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  • carguy123

    March 10, 2010 9:26 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

    You'd think Toyoda dealers would be on their best behavior and anxious to find someone entering their showroom nowadays. Not so, at least near me.

    I'm looking for a PU and have been shopping all brands (the wife LOVES the Ridgeline except for $$$). I shopped Cheby, Dodge and Toyota this afternoon.

    At the Cheby and Dodge dealers there were multiple salesmen writing deals and people all over the lot looking at cars. At Toyoda I was it. As a matter of fact I was supposedly the only shopper they'd had in 2 days.

    The Cheby and Dodge dealers (plus the Ford dealer I shopped yesterday and the Honda the day before) look a little shop worn with papers, brochures and lots of little things out of place. At the Toyoda dealer everything was spic and span with nothing out of place. The brochures looked to be the province of a super Anal Retentive guy with everything aligned just so. You could tell they had plenty of time on their hands.

    They have SAFETY balloons floating everywhere and a big board saying that only .00000000000000000007% of all the Toyoda cars had problems.

    As I have at all the dealers I started out with I'm looking for a deal and I told them what I'd found elsewhere and then asked them what they had. All they showed me were trucks at a much higher price point and when I asked what kind of incentives they had they said none (and I quote) "They don't need any cause their cars are so much better than a" Ford/Honda/Cheby/ you name it.

    Then they had the gall to use resale value as a selling point! Their trucks and cars hold their resale value so much better than all the others that I'd actually make money to buy a Toyoda. They were actually quite snippy about it. I was very surprised at their attitudes and at the fact they have nothing to offer people to get them to buy.

    The surprise tonight was the Dodge. They've only got a 5 speed auto tranny and therefore get slightly lower gas mileage, but the feature sets they come with are the best so far. It was dark when I got to the Dodge dealer so I have to go back in the daylight and see how they are put together.

    I'm looking for a car/truck with emphasis on the car like qualities of the interior.

  • irish44j

    March 10, 2010 10:03 p.m. irish44j Reader

    carguy123 wrote:

    You'd think Toyoda dealers would be on their best behavior and anxious to find someone entering their showroom nowadays. Not so, at least near me.

    I'm looking for a PU and have been shopping all brands (the wife LOVES the Ridgeline except for $$$). I shopped Cheby, Dodge and Toyota this afternoon.

    At the Cheby and Dodge dealers there were multiple salesmen writing deals and people all over the lot looking at cars. At Toyoda I was it. As a matter of fact I was supposedly the only shopper they'd had in 2 days.

    The Cheby and Dodge dealers (plus the Ford dealer I shopped yesterday and the Honda the day before) look a little shop worn with papers, brochures and lots of little things out of place. At the Toyoda dealer everything was spic and span with nothing out of place. The brochures looked to be the province of a super Anal Retentive guy with everything aligned just so. You could tell they had plenty of time on their hands.

    They have SAFETY balloons floating everywhere and a big board saying that only .00000000000000000007% of all the Toyoda cars had problems.

    As I have at all the dealers I started out with I'm looking for a deal and I told them what I'd found elsewhere and then asked them what they had. All they showed me were trucks at a much higher price point and when I asked what kind of incentives they had they said none (and I quote) "They don't need any cause their cars are so much better than a" Ford/Honda/Cheby/ you name it.

    Then they had the gall to use resale value as a selling point! Their trucks and cars hold their resale value so much better than all the others that I'd actually make money to buy a Toyoda. They were actually quite snippy about it. I was very surprised at their attitudes and at the fact they have nothing to offer people to get them to buy.

    The surprise tonight was the Dodge. They've only got a 5 speed auto tranny and therefore get slightly lower gas mileage, but the feature sets they come with are the best so far. It was dark when I got to the Dodge dealer so I have to go back in the daylight and see how they are put together.

    I'm looking for a car/truck with emphasis on the car like qualities of the interior.

