Jim Coleman Toyota

In 1998 I went with my elderly mother to Jim Coleman pick up a car she purchased new. The final price was thousands over the agreed upon price - I reviewed the paperwork and noted that the following has mys up a car she purchased new. The final price was thousands over the agreed upon price - I reviewed the paperwork and noted that the following has mysteriously appeared - none of which was reflected in the paperwork. Paint sealant: $395 - (this turned out to be wax) Fabric sealant: $495 - (Spray -on - think Scotchguard) Trunk tray: $195 - (Speechless) Window tint: $495 - ?? Full Sized spare tire: 175.00 (Maybe. But 175.00?) Wheel locks: $295 - (I can't see anyone stealing stamped steel Corolla wheels) Deluxe carpet mats: $495 - (Yup. Floor mats) Appearance upgrade: $250 - (Never did get an answer) Market adjustment: $3,000 (Uh, what?) I told them we didn't want the wax and wound up bargaining it and the fabric sealant down to 70.00. This would be the easy part. I refused to pay for the trunk tray and told them to take it out. Ditto the floor mats, spare and wheel locks. They could never explain what the "Appearance upgrade" was and so that wasn't so hard to get rid of. My mother (my dad had died very recently and this was the first car she bought on her own) was pretty set on this particular car and "didn't want to make a scene" so it would have been a problem to walk out, though I wish we had. I bargained the whole mess down to about 1,000 dollars and we left with the car. Little did I know the pain was just beginning. I'm in the service and only get home every so often. The next interaction was an invoice for replacing the front brake rotors and pads due to rust. The car was three years old and had less than 12,000 miles on it. It was not covered under warranty because the "car wasn't driven enough and that's why the rotors rusted." I've worked as a heavy truck mechanic in the Army and have worked on any number of cars. ALL brake rotors will have light surface rust, she does not live in the salt belt (Bethesda?) and besides, the car is garaged. Next visit home: car is six years old, under 23,000 miles, she took it in because it wouldn't start - it was a dead battery. She said it had been running perfectly. Total bill was than 4,100 to replace battery, started, alternator, voltage limiter, and belt, while they were unnecessarily rebuilding the car's entire electrical system for a dead battery, they "happened to notice" the ECU (computer) "looked fishy, you don't want the car to just stop on you one night?", ditto the the throttle body, they cleaned and adjusted the spray of injectors (got me there - the car was running fine, and why clean them? if they are bad might as well replace them - turns out they were saving that one for another visit.) They also installed new CV boots, though I happen to know the original ones were fine (I had checked them previous visit a few months earlier) and had no cracks, replace motor mounts, adjust transmission and replace weatherstripping. The car has 23,000 miles on it, is garaged, and literally driven by a little old lady. Anything beyond the battery and belt is outright theft. Despite my strong objections she kept taking to Jim Coleman. In 2007 they convinced her that even though the car had 33,000 on it, since it was almost ten years old, they needed to do the 36k 50k 75k and 90k service all at once, hence she was charged for a timing belt, water pump, front seal, struts, brakes (again) radiator, full tune up, new headlights, battery and exhaust. Over 3,500. Fast forward: She called, not to question whether the latest estimate was legit, but to ask whether she should just get a new car, as they told her this one, at a little over 38,000 miles, needs: a new radiator, heater core, blower, head gasket, both transmission and motor mounts, injectors, master brake cylinder, CV joints, O2 sensor, strut assembly, tie rods and complete transmission rebuild. She took it in because "it took longer than she remembered to blow warm air." With the economy tanking she suddenly worried about money and has realized she's on a fixed income and doesn't really have the 4,000 they want to "make it safe to drive" so she didn't approve this round if repairs. Needless to say, when I got home for the holidays I looed it over - it's in perfect shape. It was 22 degrees the day she though it didn't warm up quickly. I realize this a mother problem as much as Jim Coleman lying to an elderly widow and stealing her blind. The whole situation has been making me insane for years, so my wife and I finally hit upon a solution: we bought the car from her and are letting her use it - so now the upkeep is up to us. This is just part of the Jim Coleman saga - I can't imagine how these people sleep at night. A Corolla is one of the most reliable cars on the road - our son has a 1996 with over 145,000 on it - it's been bullet proof. This dealership preys on the elderly in particular - every time my mother would balk they would mention how dangerous it would be not to do what they said - new brake rotors, car suddenly stopping, overheating. These are the worst of the worst - there are numerous other small things I haven't mentioned. There are many good mechanics and dealers out there. Jim Coleman in not one of them. More

