Toyota of Colchester — Local services in Colchester

Disclaimer: This review reflects only my personal opinion as someone who accompanied the actual buyer during the purchase process.

Felicia (A true star!) From my very first call about a 2025 GR86, she was outstanding. She followed up promptly, gave clear and detailed answers, and never once used pressure tactics. We spent weeks comparing prices with other dealers, and because of her professionalism and effort, we were ready to drive over two hours to buy from her even though another dealer had a better offer. In a process that later became unnecessarily stressful, Felicia was the one bright spot from start to finish. If you can work with her, you’re in good hands. (She and izzy would get 5 stars if i could leave a separate positive review just for her and Izzy both I would.)

Izzy (Sales) took over once we arrived in person. He listened carefully, confirmed the exact price we had agreed on, and did everything possible to make sure that number was honored. At management’s request, we left to get a cashier’s check for the down payment (a 40-minute round trip) even though he was kept at the dealership about three hours past closing time he was not rude to us. Throughout, he acted as our advocate.

Zach (Sales Manager) Before committing to a two hour drive, I asked for a written breakdown of the deal. He refused and told us to “just come in.” When we arrived, he said there were “too many moving parts” to explain the price, even though the only moving part was the number we’d been given. After the sale, I called about a roughly $250 discrepancy from the agreed $38,250 out-the-door price. His response was aggressive and an offer to unwind the entire deal, instead of simply correcting it. In my opinion, withholding a written quote and responding with hostility after a sale are warning signs for any buyer.

Alex (Finance) in finance we were shown a total higher than the $38,250 out-the-door price we believed we had. VIN etching appeared on the purchase order more than once even after we asked for it to be removed. We were initially told 9% for 75 months, and only after insisting on 60 months were we offered 8% for 60. Alex discouraged the shorter term, spoke negatively about both sales people, referring to them as "Confused and Misinformed sales people." Claiming they couldn't have possibly estimated the numbers right for us to be at $38,250 out the door, he urged us to sign quickly. We declined all add-ons and warranties and proceeded largely because it was late and the gap was about $250.

Chris (GM) & Paul (Director of Sales) When I escalated the price discrepancy, Paul immediately proposed mailing a check for the $250 difference rather than undoing the deal. Chris was polite, apologetic, and open to feedback about our experience. While their resolution was professional, I believe they should review in-house how deals are handled before they reach their desks especially around written quotes, unwanted add-ons, and finance terms, so customers aren’t put in the position we were. My suggestion to them: tighten up pricing transparency and add-on disclosures so customers and your own team aren’t put in difficult positions. This could have been avoided had your finance manager and sales managers set aside what came across to me as an attitude that their position puts them above collaborating with customers. Offering to "unwind" a deal as a conflict resolution for a $250 price discrepancy is not a simple solution.

Overall experience While Felicia and Izzy were outstanding and the only reason we even considered this dealership, the rest of the process left me with serious concerns about how deals are handled here. Refusing to provide a written breakdown before a long drive, changing agreed prices in the finance office, reintroducing add-ons after they were declined, discouraging more favorable loan terms, and using hostility instead of solutions. In my opinion, these tactics can easily overwhelm or pressure less...

I bought a pre-owned Corolla in November, and paid a bit more than I wanted to, but it had some great perks along with it, and was supposed to be "like new". I test drove it, and everything seemed fine day one, so I decided to purchase it.

First thing wrong, the Bluetooth microphone was broken. When I brought it in the following week to have the plates put on, they said they would fix the Bluetooth but I would need to make an appointment. I made the appointment, and was told I need to leave it there the whole day, so I asked for a loaner car, since it's not very convenient for me to drive back and forth, and find a ride. They did agree to this. A week into driving the car, I notice a LOT of creaking, going over bumps, and making turns. Finally, I had an appointment, many weeks later, and could leave my car with them. I was told they would fix the Bluetooth and the creaking. I also never received the second key, and was told they would "find it" or "make a new one".

They kept my car two weeks, and the only communication I got directly, was when the car was ready. During the two weeks, no one kept me in the loop of what was going on, even though I was initially told it would take two days max. Thankfully I had the loaner car I asked for or I would have been in a worse position. I called for updates, and was told they had to wait on parts and everything would be taken care of. When I finally drive the car again, moments later I notice the creaking noise. I thought that was odd, since I was told it would be taken care of. I called to ask and apparently it was the struts but not a safety issue. To me, that sounds VERY odd, so I had another mechanic look at it to be sure. Also, why would they not tell me it wasn't fixed, and then I am surprised upon driving it? Strange part is how the creaking starts a WEEK after owning it, as if the noise was covered up, and then whatever was used, wore off. The Bluetooth is fixed, but the quality is very staticy, so that is rather disappointing.

At this point, I really just want the second key I was promised in the contract. I have had to ask multiple times, in person, through text, and yesterday even called to ask the manager. The manager, Abe, told me the salesman Izzy would call me back about it, but no call has come through yet.

It's incredibly frustrating purchasing a car from here, and I doubt I would again. It's like they expect you to keep up with them, to make sure they fulfill their end of the deal. I have been in customer service over 12 years, and always try to provide the best customer interactions possible. I would never, over a month later, still not give the customer what was promised.

I gave 3 stars, because the car is decent enough. Good luck buying a car from here, hoping they will have everything in...

This is the worst dealership you can go to. Buying a Scion xB there was a decent enough experience, but the servicing of it there afterwards has been a nightmare. After hitting a deer the car was brought there after the cosmetic repairs were finished, because the SRS and other warning lights would not turn off despite the systems working. After multiple day long visits to the dealership, the issue was still not fixed, so they contacted Toyota of Japan to try and solve the issue. After almost 2 months of waiting and no word from the dealership, they finally called. The issue was finally repaired, but then we were handed a bill for over $2000 which included all the parts that never needed to replaced. Another time bringing it there for a simple tune up and to try and fix the air conditioner. They did the tune up and as far as the AC goes all they did was replace the cabin filter. In the end they charged us $1800 for a simple tune up and cabin filter replacement. The real kicker is the AC was never fixed and still blows warm, and they left some sort of cleaning detergent in the AC system, so now whenever the vent/AC/heat is used, the car stinks of industrial grade cleaning detergent. Other times the car has left there with missing bolts and other small parts, such as my exhaust heat shield bolt, so now the heat shield rattles under acceleration up against the exhaust manifold. I have also had a friend bring their car there, and after many days of it being their and a huge bill, the car still wasn't fixed. The service department there isn't made up of mechanics, but inept parts replacers. They have no idea how to actually fix your vehicle, they just replace expensive part after part (the majority of which don't need replacing) and you're stuck with an insane bill (not to mention huge labor costs because they take an entire afternoon to do the simplest job). Save your money and the headache and seek out a different dealership even if it is a bit farther away. Do not listen to the reviews on here of people who just purchased a vehicle, as they probably haven't dealt with the rude and inept...