Who Here Still Uses Dealer Service?

I'm taking the old Tacoma in the morning for a full-on service. Everything I want done falls within a thing they call the "150,000 mile service" that's gonna cost $1200.
I have to because I can't do stuff myself anymore like I used to. Wish I could.
So this service includes
oil change
trans flush
radiator flush
rear diff service
new plugs
32 point inspection
new air filter
tires rotated
and some other stuff I don't recall.
I know that's a hell of a lot of money but I feel my truck's well worth it.
Anyone else here still take it into Toyota for stuff?

 

Your in SF? Don’t go to dealer go to TOYSHOP they do way better job for the cheaper

 

I never taken any of my vehicles to the dealer for service.

 

I've been wondering about that place for years. I saw they have some great reviews in Yelp.

 

I've gotten a little old for some of those things, but 30% could still be DIY. Your local friend has a suggestion that is good, local places that do a good job for less - they don't have to support the dealer mark up. I like my records on my old used beast, so I am on Toyota.com for record support, and my old dealer service still treats me like a customer. Compromise on the price, not the service and records.

 

Took my vehicle to the dealer for a common cold; they treated it for Cancer. Never Again.
Exception: when my regular independent mechanic could not solve a faulty airbag/seatbelt alert in 2 tries, the dealer did it right the first time!

 

There great always have landcruisers and Tacoma’s galory. They don’t always answer the phone so it’s great to just stop by. There are usually booked a couple weeks out but it’s well worth the weight.

 

Dealer does all my oil changes, this way they check everything else while it’s on the rack,
from alignment to battery, alternator, any leaks, brakes, rotor thickness, fluids, belts or anything they see that might need attention etc.

And hard to do items like clutch, wheel bearings.
Everything else I do.

I have a specific master mechanic old school guy that does all the work and has for years now
with a discount rate.

Your quote sounds expensive

 

Much of this could be knocked out at a local MOD Day. If you are unable to do the majority of the work anymore, most ppl at MOD Days (at least the ones I've been to) are happy to wrench on your truck. I can almost bet you could knock out the plugs, air filter, oil change and rotate the tires at one of them. Just bring eats and beer along with possibly a little something for the tip jar and I bet you could get this done.

Have you followed routine maintenance on the trans fluid? If not, research those full flushes first. I have 160k some odd miles and one toyota dealer specifically suggested not to do the full flush. While my trans is fine and no issues (so far), I think iv'e only drained the pan 2x since owning it and had the fluid replaced. Never a full flush. So, I'm a bit on the fence with doing a full flush.

The radiator flush isn't bad and certainly can be accomplished at home if you have garage access. I highly recommend this (makes the job much easier) -

$34 Lisle 24680 Spill-Free Funnel, Standard Adapters, 11 x 7 x 7"es

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6AS6LY

I have found that Tim's videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/mtbtim65/videos?view=0&sort=dd&flow=grid) have been very helpful in tackling the job myself at home. Having a garage to work in certainly makes it easier - apartments or limited space (like San Francisco) would make it very difficult.

You're right about one thing - the tacoma is worth it no matter who does the work.

 

Should be like this or so.

oil change. 45.00
trans flush. 200.00 maybe
radiator flush. 95.00
rear diff service. 125.00 per axle
new plugs. 160.00 plugs are like 10.00 each
32 point inspection 100.00 but should be free
new air filter. 30.00 or so depending
tires rotated. 30.00 or so

So around 800.00 at the most.

If you use the dealership you can find 10 percent discount coupon usually on the internet for Toyota service

 

For some things, yes. Usually after Ive given up on a job beforehand. They do have the best deal on alignments though.

 

I always take my 200,000 mile Mini Cooper to the dealer, they
do a great job. When they do a X-thousand mile checkup, they
occasionally find and tell me about other stuff that needs addressing,
and I generally get them to go ahead and do it. It works great for
me.

I was at a near-by Toyota dealer yesterday, renting a Highlander
for a family trip to a wedding the next state over... it seemed like
a dealer I might want to take my Tacoma to, we'll see. It was the
kind of dealer that has done many frame swaps, there was
a Tacoma (not a gen1) there in the middle of a frame swap
when I was there.

My Honda Valkyries have each been to a dealer once or twice,
I've learned there's no Honda dealers around here I'd want to take anything
to, fortunately it is easy and fun to work on motorcycles.

The Real Answer to the OP's question: it depends upon the dealer.

-Mike

 

To answer OP question(before I hijack thread), no I have never had service done at dealership. Mainly because I am able to do it. I think @97Tacomav6 prices seemed more reasonable.

@hubcapsc

I have never heard of a dealership renting cars. What state are you in and is this common?

 

One of the bigger things I missed in the first post that deserves a mention is they're going to clean the throttle body. I figure that's a good thing that was never done to my truck. I'm headed there in an hour and thanks for all the suggestions.
I'm doing this because I want that truck to remain top-notch even though it's semi-retired and sits a lot.

 

I take my vehicles to the dealer for oil changes and other work as needed. I don't have time to do my own work, even though I can do some of the basics. If I have to go buy oil and filter, then find time at home to do it, then go dispose of the old oil, it is cheaper and quicker to just drop it off at the dealer. They do their 12-point inspection while it is on the lift and do my tire rotations at the same time. I don't necessarily do all the services that they recommend, i.e. they will always come to me and say "you need a throttle body cleaning and transmission service and...." I use some common sense and know which of these items are needed or can be stretched out to longer intervals in between.
I have also tried independent shops in the area and always had bad experience. At least the dealer techs are familiar with Toyotas as opposed to other guys that work on everything.

Works for me.

 

Mine does it. Its a way to get people into a newer vehicle. Let them drive it some, like it, then buy one. My family rents them for roadtrips all the time.

 

I do almost all own work. If you decide to DIY it check out these videos -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA

Tim's videos are really good. Also, he's a Bay Area local.

 

I agree with the above poster, you’ll gain huge piece of mind knowing you did your work and wallet will thank you. If you go the you tube route find and watch all videos pertaining to each job you do and spend your money on good quality oil and buy factory Denso parts, If you have to buy tools then you’ll have em forever. Then you’ll have the upper hand in a situation with your truck for the future.

 

Oh yeah, having an upper hand in a situation is a good point. I take my truck to remote areas like the desert or Baja every now and then. I'd really like to know how to fix it if it breaks.

 

I got her home now. Idle's high. Usually around 850RPM, now about 1200RPM. Called them and they say the ECU will pick up on it and adjust itself. I like that cause it shows me they got in there and did the throttle body.
Final price after 10% off was $1030 and I got a free filthy weenie Prius loaner for the day.
Still a lot of money but i got:
oil change/oil additive
trans flush/trans additive
radiator flush/coolant additive
rear end fluid/LS additive
throttle body cleaned/fuel additive
new plugs
new air filter
new wiper fluid
new blinker fluid
cleaned battery terminals (I just did 'em two days ago)
rotated tires
41 point inspection
$682 labor
$472.87 parts.