Car Dealer Cancelled Contract for New Car

noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 13:54

Hi, my brother-in-law signed for a new Toyota Corolla petrol model early this year.
He was waiting for a long time to eventually be told they had to cancel as Toyota no longer making/selling the petrol variant in AU.

He has now signed for a hybrid version, which was so much more expensive.
I wanted to know legally where he would have stood, do they have a clause to be able to cancel for this reason?

I told him he should have complained more to at least get a better price on the hybrid.
He didn't and is paying full retail.

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Comments

  • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 09/10/2024 - 13:59
    +34

    I wanted to know legally where he would have stood, do they have a clause to be able to cancel for this reason?

    Yes, car isn't being built any more, so the dealer can't supply

    I told him he should have complained more to at least get a better price on the hybrid.
    He didn't and is paying full retail.

    Not the dealer's fault, it's the manufacturer, who aren't in control of discounting. Dealer wouldn't have budged just because he complained about no petrol model any more

      • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 10/10/2024 - 13:46
        +36

        Unfortunately due to my employee tag I can't neg your comment for once again hanging off top comment

        But here, this is officially my neg vote

        • jzdhgkd on 10/10/2024 - 13:50
          +18

          I gotchu fam

      • 2025 on 10/10/2024 - 15:08
        +12

        Level 0.01 - Comment under the first comment ✅

        Level 6a - Personal Opinion ✅

        Level 5 - time wasting, unhelpful, if not insulting comments ✅

        Why all the chopping and changing @HeWhoKnows? What’s up? Is everything OK over there with you? One minute you’re against garbage posts, Nekminnit you’re spewing them out en masse

        HeWhoKnows on 06/10/2024

        Too many people posting time wasting, unhelpful, if not insulting comments and the poor poster or (useful) commenter feels embarrassed.

        Eventually all the 'serious" people trying to help will just back out of here leaving the place full of trolls

        • craagz on 11/10/2024 - 09:49
          +2

          Perhaps trying to make a case for their post. 😁

  • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 13:59

    You don't have a leg to stand on. My contract got cancelled because Toyota don't make Corolla sedans in Lunar Blue any more.

    Why would you even get a petrol Corolla anyway apart from price?

    • pharkurnell on 09/10/2024 - 14:07
      +10

      Why wouldnt you if it was available?

      • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 14:12
        +4

        Because hybrids are superior. Hence why the petrol got axed from the Australian market.

        I ordered a petrol one initially because the ZR sedan only came in petrol. Promptly changed it once the ZR hybrid sedan was announced. (And yes have driven both variants, which is why I changed.)

        • JDMcarfan on 09/10/2024 - 14:22
          +6

          Agree that for any Toyota, there really isn't any leg to stand on to go Petrol over Hybrid.
          With a price premium of only a few grand, its a no-brainer.
          Unfortunately, that logic doesn't carry over to Lexus, with their Hybrids still commandeering a ~10k premium over their non-hybrid equivalent.
          Thats a lot of km to pay back the initial purchase disparity (only a 1-2l/100km difference) but is likely used to massively hike the margins on their hybrid offerings.

          • fredblogs on 10/10/2024 - 19:55

            @JDMcarfan: Lexus NX 350 AWD (petrol) is ~5k more expensive than hybrid NX 350h AWD

            • JDMcarfan on 11/10/2024 - 01:58
              +1

              @fredblogs: Using the sporty/distinctly grade/model is hardly a fair comparison. Using an equal spec for your own comparison. An FSport 350h (AWD) vs an FSport 350 AWD (only option) is ~4k more.

              On a like for like basis:
              NX250 Luxury (2wd): $69,994
              NX350h Luxury (2wd): $78,604
              Same base engine, same spec. Only difference is the hybrid engine and (12” vs 9” screen). Difference is ~9k.

              Try and quote fair figures next time you try and prove someone wrong. And be accurate & factual

              • fredblogs on 11/10/2024 - 12:01

                @JDMcarfan: Ok, I didn't realize petrol only comes in F-Sport. On the first page it simply shows NX 350h AWD as $85,562 and NX 350 AWD as $90,415.
                If you click through to choose F-Sport for the hybrid you get $93,381 (VIC). $3k more is hardly a 10k premium.

