My first Tacoma, got a little messy.

So I bought my first Tacoma in June, but it was quickly replaced with my second Tacoma in July.

So long story short, the paint and glass on my first tacoma had some issues and the dealer royally mess it up trying to repair it, and than again on the second attempt. They were ready to refer me to a Toyota rep, but I wasn't in agreement since they had already admitted fault. So I went above everyone and contacted the other of the dealer directly and guess what... He moved mountains for me and made it right, even at great expense to the dealer.

They bought back my first tacoma with 1,100 miles on it and some mild mods, which already had plates and was registered in my name. They did a flat cancel on my finance deal and paid it off at no expense to me. I went back to the dealer where I bought it, I had been working with another dealer that shared the same owner closer to home for repairs, and they put me in another new Tacoma with all the same add on's and a trim model higher. I went from an SR to an SR5. They even knocked about 3300 off MSRP, sweet deal in the end.

The whole ordeal was hectic and a pain in my butt, but everyone I worked with was nice and respectful to me and did everything they could to make things right. I have no hard feelings with either dealers and I'll happily go back for service and future purchases.

So without further ado, here are some picks of my two Tacomas (also my first ever truck)

Before: SR

(pic from when I first brought it home)

After: SR5


After almost two months of driving a Tacoma, I don't think I can ever go back. I freaking love it and I can't wait to blow some money on my new baby.

Looking forward to lurking the forums guys.

 

Welcome aboard. Sounds like a headache, but glad it worked out in the end.

 

Welcome and Good luck with the new TACO.
What were the Issues with old one? Must of been serious that they were willing to buy it back.

 

Congrats! Glad to here it worked out.

 

Wow, that's exhausting. Glad you have a good attitude in the long run. Thanks for the intro and welcome to TW.

 

Okay so when I drove home on day one, I noticed a film on the windshield. It was 117 where I bought the truck and they washed it before I took delivery, I thought maybe it was some spots from the wash or just dust build up, there was also a big fire near buy so ash crossed my mind too. Once I got it home I tried various glass cleaners to remove it, nothing worked. So I took it to a sister dealer (same owner) near me and had them look at it. They took it for about an hour and the service manager came and talked to me. He said that he called my dealer and that they had complains from other people about the film. Turns out my entire truck was covered in an clear coat over spray. He said that the marks in the glass were due to them trying to remove the overspray with a razor blade. All of my windows were covered in bad etching I hadn't noticed before, the light was right and I could see it. My windows were fucked and I was certain they would have to replace them. So the service manager made an appointment for me a week out to clay bar the whole truck and buff it.

So a week later I took it in, they kept it for the day and didn't offer me a rental. I picked my taco up just before closing and the paint was fucked. The detail guys were apparently amateurs, the whole body was covered in deep swirl marks and scratches. I told the service manager and he took the truck back immediately to inspect it. I sat for another hour and a half while they attempted to correct the issue. He came back and said he wanted the truck back another day. So he made me an appointment another week out... Mind you the glass still looked like shit and that was my main complaint. The overspray was gone, but the etching and swirls had taken its place.

So I go back a week later, same thing, they take it for the day don't offer me a rental. Supposedly they had a pro their that day just for me that was gonna over see the work, well he sucked too. My taco now not only had swirls, it had like a cross hatch of scratches and the glass was unchanged. So I complained and said I was not happy with the work, they were ready to send me off to a Toyota Rep. I said fuck that and went above their heads and contacted the owner. Basically told him that when you buy a new truck, you expect to get a new truck, not this headache. I guess he agreed, because I never actually spoke with him directly. I just CC'ed him all they emails I'd sent to the service manager. Next day the moved mountains and I worked with to general managers form two different dealers to get a new Taco, that wasn't all jacked.

here are some pics of what the paint looked like.

The Entire body was coved in similar damage.

TL;DR: The paint was coved in a clear coat overspray, dealer messed up the paint trying to remove it. Glass had razor blade etchings everywhere, looked like spider webs it was so bad. They offered to put it in a body shop to fix the paint right and to replace the glass. I said at that point it would never be a new truck to me and and I wanted a replacement, they said ok. Dealers are awesome, they just had a fuck up, but they made it right.

Having a good attitude, I believe, is the only reason why I'm in a new truck. I was nice to everyone despite the circumstances, I was always respectful and thankful for their attempts to rectify the issue. I also never made a single demand, I make several requests and simply stated when I wasn't happy with the result.

Moral of the story, not being a dick goes a long way. People actually want to help you when you treat them with respect. Act like an ass hat and make demands, see if anyone wants to help you, or if they just keep passing you off to some other poor soul.