New Car Gripes

[lillywhites]

Morning all....well picked my SR 180 at the weekend and within a couple of hours had noticed the following

1. Passenger window not working

2. Plastic covering left between the spoiler and bodywork

3. Sticky substance on both the front part of the inside doors (3 door version)

4. The rubber/plastic strip under the front spoiler scratched the whole way across (looks like it has been driven over something) although no other damage noticed

5. Small round indentation in the driver door...only spotted my by other half ar certain angles.

6. Drivers seat seems to have two protrusions within in that dig into my thighs...but not on the passenger side.

7. Door sills look as though the polish/cleaner has not been removed properly and a wax/greasy residue is present

8. Rear number plate also covered in some sort of dirty film

9. Talkin of number plates mine have not come with the GM Euro logo on either...only a small point but previous cars have always had this on....bit cheapskate from Toyota here

Not the best of starts to Toyota ownership and lets hope the legendary dealer service lives up to the hype. They are aware of the Window problem and the plastic issue but after that I went over the car in greater detail to find the aforementioned problems.

Just to rub salt into the wound I had the "Supaguard" treatment as well.

The car has leterally sat on my drive since Staurday afternoon as I did not want to put miles on it and give the dealship a chance to say it was my driving...paranoid or what!

As far the seat goes has anyone else experienced this problem/

Comments asap please as she is going back in tomorrow.....

Neil

[Juler]

A lot of those sound like a shoddy dealer not preparing the car properly. I picked up my poor man’s SR last Monday (1st Sep) and for a new car it wasn't as clean as I'd have liked, but overall there was nothing major to complain about. The most annoying thing was a lot of polish on the lower front plastic that has now turned white because of all the rain. I know it will wash off, but it shouldn't be on there.

I've had no problem with my drivers seat, but is it the same seat on the SR180?

Regarding the passenger window, I know this may sound stupid, but you have disabled the window lock? On Toyota's the window doesn't open from the drivers controls when the lock is on, unlike many other makes.

As for the numberplates, I requested GB plates to be fitted in advance as my last two Toyota's didn't have them, and the dealer did so at no extra charge. It seems to be common Toyota practice to just use plain plates.

Hope you get everything sorted.

[dawesy]

regards the passenger window, have you made sure the window lock button on the drivers side isnt down as this deactivates all bar the drivers window.

i know its an obvious thing but some problems have a simple fix.

as for the other issues that is mainly down to the poor PDI work by the dealer

[lillywhites]

regards the passenger window, have you made sure the window lock button on the drivers side isnt down as this deactivates all bar the drivers window.

i know its an obvious thing but some problems have a simple fix.

as for the other issues that is mainly down to the poor PDI work by the dealer

Checked and double checked......there is a problem as confirmed by the dealer.....pity I did'nt see the other 7 issues mentioned until later....hopefully the dealer will hold his hands up and deal accordingly.....if not I will on the forum asap....

[Xana]

There are some cars that falls down on the ground when in transportation... beware of that.

They still sell those units.

Take a good and clean view of all rubers, paint and chassis parts... all those things that you say just doens't smell to good...

[OldSkoO1]

Rubbish dealer - just get the car back there and don't pick it up until everything is fixed to your satisfaction.

You paid a lot of cash for that - tell them to fix it or you will refuse the car.

[Toyota_FanBoy]

Sorry to post but have a few issues myself a) the audio specialist that put in the DDX5022 instead of standard unit slightly damaged the facia of the dash b ) the audio specialist never returned my call c) the rear Speakers sound awful ie muffled compared to the front ones c) Gap Insurance figure doesn't sound right d) the car wasn't full but am claiming that back :D

[lillywhites]

Thanks for the responses people.....I was thinking maybe I'm a bit on the fussy side but receiving your comments has reassured me that all is not as it should be.

Took the car back this morning and all is to be sorted although there was the expected "well sir you did park the car in the Sainsbury car park so the dent could have occured there" that is true but I was literally in the shop 10 mins and we deliberately parked in a far flung corner with 2 spaces either side and the same cars were parked there when we returned.

The seat problem was noticeable even on my short 4 mile journey to the dealership and that after the indentation are my real issues.....having said that hearing that cars are "dropped" off the transport has really got me concerned.....other than an inspection ramp how do I check under to see all is as it should be?

I will post again once "everything" is sorted.

