Goodbye

After no satisfaction with Russel Toyota, and Toyota Corporate, I traded my 2014 Tacoma DC in on a 2014 XTera Pro-4x.

Was hoping for better. Had a 91 SR5 Extra-cab that I really loved. Was not happy with this truck really at all.

Good luck everyone.

Red

 

Bye

 

Because internet forum.

 

should have bought a 4runner over that.

 

Why do you think he should have a 4Runner over what he purchased instead?

 

Adios amigo!

In and Out

 

ask him in a few months or less.

 

Cause Nissan interiors=

 

x2

 

Dang, I don't know that I could have rationalized that.

 

With the dealers in the area (MD) that I live, and this experience.....I'm done with Toyota for a very long time. I've got reviews out on Yelp and Google that goes into all the detail.

I hope I am in the minority of those who have had a bad experience with the brand, and that everyone here enjoy their vehicles. I was able to get out of it without taking much of a financial hit, so I took that opportunity.

 

Not a question of whether or not a 4Runner is nicer than an Xterra, or vice versa. More of how an internet stranger with no clue as to what someone wants, needs, or can pay for thinking that they know how to better spend someone else's money. Internet has a lot of people who are experts in someone else's life, the kind of comment of "you should've bought" just shows people who NOT to listen to.

 

NO DON'T GO!!!!!

 

Sad that a member gives up his Tacoma after only 2 months for a vibration problem that the dealer and Toyota would not resolve.

 

Sorry to see you go, but i would not have gone with an Xterra.. they have had more problems and recalls than any Tacoma...ever...since the begining of time.. 3 of my friends are stuck in them because no one will buy them back and they are falling apart after a year or two.

 

just a joke, lighten up. nobody cares what anyone buys, just giving him a hard time.

 

Good luck with your Xterra, OP. Glad it fits your needs better. Enjoy the Xterra forum! Tacoma isn't the best vehicle, either.

 

I agree...but what is worse is that you can't get that kind of problem fixed by going through the dealer and the corporate customer reps.

Here is the review I posted on Yelp:

DO NOT BUY A VEHICLE FROM RUSSELL TOYOTA!!

This dealer is the textbook example of the worst case car buying experience.

Called and talked to James at Russell, then went to see a new Tacoma. I liked the truck, so I test drove it. Very bad shake in the front end at around 60 mph. Told James when I got back, and he said that he'd let the service manager know.

Now we start the sit and wait games dealers play. I knew what my trade was worth, and was not willing to accept less than that. I told James this number the first time he "went to talk to his boss". James comes back with a number a full $2k less than what I was willing to accept. I should have left right then!! Even after telling James what the acceptable trade number was, he still came back under. So after 4 trips to talk to his boss (each no less than 15 minutes)....he comes back with the numbers that work out pretty close to where we wanted. Classic wear you down routine, and I just should have got my keys back and left then.

Add in another wait...
Then there is the usual undercoating, paint sealer, stain resistant treatment...etc sales pitch.

Add in another wait...
Then the finance guy, who had already added in upcharges. Just the usual low class dealership tactic to get you to pay more.

Add in another wait....
James finally got the service manager to take the truck for a drive, and guess what....there was a vibration around 60 mph. 3 of the 4 tires significantly out of balance. So now it's over an hour wait (I'm being generous here) until they can get the tires balanced.

Overall almost 5 hours to buy a vehicle. My last vehicle...from beginning to end....less than 2 hours. (Subaru - Fantastic buying experience by the way)

On the drive home things seemed ok, but after a few days I was able to confirm that the vibration had moved to the 65 - 70 mph range. Not as bad as before, but not right...especially for a new vehicle.

I get a call for a survey from Jill, I explain the tires still are not right and she asks me if I'd like her to talk to the service manager to get it squared away. I said that would be great. Not great. Jill disappeared. I sent 4 follow up emails, none of which were answered. I spoke to Chris the GM, seemed like he wanted to help, but still no closer to making the truck right. Long story short, it took over 3 weeks of trying to get someone to do something. Finally I get a manager on the phone, and I tell him I fully regret ever walking into Russell Toyota. Now that I have his attention, I explain the problem to him. He gets me set up with a service appointment, and that I'd be expedited so I could be in and out quickly. Didn't happen. Got to my service appointment, waited over an hour before the tech even started with my tires. After a test drive he could not see what was wrong. I went on a drive with him and pointed out when it happened. Tech says new tires are what will cure it. Long story short again, I guess "expedited" means over 4 1/2 hours of waiting around.

Now to the kicker. Because I do maintain my vehicles well, I was checking my air pressure in the tires. Right rear tire has a hiss to it when I take the valve cap off. THE VALVE IN THE STEM WAS LOOSE! I've already driven over 500 miles on these tires, with my family, on vacation.....and I find a loose valve stem. I'm going to follow up with Toyota Corporate. This is the WORST buying and servicing dealership experience I've ever been witness to.

We are buying my wife a new car also. Told folks at Russell this, and that it depended on the buying experience if we'd buy the second from them also. It won't be from Russell. Likely it won't be a Toyota. Not after this horrible experience.

I'd like to end on that there seem to be some good people at Russell Toyota. However they are far overshadowed by the dealership process, disorganization, low rent tactics, and the majority that don't care about the customer buying / service experience. I will not be going back to Russell for anything. Hopefully Corporate Toyota will be more helpful. If not, I will never buy another one.

 

I know a few Techs that work for Nissan....they all drive Toyotas.