Ask Jay

Toyota, Subaru, Jeep & Service Updates

Toyota Recall Update

I would like to give you an update on the Toyota recalls.  We have made repairs to about 75% of the affected vehicles.  As I am sure you are aware, there are a number of recalls currently with Toyota.  If you’re not sure if your car is covered by one of these recalls, please get the vin number from the car and call 434-977-3380 and ask for the service department and they will be glad to check and see if there are any recalls that are outstanding. 

I'm often asked what affect these recalls have had on Toyota and the values of used Toyotas.  While I can’t speak for everyone, I can say that our business is up significantly this year and that the value of pre-owned Toyotas are not only back to pre-recall days but they are actually higher. 

One Price Best Price

We are involved in an experiment at our Toyota location with our pre-owned automobiles.  It’s called One Price Best Price.  Our pre-owned Manager, Ken Teetor reviews the actual selling price of the cars we sell against our competition and websites such as Kelly Blue Book, Auto Trader, Cars.com etc. to make sure the prices we are putting on our cars reflect a more realistic selling price.  All of our sales people have computers at their desk and Ken has pricing packets made up for every car and truck in our inventory so that if you need to access research information, you will have the necessary tools to do so.  Keep in mind that we Toyota Certify our Pre-owned Toyotas.  Only Toyota dealers are allowed to do this.  If you buy a pre-owned Toyota from a non-Toyota dealership, you would have to pay as much as $2000 additional to get the kind of coverage that Toyota provides. 

Subaru Market Share Increases in Cville

I recently received a report from Subaru that showed our Market Share on Subaru went from 5% to 11%.  This probably doesn’t mean anything to you but let me tell you what it means to me.  It means that the new Forester and the new Outback have become big hits in Charlottesville.  When you double your business it has to come from someplace.  Currently these 2 cars are the 2^nd best selling cars in their segment and if there hadn’t been such a shortage of inventory this year, they may have been number 1.  I have been with Subaru for 20+ years and they have never been in this position before.  If you haven’t driven an Outback or a Forester, you really should put them on your shopping list and come in and drive them.

The Best Jeep Yet

I have had a chance to look at the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I must say in my 25 years of being around Chrysler this is the best Jeep they have ever made.  The quality, the fit and finish, the luxury interior is unlike anything that Jeep has ever produced.  If you want to take a look, call Ed Palmateer at 434-973-1351 ext. 4202 or go to Jeep.com.

Service Coupons 

As you are visiting our website, please check out the Parts and Service coupons we have under the specials column.  We also have specials on new and pre-owned cars that offer you really good savings.  If you would like to inquire about the purchase of a new or used vehicle, service or parts specials, or set up service appointments just go to the appropriate section on our website. 

Brown Body Shop

Another part of our business that is doing exceptionally well this year is our body shop.  Unfortunately one of the reasons it is doing so well is because of snow and microburst.  With that being said, we have been recognized by numerous insurance companies for our quality work and the time that it takes to get a repair job done and back in your hands.  All you need to do is tell your insurance adjuster that you want to get your car repaired at the Brown Collision Center or you can call Christian Kozub at 434-984-8400.

Thank you for visiting our site.

Jay