    When we bought our 4Runner two years ago the two large Toyota dealers here were both fairly slow (it was in the middle of the "economic downturn" and high gas prices). Honestly, it kind of annoyed me how the first dealer really would give us NOTHING of a deal, even though they admitted that they couldn't give away 4Runners and Sequoias for peanuts because of gas prices. We actually almost closed the deal but they refused to throw in a set of $100 floormats, even after I told them I'd walk if not, simply on principle.

    So I walked.

    Went to the 2nd dealer, who gave us the exact same vehicle, same color, same options, and floormats for $500 off the quoted price from the first dealer. They still played all their little dealer games, etc but at least they didn't try to act like we had no choice and had to buy their cars or no car.

    --

    2nd note:

    Two years later and with about 15,000 miles on it, our 08 4runner KBB and Edmunds "true market value" resale value is actually a few hundred dollars MORE than what we paid for it 2 years ago. I looked it up out of curiosity to see if the recalls would affect the non-recalled 4Runner.

    So I know neither of these stories does anything for you, but I'm bored

  • Appleseed

    March 10, 2010 10:04 p.m. Appleseed Dork

    Sounds like that dealership has been drinking the Toyota > all Kool Aid for so long they believe it.

  • irish44j

    March 10, 2010 10:06 p.m. irish44j Reader

    BTW, when we were shopping, we did look at other brands as well and none of the comparable body-on-frame SUVs in the price range had the features, quality feel, and car-like ride of the 4Runner SportEdition (which has the XREAS suspension, better for street driving)....

    Don't know if any Toyo pickups have XREAS, but worth loking into if you're not off-roading.

  • March 10, 2010 10:10 p.m. skruffy Dork

    I had the same experience shopping at a toyota dealer several years ago. I ended up buying a mazda from a chevrolet dealership.

    On a related note, did you guys know you couldn't get a Matrix XRS with the sport package 18" wheels and a sunroof. It's an either-or thing. The salesman had no idea why either. He also seemed to think making a deal to sell a toyota was the most hilarious thing he'd ever heard.

  • carguy123

    March 10, 2010 10:12 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

    I didn't see XREAS on anything, but it could have been there and I didn't get to see it. They really weren't all that interested in selling a vehicle which truly amazed me. You'd think they'd be falling down trying to convince anyone who came in that things weren't as they seemed, but they took a very passive approach with just the signs to acknowledge anything was wrong.

    The salemen used the same tactics and same lines as when things were good. They wanted to pretend nothing was happening.

    When Toyoda does start working on selling cars again instead of fixing problems they will have to really have a fire sale to get people's attention.

  • kreb

    March 10, 2010 10:21 p.m. kreb Dork

    I don't think this proves much other than that Japanese dealerships are just as likely to be full of asshats as the American ones. I remember having a Honda dealer refuse to let me test drive an Accord because he didn't think I was serious enough about buying. later that day I drove off in a shiny new... Rav-4 courtesy of some real nice Toyota folks.

  • zomby woof

    March 10, 2010 10:37 p.m. zomby woof HalfDork

    I bought a new truck 3 years ago. Nissan was #1 on my list, and GM was last. The Nissan dealer had little interest in my business.

    Looking for a 4 cyl., 5 spd.? 'Sure, we have this V8 extended cab auto.'

    At least they spoke to me. After 20 minutes on the lot, then 3 laps around the showroom, nobody at the Toyota dealership would even come out of their office to see me. The Mazda dealer? Make me wait 15 minutes in an empty dealership, tell me a bunch of lies, then not let me test drive a truck?

    I bought a GMC Canyon from the second GM dealer I saw, and I don't regret it.

  • pinchvalve

    March 10, 2010 10:40 p.m. pinchvalve UberDork

    My only Toyota dealer experience was back in 1990 looking at a Tercel EZ. Needless to say, I almost punched the salesman to get my keys back and wound up with a Civic.

  • pinchvalve

    March 10, 2010 10:40 p.m. pinchvalve UberDork

    "Asshat" is still making me laugh BTW.

