Dealership Saleswoman Reveals The Real Reason Most Customers Buy Toyotas. Then She Says It Isn’t Resale Value

A Toyota saleswoman says the real reason customers buy Toyota isn’t the first thing that comes to mind Over the years, Toyota has become a popular buying option due to how well its vehicles tend to maintain their value.

One Toyota saleswoman says the real reason customers are going to Toyota doesn’t have anything to do with resale value, however.

In a TikTok with over 16,200 views as of this writing, Sadie (@sadiethecarlady) says, “When you think of Toyota, you think of gas mileage and you think of resale value first. While those are great reasons to own a Toyota, that’s why most people actually own them. It usually starts way simpler than that. 

While Toyota has earned a reputation for resale value and good gas mileage, Sadie claims it’s all about reliability.

“They say, ‘I want something reliable and I don’t want to deal with car problems anymore,’” she says.

Sadie believes that her customers are looking for dependability after having an unreliable vehicle.

“When people come in to buy a Toyota, they are tired of maintenance. They’re tired of problems. I think once you’ve had a car that gives you issues, you just start looking at things differently. People want something that isn’t going to break down all the time or something that they just don’t have to think about,” she explains.  

Sadie concludes, “That’s the shift that I noticed with a lot of Toyota buyers. They’re not looking for something exciting. They are looking for something that they don’t have to think about.”

‘I Will Only Buy Toyota’

Viewers were divided, Some see the value with Toyota, others aren’t buying into the hype.

“I will only buy Toyota. I have a Camry for work & a Tundra for the weekends. sidenote: it's a V-8,” one person wrote. 

“And Toyota has everything except a heavy duty truck. They even have a minivan,” another added. 

While others argued that the cars are boring and not worth the price tag. 

“Toyota doesn't make cars like they used to. I bought a brand new Toyota Camry XSE model. I started having problems with it before 15,000 miles. I’ll never buy a brand new car again,” one commented.

“Boring cars,” a second said.

“When I think of Toyota I think of garbage,” a third says. 

“But we don’t want 10-20 grand over MSRP,” a fourth argued.. 

How Reliable Is Toyota?

Having car maintenance issues is often irritating and costly. This frustration can change buyer behaviors and have preferences shift to reliability over something exciting.

In recent years, Toyota has earned a reputation for dependability.

Toyota consistently ranks high in reliability ranking from Consumer Reports, Repair Pal, and Kelley Blue Book.

Last year, both Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Reports ranked Toyota #1 overall in reliability.

This past November, Toyota did have to recall 127,000 vehicles. Toyota was facing issues with the engine caused by not being able to clear debris. Engine issues included knocking, loss of motive power, rough running, or not starting at all. The recall mentions how the loss of motive power driving at high speeds increased the chances of a crash.

While no car brand will be entirely perfect, Toyota has consistently delivered reliability over the years and many agree this is their competitive advantage.

Motor1 has contacted Sadie via Instagram and TikTok direct message. This post will be updated if she replies.