Balise Toyota Scion

In March of 2006, we brought my 2001 Rav4 into the dealership because the gearshift was moving back in forth when you depressed or release the gas pedal. We we told by Balise Service that this was absolutely normal. About a week later it started "popping" out of 5th gear, which the service dept agreed was "NOT normal". They replaced some parts based on a service bulletin. When we picked up the car, there was ABSOLUTELY no abnormal movement in 5th gear. Here it is 8 months later and the gearshift is once again starting to move back and forth in 5th gear. Just as the last time, they are telling us this is TOTALLY normal and they refuse to fix the problem. They said that they totally replaced the transmission the last time - we pulled out the paperwork and proved them wrong. They are rude and do not stand behind their product. They also replace things that don't need to be replaced as long as you are paying for them and they are not under warranty (watch out for all of those additives they charge extra for on an oil change). The Balise dealerships should be avoided like the plague, unless you enjoy overspending and being lied to and yelled at.

Back in late December, the dealer stated that the Corolla LE with the options I wanted was located elsewhere and would be delivered within a week or two. That proved to be untrue. Subsequently, the car was ordered from Toyota. Balise held the car until the 1st day of a 4-day $1,000 factory rebate promotion in mid-February (Washington's Birthay sale). On the day of delivery (6-weeks after deposit made, and 2-weeks after car was shipped to Balise), the dealer attempted to add $1,000 to the agreed upon purchase price and then "deduct" it if I signed over the rebate. They even had the gall to insist that the original price was the "post-rebate price". even though the promotion didn't even exist yet (the original delivery date was to have been more than a month before the rebate promotion).

Additionally, the cruise-control that was included in the original order (well-documented) was missing and the dealer has refused to add it.

Buying new cars has never been a particularly enjoyable experience because of all the games that you have to put up with, but this was by far the worst sales department I've ever dealt with.

I plan to be replacing our other car in the near future - probably with another Toyota - but definitely not one from these guys. What a shame that such a great car has to be represented by dealers like this.

Hope this helps other prospective buyers out there.