Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
I think this is why Toyota and some other manufacturers offer free maintenance for the first few years. One nice thing about Carfax is it shows when some shops/dealers do maintenance on them. It's not foolproof but it does probably help.
Indeed. It's a great strategy, for purchase or lease. Get the first 2-3 years with "free" service, all the while with person coming into the dealership on a regular basis. With high hopes they will be a repeat customer and will trade-in. Then, flip the "well maintained" car for premium money since the infallible Carfax says so.
You'd hope a dealership would take care of cars properly just because, but now if they saw these vehicles (particularly the leases) as really their own property, just rented out for a bit, perhaps they will be more inclined to take care of them better. Even for a simple oil change. ["Put that new kid who's an idiot on oil changes on the new cars? No way! I can't afford to have a repair show up on the CarFax!"]
Yes, I have heard that GM's free maintenance program was highly linked to marketing to bring people into the dealership as almost free marketing.