XM Radio - revisited (long)

Finally had the opportunity to take the wife's two month old 2004 Solara Convertible to the dealer to resolve why she can't activate the XM radio. [Background - 2nd vehicle purchased from this salesman (2003 4Runner) who sells at a multiple brand dealership (Toyota, Suzuki, used). He is not a Toyota salesman, but was she felt comfortable dealing with him again. He told her during the sale that XM was ready to activate, and again by phone after she took delivery. I posted here two weeks ago looking for advice on how to get the radio code for activation, and based on the responses figured out that we probably did not have XM installed.]

Took the car to the parts / service dept. After a quick inspection, it is not equipped with the XM antenna or receiver - just the XM "ready" radio. These are $760 for dealer install, but due to the "mix-up", I can have it done for $480. Next I talked to the salesman, who "finally" had learned from the Toyota guys that XM was not installed and that, although it is a $760 option, they could do it for $560.

My take on this is:

  1. My wife was lied to about the XM radio in order to obtain the sale.

  1. We have been stalled for two months.

  2. The parts / service dept. was willing to give me a better deal to remedy the situation than the sales dept. - they were looking to make money on the situation.

Anyone have a similar experience? How did the dealership resolve it? Considering that I can go to Circuit City and have XM added complete for about $200, is it worth getting the Toyota system for 2.5 times that amount?

TIA for replies to group.

Reply to
sethvir
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Working with dealers that do the same stuff , I believe the responsibilty is in the hands of the sales department , to make good on their original sales promise. Be it verbal or whatever. The only thing you should pay for XM is the monthly to keep it active. I do Ford audio/vidoe repair and installation for a living, and the only time a dealer doesn't seem to do anythin about a deal gone bad ( promises made but not kept, options not really available type stuff ) is when the customer says so, and the salesman is no longer available to deal with it - Fired or what have you )

Sounds to me, from your description of this issue, that the dealer is one you have dealt with for years. and probably will not ever again. ESPECIALLY if they do not correct the issue. If they are willing to take care of this without any payment from you, to keep you as a customer, then i would give the dealership another chance. However , that particular sales guy would no longer get my purchases to put on his docket. The overall rating on the dealership would be my focus.

The parts department is going beyond the call to help you out. so they indicate to be a solid business with better than average ethics. Using them might be OK for future transactions. But the slaes department would not see me again if they don't make good on the promise of XM working in your car.

Ignorance of how the system works and what it takes to make it work is not *your problem) it is, however, theirs.

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply MUADIB®

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Reply to
MUADIB®

In 2003 I looked at a Nissan Murano -- same deal -- radio said XM on it. Dealer swore ya just paid the monthly subscription and it woudl work. In checking on Internet, turns out Nissan didn't even have the parts "certified" yet. Ya had to buy the parts for an Infinity (only couple hundred though - not gulp $760!. Wish you could buy Toyota with out radios at all -- like apparently the SCION. They sure aren't worth the price --- even the JBL models. I was much more impressed with the radios in the NISSANs --- nice powered Bose woofer and exposed plug for MP3 and TV/VHS/DVD player. That said I got an 03 Camry SE and an 03 4Rnr SE - cus I hate dealing with dealers for repair (Option was Altima and Murano). .

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Reply to
Wolfgang

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