  • mtn

    March 10, 2010 10:46 p.m. mtn UltraDork

    Not related to Toyota at all, but yesterday I was in our Acura dealership test driving a used Miata they had on the lot. It was amazing having them try to sell a 20 year old, a 20 year old, on a brand new Acura. Seemed to think daddy would buy it for me. But they couldn't respond to my "what do you have thats RWD and manual?"

    Also, what dicks they were in there if you ever decided to compare their car to a Honda. I clearly wasn't interested in any of their new vehicles, but was curious about one: The ZDX. I asked them "is this Acura's version of the Honda Crosstour?" They replied: Oh no, its completely different. Different frame, more powerful engine, its a completely different vehicle here. Ok. Right. shiny happy person.

  • JeepinMatt

    March 10, 2010 10:49 p.m. JeepinMatt HalfDork

    When I went to the Ford dealership, I kept telling them I was looking for a used 'stang with a V8 and manual combo only. The salesdude brushed off my comments and mentioned "oh my daughter loves her V6 automatic. You don't need a V8." Well to be honest, I don't need a V6/auto either. He got me in the darn golf cart so I didn't have a chance to get off. I kept saying I was not interested, I only wanted to look at V8s with stick. He just wouldn't listen, so when he stopped it by another pack of V6s, I just got off and told him politely "goodbye."

    Still, beats getting slammed up against a truck at the Chevy dealership when I asked to see their Camaro SS

  • JeepinMatt

    March 10, 2010 10:52 p.m. JeepinMatt HalfDork

    mtn wrote:

    Also, what dicks they were in there if you ever decided to compare their car to a Honda. I clearly wasn't interested in any of their new vehicles, but was curious about one: The ZDX. I asked them "is this Acura's version of the Honda Crosstour?" They replied: Oh no, its completely different. Different frame, more powerful engine, its a completely different vehicle here. Ok. Right. shiny happy person.

    I went with my parents a few years ago to help them pick out their new car. They were interested in the Magnum, so we took a look. Me and my dad had to stifle our laughter when the saleslady insisted that the Magnum SRT-8 was a Dodge Viper with a wagon body. "Oh, and that? It's exactly the same as a Dodge Viper, you know, the SRT. It has the same chassis, same engine, same transmission, same features. It's just more practical."

  • VanillaSky

    March 10, 2010 11:23 p.m. VanillaSky Reader

    I had an extremely good experience buying our Astra.

    I set up an appointment online to meet with a salesperson. I get there wearing my grease-stained (as it should be, dammit) GRM tee shirt. Turns out the salesman was a gearhead himself. He raced his old Saturn in D-Stock (I think). When he pulled the car up for the test drive, he pulled up the nicest he had in stock, which was an XR with leather and a 5 speed. It hit all the right buttons with me.

    The wife was looking specifically for an automatic. I talked her into learning a 5 speed because I told her we weren't going to be able to get such a good deal on any other car, and there aren't any available with automatics in the area (there weren't, 5 doors anyway).

    It's sad to see Saturn gone. That dealership experience was excellent.

  • mtn

    March 10, 2010 11:53 p.m. mtn UltraDork

    VanillaSky wrote:

    It's sad to see Saturn gone. That dealership experience was excellent.

    I agree with this. All the Saturn dealerships I've been to have been excellent. Thats saying something--its hard to get serious attention as a 16-20 year old.

  • rebelgtp

    March 11, 2010 12:08 a.m. rebelgtp Dork

    I can remember back when I was in high school and looking at cars I spent quite a bit of time on the used lots that specialized in european and classic cars. I thought it was really amusing when a salesman would tried to blow smoke about a car they knew nothing about. They would hate it when I would correct them.

    Even funnier was when salesmen would ignore me when I was in the lot because I was a kid so obviously I had no money right? I was working at the local Porsche dealer at the time as well, one of the dealers I went to knew me from the Porsche shop I worked at. He saw his salesmen ignoring me on the floor one day and he tore into all of them. He knew I was looking for a new car and that I had the cash to buy it. He was a good guy, the kind that tipped you $100 for doing a good job of washing his car .

