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Keene, VA Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Toyota policy gets more and more frustrating [chkman]

by theiglu on Sat Nov 15 15:25:28 PST 2008

Update: I was assigned a case manager at Toyota North America. Her name is Tiffany Bishop. I spoke at length with her yesterday. Explained my frustrations with the current situation and how the 100% KBB offer won't allow me to stay a Toyota customer (which is sad, being good longtime friends with the past president of TTORA-NE). Basically, she told me that an offer is at least 3 weeks away. She asked how my experience was so far in dealing with my dealership (which has been very positive so far, hats off to Toyota of Keene helping out with the loaner and being very respectful about this whole situation). She also mentioned that the offer also depends on if I was the original owner, if I've owned Toyota's before this one, etc. That alone frustrated me since I'm the second owner of this truck and I have never (and will never so far) buy a brand new vehicle due to price. I then explained nicely why I may not be able to stay a Toyota customer. This sums it up: - I get offered 100% KBB, which is about $10,300. I still owed $2300 on the truck. I've owned it for over 4 years. - I'd like to buy the same exact truck, but the new body style (Access cab, V6, Standard, TRD Off-Road Package, etc). I won't risk another rusty frame by getting the same truck that I had. - In New England, KBB for a 2006 with the exact options/specs with 35k miles on it is $17,300. Most are going for $4k-$8k MORE than KBB. - I told her, and I was being truthful, that if they give me KBB for my truck, I'd happily buy one from them for KBB. Not KBB + $5k. Just not fair and I can't afford new or to take another $13k loan out for a truck that MIGHT only last me 4 years again. - If KBB is the offer, where is the money going to come from to register the new vehicle? Even if I get a used old truck for $10,300, that's a $500 sales tax registration fee right there. Nevermind title, reg and inspection. If I go for a 2005+ and pay near $20k for it, that jumps the sales tax to $1000 here in MA. Once again, not something Toyota helps me with, and it adds to the out of pocket expense I'm having to deal with from owning a faulty Toyota truck. Finally, I asked if they were considering extending the program. She said they were due to the amount of people in the same situation as me. She then said that if I was going to take the offer they make, then in the future if they extend the program I'd be compensated the difference. I asked if I could get this in writing. She said they couldn't do that. I explained why I needed to have that statement in writing and she understood completely, just couldn't do anything about it. I talked to her for a good 45 minutes about the situation, the truck, the rust, the program, etc etc etc. I can't count the amount of times she said "I'm very sorry sir". I also know (and told her so) that she couldn't do anything different for me directly and it was up to the higher-ups in the company. I asked her to voice my concerns to them, I'm confident she will. She was typing the entire time I was speaking. She does this all day, every day. Feel bad for her and I'm sure she feels bad for people like us. I wouldn't want her job, that's for sure.

wheelman...

by iluvmysephia1 on Sat Nov 15 11:18:49 PST 2008

I'm already with ya on the Lee Iacocca thing. I can't think of a better guy in the nation to watch over the spending of the $25B...umm...I mean the $50B. Could $100B be that far off? This one is right up Lee Iacocca's alley! And I mean that with respect, after all, I have read Lee's autobiography. I was really impressed with his strategic vision, his intensity in following through on difficult projects, and his keen desire for the company he's working with to succeed. An incredible talent in the auto industry.

Re: Wow [sixfive]