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

Have to say having bought Ford and Peugeot in previous years had no aggro whatsoever with either company/dealership......just hope this is'nt the start of a horrendous relationship...

[geoffb]

Thanks for the responses people.....I was thinking maybe I'm a bit on the fussy side but receiving your comments has reassured me that all is not as it should be.

Took the car back this morning and all is to be sorted although there was the expected "well sir you did park the car in the Sainsbury car park so the dent could have occured there" that is true but I was literally in the shop 10 mins and we deliberately parked in a far flung corner with 2 spaces either side and the same cars were parked there when we returned.

The seat problem was noticeable even on my short 4 mile journey to the dealership and that after the indentation are my real issues.....having said that hearing that cars are "dropped" off the transport has really got me concerned.....other than an inspection ramp how do I check under to see all is as it should be?

I will post again once "everything" is sorted.

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

Have to say having bought Ford and Peugeot in previous years had no aggro whatsoever with either company/dealership......just hope this is'nt the start of a horrendous relationship...

No you are not being fussy and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As has been said, you have paid out a lot of cash. The product should be perfect from the outset. If the dealer cared about repeat business this wouldn't have happened.

On the dealer front I bought my last three Toyotas from Lookers (but in Chelmsford). Sales experience was absolutely first class and 101%. Service and after sales support generally has been another matter entirely over this period. Very wary of service there now and am trying another dealer for the next service to compare experience. Service prices at Lookers are very expensive - have just found another Toyota dealer charging considerably less for servicing.

[Grippen]

Good luck in sorting out all those problems I hope they fix them all. I opened a topic about my recent Auris adventures have to say that paying what I payed I wasn't expecting this problems. I had a Citroen before and lots of free time something I don't right now. And the only problem I had with it was a bad rubber water was coming inside but they fixed it. Other then that the problems I had with the car were my fault (i.e., an accident).

As I said in the topic I'm very disappointed this was my first Toyota, my car always had Renaults and 1 Fiat and I had a Citroen. Fiat was a crap. The Renaults I guess were ok and the Citroen was my first car and no doubt a eating kms machine. Saying this I'm considering changing car and brand not sure if I will do it but most likely I won't buy another Toyota.

Good luck!

[lillywhites]

Thanks for the responses people.....I was thinking maybe I'm a bit on the fussy side but receiving your comments has reassured me that all is not as it should be.

Took the car back this morning and all is to be sorted although there was the expected "well sir you did park the car in the Sainsbury car park so the dent could have occured there" that is true but I was literally in the shop 10 mins and we deliberately parked in a far flung corner with 2 spaces either side and the same cars were parked there when we returned.

The seat problem was noticeable even on my short 4 mile journey to the dealership and that after the indentation are my real issues.....having said that hearing that cars are "dropped" off the transport has really got me concerned.....other than an inspection ramp how do I check under to see all is as it should be?

I will post again once "everything" is sorted.

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

Have to say having bought Ford and Peugeot in previous years had no aggro whatsoever with either company/dealership......just hope this is'nt the start of a horrendous relationship...

No you are not being fussy and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As has been said, you have paid out a lot of cash. The product should be perfect from the outset. If the dealer cared about repeat business this wouldn't have happened.

On the dealer front I bought my last three Toyotas from Lookers (but in Chelmsford). Sales experience was absolutely first class and 101%. Service and after sales support generally has been another matter entirely over this period. Very wary of service there now and am trying another dealer for the next service to compare experience. Service prices at Lookers are very expensive - have just found another Toyota dealer charging considerably less for servicing.

I'm in Westcliff....would you be good enough to let me know the alternative dealer you are going to use as it would be good to have this when my first service comes round......cheers Neil

[geoffb]

Thanks for the responses people.....I was thinking maybe I'm a bit on the fussy side but receiving your comments has reassured me that all is not as it should be.

Took the car back this morning and all is to be sorted although there was the expected "well sir you did park the car in the Sainsbury car park so the dent could have occured there" that is true but I was literally in the shop 10 mins and we deliberately parked in a far flung corner with 2 spaces either side and the same cars were parked there when we returned.

The seat problem was noticeable even on my short 4 mile journey to the dealership and that after the indentation are my real issues.....having said that hearing that cars are "dropped" off the transport has really got me concerned.....other than an inspection ramp how do I check under to see all is as it should be?

