Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[zamler]

Nope. Dealt with several they were all snakes. I would avoid Heninger the most they are the most entrenched and seasoned snakes. Stampede has the best parts department.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Can anyone recommend a local Toyota dealership? I know what I want but I generally hate the buying experience.

Not exactly local but Cochrane Toyota seemed pretty decent when I was dealing with them.

[bossy22]

When I bought my Tacoma I went to Charlesglen, Country Hills, Henninger, High River, and Cochrane. I bought it from Cochrane. They were fair to deal with and didn't pull the BS. I did online sales and they were the only ones that didn't dick around.

[bagofpucks]

South pointe Toyota was brutal to deal with for sales, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with their service department. I didn’t end up buying, but Lethbridge Toyota actually had the best deal when I was looking at 4runners last year.

[DownhillGoat]

+1 for Cochrane. Dealt with 2 new purchases from them. Seem on the up and up.

[Sliver]

I did some work for Cochrane Toyota. They are a great bunch of very ethical people. I'd buy from them in a heartbeat.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Can anyone recommend a local Toyota dealership? I know what I want but I generally hate the buying experience.

Not sure what model you're after, but try a service like Unhaggle?

One caveat - if you're after an super in demand model - Unhaggle doesn't work. They'll tell you straight up that no bids have been received from dealers if this is the case and refund their fee.

Alternatively, check out the Edmonton dealers for buying - I found they were cheaper than the Calgary ones. Even simple things like the doc fee were lower in Greaserland...

[zamler]

Bought a car from Cochrane Toyota about 9 years ago they lied about maintenance done. Told me the car was safety inspected rear coil spring was broken. I didn't care much since I do all work myself but still, liars. Was a U.S. car no rust that's why I bought it and didn't care much about mechanical issues.

[btimbit]

Sadly with Toyota it's the same answer as most brands. The dealers in Calgary are awful.

I used to go to Northwest Toyota Edmonton, no complaints at all

[dirk diggler]

High River Toyota has a great service dept. cant speak to the current sales dept as i bought the Venza in 2010

[Calgary14]

I would recommend High River Toyota. I would not, not, not recommend Canyon Creek.

[WhiteTiger]

Got a chance to pop out to Drumheller on my drive this week. Couldn't believe the parking lot was basically empty, and had to take advantage for a little size comparison

(spoiler for large image)

Spoiler!

[calgarygeologist]

Has anyone used a local locksmith instead of a dealership to replace a keyfob for a newer keyless ignition system? My mom needs a keyfob for her vehicle, Genesis sedan, and I've read that a dealership could charge $800 to $1000 for a new fob and programming. I see that fobs online are about $150 and I assume that a capable locksmith with the right tool can program it for a couple hundred. Any recommendations?

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Has anyone used a local locksmith instead of a dealership to replace a keyfob for a newer keyless ignition system? My mom needs a keyfob for her vehicle, Genesis sedan, and I've read that a dealership could charge $800 to $1000 for a new fob and programming. I see that fobs online are about $150 and I assume that a capable locksmith with the right tool can program it for a couple hundred. Any recommendations?

I am not sure if a Candian Tire, Part Source or Auto Value or some other local part's store may be able to assist?

One of the downsides to a lot of this modern technology is the absolute insanity price wise on parts and services that used to be next to nothing. You used to get key's cut for cars for less than two coffee's and now it's running close to a mortgage payment for some.

Good luck!

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Has anyone used a local locksmith instead of a dealership to replace a keyfob for a newer keyless ignition system? My mom needs a keyfob for her vehicle, Genesis sedan, and I've read that a dealership could charge $800 to $1000 for a new fob and programming. I see that fobs online are about $150 and I assume that a capable locksmith with the right tool can program it for a couple hundred. Any recommendations?

Cost me about 80 per FOB to have a two new ones programmed for my son's 2006 Rav 4.

I I think it was BW Locksmith...

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Has anyone used a local locksmith instead of a dealership to replace a keyfob for a newer keyless ignition system? My mom needs a keyfob for her vehicle, Genesis sedan, and I've read that a dealership could charge $800 to $1000 for a new fob and programming. I see that fobs online are about $150 and I assume that a capable locksmith with the right tool can program it for a couple hundred. Any recommendations?

Consider doing it yourself as well. There's Youtube guides online. I get that there's labour and stuff involved, but for the prices they are charging for a single battery change that they do in a literal minute or two, I can buy myself a life time supply of coin batteries (and brand name ones like Sony too) and do it myself.

The same profit multiplier seems to exist for buying and reprogramming a key.

[Bankai]

2013 Dodge Caravan.

Any ideas why I get a squeaking sound coming on occasionally? Sounds as if it is associated with the wheels/brakes/etc as it is a rotational squeaking.

Sound goes away when the brakes are applied. Resumes when I am coasting and sometimes when accelerating.

Brakes are still original with 70k km. Had them checked a year ago with 65k km and they said they were still decent at that time.

[BagoPucks]

Minivans. Do you really need AWD or is FWD with Winter tires good enough in Canada?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Bankai

2013 Dodge Caravan.

Any ideas why I get a squeaking sound coming on occasionally? Sounds as if it is associated with the wheels/brakes/etc as it is a rotational squeaking.

Sound goes away when the brakes are applied. Resumes when I am coasting and sometimes when accelerating.

Brakes are still original with 70k km. Had them checked a year ago with 65k km and they said they were still decent at that time.

70k is a lot on a set of pads. How did they define decent? What mm remaining?

[btimbit]

Brakes are cheap, and like nik said that's a lot of km on a set of pads. Worth it turn the wheel and take a look at least