Toyota could learn from Subaru...

How often did you change the coolant?

 

I’d fall down dead if I ever saw Subaru make anything other than a station wagon. There’s a reason they don’t make a truck. It ain’t in their DNA!

 

Lexus Escondido! Just bought the wife a GX there a few weeks ago.

 

Wife just brought home a 21 Highlander. Dealership experience was great. Traded in a 2015 RAV4 and we were in and out in less then 2 hours but had the price on both negotiated before we got there.

 

Every dealer is different. That's an asinine comparison.

 

https://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gaskets-problems-explained-part-ii/

 

I've had 4 Subies. More reliable these days and far better grip and confidence than my Tacoma.

 

Sounds like a dealer experience rather than a brand experience. When I bought our outback, it was the worst buying experience ever. Tried to force us into other vehicles we didn’t want and didn’t listen to our need.

It also had issues with the transmission in less than 20k miles and had to be replaced, had an alternator fail, a sunroof leak, and heavily consumed oil. Unless they can fix their CVT transmission or replace them altogether with something better, I’ll never be back in one.

 

what does this have to do with Toyota ? It’s the dealership and staff that push the extended warranties not Toyota as a corporation.

 

According to the statistics on Subaru's. Probably should be the other way around.

 

I’ve said the same thing, if they made a truck I’d probably buy one. Our 2010 Legacy has been great, but looking at trading for a Forester.

 

yeah... but that wouldn't have fit the narrative of the whiny thread

 

Dealer maintained, used their special coolant, plus the little bottle of Subaru magic additive.

I understood when we bought it that one day we’d be doing it. Not surprised.

 

....please explain to the class what Toyota can do about an independent dealership’s sales practices.

 

Seems toyota must give these dealers some incentive to push their long term warranty contracts for money to be made. About the very first thing when i took delivery on my new truck was all about these 10 year/100k mile warranty contracts. Their financial guy actually got miffed when i refused.

 

Defiantly dealer driven.

Me easist deal was rhe womans jeep. Everything done via phone/email.

Walked in, checked out ride. Signed papers and drove out. Not sure the time, but maybe 90minutes

By far, the worst dealer was a local subbie dealer. They sucked so bad

 

Yep, 100% depends on the dealer and the staff.


When we bought the GX for my wife a few weeks back, the sales guy was great. Not pushy, just happy to help.

The finance guy was super friendly..... Until we turned down all the extras. Then he seemed like he just wanted us gone so he could move to the next buyer.

I get it. They are rated on their metrics, but as a consumer making the second largest purchase of your life, it sucks when they push for stuff you are clear about not wanting.

 

i bought mine new and they gave me a lifetime warranty on the drivetrain at no extra cost and never asked anything more.. 90 minutes out the door.

 

I just bought a Tacoma Sport.

I got the extended warrantee (Toyota Vehicle Service agreement.

8 years and 100K miles with 24/7 roadside , heck ,they will even DELIVER up to three gallons of gas three times PER MONTH!

All for $1100 (that's just about $10 per month) All I had to do was ask for the lesser price from the first offer of over $2400

I figured any one of these elements of the "Technology Package" would justify the cost.

We will see....

In my area, 8 years is a lot of electrical

CORROSION failures. Now that is covered!

 

What i've learned from Subaru is:

Let's build multiple versions of basically the same concept

Sell it with the same marketing as Volkswagen, granola, crunchy backpacky for run of the mill Beckys that once smoked a joint in college and married a rowing team member.

Have the car fall apart like a Volkswagen, but the cultish marketing insures that despite burning oil and a host of other Subaru features you didn't know you had you'll be back.

I think Toyota already follows this model with the Tacoma, aka the 3rd gen that's really a 2.5 gen with a mini van engine. The flavoraid is so strong that people buy these in mass refusing to even look at other options, because Tacoma lifestyle.