Good Toyota Dealer for Maintenance near Oakland, CA

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OaklandPrius @ Oct 24 2006, 11:36 PM) [snapback]337831[/snapback]</div>

I've used Berkeley Toyota since I bought my '05 there, but I can't recommend them. The service advisers lie ("we don't actually look at the brakes unless you buy this extra-cost package..."), don't keep promises about calling, and can be astoundingly rude and condescending for "service" personnel in a college town. However, to their credit they did NOT screw up my steering recall work.

My wife takes her 2000 RAV4 to Downtown Toyota on Broadway in Oakland and is generally satisfied with recent visits, though their prices curl my hair. When I was shopping for my Prius, the dealership there wasted my time trying to talk me into something else, but they -seem- to have gotten religion recently. I have not yet had my Prius in there for service.

The only good word-of-mouth I have heard is Toyota of Walnut Creek, but it is too far outside my normal travel patterns to work for me.

Am interested in any experiences with Ron Goode Toyota in Alameda, as they are my next best but untried option.

 

OaklandPrius -

Well... We bought ours last June in Walnut Creek. At that time they told us that they had the number one (1) Toyota maintenance shop in the nation. I only have 4100 on my odometer, so I can't personally testify. I have met a couple of service advisors & the head service manager. They do seem OK. Also the guys in parts are quite nice. Here is what a search turned up:





Toyota of Walnut Creek receives 2005 President's Award

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Toyota of Walnut Creek was named recipient of the 2005 Toyota Motor Sales President's Award. The 20th annual award was presented to a select group of dealerships across the country. It is the 10th year that Toyota of Walnut Creek has received the President's Award.

Toyota Motor Sales recognizes its finest dealerships with the prestigious President's Award. This is an honor given to those dealerships that have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining Toyota's high standards for customer satisfaction. In order to qualify as a President's Award winner, dealerships must excel in delivering great products and providing stellar customer care in all areas of dealership operations.

Toyota of Walnut Creek has also been recognized for ongoing community support with the Earth Day festival held at the John Muir national historic site. Families gather to enjoy exhibits, hands-on demonstrations -- including organic gardening and agriculture -- habitat protection, live music and art. In addition to helping underwrite the event, the dealership joined in the festivities by demonstrating the role hybrid vehicles play in today's efforts to preserve the environment. The dealership is recognized as a green business, using practices that conserve water, energy and other resources to protect the environment.

 

Any reason you're insisting on going to a dealer? As you can see from my location, I'm now on the opposite coast of the US, but I grew up in Oakland and my family always took cars to Art's Automotive in Berkeley. I see that they now have some focus on hybrids, so if I were still in the Bay Area, I'd definately take our Prius to them. They are probably not the absolute cheapest place you'll find for maintenance, but they are very fair and all around good guys. And, from the number of Prii that I've seen when I've visited home, it's clear that they have probably had lots of experience with working on them.

 

OaklandPrius -

Weelllll...

You posted some concern over going to Walnut Creek & trying to fit a maintenance visit into your schedule -

This will blow you away. I mentioned that they try harder to take care of their customers - - For one thing, they will buy you coffee & a Danish at a nearby restaurant when you go in for a service. Check out their hours of operation!

WALNUT CREEK TOYOTA - SERVICE DEPARTMENT - Phone: 925-933-7912 Fax: 925-938-7064
Monday - Friday 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM (That's MIDNITE!)
Saturday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OaklandPrius @ Oct 30 2006, 11:50 PM) [snapback]341109[/snapback]</div>

I really can't say enough good things about Art's. Of course, some people go to the dealer to feel "secure," and I don't think there's anything wrong with that if you're OK with paying the extra money. My understanding of the Magnuson-Moss Act (at least from what I've read on here) is that as long as the scheduled maintenance is completed, the car manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim, no matter who did the work. The dealer, another mechanic or you yourself. . . there's no difference.

On the other hand, there are many, many stories on here about dealers screwing stuff up or, at the very least, not doing things the way the (probably very picky) Priuschatters would like. Now, it happens that I have had nothing but good experiences with my dealer (Toyota of Wallingford; they gave us free oil changes for the first year since we bought the car from them, and we very well may keep going there since they have been so good), but there are some excellent mechanics outside of dealerships (despite what the dealers would have you believe).

 

Oakland on braodway is terrible. I had nothing but trouble from them with my cars. They do not check what they are meant to, they lied about brake lining, they did not repair (but I paid for it) air conditioning and compresser burned out...

I switched to Berkeley which is OK but Walnut Creek is excellent. I tried hayward they were fair but grim waiting room...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OaklandPrius @ Oct 29 2006, 04:44 PM) [snapback]340371[/snapback]</div>

If the checkout line is too long at Berkeley Bowl grocery, just announce that a Prius was damaged in the parking lot.That will clear the place out in a hurry.
My SO has used "Arts" for her Corolla and they are definitely honest.

 

Count me among the satisfied customers of Art's Automotive in Berkeley. We've taken our Toyotas to him for over fifteen years. It's always been a positive experience. Our new Prius is almost due for the 5,000 mile service. I'm delighted that they're servicing hybrid cars at Art's.

Owner Art is quite a character, much like the brothers on NPR's program Car Talk.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fphinney @ Oct 31 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]341134[/snapback]</div>

This isn't the East Bay... but I waited for my car to be serviced at Melody Toyota in San Bruno yesterday. At lunch time, they brought in pizza and beverages for all the people waiting! I don't think this something they do all the time but it sure was a nice touch!

 

Amidst this enthusiasm for Art's Automotive I'd like to suggest visiting their web site. Even those out of range for using their shop may learn something about Prius and other hybrid cars.

http://www.artsautomotive.com/