Buying a '16 LC - worst dealership/car buying experience of my life!

[LC Again and Again]

Do you want to borrow a TRD RW to try? I have a couple of spares mounted with 34x10.50. We could meet tomorrow - my office is ~75/GBush. Actually, I could pull two off of the trailer if you wanted to try all 4 but keep in mind the tire size.

Also, there are two 2016s within an hour of me if anyone wants to check a TX dealership. Paris is half an hour with the 77k Black mentioned above. I need an oil change anyway so could visit the silver at Toyota of Dallas just as easily. It would be no problem - but I have to go out of the country 8th - 13th so let me know soon

I appreciate the offer. I spoke to someone at TRD. They do not officially recommend the wheels for the car. Installing them will not be covered by the warranty. That being said my dealer said he would try and see if they will fit when I go in for first service. If I can get my dealer to install them then I'm covered. So I'm just going to wait and see. I think they (TRD) are just saying this because the wheel is very limited now and only supposed to be used to replace existing owners wheels. As for the silver one at Toyota of Dallas, I tried to buy that car. They would not go any lower than $80,500. Paris was a dream to deal with. Dropping my car off in the morning for an 8 hour detail. Pics as soon as I pick it up.

 

[Katkon]

Katkon, thank you for sharing your experience; still waiting for mine to get to port. Hoping there won't be any dealer nonsense. How do you like the navigation screen? Read the manual a few times, and learned that the home screen allows up to three systems to be viewed at once. Curious about the choices of what can show up on the home screen, which ones you picked, and if you like the overall look.

Apologies for the belated response - I've been too busy driving

I like the nav system - seems a definite improvement over my wife's Audi system (in a 2011). While it may sound silly, I think my favorite feature is the female voice that comes as standard. She strikes just the right tone - cheerful and polite I've set mine up as map on the left and upcoming turns on the right. When I'm not navigating, I use the map on the left and display music on the right. It is indeed quite customizable - which is very cool. I used it extensively on a trip to and from the Texas Hill Country last weekend - to fared very well. Simple and intuitive to use, with on-the-fly optimal redirection when the system encounters traffic jams/accidents up ahead - which is cool. I'm pretty sure that my wife's Audi can do the same, but we've never bother to learn how - the UI simply isn't as user friendly.

 

[Katkon]

Gulf States Toyota makes it tough to get a new Land Cruiser. I have been trying to buy a silver 2016 for a month. I had two deposits down on cars. One was a dealer trade that the other dealership would not release, and the other was a special order. The special order for silver would not be delivered for 3 months. So... I bit the bullet today and bought a 2016 that the dealership's owner's wife was driving for the last 7 weeks with 600 miles on it. It was the classic silver I was looking for, and I got it for almost $3,000 off dealer invoice. I was sad to see my LX570 go, but I love the new LC. It will be with me for a long time. Now can we get TRD to make a cold air intake and exhaust for the 200 series... Happy New Year Cruiserheads!

Congrats - mine is classic silver too. Love the color for ease of maintenance. Goes well with any color interior! Personally, while I like the LX, it's just not as iconic as the LC - nor as understated. One of the main reasons that I like the LC is that it's a truck unfamiliar to most that blends in with its surroundings.... yet I know it's special!

 

[codyaustin5]

I appreciate the offer. I spoke to someone at TRD. They do not officially recommend the wheels for the car. Installing them will not be covered by the warranty.

That's interesting... considering when I bought my TRDs from dealer it came with my new car warranty 3 yr/36k. Still under warranty too! also TRD website lists those wheels for the 200...

 

[LC Again and Again]

Here she is. Just picked her up from getting detailed. Wash, clay, minor paint correction, 2 coats of wax Swissvax, and a full interior detail.

 

[Katkon]

Here she is. Just picked her up from getting detailed. Wash, clay, minor paint correction, 2 coats of wax Swissvax, and a full interior detail. View attachment 1186811

You stole my truck! Heck, even the garage looks similar....

 

[mappable]

You guys are the reason I'm still waiting for a silver 2016 LC in Austin.
Had to take my family of five in our Highlander to Durango and back last week.
My 10 year old is getting too big for the 3rd row in the Highlander.

 

[Like2Detail]

What's the correct etiquette on this forum for offering services? I am a 2015 200 owner and enthusiast that really enjoys this forum for my own personal vehicle. I'm also a dealer and have sold Toyota vehicles for 20 years in the same location. The stories that I'm reading about the horrible experiences are painful to read. I would never come out and try to sell something on this forum but would be more than willing to answer questions and help out within reason if anyone is looking for detailed info or a better experience. So glad to have found a group of people so passionate about their 200's!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I am not too sure about etiquette, other than look here and speak with a moderator about setting up to be a Supporting Vendor.

Vendor Forums | IH8MUD Forum

 

[Jooones]

Thank you for following up Katkon -- that's great; again, sorry your buying experience was sub-par, but glad you're loving your 16 now.

My factory order is going smoothly. Just talked to SET customer loyalty supervisor, and learned the 16 is currently at port in Jacksonville. All-around experience so far has been great. Will post detailed report after delivery.

 

[cc1999]

That Silver really looks great !
Congrats !

 

[TonyP]

What's the correct etiquette on this forum for offering services? I am a 2015 200 owner and enthusiast that really enjoys this forum for my own personal vehicle. I'm also a dealer and have sold Toyota vehicles for 20 years in the same location. The stories that I'm reading about the horrible experiences are painful to read. I would never come out and try to sell something on this forum but would be more than willing to answer questions and help out within reason if anyone is looking for detailed info or a better experience. So glad to have found a group of people so passionate about their 200's!


