe and other hardware was installed at the same place I went to for $140. Mufflers get a lifetime warranty.

http://www.affordablemufflerinc.com/

 

[punisher]

Originally Posted By: teddyboy
On my invoice the tech noted that I had "an internal transmission seal leak" that would be just over $2000 to fix. Never mind the complete idiocy in doing $2000+ repair to a 300K miles transmission (you'd do a complete rebuild instead).


Chances are you got caught in the "winter doldrums" that most shops endure this time of year. My domino and spades skills dramatically improved during the winter as I sat waiting on the next RO from dispatch. Techs tend to nitpick cars for work this time of year; however.......

When I see "an internal transmission seal leak" I tend to think a leaking servo, apply piston, or valve body, not something that is USUALLY fixable externally. Maybe someone felt something odd during a shift. Who diagnosed that internal leak? Not going to trust a lube guy on something like that.

Sometimes owners are oblivious to problems that creep up/increase incrementally. Running back through my dealership time regarding concerns I found while working on vehicles in for "something completely different",....Flaring shifts (AOD), torque converter (4R70W), clogged cats, really potentially lethal front end/steering problems, soooo many brake issues, ignition/spark plug issues, and tire concerns where blowouts were just waiting to happen. Sometimes, once in awhile, a dealership may not be looking to break it off in you....but then again, it is winter.

 

[ARB1977]

Reasons why you should learn your car. Saved hundreds of dollars doing maintenance myself. Purchase a factory service manual.

 

[MCompact]

The only non-maintenance items my dealer has found on my 1995 3er was a set of worn LCABs at 133k miles- which was more than reasonable. My SA even noted that replacement could actually be postponed, but I had an HPDE coming up and I wanted everything to be right.

 

[Driz]

I stay far away fromStenalerships. If I can't do it myself I go to the local independent guy I actually trust.

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Reasons why you should learn your car. Saved hundreds of dollars doing maintenance myself. Purchase a factory service manual.


Your statement assumes two facts not in evidence. First that I could read the manual and second that I would have the mechanical ability to perform the maintenance myself.

 

[javacontour]

I've done both interior and exterior door handles on Toyotas. In fact, the exterior was one of the four items that broke on our 277k mile 2002 Camry.

I did an interior handle on my 1994 Geo Prizm (Corolla with a GM badge) and they are reasonably easy.

These are the sorts of repairs the owner can do and leave the dealership or independent garage out of it.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
If they were fixing the door handle, how'd they come up with the idea that the transmission has an internal seal leak ?


Digging for gold I call it. My goal when buying a new car is to stay as far away from the dealership as possible with it until I need to buy another car. Old car for repair, unless its under some kind of warranty they'll never see me in the service area.