What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

NIIICE!

 

So does it stop people from rearending you? Show the goods. How’s it look from behind?

 

chrome vs black

 

Went out for some post-storm pics.

 

Cousin AI!

 

I totally agree. I once took my older Tacoma to my dealer and while in the waiting room, the service snob comes in with a cabin air filter that was NASTY and said, "Sir part of our inspection is to inspect your cabin air filter because your health is important to us. We recommend the charcoal filter for $xx. If you will sign right here we'll bring your truck around in just a moment". I DECLINED and said that I'd take care of it.

As I saw my truck come through the bay I got up and went to pay. I reviewed my bill and slid my credit card through. As I went through the door I saw the Service Manager and asked him to look at my truck with me as I handed him MY copy of the work order.

Through the glass window, I saw the service writer jump up and come out so that he could hear the conversation. I opened my glove box, reached in and pulled out my cabin air filter. The Service Snob spoke up and said "well, looks like you beat us out of an air filter". With that I handed the cabin air filter to the Service Manager.

Then I asked him to turn it over. In the margin I had written NAPA and yesterday's date and the amount that i paid for it. The Service Manager looked puzzled. I said "Your Service Snob came into the waiting room with his nasty cabin air filter insisting that I needed a new one. Does this appear that I need a new one?" The Service Snob started to make an excuse and I interrupted him and asked "how many people a week to you pull this prank on, telling people that they need a repair or service that us unnecessary or unwarranted?" He went to mumble again and I said to the Service Manager "this is a reflection on you. Your Service Snob, to make a couple of dollars of upcharge commission has just cost you a customer who owns two Toyotas and I will tell others of how I was treated here, today. I cant speak for others but my family will not shadow this dealership ever again."

I slipped the filter back in, closed the door, got in my truck and have not been back. There are other dealers to spend your money at.

I am cautious going forward to tell Service Snobs "don't check my cabin air filter or my engine air filters" and insist that they write it on the service order.

 

Thanks for your reply. I'll check out Vine.

 

I really like the Werner platform. Its about 4' long and can be adjusted multiple heights.... and best of all, light weight and can fold up and lay flat. We've used ours from everything from picture hanging to putting up curtain rods and for about $170 somewhat affordable.

 

I prob missed it, but how did the stud break?

Lube locker gaskets have been great. I haven’t had to use them on my Toyotas as they have drain plugs but have used them on multiple vehicles. Price is worth it just not to have to scrape rtv off the next time.

 

What bumper is that?

 

Something about those white tacos, huh?

 

That's the part that gets me, how many people do they rip off that either don't know they're being taken advantage of or are just non confrontational and say nothing. It's funny you mention the filter, they even had the nerve to call for my wife's 4runner (after the battery incident) and say both filters needed change, I said "neat don't touch them, oil and tire rotation only"!

 

Seems odd.
However I've finally learned to replace my batteries before I have to jumpstart; if I hear its weak and it's a reasonable age, I just go ahead. It does seem to me that batteries don't last as long as they used to as I've recently had several in our other cars fail before their warranty is up. And then I think the warranty thing is a game; you need to be at a shop that sells the same brand, it has to be really dead, and somehow there is always a tiny sale going on: do you want to save $20 or get $4.32 back for the warranty?

 

I do not care for the commissioned mechanic/service advisor model. It incentivizes bad behavior. Yes, I appreciate knowing what needs to be fixed now or in the future to avoid a breakdown yet it seems since our local dealer sold to a national one that our cars "need" more work. In the past it was a conversation about what/when/why and I still think they sold a lot of service, but it was all upfront.
I've also gotten in the habit of checking/replacing the cabin filter and then telling them not to bother. It is such an easy maintenance item; I don't need to pay them $40 to put it in.

 

We bought my wife a Mazda CX90 in January and had it serviced last month prior to a vacation and I must say I was impressed with them. They strapped a camera on the mechanic and made a video inspection of her car and sent a link in a text. The tire wear, brake pad wear, air filter and cabin filter as well as post oil change under carriage inspection for leaks etc…
It was kind of a gimmick but when you see the gauges and the filter condition it’s pretty cool too. You at least know they had the wheels off and looked things over.

 

I’ve had 6 new Toyotas over the years and never had a battery issue. I would replace batteries at the 10 year mark just because batteries aren’t supposed to last that long. Sounds like to me you were the victim of the ol bait and switch. One time at the dealership after a secluded maintenance visit I was told when picking up my car that my water pump was leaking with only 20,000 miles on it, I told them I would keep an eye on it, literally right next to me another customer was told the same thing. Not one to keep quiet I told the service personal that they really should change up their story from customer to customer or maybe it was water pump leaking day.

 

CHROME LIVES MATTER!

 

Yup. It sorta mangled the logo though. It thinks the logo is just a pattern, lol. Here’s some more hallucinations on a chromed Taco

 

Ummm, no clue!
Lemme ask the AI that generated that image

 

Towed Sweet Caroline back from our 4th of July camping adventure ....