Another dealer rant
 

In an attempt to be fair I suppose there could be a legal CYA at play here...maybe. My '06 Taco sprung an exhaust leak at the joint between the headers and the pipe. The parts list shows a gasket and spring bolts. So since Toyota was doing a warranty repair I had them schedule the exhaust repair. They called and wanted to replace the entire system for $2800! WTF? They say they cant repair the joint so must replace it all. I say forget it return my truck.

I go to my local wrench, he says "I'll cut the joint out and splice the pipes with a sleeve , coupla hundred at most". sigh, rant off

This is exactly why guys like me thrive.

Dealerships don't splice and weld. They replace. And if it is all rusted together, they replace it all. I an see where they are coming from. This is why you do not bring a 10 year old truck to a dealer. After 5 years and warranty expired, the dealer is out of the picture.

I was at a VW dealer 2 or 3 years ago waiting and they were quoting some poor bloke on the phone. New catalytic converter(s) on his Passat - $3.5 or something on that order. :eek:

G

They also don't want to be liable for a "shade-tree" type of repair* such as welding a splice into an exhaust. It's far cheaper in the long run for the dealer to replace the whole thing. "It's not personal Sonny, it's strictly business."

*No offense to fastfred.

Question for the above 2 posters:

For the most part, I avoid the dealers like the plague, but I feel I "have to" go to them for certain things. For instance, with my Z, I needed them to plug in their Nissan Consult II to get readings and/or reset certain aspects of the CPU.

So, my question is...do independent shops who work on multiple makes have access to these company-specific pieces of equipment, such as the Consult II?

Upsell, Upsell, Upsell........the chant heard from the managers of all dealerships in the sales/service meetings.

If they can get you for $280, they might be able to get you for $2800, and don't forget the scare tactics to the uneducated check writer. "Maam, I afraid this car isn't safe to drive in it's current condition" !

How would you run a dealership? Capitalism. Increase the profit. No room for a conscience when we're trying to increase profits. Upsell! Upsell! The owner demands a higher yield! Upsell! Upsell! You want your "Holiday" bonuses don't you? Upsell! Upsell!

The chant is actually from the owner of the business. The CEO. The managers just do what they are told.

Sort of. There is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_Vehicle_Owners'_Right_to_Repair_Act but the mfg's keep fighting/dodging/omitting to try to preserve stealer margins. They're also trying to use the DMCA Automakers to gearheads: Stop repairing cars

Generally agree but as I was there for a warranty issue I figured what the heck I'll have them check it out.

Is this not part of a Fed. mandatory emission warranty of 10 years?

Not as far as I know.

edit: I have 130K on mine

EMISSION WARRANTIES
Federal Emission Defect Warranty
This warranty provides that any repair, replacement, or adjustment to emission components that becomes
necessary due to a defect in materials or workmanship is covered for a period of 3 years or 36,000 miles from the
vehicle’s in-service date, whichever occurs first. Additionally, this warranty is in effect for 8 years or 80,000 miles
from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever occurs first, with regard to specified major emission control
components.
Federal Emission Performance Warranty
Some states and local jurisdictions have established periodic vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
to encourage proper vehicle maintenance. If an EPA-approved I/M program is in force in the area, the vehicle is
eligible for emission performance warranty coverage.
Toyota will make any repair, replacement, or adjustment necessary to bring the vehicle back into compliance for a
period of 24 months or 24,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever occurs first. Additionally, this
warranty is in effect for 8 years or 80,000 miles from the vehicle's in-service date, whichever occurs first, with
regard to specified major emission control components. Additional details about the Federal emission
performance warranty can be found in policy 4.6 of the Toyota Warranty Policy & Procedures Manual.

10 years or 100k miles - whichever comes first.

AFAIK that is the emissions equipment such as failure of the catalyst and lambda systems. Not so much the plumbing before/after that.

Maybe someone more familiar can chime in?

Yup. They restore it to OEM at OEM prices. If you take an out of warranty vehicle to the dealership you are going to get hosed.

What sort of warranty repair were they doing on a 2006 with 130K miles? Recall?

I could see how they wouldn't want to get involved in a half-ass repair, but for $2,800, yeah, get it patched.

Rust remediation. It's an ongoing problem. The undercoating they did for me some months ago is falling off in chunks. These guys suck hard.

Dealerships are very profitable entities....

In case anyone was wondering my local guy did the repair for $120.

For cars out of warrenty, a "local guy" is a necessity.

Sure, if you are willing to pay for it.

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