by dallasdude1 on Thu Nov 13 18:38:45 PST 2008

There are also companies that are going to improve in a down cycle.. Right now your cllients are earning less than inflation. How long long are they putting up with that? Also my grandmother earns the same 8% yield on her stock whether it goes down or not. IF she were your client she'd be in the street with that 2% To put it in simple terms. Your $100 investment is worth $50 now. 8% of $100 was $8 and 8% of $50 is $4. Cook the books all you want but thats a loser. I can only agree that this is a great time to buy a home and or car. Buffet seems to think that cash is king also, and has managed to get himself great terms from these capital hungry industries. Your assumption is that the original principal will be back at some future date. It ignores the preservation of capital as a goal. Then remember the rule of 72, divide the rate of return into 72 and you more or less get the years it takes to double your money. IF she were your client she'd be in the street with that 2% You fail to factor in the 4 years in a row I weighted the energy services, energy, natural resources, and natural gas. Each year was worth 40% or more. Diversification is for the ignorant. So granny would be better off heeding the advice of someone knowledgeable in money management. True I did miss out on the real estate boom, other than my residences, which I sold and awaited for the opportune moment. I rented for three years. My feelings were that most of the baby boomer's had homes by this day in time. I saw no logic in the mania and or reason for a housing boom. Other than the normal run of the mill creation of new households, there was no economic reasoning whatsoever for the housing bubble. Oops, I almost forgot, I missed out on gold too. Again, I'm not too keen on uneducated guessing. Only on reasonable and sane rationalizing. it's not ethical to time the market I disagree and consider the market nothing but a betting pool. Much like Vegas. I'm seeing many correlations to Japan in this present down cycle. If anything I've seem many more unethical things in the Wall Street rumor mill which require SEC enforcement of present regulations.

Re: Toyota Frame Rust Buy-Back Program

by theiglu on Sat Nov 08 11:43:25 PST 2008

Update: Called Toyota of Keene, they got me in for the very next morning. Failed right away. The lady told me the night before to pull out all my things, swap tires if I had newer ones on it (luckily my friend has a Tundra with the same wheels and BALD tires). They gave me a loaner. They said the last 2001 owner they dealt with had to wait 99 days for his check but Toyota paid for the rental for the entire time. We'll see what happens. They even said I could go siphon the gas out of the tank (it was full to the brim). Now I'm driving around a new GMC Envoy that handles like an old toilet. Could be late January before I get my check. At least that's half a winters abuse that I won't have to put on a car I own. I really don't want to do anything legally until they make me an offer. If it's low, I'll fight. If they come through, I don't want them having bad publicity for it.

Re: LS Choice [ljflx]

by bmlexus on Wed Nov 05 17:08:59 PST 2008

It's been flawless and therein lies the problem as that reliability never makes you want to leave Lexus. Drove the LX and it is phenomenal and very luxurious (basically an LS460L in suv form That is why I am also so keen to get a Toyota Lexus, but thier suvs are to big for me. You are correct, the LX is a LS460 in a suv form, with a commanding driving position and great visibility. Have you tested the new cruiser, Its also very comfy and same body structure as the LX.

Re: 1995-2000 Toyota Frame Rust Buy-Back Program [theiglu]

by daleyplanit on Wed Nov 05 14:07:06 PST 2008

iglu - it seems you're in a rough spot. If it does fail inspection you will have to deal with toyota directly - not the dealer. Forget what Keene told you, Toyota IS doing buybacks on a case by case basis. I'm in the midst of one now. Though Toyota is NOT offering 150% the vlaue of these trucks like they are older models. You will not get what the truck is worth. Toyota didn't even give me the actual KBB (actually they haven't given me anything yet) I tried pleading with them and sending proof it was worth thousands more than they claimed. The sad thing is, that if you and others do nothing, Toyota won't begin another buyback. You could let the truck sit, but without pressure Toyota won't start the buyback program for your model year. Do yoruself a favor and start contacting folks I've listed earlier in this thread (4-5 posts back). It's too late for me, so I hope for other's sake that Toyota will begin provding ample care for 2001 and newer trucks (the expedited buyback at 150%, a loaner, dealer assistance, and credit towards a new Toyota). Lastly, start the buyback process. Toyota may pull the plug on this program. Get what you can, consider filing suit in a small claims court after you get you check, and DO NOT LET TOYOTA KEEP NEGELCTING 2001 TRUCKS. Help yourself and others, take 5 minutes a day, and send a letter to anyone and everyone who can help. I know three people in MA alone who are in the same position you are. Together, we can pressure Toyota into doing the right thing - taking these dangerous trucks off the road and giving owners a fair deal for their loss. Contact me directly if you need to. tacomarecall@gmail.com - catchy email, huh?! best of luck.