                And the extra choices you get with hybrid is relevant.
                If you want hybrid, you can choose 2WD Luxury and you end up with a cheaper car than the only petrol option.

                • JDMcarfan on 11/10/2024 - 12:52
                  -1

                  @fredblogs: you either didnt read my comment properly or are trying to justify your way into being right.
                  the 350 isnt the only petrol option. Its the sports-oriented turbo petrol model.
                  Arguably its the only car with a different base engine than the rest of the series (a 2.4t petrol from a different engine family vs 2.5 n/a petrols with varying levels of hybridisation) so isnt a fair comparison full stop. its only 3k more as that 2.4t motor is a more sophisticated setup.

                  hence why i provided like for like comparison and called out the one difference between the 2 cars (unavoidable) resulting in a 9k difference.

                  If you want hybrid, you can choose 2WD Luxury and you end up with a cheaper car than the only petrol option.

                  you're literally now just picking at straws to find a way to try and prove my comment wrong. comparing 2 wildly different specs just to say the hybrid is cheaper. might as well say that a hybrid corolla/yaris is cheaper than a petrol-only (GR-variants) while your at it.

                  • fredblogs on 11/10/2024 - 13:16

                    @JDMcarfan:

                    Only difference is the hybrid engine and (12” vs 9” screen). Difference is ~9k.

                    What makes you think those are the only differences between NX250 and NX350h?

        • pharkurnell on 09/10/2024 - 17:02
          +12

          Because hybrids are superior.

          not in everyones eyes. but if it works for you, glad you got what you wanted.

          YMMV

        • fredblogs on 10/10/2024 - 20:05

          still superior for someone that drives low kms?

        • OzzyOzbourne on 11/10/2024 - 19:38

          Depending on the use case

    • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 14:08
      +3

      Thanks, he is old school and doesn't like Hybrids or electric. I said the same thing to him.

      • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 14:12
        +5

        Your brother should rent a hybrid Corolla to see how they go. They're really decent

        • Poor Ass on 10/10/2024 - 13:35

          what average fuel consumption do you get per 100km?

      • HerpinDerp on 09/10/2024 - 15:43
        +1

        I had this reply with my partner. I drove both.

        They will absolutely not go back now LOL. 3.9L/100 and the much more fun TNGA platform has really helped them sell.

        Also for discussion: Had contract issues for a 2023 for Peacock Black being discontinued :(

        • movieman on 11/10/2024 - 10:46

          How do you get 3.9l/100?

          The book says 4.4l/100, but we're constantly getting 4.7l/100, regardless of where it's being driven (city, suburbia, highway, etc).

          • kerfuffle on 11/10/2024 - 11:10
            +1

            @movieman: I average around 4.5L myself instead of the quoted 3.9L, however I drive a ZR hybrid sedan which has bigger low-profile tyres. Don't exactly drive it gently either

      • pharkurnell on 09/10/2024 - 17:01
        -1

        He is not alone.

      • daison on 09/10/2024 - 20:45
        +8

        I test drove 5 cars recently with the new corolla being one of them. I really don't get the hype. It went to the bottom of my list after all the test drives. The steering has no feedback, the breaks were spongy, in EV mode it was a struggle to maintain the speed I wanted, and when it kicked into petrol mode it was gutless.

        • pegaxs on 09/10/2024 - 22:54
          +5

          Wife owns one and that CVT is arse. It’s like it’s allergic to acceleration. I used to like driving it and trying to eeek out as much EV time as I could because I just hate the way it moans and complains when you need to accelerate.

        • npnp on 10/10/2024 - 21:40
          +2

          The very things that you hate are the favorites car features for me (except for perhaps shorter EV range which I wish was a bit longer). Braking of a hybrid to me is predictable and seamless, so is the acceleration. Now when I get into a petrol car, I immediately notice how 'not' smooth the drive is (I feel when gears are changing and the car is jumping at every gear change, also starting slow then go fast etc whereas on hybrid I feel everything is so smooth and effortless). Well, some people need that rough feedback, though I am not one, I can certainly appreciate different opinions. I for one, love a seamless, quiet, effortless drive of hybrid (and it's braking). Fuel economy is only an added benefit for me.