    I have to agree the absolute BEST lots I have been on were Saturn dealers. They always had great people that knew what they were talking about and were polite

  • 93celicaGT2

    March 11, 2010 5:02 a.m. 93celicaGT2 UltraDork

    The local Toyota and Mazda dealers here are exceptional. I've had terrible experiences with the rest of them.

    Actually, i lied. I have had one bad experience at the Toyota dealer. I periodically go in to ask if they have or can find a 2000-2001 Celica GTS 6sp. Last time, some young kid (maybe my age) took that as an invitation to try to sell me a Scion.

    No thanks.

    "It's really just a new Celica, it replaced the Celica."
    "Sure, i'll roll with that. Unfortunately, i don't want it. It's not as good."

    And he wouldn't stop arguing about it. I literally told him to get bent, and then drove away in my Celica.

  • Raze

    March 11, 2010 7:11 a.m. Raze HalfDork

    I had a tough time with Honda, they especially didn't like how I mentioned I was shopping small trucks, i.e. ranger, frontier, tacoma, canyon, when I got to ridgeline the sales manager almost exploded on me. He said it was nothing like those other trucks, the other trucks were 'compact', while the ridgeline was 'fullsized'. I asked him if he knew if it was body on frame or unibody, "oh it's got a frame". I smiled and left.

    GMC dealer wasn't much better, they put me in a used canyon crew cab and the check engine light comes on, the salesman says "don't worry about that, one of our techs will clear it out". I pulled a U-turn back into the lot. Then one of the salesment asked me if i'd be interested in a 10 year old truck with spinners and blacked out tints on it saying "now that's a hot ride". I politely answered that it didn't fit my demographic, and finally walked out of there.

    Ford though was a different story, very polite, had the truck I called about waiting for me, drove it around and bought it in under an hour for the price I wanted, no hassle, not fuss, great service.

  • RossD

    March 11, 2010 7:13 a.m. RossD Dork

    I had a sales person try and tell me that the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky was front wheel drive. He looked like a tool and actually was a tool; fitting.

  • 93celicaGT2

    March 11, 2010 7:21 a.m. 93celicaGT2 UltraDork

    Raze wrote:

    I had a tough time with Honda, they especially didn't like how I mentioned I was shopping small trucks, i.e. ranger, frontier, tacoma, canyon, when I got to ridgeline the sales manager almost exploded on me. He said it was nothing like those other trucks, the other trucks were 'compact', while the ridgeline was 'fullsized'. I asked him if he knew if it was body on frame or unibody, "oh it's got a frame". I smiled and left.

    Speaking of Honda dealerships...

    I went and looked at a 2000 Celica GT-S at a Honda dealership.

    1) It had blatantly been in an accident. Some of the body panels didn't line up, there was wheel damage, the spot respray was pretty terrible.

    I pointed all of this out.

    "It's got a clean Carfax!!!"
    "That's great. I don't care. This car has been wrecked. I'll give you $4k for it."
    "We're asking $9k."
    "And you won't get it. I'll give you $4k."

    The salesman denied the wreck through the entire time i was there, and had the AUDACITY to blame the poorly aligned panels, and the horrible paint on:

    "Well, that's why we deal with Hondas here. The quality is much better, we're used to seeing better paint and assembly on OUR cars."

    I about burst a blood vessel. I pointed to the closest blue civic and said:

    "See that absolutely hideous orange peel? See how the REST of this Celica doesn't have any? Goodbye."

    They called me back 2 days later and offered me the car for $6k. I told them to take a hike.

    Shame. The car drove perfectly, and the interior was mint. I could have fixed everything wrong with it in an afternoon.

  • gjz30075

    March 11, 2010 7:24 a.m. gjz30075 New Reader

    This whole car salesman thing is still a sleaze ball game. They just don't learn.

    Thinking about it, I suppose I can extend this thinking to any salesman working on commission.

