Toyota of Seattle — Attraction in Seattle

READ BEFORE BUYING A USED CAR FROM THIS DEALERSHIP

Update reflecting dealership’s public response:

I want to clarify several points in response to Toyota of Seattle’s reply to my review: • The “good-faith” trade-in offer referenced would have resulted in a $3,000 equity loss for me — hardly a fair solution after being sold a vehicle that broke down on the freeway shortly after purchase. • The dealership claims that the issue wasn’t safety-related. However, mechanical failure that leaves a driver stranded on a freeway absolutely qualifies as a safety risk. • While the dealership did repair the AC and provided a rental, every solution offered has come with the condition that I bear the financial burden of a situation I did not cause. That’s not “making things right” — that’s avoiding accountability.

Original review:

I’ve never left a negative review in my life, but I’m writing this out of respect for other buyers so they can avoid the situation I’m in.

To summarize: I was sold a car that had not undergone a basic inspection, putting my safety at risk. On top of that, pricing was not communicated transparently before my credit was run.

Here’s what happened: When we first discussed estimated monthly payments, I wasn’t clearly informed about the cost or necessity of adding a third-party warranty. Only after running my credit and beginning paperwork was I told how integral the warranty would be — that if I didn’t buy it, I could lose my entire investment if the car broke down after driving off the lot. That’s also when I learned how much it would add to my monthly payment. This put me in a position where I made a mistake as a first-time buyer, and I ended up paying nearly the same monthly cost as I would for a brand-new car — especially if I had gone with a hybrid or EV, which would’ve brought immense savings on fuel.

If I had been given clearer information, I would have seen that buying new—especially a hybrid or EV with a 7-year manufacturer warranty—would have been a smarter investment and comparable in cost overall. It felt like the salesperson was more focused on pushing aging inventory than helping me make the best decision.

After accepting that I’d overpaid, the problems didn’t stop.

Immediately after purchase: • The A/C didn’t work at all • The fuel economy was significantly lower than average for a 2017 Civic

These are basic things that should have been caught in any inspection. While they did fix the A/C and assured me the engine was fine, just one week later the car broke down on the freeway. I took it to Honda, who provided great service. Toyota covered the repairs, but I’m still left with a car that: • Gets poor fuel mileage • Makes concerning noises in neutral and reverse

I chose to buy a used car from a Toyota dealership specifically to avoid “as-is” risks and because I trusted Toyota would ensure the vehicle was reliable and safe. I’ve been let down on both fronts. This experience has left me wishing I had bought new—or gone with a dealership that actually inspects their vehicles...

My wife & I recently had the pleasure of purchasing a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Limited trim) from Kabir, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I called the dealership with my requirements until the day we drove off in our new car, Kabir demonstrated remarkable professionalism, attentiveness, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. First and foremost, Kabir's ability to listen was truly remarkable. He took the time to understand our specific needs and preferences. Rather than pushing us towards a specific model or feature, he genuinely listened to our requirements. This personalized approach made us feel valued as a customer, and it created a strong sense of trust right from the start. Kabir's proactive nature was truly refreshing. He went above and beyond to provide us with all the information we needed to make an informed decision. What impressed us most about Kabir was his accessibility. He was always just a phone call away, promptly answering any questions or concerns we had. Even during busy periods, he made it a point to make time for me and promptly returned my calls and messages. This level of responsiveness and availability made the entire experience smooth and stress-free, as we never had to wonder about the status of our purchase or worry about unanswered queries.

Gabriel (Finance expert) patiently explained all the finance options available to us, ensuring that we had a clear understanding of each choice. He walked us through the different loan terms, interest rates, and monthly payment options, providing valuable insights. His extensive knowledge of the financing process instilled a great deal of confidence. Furthermore, Gabriel presented various add-on packages available for the Toyota Rav4. He explained the benefits of each package in detail, allowing us to assess their value and make an educated decision.

Edward (Brand Ambassador) explained all the car details during vehicle delivery and showcased a deep knowledge of the Rav4 Hybrid and its various features. He effortlessly walked us through the car's technology, safety systems, and performance aspects, ensuring that we were confident in our decision. His expertise and enthusiasm for the vehicle were truly contagious and made the whole process enjoyable.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Toyota of Seattle to anyone looking to purchase any Toyota vehicle. Thanks to Kabir, we are now the proud owner of a Rav4 Hybrid that perfectly suits our needs and exceeds our expectations. I am confident that Kabir's dedication to his customers will continue to shine in all his future endeavors.

Thank you, Toyota of Seattle, for making our car buying experience truly outstanding!

Sincerely, Sagar & Isha Delighted...

I have gone to this dealership for years due to their location, and have hesitated leaving a review. I have had enough.

2 years ago, I was in the market for a new vehicle and I was interested in the grand highlander. Bella, the front desk concierge showed me the vehicle and I loved it, but she said it didn't come in a hybrid version. I clarified with her to make sure it was not manufactured at all and not just OOS and she confirmed. I later found out that was a lie.

When I eventually purchased my vehicle with them last year, they kept pushing back the available date after I sent my deposit in a few months prior. There was some back and forth communication and I expressed my frustration with how they never communicated updates with me even though the sales guy Alex said I would be getting updates whenever they had any.

Within a month of receiving my grand highlander, the rubber insulation would pop out on top of the roof of my car and services told me that's normal. The back bars to the third row keeps breaking from normal use of the vehicle. This is not what I would expect from a $65,000 vehicle.

The icing on the cake is the constant miscommunication between the front desk and services, between either of them telling me drop off services is available, and not. The front desk is always brisk and blunt about it, saying it's not available, without specifying they only offer it on the weekdays (which was info I had to pry out from them after multiple conversations with three different people) and that I had to tell them beforehand. When I do tell them beforehand, it's a game of telephone between the front desk and services. Eventually when I do get it scheduled, I get more attitude about whether or not I'm within the 8 mile driving range allotted (I definitely am and actually moved closer to them). I received attitude from the front desk about this. I asked about an interior cleaning and services gave me incorrect information, making me feel like I have to ask ridiculously specific questions to be able to get the answer I need, such as paying for a quick interior vacuum (only to find out they'd only vacuum the driver's side and nothing more). Nothing makes sense and lacks thought or care for what a customer may want when they're asking about services. They will offer you $50 oil changes, but it will take up to FIVE HOURS. Currently waiting on my oil change going into hour six. They have waiting appointments which means it'll be done in 1-2 hours, but if those aren't available, you have to do a drop off appointment where they quote 4-5 hours and still go over the time, as ridiculous as the quote is. At this point, it is far easier to just go to Meineke and pay double to get it done...