hello,
im looking for an honest/good Toyota dealership in Maryland. Ideally in the Baltimore area.
Regards,
Mike
Unfortunately, "honest [any_type] dealership" is an oxymoron.
No such thing exists.
The dealership might be dishonest but the techs are the ones working on the vehicles and most I’ve come across are great people. I would talk with them, most people just bring a vehicle in and sit in the showroom without even seeing the guy or gal working on their vehicle. Whenever I’m at the dealership I’m in the back room or service center talking with the tech that’s working on my vehicle. I make them show me what they are working on and if they suggest any additional repairs I make them show me the part or system and ask them why they suggest to replace or fix anything extra and I’ve never had a problem, they are happy to show me and it develops a good relationship for future visits. Anybody on the showroom has no say to what my vehicle needs. I also make the techs show me the old parts they replace and they show me why the part broke.
Check the FAQ for mechanics
When are dealers honest? I've never seen any car dealer at all when they are honest with their customers.
I usually go to dealerships for oil changes when I find a deal at a local dealership.
The service department will usually give me a list of things and expected costs to repair or maintain items.
I then research those items and see if it is legitimate, or if they are ripping me off.
Then I either do it myself, or find go to my trusted mechanic(s) to get the work done. Or if I can work a deal, get the work done at the dealer.
The Toyota dealership wanted to charge me several hundred dollars for a throttle body cleaning. I was like no way, let me learn how to do that. Took me less than half an hour and a bottle of MAF and a bottle of throttle body cleaner.
If you go in to test drive or inquire you will be treated great. The salesman will go all out and if you go in to look only you'll be fine with just about anyone. a few hours later you'll get an email or text from a sales manager, cause if the sales guy didn't make the sale the sales manager won't get his commission. Check out YAA on you tube to prepare ahead if you haven't. I just test drove a 2022 Toyota 4runner at Fitzgerald Auto in Gaithersburg. I wasn't going to buy it but was really interested in seeing it, it was beautiful but too small for me. The guy was OK, handed us the keys and asked if we were OK going on a test drive alone since he had some customers to take care of. Always nicer to just go out by yourself.
I would take it to a good, independent mechanic that has experience working on Toyota’s. I have never been to a dealer for any service in the last 25 years.