        • npnp on 10/10/2024 - 21:49

          Toyota replaced engine mounts and steering rack of my corolla hybrid completely free under warranty. I honestly don't think it's even a manufacturing fault given it's a 4 year old car with 165,000 km on the clock but they still did it without asking any questions. This is one of the reasons why I always go with Toyota. They care about the customer and they care about their brand name. If this car was a BMW or a Hyundai for an example, you will not have a chance with any warranty claim. By the way, all new Toyota's come with 7 year unlimited km warranty (all hybrid batteries are covered for 10 years unlimited km as well). Not ashamed to admit I'm a Toyota fan and with many valid reasons to be one.

          • zfind on 11/10/2024 - 11:51
            +1

            @npnp: For balance, I had a new motor installed by Hyundai in my i30 (it was a 2013, not new and was at least four years old but I can't recall exactly when this was) due to piston slap in one cylinder. A new motor. They didn't try to fob me off, they took my complaint seriously and I saw the proof of them opening up the engine to confirm what it was once they'd had the scope down it. They also did a heap of minor warranty fixes on my brand new Accent without complaint. Excellent service.

        • p1 ama on 11/10/2024 - 11:01
          +2

          I really don't get the hype. It went to the bottom of my list after all the test drives. The steering has no feedback, the breaks were spongy, in EV mode it was a struggle to maintain the speed I wanted, and when it kicked into petrol mode it was gutless.

          The hype is that a Corolla is bulletproof, cheap to maintain, and very well designed from a servicing perspective.

          I bought a 10 year-old Corolla when I was a student which I drove for almost 10 years - absolutely zero issues outside regular maintenance and wear-and-tear, all consumables were basically standard and incredibly common (you would always be able to get the right oil, oil filter, cabin air filter, spark plugs…etc. at any auto shop), and all the minor things I needed to fix up (e.g. replaced a tail light when it cracked) were always super cheap because of how many parts there are.

          People don't buy a Corolla because they want to look cool and stompy stomp on the accelerator, it's a proven, reliable car that gets you from A to B all day every day with minimal fuss and complaints.

      • smartazz104 on 10/10/2024 - 12:20
        +4

        Not old school enough if he's happy driving a small FWD car.

        • Charity on 10/10/2024 - 12:45
          -3

          Lol, exactly. Bog standard Corrola has always been for people on a budget that don’t care about anything except reliability. This must be the first time anyone has thought they were cult and edgey driving a fwd Corrola. Lol.

      • ReaperX22 on 10/10/2024 - 14:48
        +2

        I drove a petrol model a couple years ago. Suitably 'fine'.

        Drove a hybrid whilst overseas renting a car, a lot better to drive, the initial pickup makes it way better to maneuver and it's always nice to start off with no engine.

        (this partly convinced me on my recent civic hybrid purchase heh)

  • 87percent on 09/10/2024 - 14:01
    +1

    maybe read the fine print of the contract… they wouldn't have forced him to buy the hybrid

    • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 14:11
      +9

      Thanks, they didn't.
      The worst part is that they only told him in August when he contacted them.
      They said it would be delivered by the end of July, he gave it a bit longer.

      It was announced that they had stopped petrol on March 13, they never told him until he asked how was delivery going.

      • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 14:13
        +14

        It was announced that they had stopped petrol on March 13, they never told him until he asked how was delivery going.

        Yeah that's pretty bad service there … try ask for first few services free or something

      • apple2016 on 09/10/2024 - 16:29
        +1

        Did he at least order the new car from a different dealer?

        • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 16:39
          +1

          I don't think so

          • Wonka on 10/10/2024 - 07:11
            +16

            @noddypiper: He’s not a smart one, hey?

            • Charity on 10/10/2024 - 12:47

              @Wonka: How do they always have money for new cars? Who is paying them?

              • WhyAmICommenting on 11/10/2024 - 07:45
                +1

                @Charity: Most <5 yo cars you’ll see on the road would have finance and/or a lease against them. Not all but most.

          • capslock janitor on 12/10/2024 - 13:15
            +1

            @noddypiper: cancel under cooldown and take business elsewhere. and then leave a bad review

  • Sittingonthemoon on 09/10/2024 - 14:15
    +17

    I have a hybrid corolla and absolutely LOVE it - but I have to agree that Toyota dealers don't give a shit, basically because they don't have to - they know people will buy regardless

  • netjock on 09/10/2024 - 14:21
    +1

    Corolla Hybrid is like $36k now?