The first sales person was not knowedgeable about the vehicles being sold, sent the incorrect information over email. The next sales person to call made an appointment to show a vehicle and did not sh vehicles being sold, sent the incorrect information over email. The next sales person to call made an appointment to show a vehicle and did not show up for the appointmnt or even call to postpone, nothing. When I called the sales manager to ask about the missed apointment I was given an apology but without any follow up to maintain my business. Therefore, now my first impression of Jim Coleman Toyota is that they do not care about any customer during the initial sale of the vehicle and most likely will not care if there might be a problem later with the vehicle. More

We purchased a 2004 Toyota Sienna from Jim Coleman Toyota in Bethesda, MD. We continued to have the vehicle serviced there until a few days ago. Our van has less than 60,000 miles and is not even a month pas in Bethesda, MD. We continued to have the vehicle serviced there until a few days ago. Our van has less than 60,000 miles and is not even a month past its 5th year on the road; and we have thousands of dollars of needed repairs that are due to the poor quality of the van's original materials, parts, and manufacturing. Here is the list of items that have gone bad to date. * rear hatch hydraulics - failed and replaced twice. * air conditioner - undiagnosed problem that Toyota can't seem to find. At outdoor temperatures above about 82 degrees, the interior is hot enough where passengers sweat when the AC is on full blast. The whole point of AC is to cool passengers when it is hot outside. * driver's seat belt routinely folds over on itself when retracting and gets stuck so it is not usable. We have figured out how to fix it, but it isn't easy and it takes 10 minute or more each time. This occurs many times during the week. Toyota will not replace this totally faulty seatbelt that is due to a design flaw. * driver's door needs to be replaced ($2,000) due to a known defect that Toyota will only fix within the 1st 5 years. Apparently, Toyota thinks it is acceptable to have a door malfunction on a 5 year old vehicle and after 5 years it should be the owner’s expense. So much for Toyota having durable high-quality vehicles! * Rack and Pinion needs to be replaced due to a leak in two places. At 5 years and under 60,000, this is not covered under the original warranty. The estimates from Toyota are from ($1,100 to $1,600) to replace with a rebuilt version or new Toyota part. So much for having a safe car to drive for 10 years. We bought this car because we thought we were buying a safe high-quality product that we could drive for about 10 years. We were totally surprised to discover how poorly built it is; and that it is falling apart within 5 years. The biggest shock is that Jim Coleman Toyota doesn't care or stand by this statement made supposedly by Jim Coleman. "On behalf of everyone at Jim Coleman Automotive, I would like to thank you for choosing our Toyota Dealership and trusting us with your business. You are an important member of our Jim Coleman Automotive Family. You will find that our relationship travels far beyond the sale, building and thriving through your entire ownership experience. At Jim Coleman Toyota, we take great pride in the extraordinary level of personal service that you will receive from everyone at our dealership. We are fully committed to creating a lifelong relationship with each of our clients, offering the most positive ownership experience possible." Jim Coleman, President. At the moment, I do not feel like part of the Jim Coleman Automotive Family! I feel like I paid way too much for a product that isn't as durable or as safe as I thought. We were planning to keep this van and buy a Prius as well in the near future, but I am not satisfied with the product or the customer service of Jim Coleman Automotive. More

Saturday 30 May 09 I purchased my 4th car from JCT. I feel that Larry is a very honest and trustworthy salesman and he is the reason that I continue to buy from JCT. It is an entirely different story tho feel that Larry is a very honest and trustworthy salesman and he is the reason that I continue to buy from JCT. It is an entirely different story though when it comes to the service department. Over the years I have had many different problems with their service department and Wanda their Service manager. I was sent there today 2 Jun 09 to pick up the second FOB for the keyless entry and keyless operation of the vehicle. Dale Kerns was the Customer service person that I had to speak to about the FOB and laser cut key. He called and was told by their parts department that a new FOB was in stock. I aggreed to wait for the programing as he said it would only take 45 minutes. After an hour, the car was brought to the front for me. I noticed that there was still only the original FOB and I was then told that they were not in stock as I was previously told. I also noticed by then that they had backed into something with my car and left 3 scratches and gouges in my back bumper. It appears that they will fix it, but there does not seem to be any acountability on what actually happened and why it was returned damaged without a work being said. I would have to assume also that if no one is held acountable, then I should expect to see additional damage to my car again in the future is I allow them to service it. I am very dissapointed in JCT and will not do business with them in the future (after it is repaired). Will this be reported as an accident and show up on a carfax report? More

If your in the Military they will go after you, they told me that they could put me in a brand new Prius, let me sign all the paper work, drive off the lot with it and then not a month later they still haven me that they could put me in a brand new Prius, let me sign all the paper work, drive off the lot with it and then not a month later they still haven't paid off my trade in and/or started the new financing on the Prius. So, now I'm still responsible for two car payments (the trade in they never paid off and the new Prius). When I called to talk to the General Manager they never returned my phone calls, I physically had to drive there and SIT for someone to come out of there back corner to tell me "we are working on it." So I asked for my trade in back, "well sir, we sold it." xxx! Tell me how they sell your car without paying it off to the lender before selling you a new car? Shady deals and wheels. More