I will post again once "everything" is sorted.

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

Have to say having bought Ford and Peugeot in previous years had no aggro whatsoever with either company/dealership......just hope this is'nt the start of a horrendous relationship...

No you are not being fussy and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As has been said, you have paid out a lot of cash. The product should be perfect from the outset. If the dealer cared about repeat business this wouldn't have happened.

On the dealer front I bought my last three Toyotas from Lookers (but in Chelmsford). Sales experience was absolutely first class and 101%. Service and after sales support generally has been another matter entirely over this period. Very wary of service there now and am trying another dealer for the next service to compare experience. Service prices at Lookers are very expensive - have just found another Toyota dealer charging considerably less for servicing.

I'm in Westcliff....would you be good enough to let me know the alternative dealer you are going to use as it would be good to have this when my first service comes round......cheers Neil

Am going to try Grants Toyota in Braintree Essex (Used to be Johnsons). There have been one or two others who tried this dealer a while back when it was Johnsons and reported good value so we shall see. Grants (and Johnsons before it) is a fully accredited service agent for Toyota (they appear on Toyota's own website) but, as far as I know, doesn't sell Toyotas from new. What I can say is that their quoted charge for an intermediate service on my E12 Corolla is something like 40% less than Lookers!

I shall try to remember to report back on the experience in due course - couple of weeks or so to go.

[clives]

Thanks for the responses people.....I was thinking maybe I'm a bit on the fussy side but receiving your comments has reassured me that all is not as it should be.

Took the car back this morning and all is to be sorted although there was the expected "well sir you did park the car in the Sainsbury car park so the dent could have occured there" that is true but I was literally in the shop 10 mins and we deliberately parked in a far flung corner with 2 spaces either side and the same cars were parked there when we returned.

The seat problem was noticeable even on my short 4 mile journey to the dealership and that after the indentation are my real issues.....having said that hearing that cars are "dropped" off the transport has really got me concerned.....other than an inspection ramp how do I check under to see all is as it should be?

I will post again once "everything" is sorted.

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

Have to say having bought Ford and Peugeot in previous years had no aggro whatsoever with either company/dealership......just hope this is'nt the start of a horrendous relationship...

No you are not being fussy and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. As has been said, you have paid out a lot of cash. The product should be perfect from the outset. If the dealer cared about repeat business this wouldn't have happened.

On the dealer front I bought my last three Toyotas from Lookers (but in Chelmsford). Sales experience was absolutely first class and 101%. Service and after sales support generally has been another matter entirely over this period. Very wary of service there now and am trying another dealer for the next service to compare experience. Service prices at Lookers are very expensive - have just found another Toyota dealer charging considerably less for servicing.

I'm in Westcliff....would you be good enough to let me know the alternative dealer you are going to use as it would be good to have this when my first service comes round......cheers Neil

Am going to try Grants Toyota in Braintree Essex (Used to be Johnsons). There have been one or two others who tried this dealer a while back when it was Johnsons and reported good value so we shall see. Grants (and Johnsons before it) is a fully accredited service agent for Toyota (they appear on Toyota's own website) but, as far as I know, doesn't sell Toyotas from new. What I can say is that their quoted charge for an intermediate service on my E12 Corolla is something like 40% less than Lookers!

I shall try to remember to report back on the experience in due course - couple of weeks or so to go.

Interesting your comments on the price of Lookers service. I took out a 40k 4 service plan with Lookers at Rayleigh when I bought my 2.0 D4D as new in early 2007 - based on 12k mls per year. Cost - £990 and that was including a supposedly 10% discount from normal prices. From what I have seen on this forum this must be one of the most expensive service plans around - think I was a bit green!!

[geoffb]

Although, as I have said earlier, I was extremely impressed with the sales side at Lookers, I've never had a very warm feeling about service. I've had a few instances of having to experience service for other than the usual e.g. seat covers needing to be replaced, alloy wheel problems and on most of those occasions the experience was not as I would have liked it for a variety of reasons.

For example, I had the seat covers replaced (because of a known staining issue) and the replacements were appallingly creased and they also scratched some of the interior trim (presumably when taking the seats out). They were very reluctant to do anything and I got the usual implied comment that I was trying it on with the scratches. Reluctantly, they redid the seats and replaced the scratched trim.