    Should have checked out the Kona hybrid. Same stated efficiency (4L/100km).

    • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 14:24
      +6

      Not everyone wants a small SUV

      • jackary on 09/10/2024 - 14:38

        Hybrid i30 sedan then

      • CurlCurl on 09/10/2024 - 14:38
        +4

        Not everyone wants a small SUV

        Exactly.

        And not everyone wants a hybrid.

        I'm negged for stating a FACT?

        Small minds out there.

      • netjock on 09/10/2024 - 16:59
        -3

        It isn't about SUV.

        They might have stock sooner and like for like (four wheels, same fuel economy and drives) might be a good comparison

        I have a 2021 Corolla Hybrid Sedan from new. It is probably the best of the lot (3.6L / 100km combined)

        • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 17:12
          +3

          It's not like for like when one is a small SUV and the other is a small car. Like for like would the i30 hybrid sedan

          • netjock on 10/10/2024 - 07:34
            -5

            @kerfuffle: If you are looking at price and getting you from A to B it is.

            Who cares whether you sit higher or lower?

            • kerfuffle on 10/10/2024 - 07:57
              +1

              @netjock: I care. And clearly so do many others, since SUVs are the most popular type of car sold in Australia at the moment.

              • netjock on 10/10/2024 - 08:37
                -5

                @kerfuffle: LOL like you really do. Nobody ever described an SUV as a drivers car for serious driving enthusiasts. It is more like a car for sheeple.

                • kerfuffle on 10/10/2024 - 08:38
                  -1

                  @netjock: I don't have a SUV. Also, Tiguan R says hello

                  • netjock on 10/10/2024 - 08:40
                    -5

                    @kerfuffle: You are the only one who pointed out it is an SUV.

                    All I cared about is price and same efficiency.

              • CurlCurl on 11/10/2024 - 15:28

                @kerfuffle:

                LOL like you really do. Nobody ever described an SUV as a drivers car for serious driving enthusiasts.

                You mean HOONS

    • Benno007 on 10/10/2024 - 08:21
      -1

      Every day on the Kona owners forum it seems someone is complaining with the Kona hybrid that their car won’t start because the 12v battery dies…

      • netjock on 10/10/2024 - 08:38
        +3

        You know it s easy to publish complaint on the internet, remember people who are happy don't go on the internet and preach about it.

        I have a convertible and people have all kinds of problems with the same model but touch wood I've been spared much of the dreadful stuff.

      • BigBirdy on 10/10/2024 - 10:37

        I’ve heard similar re Corolla Cross hybrid 12v battery

  • MS Paint on 09/10/2024 - 14:24
    +3

    What's the obsession with Toyota? Plenty of other decent cars in the same original budget, without hybrid and likely in stock for delivery.

    • 87percent on 09/10/2024 - 14:32
      +1

      Reliability

      • MS Paint on 09/10/2024 - 15:09
        +14

        Fair enough. To be fair though I think Toyota have been resting on their reliability laurels for too long. Plenty of other manufacturers, that are cheaper, aren't too far behind.

        Level 7 - personal opinion ✅

        • rickdwp on 11/10/2024 - 15:04
          +1

          They 100% have. People have no concept of reliability, for one plenty of Toyotas have plenty of common issues but beyond that if a Toyota is 97% reliable and a competitor is 94% that still means you only have a 3% increase change of failure. I'll take me extra 3% risk rather then drive another fridge on wheels

    • lachhelix on 10/10/2024 - 13:38
      +1

      Ridiculously boring cars too - reliability is all they've got going for them

      • youfnc on 11/10/2024 - 00:37

        Personally I think the twelfth gen looks extremely nice. The ZR in particular with the larger rims and that's not painted white.

    • barratttc on 10/10/2024 - 12:11
      -2

      MG Chinese rubbish

      • Bruceflix on 12/10/2024 - 22:03

        There was a time when Toyota was "Japanese rubbish"

  • jv on 09/10/2024 - 14:34
    +4

    to eventually be told they had to cancel as Toyota no longer making/selling the petrol variant in AU.

    sounds like a good reason to cancel.

  • pegaxs on 09/10/2024 - 14:39
    +11

    Where would you stand? FFS… have you tried chucking a tanty to see if Toyota will bring the petrol version back?

