Minor/Major Problems with TRD and Dealers

[Acilec]

Alright, I'm a little pissed off today. I can't stand these dealers using the TRD name to sell their products at a higher cost. Get this, I was at my dealer today in Orlando, Florida (Toyota of Orlando) and I asked how much it would cost for a TRD exhaust. I also asked if I could buy the exhaust direct from TRD or another place (like Partznet.com) and have them put it on for me while at the same time maintaining my warranty. Well, the answer I got back pissed me off royally. First of all, the TRD exhaust installed would cost me around 1,124 dollars.


$1,124 dollars??????????? WHAT THE FOCK!!!!! I confirmed with the manager and the dumbass behind the counter wasn't lying. I laughed in their faces. Then they told me that I would have to order it and have it installed by them in order to maintain the warranty!!!!!! This is total bullcrap!!! What the hell is wrong with this?????? A TRD part is a TRD part! Is this a Toyota thing? I sure hope not.

Tell you what, I'm checking other dealers and if they tell me the same crap they have lost a TRD fan and a customer. Anyone else have problems with this? I still want a TRD exhaust but I also want to keep my warranty.

I know this is prbabyl a dealer forum question, but since it involves warranty I figure I would post it here.

Best regards to you all,

Fin

[Blue Bomber]

There is no way an exhaust can void your warranty. It can't cause any problems with the engine or transmission or any other mechanical part. The worst it could do is burn your rear bumper if it's not centered properly. You should just buy it and install it yourself. I hear it's not very hard to do at all (remove a few bolts and take the old exhaust off the hangers).

[ringthree]

This problem is wholy and completely the dealers fault. Dont blmae TRD or Toyota for this problem. Try going to another dealer. Also consider that the dealer charges a ton for labor time. Any performance shop will be able to beat the Toyota install price.

[Acilec]

Ringthree,

Thanks for the clear up. So what you're saying is, is that if I buy the part and bring it to a non-dealer place, the warranty will still be good? I'm not blaiming TRD, but it would be easier for TRD to have a website with firm prices that everyone, including dealers, should adhere to. But, it's an unfair world I guess.

Thanks.

Fin

[MarkyMark]

I would never pay $1124 for that twisty piece of sh*t....TRD can suck it. Their prices are terrible, and they offer nothing of real interest for the celica, and never will in the future, either.

[ringthree]

No actually I think that you would have to hav a toyota dealer install the exhaust, BUT keep in mind that the warrenty on all TRD parts is 1 year and thats it. You arent going to have a problem in that time truthfully. So paying the extra for the Toyota install isnt worth it in my opinion.

[Acilec]

Hey Ringthree, got any pictures of your car? I've got a 2001 Carbon Blue GT and I'm interested in the Wings West kit, I haven't seen what it looks like on a Carbon Blue car, e-mail me if you wish. Thanks.

Marky-mark, yeah, I may as well go with a Kazuma exhaust and go through less hassle for less money, but I still want to see if it's possible to maintain the warranty without going to the fricken dealer.

Thanks to you both,

Fin

[MarkyMark]

I'm against all aftermarket exhausts...my feeling is that if you're going to get an exhaust, get a custom made straight piped one :)

[nxracer]

For $1123 I'll drive down from Chicago with a TRD exhaust and install it for you

Lets see $450 in parts
3/4 hour (max) labor
Gas
Drive time
Probably still clear 3 of 4 hundred

[David Draper]

Wow! The most expensive exhaust I've got is the GT-S extended, and even that is only $579!

Hmmm...$500 for two screws...I thought you went to a dealership, not a strip club! :D

Okay seriously.

The warranty works thusly:

I purchase a TRD part, I install it, it has a one year warranty.

If I have it installed, I'm paying for labor, so I get a warranty on the labor too.

That's the only difference!

As for nullification of warranty (even on non-TRD parts), they have to prove that the modification caused the failure.

In other words, "You have clear corners, that's why your engine blew up" is not going to cut it.

At any rate, the install is easy, and if you want a good price, try http://www.wctoyotasport.com/TRD

Thanks,
David

[Acilec]

Thanks David for the advice and website, good prices indeed. Also, thanks for clearing up the warranty issue, I have a much better feeling about purchasing it myself over the net and then having someone or myself install it with no worries. This is exactly why I come to this forum, you guys are a credit to the Celica Society!

Anyway, let me know if I can do anything for you. David, how's the Turbo coming along? I'm glad I bought a GT to say the least. I would be one of the many that would be interested in the kit next year. Gotta save a little.

