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View Full Version : z6joker9 vs The Dealer: Round 1


z6joker9
03-27-2002, 07:43 PM
Check this one to get the background info

http://newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14935

I decieded to start a new one here, because it was getting long and i figured it doesn't belong in aftermarket mods.

I went to the dealer today. They were still pulling the BS about my exhaust valve was blown, that's the reason i have no compression, and they wont cover it because it says on my 100k extended warrenty that it's not covered because it's under normal wear and tear. However i asked them to show me where it stated the same thing in the basic 60k powertrain warrenty, which of course they could not do.

They still insisted on $1200 to rip it open and fix it. So i called Toyota of America(1-800-331-4331 for anyone who may also need it) and told them the situation. They spent a good 45 minutes on the phone with me, and finally asked to speak with the service manager.

As it turns out, they never opened up the block to look at the exhaust valve. They were guessing so they have NO idea what broke, and whether or not it's covered. They were just guessing so now they say they'll have to open it up completely and diagnose the problem, and if it's covered then everythings covered, if not it'll cost around 1200 to fix, or $900 to just put it back together and give it back to me(diaganostic fee)

Toyota of america talked to me again and said the dealership is going to be investigated and the dealer will get some info in the morning, of which will let them know they have three business days to get in touch with me about this. If I dont get a call by Monday, I am to call Toyota USA back and give them my case number, and let them know.

So what should i do? I atleast got to the point of where I have a chance of them covering it under warrenty. Now i have to deciede whether i should risk it, let them open it up and see what they'll blame the problem on and whether it's covered, or just say no and figure out something else to do to it.

If they do open it up, i guess i have the chance that's it's covered. If they say it's not, then i could always argue that right? I mean everything in there should be covered, and i dont have any big mods that would cause this kinda problem(intake, aem alt pulley, and TRD exhaust, powerchip not installed right now and never tuned). I know they'll play the "aftermarket mods void warrenty" card, because they've already said that. Anyone got the info about that being illegal?

Any help, advice, or input would be greatly appreciated.

2002GT_Celica
03-27-2002, 07:47 PM
All I can say is good luck. Some dealers are complete assholes about aftermarket mods, I know mine is. They told me that if I don't keep the stock taillights, I could void my warranty. But what you are experiencing is much worse. I would consider contacting a lawyer if they don't agree to cover the damage because of your warranty.

z6joker9
03-27-2002, 07:51 PM
I have already been keeping my lawyer up to date... dont worry, i'm saving him for the last round :)

GTS LAID
03-27-2002, 08:24 PM
me and lou had a situation at the dealer today too... they stole his wheel lock ... hahahahahhaa ...

bastard
03-27-2002, 08:30 PM
that bent valve crap is bull****. i mishifted my car and bent like 4 exhaust valves and still had 30% compression in that cylinder. yeah thats not it bro...

2002GT_Celica
03-27-2002, 08:41 PM
Originally posted by z6joker9
I have already been keeping my lawyer up to date... dont worry, i'm saving him for the last round :)

Smart move, man...

dragonfrog
03-27-2002, 11:20 PM
dayam. sorry ahmed. u should come down here. my dealership does all sorts of cool crap. they absolutely love my intake, exhaust, the entire setup. in fact, they encouraged me to get a turbo in there, and they'd still help me out.

when i had finished installing my springs, i was tightening the last bolt on my passenger strut mount. or that's what i though. i broke the stud clean through. the assistant service manager hooked me up and got it covered under warranty, even though i didn't have the stock nut (which doesn't fit if you have an apr strut bar).

z6joker9
03-28-2002, 05:13 AM
thanks guys... bryan you got mail, looks like i may come visit you and your dealer :)

jotan82
03-28-2002, 05:20 AM
dang i hate dealers... they wouldn't even give my car an oil change cuz i had an APR wing and a TRM exhaust

autxr
03-28-2002, 05:45 AM
At this point I would take it somewhere else for service. Now that you have Toyota on these guys (and evidently effectively so), it is time to head elsewhere.

Unfortunately it is a small world so the other dealerships will likely know you are coming.

For some reason Mechanic B thinks Mechanic A should get a chance to right his wrongs, I disagree and say if you screwed up once you will screw up again. Even so, the new shop will not like being the next guy...

