Updated 6/22/26
Valdosta Toyota absolutely cannot be trusted. They have no issue putting you into overpriced vehicles—whether new or used, and I have purchased both from them. While I know aggressive tactics are standard in the dealership industry, this is the first time I have truly been screwed. By a TOYOTA dealer, no less.
I genuinely trusted these people to at least take care of the used vehicles they sell, especially given the amount of money they’ve made off me over years of patronage and referrals. At the very least, a comprehensive safety inspection should be done before a sale. Either they don’t inspect their used lot at all, or they willingly withhold crucial safety defects from the customer. I am not a mechanic, but a dealer this large and reputable absolutely should have given me a heads-up.
I took the car for an independent inspection, and thank God I did. Here are the major, immediate issues that put my safety in jeopardy, and are going to cost me THOUSANDS to fix:
1. Rear Brakes - Shot
2. Rear Rotors - Shot
3. Rear Suspension & Mounts - Shot
4. Battery - Shot
5. Fuel System EVAP - Permanent check engine light & Rough Idle/Startup
6. Serpentine Belt - Shot
7. Front Control Arms & Bushings - Shot
8. Timing Chain - Needs Replaced
!!Note!!
The engine light was on one week after I drove off the lot. Not a month. Rear Suspension and Brakes are ABSOLUTELY things that should've at least been addressed before the vehicle was sold in its current condition. Same goes for a Belt that could snap making me immediately lose power steering, engine cooling, and the potential for the belt itself to get sucked into the engine through the main seal. Not to mention a bad testing Battery that could've left me stranded.
Completed Repairs:
Fuel System EVAP: $772.49 (New OEM Purge Valve with New Electronic Pigtail)
OEM Rear Suspension and Strut Mounts: $926.27
OEM Serpentine Belt and Tensioner: $220.00 (Replaced myself)
Battery and Registration: ~ $300.00
OEM Rear Brake & Rotor Kit: ~ $494.27
Timing Chain Kit ~ $5,873.41
I am not using "shot" lightly. I do not believe these things are just 'Thats what you get when you buy an 86k mileage vehicle from us.' Paraphrasing of course. There is plenty more under the sun to replace after that, but these are the dire ones I must get fixed asap. My safety was put at risk, and my finances are cooked. This is really not okay.
To make matters worse, the math on the deal was outrageous, but my anxiety disability usually gets the better of me under pressure. They tacked on so many extra fees that a $4,000 down payment didn't even get me back down to the sticker price. They heavily target you for every dime you have. For example, offering you thousands less than what your trade is worth (If you don't counter offer). All financial information given to me about what I paid, was put on a cheap novelty USB drive the does not work.
Honestly, I didn’t want to write this. I enjoyed the friendly faces, the service center has treated me alright in the past, my salesman is a good guy just doing his job, and their body shop is top-tier—which is why I won't name specific names right now. But you need to know how this place works. You will be treated wonderfully face-to-face, offered snacks and drinks, and then absolutely taken advantage of the second the paperwork starts.
Valdosta Toyota, I’m sorry if this seems mean-spirited, but if you put yourself in my shoes, you’d be furious too. You have deeply let me down. I don't think I've ever been this upset with a vehicle purchase in my life, and this is my fifth car. The smiles, calls, and texts now just feel like a front. I am open to suggestions from management to make this right, though I doubt you’ll want to speak to me after this.
Be safe out there Valdosta, and I sincerely urge you to look for your vehicles elsewhere. Used especially.