First service experience...

While I haven't taken in my Prius in for service yet, I didn't have a terrible dealer service experience when I had an old 91 Toyota Camry nor have my parents w/their 2 Toyotas.

But, yes, they're part of the same parent company, and well, the experience of the better service and more attractive dealerships are what you paid for when you bought a Lexus. :/

 

I think mileage varies on this (couldn't help the joke) .... I've owned several Toyotas and my local dealership has treated me well - not like a king, but overall solid, no nonsense service. I had a BMW before the Pruis and I was treated like a king when I walked in - but for the price of the car it's what I expected from them.

 

I had a Hyundai for 4 yrs. They were very good on customer relations. Perhaps you can go to a different dlr. next time. Or if you could go to the highest person in that dealership and complain about how you were mistreated. I can't stand anyone talking down to me! :angry:

 

just cause you bought at one dealer doesn't mean you have to do service there- find a place you like. each service center has its own "personality" and apparently this one wasn't the one you want to deal with.

lexus springs a lot more money for facilities, employee pay, equipment etc- it's reflected in the $80 oil change and gets worse from there...

check out recommendations here on PC- there are a number of service experiences posted here. good luck

 

My previous car was a Honda Civic. The Honda dealer treated me like royalty! Free new-owners seminar, always got offered a loaner, even for just a half-hour oil change, etc. I've heard (I do not know this for certain) that the head man, Mr. Honda (if that's his name) imposes strict rules about the treatment of customers.

Toyota and Lexus are owned by the same parent company, but must be under different management. Because Toyota seems to leave customer relations entirely to the individual dealer.

The Fargo dealer (Corwin - it's the only Toyota dealership in Fargo) used to have a really bad reputation, but by the time I bought my Prius (delivery was January, 2004) they had cleaned up their act. The buying experience was good, and I was treated acceptably by the service department. But no loaners. Long wait for the courtesy car, and then a roundabout drive.

When I moved here to Spokane somone on PriusChat recommended Downtown Toyota (over the closer Appleway Toyota). At Downtown Toyota I've been treated well and they always wash my car.

Sounds like you are in the megalopolis, so you ought to have numerous dealerships to choose from. Ask around (here on PC) and someone ought to be able to recommend an acceptable dealership, or if you're lucky, a good one. Toyota really missed the boat on customer relations, but there are individual dealerships that will treat you well.

 

Here's a vote for a good Dallas dealer (Toyota of Richardson) If you're in the Dallas area, PM me and I'll direct you to the knowledgable Svc. Manager. By the way, I did not buy my Prius there.

I've had 3 occasions to have my Prius servced by this dealer, with very good service and results.

Minor electrical problem (dash lights) early on - no charge - fixed in an hour.

Installation of my provided body side mouldings - no charge - fixed in 45 minutes.

15,000 mile service - to MY SPECIFICATIONS: They used my oil ( 3½ qts Mobil-1 5W30), their filter, rotated tires (my pressures 40/38), SSC-50P ECU programming, brakelight switch replacement, Texas State Inspection. Total bill $80.43. Car was washed and service reasonably prompt.

Minor glitches: State Inspection - they set my headlights low beams somewhat too high (Got flashed by oncoming motorists), and even though the SSC-50P and Brakelight Switch replacement were recalls, they did not furnish a replacement car. I did reset the headlights myself using instructions in the manual (PM me for tips on this procedure if you want.)

 

Just for the record... I owned a Mercedes CLK320 here in the S.F. Bay Area. I took it to three dealers during the time I owned it, and was treated like CRAP at all of them. I've NEVER had poorer service from any company -- and this was from ALL THREE M-B dealers in my area. The only way the Toyota dealer could be worse is if he left bruises after servicing me.

 

Yes, when mine reached 5,000 I went to Frank's Toyota in National City. It was fast, but they didn't even change the inflation when rotating the tires (I ended up with 40 in front and 42 in rear). Plus they reset the A/C to an amusing, but rude, 69 degrees.