    If they can’t supply it, they can’t supply it. They don’t need a “clause”.

    Toyota don’t need your money. They sell more cars a month than any other manufacturer and more than 2nd and 3rd place combined. If you don’t want it, it’s just going to go to the next person on the list…

    Vote with your wallet and go out and buy an MG4 instead and pocket the change.

    You do realise that there are other manufacturers out there that make petrol only medium sized hatchbacks, yeah? Kia, Hyundai, Suzuki, Mazda, etc…

    Level 8c: Teaching People How to Adult ✅

  • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 14:57

    I get what you are saying, he is loyal to the Toyota brand, unfortunately. The fact that they told him 5 months after it was official is pretty bad.

    • CurlCurl on 09/10/2024 - 15:33
      +10

      get what you are saying, he is loyal to the Toyota brand

      That's why there is a Toyota loyalty tax.

      • capslock janitor on 12/10/2024 - 13:19

        seems like bad dealership to me rather than a loyalty tax

    • Gunnar on 09/10/2024 - 18:38

      he is loyal to the Toyota brand

      Is he on Ozbargain in that case?

      • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 18:40
        +1

        He definitely isn't, can't teach an old dog new tricks

        • Gunnar on 09/10/2024 - 18:41

          Good point. You did say he paid full RRP for the hybrid ;-)

        • Charity on 10/10/2024 - 12:55
          +1

          When you say “he”, is it one of those “asking for friend” things?

          Lol it sounds like it. ;)

          • noddypiper on 10/10/2024 - 13:36
            +1

            @Charity: No, tried to help him out, but he's too soft.
            Didn't want to push the dealer for a better deal after they stuffed him around.

  • JIMB0 on 09/10/2024 - 15:17
    +8

    paying full retail

    The ACCC should really look into this so called shortage. It's been years since COVID, in other countries you can order a new Toyota, pay far less and have it within a week.

  • Baysew on 09/10/2024 - 16:14
    +7

    As the great philosopher said - You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.

    • MS Paint on 09/10/2024 - 17:01
      +6

      M.P.Jagger c.1968

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 09/10/2024 - 17:55
        +3

        Level 3b: Public Service Announcement ✅

        • WhyAmICommenting on 11/10/2024 - 07:49

          This one was decent but it’s getting boring already ❌

  • Cluster on 09/10/2024 - 17:25
    +5

    I would seriously reconsider the need to buy a Corolla. When I was shopping for a new car in May 2024 I was told these wait times by a Toyota salesman:

    Corolla hybrid: 6 to 9 months
    Yaris Cross hybrid: 12 to 18 months

    Why on Earth would someone wait this long for a car? It's not like Toyotas are the only good vehicle out there. Take a look around. Plenty of makes and models to choose from with near instant delivery.

    • MS Paint on 09/10/2024 - 17:40
      +8

      Why on Earth would someone wait this long for a car?

      So when the order gets cancelled you can start a new thread on ozbargain.

      Der!

    • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 17:41
      +1

      Got any recommendations then?

      • Cluster on 09/10/2024 - 17:54
        +2

        Mazda 3, Hyundai Kona, KIA Seltos, KIA Cerato, Subaru Impreza for starters. Then there's the German brands, although many on Ozbargain have an aversion to them. And finally there's the hot EV at the moment, the MG4.

        Plenty to choose from. No reason to wait until 2025 for a new car.

        • kerfuffle on 09/10/2024 - 17:56
          +4

          Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza aren't hybrid. Don't want an EV either or a SUV. The only comparable car would be the i30 hybrid sedan (well there is the Civic hybrid sedan, but that's in an entirely different price bracket)

  • bazingaa on 09/10/2024 - 20:05
    +1

    why can't he cancel the deal and buy a used one, like a couple of years old one, still with warranty if needed

    • noddypiper on 09/10/2024 - 20:08
      +1

      I said the same, he wanted new.

  • Nutrino on 09/10/2024 - 21:31
    +1

    Where are all the hybrid battery horror stories?

    • boomramada on 10/10/2024 - 15:50

      There are few in youtube and tiktok

  • alxr0101 on 10/10/2024 - 07:10

    The contract will always state reasons why it can be cancelled.

    "…wanted to know legally where he would have stood, do they have a clause to be able to cancel for this reason?…"

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