Buyer Beware: Verify Every Number Yourself…read more
I recently purchased a 2026 Toyota Tundra from Lone Star Toyota of Lewisville and unfortunately this was one of the most disappointing vehicle buying experiences I have ever had.
During negotiations, I was presented with a preliminary deal worksheet showing a $44,000 trade-in allowance for my truck and a handwritten notation indicating "Total Sale $65,000." Based on those discussions, I believed I had agreed to purchase the truck for approximately $65,000 out the door and proceeded into the finance office with that understanding.
While reviewing the finance paperwork, I immediately noticed an Amount Financed of $69,100.12 and specifically questioned it. I told the finance manager that the figure did not match my understanding of the deal. According to my recollection, I was told not to focus on that number because the truck had been discounted to approximately $65,000.
I also discussed the $3,699 credit from my trade equity and down payment and understood that amount would further reduce what I owed. In addition, I purchased GAP coverage and a Tire & Wheel Protection package.
At that time, I specifically stated my understanding of the transaction:
The truck price was approximately $65,000.
I was receiving credit for my trade equity and down payment.
GAP and protection products were included.
The $69,100.12 figure represented approximately what I would pay over the life of the loan, including interest.
Based on my recollection, the finance manager confirmed that understanding.
It was only after reviewing the completed paperwork that I learned $69,100.12 was not the total amount I would pay. It was the amount financed before interest. The contract reflects:
Amount Financed: $69,100.12
Finance Charge: $6,561.80
Total of Payments: $75,661.92
As a result, the total amount I am obligated to pay is more than $75,000, not the approximately $69,100 that I believed had been explained to me during the finance process. From my perspective, the difference in my understanding of the transaction exceeded $6,500.
After discovering the discrepancy, I immediately contacted dealership management. The General Manager responded by explaining the dealership's interpretation of the numbers. My concern was never with the arithmetic. My concern was that I specifically questioned those figures before signing and believe I was given explanations that caused me to understand the transaction very differently.
I requested that the dealership review any audio or video recording of the finance presentation. I was later told that the dealership either could not locate the recording or did not know how to access it.
I also requested the dealership's final position in writing. I was told that a written response would be provided, but it never was.
I then escalated the issue directly to the dealer principal/owner and requested an ownership-level review. Despite giving ownership an opportunity to address the matter, I did not receive a response.
The truck itself is excellent. My issue is with the sales and finance process and the lack of resolution after repeatedly raising my concerns.
My advice to anyone considering purchasing a vehicle from this dealership:
Verify every number yourself.
Review every document line by line.
Do not rely solely on verbal explanations.
Make sure you fully understand the difference between vehicle price, drive-out price, amount financed, finance charges, and total payments before signing.
Get every important promise or explanation in writing.
Unfortunately, this experience has significantly damaged my trust, not only in this dealership but in the Toyota buying experience as a whole. I have owned Toyota vehicles because of their reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction, but after what I experienced during this transaction and the lack of resolution afterward, I do not see myself purchasing another Toyota in the future. A vehicle purchase is one of the largest financial decisions most families make, and trust is essential. In this case, that trust was lost.