Tell Toyota USA that they should arrange a proper service elsewhere for you...

Scott

fastest1
03-28-2002, 07:34 AM
i am in thorough agreement with autox, call toyota back and let them know that the relationship between a mechanic and customer has to be trust based and you can obviously no longer trust the first dealership.

my expectation would be for toyota service to arrange for the work to be done elsewhere and explain why to the new dealer. I have found that more dealers are anxious to right the other dealer's wrong and get your business under their roof than not.

Zorn
03-28-2002, 08:40 AM
Originally posted by z6joker9

I atleast got to the point of where I have a chance of them covering it under warrenty. Now i have to deciede whether i should risk it, let them open it up and see what they'll blame the problem on and whether it's covered, or just say no and figure out something else to do to it.

If they do open it up, i guess i have the chance that's it's covered. If they say it's not, then i could always argue that right? ....I know they'll play the "aftermarket mods void warrenty" card, because they've already said that.

Wait for the call until Monday - then call ToyUSA if they haven't called you. Let the dealer diagnose it (hoping it's under warranty). If they say it isn't - call ToyUSA back and talk to them for another few 45 min sessions.

When you say 'they' will play the aftermarket void / do you mean the dealer? or ToyUSA? - that makes a huge difference. As long as you have Mother on your side you should be in good shape. Either way - you need this fixed right? Just fight for your right the whole way. The rest is fate.

Zorn
03-28-2002, 08:43 AM
Originally posted by jotan82
dang i hate dealers... they wouldn't even give my car an oil change cuz i had an APR wing and a TRM exhaust

DAMN! That sucks dude... my Toyota Service Rep loves me coming in to see what I have done to my car - we sit & chat about my mods while my car gets it's checkup. - we talk intake / exhaust / body kits / wings / wheels / blah blah blah.....very cool - but this is Cali & they see this stuff all of the time. sorry man.

HilfigerCelica
03-28-2002, 09:44 AM
There should be no reason you have to pay for labor. When I got my belt tensioner replaced, did I or anyone else have to pay for labor? No. That's just total BS.

Hey Ahmed don't forget to invite me when you go to Brian's dealer.

z6joker9
03-28-2002, 10:24 AM
i only pay for the labor if they do open it up and it's not covered, even if i dont want it fixed. if i do deciede to go to bryan's dealer then we'll make a party out of it.

btw, it's the dealer that's gonna try that... they've already mentioned it when i brought out my points

dragonfrog
03-28-2002, 12:37 PM
sweeeeeeeet. party time!

J3adSeed
03-28-2002, 07:30 PM
dude, DON'T LET THEM TOUCH YOUR CAR. didn't they lie to you and say they looked at it when they were just "guessing." they just "guessed" it was a part that wasn't under warranty. its obvious they will do anything they can to say its not under warranty. i'd never let them touch my car. you'll either get:
a)they find an excuse to say whatever damage isn't covered
b)they lie and say something else is wrong. how would you really know?
c)they screw with your car and break something on purpose and then say that its not covered.
d)they can't get around not fixing it under warranty so they fix it and possibly screw with something else
e)your best case: they do fix it and do a really half-ass job.

selika2000
03-28-2002, 08:02 PM
Damn, the Precision Toyota in Tucson is awesome. A lot of young guys work there who love aftermarket stuff for cars. Whenever I go through, they just flock to my car, I think it's also because I am a girl too.

My service guy is awesome too! He orders me ****, plus Stacy who is over her mile limit. :)

I'm sorry to here this z6joker9.. good luck though and keep us updated :)

z6joker9
03-29-2002, 08:43 AM
i'm trying to call them so i can tell them that i'm going to pick my car up today and take it elsewhere, but my cell wont work :mad: :mad: :mad:

Coolwheels00
03-29-2002, 07:39 PM
We Atl. peeps have a dealer we all go to also. They have never said anything about mods voiding warranty. I just had my belt tensioner, door panel, shifter sqeak fixed this past week and they were happy to work on it. Cody (Skatamatic) is having to get his tranny replaced at the same dealer and he has tons of mods. They all know us there and they also know about this website so they are real cool. z6joker9...bring your car over here if ya have too.