Should 4Runner Maintenance Remain Exclusive to a Toyota Dealership?

[Bumbo]

I love my 4Runner, anything within my ability, I do it myself... not only to save money, but i believe that if you want something done right, DO IT YOURSELF.

Its not that I dont trust my dealer, I just have enough friends who works for dealerships as mechanics, and I see the culture and the way they work.

They work fast, and they work to flag hours. If you expect Toyota to white glove your rig in the shop, you are kidding yourself. Plus their prices are insane.

I've done all the basics, all fluids, filters, installed my own lift and suspension. I do my own electrical work. Planning my break job soon too.

Not only it is easy to do most of this stuff, its so cheap, than you can afford to do it often. Preventative maintenance... I want to be one of those guys with 500k miles on my odometer.

 

[drzew]

My last free oil change over 2 hrs with appointment. Lia Toyota Nhpt Ma. Warm bottle water and old coffee. Not a newspaper or old magazine to be found. Dealer service NEVER more......

 

[Bumbo]

My last free oil change over 2 hrs with appointment. Lia Toyota Nhpt Ma. Warm bottle water and old coffee. Not a newspaper or old magazine to be found. Dealer service NEVER more......

That would be a pretty bad dealer experience by my standards...

Pro Tip - Find a dealership that doesn't suck. You should try a local Lexus dealer.

I take my Honda to an Acura dealer, not because they do a better job, but because its the same price and they have a better car wash.

The waiting rooms of luxury car dealers are generally more upscale. I just suck down as many complimentary coffee, cappuccino, and hot chocolate drink I want made from their overly complicated and pretentious machine. Sometimes I take my lady, bring some snacks and make a date out of it...

 

[TboneRare]

The waiting rooms of luxury car dealers are generally more upscale. I just suck down as many complimentary coffee, cappuccino, and hot chocolate drink I want made from their overly complicated and pretentious machine. Sometimes I take my lady, bring some snacks and make a date out of it...

I can tell you really know how to party!:dancin:

 

[ThorInc]

You have posted it is not about the money so let's remove that totally from the equation.

You obviously have a very well established relationship with this dealership and likely a specific service adviser/even the service manager given the length of time you have patronized them. If you trust them and they stand behind their work then you are golden. It will show positively in the sales price if you ever have to sell it because all the parts will be dealer OEM.

If you decide to try to find a good private mechanic but have no idea what their work will be like, look for a shop that is clean and well organized (they know where their tools are is a good sign) as this will likely be the way they work on your vehicle. A little OCD goes a long way with mechanical work.

 

[drzew]

I agree Bumbo not all dealers are bad {just my local ones} I purchased my 4runner from Prime Toyota Lancaster Ma. 75 miles away because the gave me a excellent deal. My local dealers had NO inventory and not willing to locate . Prime Toyota located my exact 4runner best price and their service dept was top notch, I used them for my first 2 oil changes and they were perfect. Clean waiting area with all a customer could want while waiting and reasonable wait time. They were just a little far away. I have a great private garage from here on. It is sad that Toyota does not clamp down on these crummy dealers.

 

[Bumbo]

I can tell you really know how to party!:dancin:

You dont know the half of it... you should see me at the Benz dealer.