Take care,

Fin

[AkUmA]

dont buy any thing from the dealer, they'll rip you off...
i talk to the the guy's a toyota of melborne about the exhaust when i first got the car, and they quoted me $680 (exhaust) and $75 to install. crazy!... so i ordered online got it for $460-480 i believe, and my brother's girlfriend knows a tech for toyota/lexus and he did the install in he's spare time at toyota. i even got a work order so if the install or what not goes bad. i can take it in and get it fix'd for free.

but man toyota of orlando must be hurt'n, charge'n that much... i wonder what they mark up there cars... :rolleyes:

[Acilec]

Hey Akuma, good to see you're still on here. Too bad we never got talking at the last meet. I was with the Jacksonville crew primarily. I think if the last meet was organized better, everyone would have known who was who :-)

Anyway, you got a good deal with your friend. The mark-ups on the Toyotas in Orlando are about the same as in Melbourne, I checked out both places. Orlando gave me a pretty good deal. But they obviously make their money on parts!

Anyway, let me know what's up. I'll be in Melbourne this weekend most probably. Let me know if you have any plans. There is also a meet in Orlando this Friday night if you're interested. E-mail me for details.

Take care,

Fin

[LEAVECIVICSINTHEDUST]

Yeah, Toyota of Orlando sucks!! They gave me the same price for the TRD exhaust, ridiculuos! I also got into an argument with one of them before I bought my GTS, about how the guy was telling me that the hp. was 160 and its max speed was 180. Retards! And they wouldnt even talk to me about trying to get me a GTS shipped there at a fair price, so I went to Jacksonville(where my parents live) and got one there.

[donkeyponkey]

I have a really cool guy in the service dept. at the toyota dealership where i bought my car. I got the trd exhaust for $477 and $75 install. those guys in orlando suck. You should come get it installed here in bradenton(close to sarasota), i'll back up the installation fee for you.

[gsport]

sorry about your bad experience with your dealer. but i would never rip my customers off, i want them to come back and see me. i work for a dealer in hawaii and would never think of ripping my customers off. even my enemies i wont raise the price just charge em retail. youre lucky though you could drive a few miles and buy it from another dealer.:cool:

[Acilec]

Hi Gsport,

Why can't all the dealer people be like you :-) Not too many fair people out there, but at least there are some :-) I must move to Hawaii!

Donkeyponkey, as soon as I get one (probably early next year), I'll keep your e-mail! Thanks for the advice.

Take care,

Fin

that is total bull crap. first of all the exhaust (depending on whether you go with th extended or non) costs 600 and change. i read on another toyota dealership's website that if you have installed yourself or by someone else the warranty is still good a year.

you should check out the toyota dealership in west covina, ca. they have a bunch parts for celi at awesome prices. i'm planning on getting my trd springs from them for $174. only downfall is that you have to have it shipped. and if they wanted to charge you extra for labor that's also bullcrap because it shouldn't take you more than a half hour.

now the question is where they were talking about the exhaust or a full cat-back system. the cat is supposed to come out sometime in dec. so be really clear on your question. good luck kiddo.

Luna (like the moon)

[oldster]

Originally posted by Jusone36
that is total bull crap. first of all the exhaust (depending on whether you go with th extended or non) costs 600 and change. i read on another toyota dealership's website that if you have installed yourself or by someone else the warranty is still good a year.

you should check out the toyota dealership in west covina, ca. they have a bunch parts for celi at awesome prices. i'm planning on getting my trd springs from them for $174. only downfall is that you have to have it shipped. and if they wanted to charge you extra for labor that's also bullcrap because it shouldn't take you more than a half hour.

now the question is where they were talking about the exhaust or a full cat-back system. the cat is supposed to come out sometime in dec. so be really clear on your question. good luck kiddo.

Luna (like the moon)

There are many, many places with the exhaust under 600. The sport exhaust is a cat back system, are they coming out with another in Dec.?

[HilfigerCelica]

Just do the install yourself. You're suppose to be a car enthusiast. The feeling of doing your own installs are priceless. It took me a little over an hour cause the rubber hangers were so stubborn. But it's easy.

to my understanding, i had been explained to that the trd exhaust that is advertised everywhere is just a muffler and tip replacement as opposed to an entire cat back system. is the sport exhaust something different? is that the cat back? if so, where can i find one?

[oldster]

Originally posted by Jusone36
to my understanding, i had been explained to that the trd exhaust that is advertised everywhere is just a muffler and tip replacement as opposed to an entire cat back system. is the sport exhaust something different? is that the cat back? if so, where can i find one?

I think the TRD exhaust you are talking about and what they called the sport are one in the same. My understanding is that it is a catback system, i.e. it replaces everything from the cat back. :)

[Dealer Xing]

Welcome to the world of car modification.
1) Spend big bucks to buy overpriced item.
2) Get hassled and ripped off by dealership.
3) Minimal or no gain, not that you can really feel the gain.
4) Get attracted by cops or thieves.

[gsport]

well we're on a small island only one dealer us. we have to try our best to service our customers right. news travels fast when you can drive from one end of the island to the other in 2 hours. :p

[vegeta irie]

I feel what your saying. The Toyota dealership up here has to be the worst in the world. I dont know how many times ive gone over there to try and trade my 00 GT for 00-01 GTS. The first time I went must been at keast a year ago and to this day they still havent gotten back to me.
J