At 10,000 I went to Kearny Mesa Toyota based on Godiva's suggestion. I'll probably go there for my 15,000, which is coming up.

 

I would love to start a thread about service availability in the L.A. area, both from dealers as well as independents. I took mine to Santa Monica Toyota for its 5k service. They did not have an attitude -- but I do figure that an oil change and tire rotation for $90 could come with a car wash.

Also, I have an independent garage that does work on Toyota products (kept my old Lexus going far longer than it had a right to). They tell me that they have sent two mechanics to get certified on the Prius but they indicate that they are having a heck of a time with Toytoa. Is Toyota dragging its feet to certify mechanics?

Ted

 

Does this mean I can go to a Lexus Dealership for my Prius services?

 

Whoa, so that's what I've missed by not owning a MB. My dealer has only serviced the car. They've never serviced me B).

 

no, they're just insanely picky. in. sane. ly. pick. y.

DH is finishing his prereq's for prius training.

4 weeks of major training (edit: to clarify, that's one week a month for 4 months), tons of online classes, at least five 2-day training classes, 2 years of service for the dealer, finishing up his Toyota Master cert, then they'll send him to Prius school. they'd like to have him certified by the end of 06.

oh yeah. and you can't do any of that until you're an ASE Master.

geez!

 

WOW I'm glad my local Toyota dealer is pretty decent. Oil Changes are $21.95 with their coupon. They don't bug you with these 10k, 15k ect. service pacakages. They even thank you for your business when you leave.

 

--Sigh-- where I live, Toy dealerships are 100 mi apart, and there are not enough Pri for independents to get certified techs. I'm quite nervous about my forthcoming 1st 5000 check.

I'm thining about the prepaid maintenance plan (PMP), just to control costs, although the dealer can still charge me anything he wants for parts & or labor to install them. Attitude - remains to be seen.

The PMP would lock me into Toyota, but there is no-where else here, and I doubt there will be for a couple of years, going by Galaxee's description of traiing requirement, so it probably doesn't matter. S NM is not Prius country.

(I started another thread on the economics of PMP recently)

If there is anyone out there with dealer experience in S NM, or El Paso, I would like to hear about it. It may be worth a 100 mi round trip for dependable service.

C

 

Thanks for the info. It sounds like Toyota is at least being consistent. The time frame is about what my independent shop quoted me -- and it should be just around the time my warranty is over.

Ted

 

I'm from Silver City, NM. I just recently purchased my Prius from Scott Nichols Toyota right here in Silver. There are so many Prii here that their mechanics are certified! Depending on how close you are to Silver, I'd suggest calling the dealership 538-3777 and talk to Ray Davis (salesperson). Tell him you are having some concerns about your upcoming 5000 mile check and that even though you didn't purchase your car from Scott Nichols you have heard rave reviews about their service on PC (a close friend and owner of a 2005 white pkg 8 had to have the undercarriage of her car completely redone after driving it only 40 miles because she damaged it while avoiding a deer--Scott Nichols mechanics did all of the repair and she is very happy). Tell him that Cynthia suggested that you call and talk to him about getting the service done in Silver City.

If you are in or near Cruces, it's a great drive to Silver and an even better one back to Cruces cause it is all downhill...

Let me know how it goes!

 

Good to know, I live in TO too.

 

Thank you Gilahiker - (great country!). Advice greatly appreciated.

I'm near Alamogordo, so SS is a good distance, but I sometimes go to Deming - so it's a good possibility. And I don't mind an excuse to go to Silver City. Didn't know it was a Prius town. (Not sure about driving the Prius through the Gila dirt roads, though).

(A S NM/ElPaso owners group would be nice to exchange info on local services, prices, and maybe even rallies.)

I'm going to ask some dealers some tough questions before I give them my business. Suggestions for telling questions, anyone?

C