The sales staff was rude and so was the Used Car Manager. He told me that he puts his best price on the internet and does not negotiate. He called me an hour later and told me that he is having a good day an He told me that he puts his best price on the internet and does not negotiate. He called me an hour later and told me that he is having a good day and willing to "entertain" the idea with a $700 discount. Of course, I didn't buy a car from there! More

Sales person: Will Spates Great guy. Have bought two Sales person: Will Spates Great guy. Have bought two cars from him with no problems. Even shared his lunch with me one day cause I said I hungry! Sales person: Will Spates Great guy. Have bought two cars from him with no problems. Even shared his lunch with me one day cause I said I hungry! Add-ons Saleslady: (name unknown) Nice but tries to sale a bunch of stuff since this is where dealers really make a profit. Finance Guys: (dealt with two...one per purchase. names unknown.) Not very personal or pleasant to talk with but patient enough to let me read every fine word. Service: Grant Nice guy. Can't really judge service cause I have never had any issues with my 07 Prius (that does about 2000 to 2500 miles per month) or my 09 Matrix (less than 100 miles per month). Not sure why there are a bunch of bad reviews. I had no issues. More

This note is to warn all car buyers that the unscrupulous bait-and-switch tactic is alive and well at Jim Coleman Toyota. Despite multiple emails and phone calls confirming a quoted price for a RAV4—and a ve bait-and-switch tactic is alive and well at Jim Coleman Toyota. Despite multiple emails and phone calls confirming a quoted price for a RAV4—and a verbal guarantee that there would be no change when I entered the showroom—when I sat down today to write the check, salesperson Larry Pang brought in a manager to explain that the dealership would not honor agreement and wanted to charge $1,000 more than the agreed-to price. Mind you, this occurred even after involving Costco’s car-buying service in the process. And even before I agreed to drive to the dealership to buy the car, I explained that I am a journalist and former consumer affairs reporter who would publicize my experience if the dealership backed out of the deal. Apparently, the Jim Coleman Toyota doesn’t care about negative publicity. Well, I truly hope that word-of-mouth can have an impact to help halt this company’s deceitful practice. If my experience is any indication, a prospective car buyer would be foolish to expect a fair deal from Jim Coleman Toyota. The treatment I received was unethical, dishonest and a waste of my time and gas. More

Jim Coleman Toyota was the only dealership in almost 200 miles with the exact car that I wanted in stock. Despite reading all the reviews here and on other sites, the fact that they were 15 miles from me, miles with the exact car that I wanted in stock. Despite reading all the reviews here and on other sites, the fact that they were 15 miles from me, and I'd never having purchased a car before, I decided to go give them a shot. As one employee explained to us, Toyota apparently heeded some of these recommendations, and had been threatening the dealership due to poor customer service, so there's been new managers brought in and a serious effort to raise the level of customer satisfaction. And I'd say it's paid off. I never saw what it used to be, and I haven't seen anything of the service side of the house to comment on that, but everyone on their sales team was friendly and helpful. Yes, they tried to sell me every possible option under the sun, but accepted my answer when I turned them down. When I said that I had already arranged my own financing, they tried to offer me their lower rates, but again accepted a firm "no thank you". I never felt pushed into something, schmoozed too much, or anything unacceptable. Given their recent push to do better, I'd definitely recommend giving them a chance. More

Never ever allow Steve McClay to offer his 'services' to you. I did an internet search and a nice professional woman called me first. Then Steve McClay called. I made an appointment and headed over to see you. I did an internet search and a nice professional woman called me first. Then Steve McClay called. I made an appointment and headed over to see the car he promised with the quote he'd given. I got lost and went to another dealer in the automall. I tried calling him but when he finally returned my call...I was already back in Bethesda. He offered to send someone to pick me up and I asked to wait until the following day (it was already 8PM at this time). He said he would give me an even better price. Finally I agreed to his ride only under the condition that I would get a ride back and that I was under no obligation to buy since I hadn't had an opportunity to test drive the car. When I arrived I drove the car. It was beautiful but I knew way more than I wanted to spend. True, it was. Over 3 thousand dollars more! By this time it was 11:30PM. He kicked me and my friend out of the dealership and did not give us a ride back to our car as promised. He practically spit in my face, screamed at me and tried intimidation tactics as he stood over me and spoke forcefully in my face. I called a friend and he came and picked us up. I got home at 1:15 in the morning in the cold rain. He is an awful human being, a terribe sales person and he has no ethics or integrity. More