Sent from my iPhone

Find me a gray 08-09 for 28k-30k and you've got a sale in a couple of months

 

[wardharris]

What's the correct etiquette on this forum for offering services? I am a 2015 200 owner and enthusiast that really enjoys this forum for my own personal vehicle. I'm also a dealer and have sold Toyota vehicles for 20 years in the same location. The stories that I'm reading about the horrible experiences are painful to read. I would never come out and try to sell something on this forum but would be more than willing to answer questions and help out within reason if anyone is looking for detailed info or a better experience. So glad to have found a group of people so passionate about their 200's!Sent from my iPhone

Welcome to MUD! Suggest you participate, post and take a "supporting vendor" role here. My partner and I have a successful / growing business in large part to the MUD community that @woody has built over many years.

You are no doubt pretty busy running that Toyota store, but the more you (or your IM) market through this community, them more friends and customers you will have.

I would/will buy from a MUD vendor when I buy my next new truck (hopefully a 200) - great excuse for a road trip home from Pennsylvania

 

[Reckless]

Expand your search to other dealers outside of Gulf States. Find the Landcruiser you want, buy it, fly up and drive it back. Then send a letter to the owner of the franchise in question, with a picture of your new Landcruiser, explaining how his employees managed to lose your $80k purchase.

My father and I did that with a new Mercedes S500 back in the late 90s. The owner of this prestigious mercedes dealership was pulling out hairs out of his bald head at how we were able to get the vehicle lower then his cost according to him. He was a family acquaintance as his mother was our neighbor.

 

[ConcreteCruiser]

These bad egg dealerships need to be called out for their poor customer service and poor attitudes. The local Lexus dealer had us wait an hour on a very quiet day while they "assessed" our trade and then only "had permission" to allow the LX570 test drives in the PARKING LOT. My 7 year old, who was very interested in cars had lost interest, we left and bought our LX elsewhere. I wrote to Lexus corporate, who thanked me for the feedback and for my perspective on the experience. We should call out the bad eggs, here's mine: Burdick Lexus - Cicero, Syracuse & De Witt NY - New & Used Car Dealer

Beautiful Silver Cruiser, Congratulations!

 

[texas]

I custom ordered an FJ cruiser from GST. It took like 3 months but it had everything I wanted. With the LC I bought off the lot so I don't know about ordering an LC but other models, you can order from GST. My dealer is Sterling McCall on the SW fwy.

Btw welcome to the club!

 

[FDMD]

@LC Again and Again, what do you mean by "paint correction" when you had your new truck detailed?

Regarding the comments about "getting looks" from others, I would totally agree that the LC is low key off the lot. I had mine mistaken for a Highlander and 4Runner. However, I have found with my new '17 that after my lift, wheels, tires, and chrome delete, I am getting stares, comments, and 360 walk-arounds non-stop. The valet bros absolutely loved it all weekend in Sedona.

I had similar challenges getting a custom order truck in AZ. I had to have my dealer source it from another dealer's list of incoming trucks. It was a crapshoot. No ability to talk to Japan to truly order something off the line, otherwise I would have deleted the roof rack and running boards and ordered the tan color that they sell to Dubai. Man, has anyone else checked out Al Futtaim's dealer website? They get like 6 more colors than the US, the white and black special editions, and they even designed a super-slick iPhone app to remote start and monitor the LC.

 

[texas]

But you can't order any of those things from anywhere in the USA. What the OP was trying to do was custom order the accessories that are port installed from GST. Or more likely, not order the crap stuff they load up like paint/fabric protections.

 

[wardharris]

GOOD DEALER FOR TOYOTAS - NEW, USED & PARTS - CAMELBACK TOYOTA

This may be a little off topic for this thread and I have not purchased a new Land Cruiser since 1981, so a little out of practice

That said, I am planning a gently used 200 or a new '16 or '17 this year. Unless something changes drastically a purchase will be from Camelback Toyota in Phoenix. @murf - Eric Murphy - is a long time employee there, the Service Manager. Eric is an active member of Copper State Cruisers and a good guy. His store has sold, customized and serviced dozens of rigs for Mud/CSC members. He "has a guy" on the sales side he works with closely - Moe - who has been there longer than Eric, something like 27 years.

New or used, 200, Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, etc. Eric will take care of you. Want mods on your new truck? No problem.

Pricing is fair and they won't screw you around. My business parter, Georg (@orangefj45) and I have known the man and the firm for years and trust him/them. When was the last time you could say that about a car dealer?

Ya gotta do your own research, but Eric & Co. are worth a call. For new car purchase referral, parts, etc., shoot Eric a PM to @murf or email him at emurphy@vtaig.com

• Knowledgable sales and service staff - guys that know the vehicles and how we use them
• Fair pricing
• No BS port installs
• No BS dealer installs
• National delivery available
• Turn-key purchase, finance and installation of mods/accessories - rolled into finance/lease if you want
• Full range of TRD and aftermarket upgrades/installs:
  • Wheels/tires
  • Suspensions
  • Lockers
  • Armor/racks
  • Seat covers
  • Drawers
• AND if you buy a rig and have Eric put it together, you can fly into Phoenix and drive home through Moab.

Here is a picture from their service bay today - not a mall crawler dealership.

 

[FDMD]

I will second everything @wardharris said about Eric Murphy and CBT. They were the ones that finally got my new 2017 electrical problem fixed. I would say his prices are reasonable. He offers the club discount for labor.

I'm tickled that you mentioned the salesman, Mo. I bought my first and second Cruisers from Mo in '91 and '93. I didn't get my '17 from CBT because their sales manager (not Mo) balked when I told him the price I locked in with Earnhardt out in Mesa. He may have literally laughed at me over the phone. Their loss.

After the problems I encountered with my suspension install at a free-standing 4x4 shop recently, I vow never to get mods done anywhere else but CBT. Fool me once...