To be fair to Lookers I've not had stand up rows with anyone but I just don't get that warm feeling and have always had that gut feeling that they are expensive.

I will post something on here shortly about my experience of Grants - car goes in for a service and first MoT tomorrow!

Hope I'm not wandering too far off topic here given the original post on the thread

[geoffb]

Can now report on experience of using Grants Toyota in Braintree for MoT and intermediate service.

Good news is that my car passed its first MoT with no problems. The whole thing took a bit longer than I would have liked - nearly 2.75 hours - but Grants did say later that they had a limited number of courtesy cars and it would be no problem to provide one in future for the day provided I gave them at least a week's notice which seemed fair enough to me. I also believe that they are awaiting MoT accreditation at present because of the dealership name change from Johnsons so they had to take the car elsewhere for the MoT this time around. Pleasant surroundings and staff were certainly smart, friendly and courteous.

I did notice afterward that my screenwash reservoir hadn't been filled up and my handbrake adjustment hadn't been tightened up. Both of these are always done at Lookers. However, given the much cheaper service cost I am happy to fill my own screenwash reservoir and will assume that my handbrake adjustment either didn't need anything done to it (well it did pass the MoT!) or isn't included in the intermediate service.

I was told that my brake pads were 80%/70% worn front/back and I know that many feel that this area is where dealers make money. However, Grants did clarify this and I was told 'not to panic' and that there were a few months left on them yet and to pop in at a later date, say I was a customer, and they'd take a quick look again to see if they needed changing. You can't blame them for wanting the business and I thought that their approach was very good here.

They did set a hare running though when they said my front brake discs also ought to be changed when the pads are since this seemed a bit early to me (hence my posting about this elsewhere). I was told they were quite badly scored and would affect the new pads bedding in. So I am returning to Lookers where I bought the car to get the discs looked at under warranty.

So would I go back for my next service? Yes, I would and I would recommend Grants on the basis of my experience thus far

[lillywhites]

Cheers for the report Geoff.......trouble is Braintree is a bit of a trek for me so will go with Lookers for the first service and then hunt around.

I work in Barking and see that a dealership is in Woodford...anyone know this one and if so comments awaited.

Alternatively I might go to one of these non franchised outfits that specialise in Toyota etc...seeing as the EU has made it possible to go to non franchised garages it seems like a good idea especially when they guarantee that warranty will not be affected. Anyone done something simliar and again comments accordingly.

Anyway to bring my gripes up to date....all the issues have been dealt with other than the seat that is still feeling a tad uncomfortable but Lookers assured me all seats in the SR are the same but to go back to them if it still remains a problem.....cannot fault them for that.....I have not had my follow up phone call as yet re service experience etc etc....no surprise there and will wait and see if this eventually comes to pass.....have to say she does drive nicely and the whoosh of power is a joy to someone that has driven low powered wheezing oil burners since 1993.....already had a play with some boy racers down the A127 last week.....naughty but nice, quite easy to lose your licence in this vehicle imo

[doobs]

Regarding servicing at non Toyota dealers, my previous Corolla was serviced using Toyota parts at recommended intervals etc at non Toyota dealers in line with EU directives etc

However, the corolla developed an engine management problem approx 5-6 months after 3 year warranty expired at mileage of about 27-28k. Despite me protesting loudly (the issue was a non servicable one and involved an engine part that I understood from various sources would normally not be expected to malfunction at all or certainly not at such a low mileage) Toyoata would not rectify this as a goodwill gesture citing one reason being that I had not used their dealerships for servicing and this was a two way relationship etc. As a result, I changed my Corolla but I did receive a reasonable trade in and very good purchase price for my then new Auris 1.6 TR.

By all means have your vehicle serviced elsewhere, but be aware of the longer term implications as I found to my cost

[geoffb]

A fair point by doobs. Grants of Braintree does at least appear on Toyota's own website as an authorised service agent so I would not expect the same sort of problem.

It's really down to whether you want to pay more for an authorised service agent or go elsewhere. For as long as I can afford it I will continue with the former.

[hertsnminds]

Should I write to Toyota GB about the problems or the head office of the dealership "Lookers" to name and shame......opinions again on this if you like.

For a brand new car Toyota will be sending you a satisfaction survey to fill in, I would make your thoughts clear on this. Not sure how many unsatisfactory reports they need before they take any action but I think they leave you a space for contact details so they can get back to you.