  • Adrian_Thompson

    March 11, 2010 7:27 a.m. Adrian_Thompson HalfDork

    93celicaGT2 wrote: Actually, i lied. I have had one bad experience at the Toyota dealer. I periodically go in to ask if they have or can find a 2000-2001 Celica GTS 6sp. Last time, some young kid (maybe my age) took that as an invitation to try to sell me a Scion.

    I was appalled at the Scion when I went to test drive it. I was really excited about the concept and went for a test drive as soon as then had a Tc on the lot and came away very disappointed. That's when I coined my tag line "Scion Tc for when you think you want a sports car but subconsciously lust after your mommy's mini van" Luckily my opinion is shared by at least two of my friends who work for Toyota (One owns a Mustang and an F250, the other a Miata and a Volvo wagon)

  • 93celicaGT2

    March 11, 2010 7:33 a.m. 93celicaGT2 UltraDork

    Adrian_Thompson wrote:

    93celicaGT2 wrote: Actually, i lied. I have had one bad experience at the Toyota dealer. I periodically go in to ask if they have or can find a 2000-2001 Celica GTS 6sp. Last time, some young kid (maybe my age) took that as an invitation to try to sell me a Scion.

    I was appalled at the Scion when I went to test drive it. I was really excited about the concept and went for a test drive as soon as then had a Tc on the lot and came away very disappointed. That's when I coined my tag line "Scion Tc for when you think you want a sports car but subconsciously lust after your mommy's mini van" Luckily my opinion is shared by at least two of my friends who work for Toyota (One owns a Mustang and an F250, the other a Miata and a Volvo wagon)

    Yep. I mean, i can see the potential, and it IS a nice comfy cruiser, and looks halfway decent, and the motor loves boost and blah blah blah.

    But why would i settle for that when i could spend less, and start out with a superior car in the 7th gen GT-S?

    That said, if i were forced to buy any new FWD car, budget limited to what a new Civic Si costs, i'd probably go with the tC, and blow the rest of my money on making it handle and adding a little power.

    But you're right. It's a combination of the Celica, Camry, and Sienna. And none of the good parts of any of them. It took its basic looks from the 7th gen celica (ugly), but none of the nimbleness. It took the powertrain from the Camry, but the weak motor. (Would have been VERY entertaining with the 2grfe stuffed in there) It took the feeling from the Sienna, but can't carry all the same stuff.

    Utterly uninspiring car in stock form.

  • hamburglar

    March 11, 2010 7:46 a.m. hamburglar New Reader

    Had a similar experience a few years back with the local Toyota dealer. Walked in with my old man, he was looking to test drive the new at the time FJ cruiser. We showed up in a Toyota minivan, purchased from them. We had also bought my Echo there less than a year prior, which they had on file. The salesperson who shall remain nameless had the gall to tell us that he would not let us test drive an FJ, because we also did not look serious.

    I know for a fact that he could of sold one that very afternoon. Old man ends up buying an Xterra almost next door.

    I think that these experiences are down to individuals rather than dealerships though.

  • racerdave600

    March 11, 2010 7:47 a.m. racerdave600 Reader

    reminds me of a story a guy I met in real estate told me. He was managing a new development of very expensive homes and said they always had people just coming by to take a look. most of the sales people there sized you up by what you drove up in and pawned you off on someone else if you didn't meet their approval. well, one day a scruffy guy road in on a bicycle and asked to take a look at some property. Everyone but one lone woman blew him off, but she reluctantly drove him around. he wanted to see a certain property but it was the most expensive, and finally she relented. He ended up buying it and the one next to it. Turns out it was Bill Gates. Guy claims it's true but who knows!

    I do know a guy that pulled into the local Dodge dealer after a ball game with his son in an old pickup. His son wanted to see the Viper GTS in the showroom. A salesman came up to him and basically told him to leave. he grabbed another young salesman walking buy and paid cash for the Viper at full list on the spot just to piss off the rude salesman. The guy owns a tech company in town. That is true. You should never judge someone by looks, you never know.

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