It's Bill, 2/23/25: Dealing with Dealerships
- Desmond Haskell
- Feb 23
- 2 min read
Intrepid's Unexpected Trouble
Patricia’s truck, an all-black 2016 Nissan Titan XD with a Cummins diesel, had 116,000 trouble-free, excellently maintained miles until two weeks ago.
A loud engine knock got her truck, Intrepid, flat-bedded to the Bangor Nissan Service Center. In one day, it was determined the problem was caused by a short in the injector igniter. Tiny part, $500 please. Not able to pick up the truck until Saturday due to court schedules, the $500 became $800—not a big deal, all in all. Upon arriving in the Nissan customer lounge, we settled in and had our packed lunch of sushi, sandwiches, and tea. Having a good time, smiling.
A Timely Visit to Downeast Toyota
Patricia drove her truck away and immediately got on I-95, where the check engine light came on. Back to the Nissan pit. Four days later, Nissan called. $18,000 please, no repair warranty. Not acceptable.
Coincidentally, the week before, on our first trip, we had stopped at Downeast Toyota in Brewer to check out their inventory—Tundras in particular. I met my salesman from 15 years ago, Eric, who is now the General Sales Manager. Little did we know we would need him later.
Patricia’s New Ride
Yesterday, a week after our Nissan lounge lunch, we settled in Downeast’s customer lounge and had our packed lunch of sushi, sandwiches, and tea. While squeezing in our lunch and test-driving vehicles, our salesman, Ilya—recommended by Patricia’s neighbors, Ruth and Bob—searched for vehicles and deals for Patricia.
Patricia purchased from Downeast a 2025 all-black Toyota Tundra double cab TRD XD. Not surprisingly, it’s the size, body, and look of her old truck, Intrepid. Nissan offered a reasonable buyout for Intrepid.
Bill’s Next Truck?
Where do Bill and West Quoddy Station fit into this? Bill has a red 2014 Toyota Tacoma extra cab truck with 187,000 miles. Ilya is searching for a 2025 red Toyota Tundra double cab TRD XD.
Dealing with dealerships can be tricky, whether buying new, used, or diesel vehicles. Understanding potential issues and proper maintenance is essential to avoid costly mistakes. For diesel cars, one common risk is accidentally putting petrol in the tank, which can severely damage the engine. Professional services like petrol in a diesel car service and experts from Wrong Fuel Drain Specialists can safely correct these errors. A certified Petrol in Diesel service ensures the fuel system is cleared without causing further damage. Platforms like petrolinadieselcar.co.uk connect car owners with trusted specialists. Being proactive with fuel management and maintenance helps drivers navigate dealerships confidently while keeping their vehicles safe, reliable, and efficient.