RAVing about My New Car

If anyone had told me in the past 3 years that I would happily drive a new car off a local Toyota dealership (I-10), I would have flown into a rage! In July 2007, I was at the same dealership to purchase a small Toyota truck -- and ripped up the contract and left. In the process of trying to leave, I was verbally assaulted by an employee, who held onto the car and would not let my friend drive away. Long story short, the owner of the dealership called, offered to honor the deal we had made that was completely changed by the finance manager, and added a bit of incentive. I drove back to the dealership, sat outside to sign the papers, and vowed upon my return NEVER to go back there again. And, I generously gave them all the free publicity they deserved as the WORST dealership ever. Not surprising, many other locals not only agreed, but added their horror stories to mine. If you lie to and try to cheat one customer, it's because you've lied to and cheated many, many more.

That was then; this is now. I hurt my right knee at Thanksgiving and it's causing me issues, continuing to deteriorate in spite of the ortho specialist's pronouncement that the x-rays showed no injury; thus, there is nothing wrong with my knee. Yes, there is, and driving my 5-speed manual transmission has beome a physical issue. Additionally, when the weather turned bad so many times in the last 4 months, I could not get to work! My little 4-banger was too light on the road and didn't have the power to make it up the grades between home and job site. I made the decision to trade in my truck, sell my Camry, and become a one-car family.

I began my research in December and thought that maybe a Toyota RAV4 was the vehicle for me. Bigger than some, smaller than others, but available in a V-6, my preference. I looked on-line for both new and used, comparing outlets all over SoCal. I found a used vehicle at the dreaded dealership, but actively continued looking anywhere else, rather than go back "there." As circumstances have evolved with Toyota, it became a propitious time to push my search into gear, and this time the worst dealership was my best option, so I made the call and set up an appointment. I told the salesman with whom I spoke, "Just don't lie to me," and he promised that he would be straight. And he was, sort of.

I test drove a few used vehicles, including my well-loved 4-Runner and another one that just felt wrong. I cannot explain why, but I refused to test-drive it off the lot because something was way wrong with what I felt behind the wheel. Realizing that I would pay within $5k for a used car, and having been assured over the phone that I could purchase a RAV4-10 V-6 for $25, I directed the salesman to take me to those vehicles.

Of course, the one he had told me was available was not, so I got that hinky feeling up my back of "here we go again." I thanked him for his time and asked him to give me a call when he had on the lot what we had discussed prior to my arrival. He intervened and had me sit in and test drive that model in a different vehicle, and I was sold: it was a perfect fit. And I, still assuming that he meant that he could put me into that vehicle at $25k, went inside to do the paperwork that would culminate in a purchase.

The first figure he wrote on the paper was $5k higher than what we agreed on, so I stopped him. He explained that yes, he could get me what I wanted -- in cloth interior, fewer options, yada yada yada, and I said, "Fine. Call me when that car is on the lot." We all know how negotiations go, starting with a $500 drop in the price -- and that was not going to fly with me. When he got down to, "I can make this happen for $26," I was ecstatic, but not so much when he returned with paperwork that listed the selling price as $26,999. When I challenged him on his honesty, he clarified that when he said $26, everyone knows that he meant "$26,999." I looked him square in the eye and told him I'd been there before and that is why I walked off this lot the last time. "If you meant $27, just say so. If you say $26, then give me $26."

Long story short: I drove it home. That one. The fully-loaded, all leather interior, over-the-top RAV4-10, in white.

My new RAV has heated seats in the front. A back-up camera. A rearview mirror that automatically adjusts at night. Rear seats that flip totally down with a pull of a lever. A full-sized console between the 2 plush back seats that recline. A storage compartment under the back deck. One of those fancy hardshell covers for the spare tire. A sun roof. A 6-CD player, an incredible radio, and 6 speakers. An I-POD dock. A computer outlet. Of course, all the standard goodies, like cruise control, as well as 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive for inclement weather, and a towing package.

Did I mention it's a V-6 and totally hauls ass on the open road?

The dealership redeemed itself with an entirely new management structure that responded to "numerous past complaints," according to the new manager, who talked with me personally. He was impressed that I did return to this dealership, and I would go back if I ever decide to buy another car. Hopefully, this will be my last car as it blends the best of both worlds: I have my luxurious passenger compartment, my spacious truck, and the power to go where I want to go regardless of the weather.