GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi Genvibe members, just chiming in with a little negative experience at a local Toyota dealer. I recently moved from Rochester, NY to Orlando, Fl and had my 1st experience with 1 of the local Toyota dealers. Yesterday I went to David Maus Toyota which is near where I work to get a Toyota oil filter and coolant for my vibe. I had the unique experience of having Howard wait on me, very unhelpful to be kind about it, I got the usual a vibe isn't the same and we don't carry any parts that fit it. I was used to dealing with Hoselton Toyota in Rochester which was always helpfull and understood I wanted quality parts on my GM/Toyota vehicle. This man didn't get it, even when I gave him the part#'s for what I wanted he insisted he knew why I needed and I'd be better off with Long life coolant as opposed to super long life, etc etc. just wondered where most of you all are buying your Toyota parts, amazon, eBay or online Toyota dealer parts? I would not recommend David Maus as a helpful dealer for purchasing any Toyota parts for your Vibe either. Frank

The Toyota dealer. I'm mostly careful not to mention that it's a Pontiac Vibe.

I have gotten a couple things from my local Toyota dealer (Bill Walsh Toyota in Ottawa, Illinois) and they have always been very helpful. The parts guys actually think it's cool that I own a "GM" and am buying parts at a Toyota dealer .

I have also had quite a few great experiences buying things from TRD Sparks. It's a Toyota dealer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (I believe) that sells Toyota OEM parts and TRD accessories online. I actually order our oil filters from them because you can buy them by the case (10 in a case) which works out to about $3.50 a filter as opposed to $4.xx a filter from the dealer. Great prices and fast shipping. I highly recommend them for any online Toyota-related purchases you need to make.

The only things I've bought from my Toyota dealer are transmission fluid, oil filters, and wiper blade refills. They understand about the Vibe. I had them ask about the VIN the first time I was there, and when I told him it was for a Vibe and I had the Toyota part numbers already, he said, oh, OK, that's great, and took care of the order.

I bought a driver side window switch cover from a Toyota dealer because the price is lower than that from a Chevy dealer. I know I could get it for less online but the shipping was too much for such a small part.

petervivian wrote:I bought a driver side window switch cover from a Toyota dealer because the price is lower than that from a Chevy dealer. I know I could get it for less online but the shipping was too much for such a small part.

Switch: $5
Shipping: $240

I hate sites that do that.

Toyota dealer but I've never told them it was a Pontiac.

I always tell Toyota dealers I have a 06 Matrix XR FWD... until they ask for the VIN.

I used to work for a GM dealer and I can see why a Toyota dealer might have reluctance getting into Vibe parts. We used to sell the Tracker, which was a rebadged Suzuki Sidekick. They were almost identical but the Tracker was always a year behind the Suzuki and there were a number of small differences.

There wasn't a Suzuki dealer around so we often had people coming in and buying parts and then complaining because they weren't exactly the same or the parts didn't fit and on an on.

If a Toyota dealer is happy to sell parts for a Vibe, I'd consider that a bonus.

I find that the majority of parts are much cheaper from Toyota. There are some that are cheaper from GM though. I usually check both.

I never mention I have a Vibe to the counter guy at Toyota. I've gotten too much attitude from the ignorant parts people too often.

If anyone needs parts we use this guy on Spyderchat. Has decent prices. You can tell him Triz on Spyderchat sent you.

"Rafa"
T.O.T PERFORMANCE
(805)-497-2791 Ext: 174
rafa@totperformance.com
http://WWW.TOTOYOTAPARTS.COM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; / http://WWW.TOTPERFORMANCE.COM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;