I purchased this vehicle �new� from Superior Toyota in May of 2005. Recently, the paint has started peeling from the front bumper in five different places. This vehicle has been garage-kept, and we have an unlimited membership with Waterway Car Wash which we use to have the car washed approximately once a week. Additionally, I have waxed and polished this vehicle, on the average, every two to three months.

First, I contacted Superior Toyota and they said it was probably �rock chips� and that it would not be covered under warranty, and it would cost $500+ to have the bumper repainted.

Second, I contacted a gentleman named Erin at Toyota (800-331-4331) who assigned a case number (200808130651) and then referred me to Ms. Tamela Bruns, the Customer Relations Representative at Superior Toyota. Ms. Bruns said that District Service and Parts Manager (DSPM) would be on-site Thursday, 8/14/08 and that I should bring the car in for her to inspect. I did as she requested.

Third, I received a call from Mr. John Bates of Superior Toyota�s service department on 8/14/08. He began by asking �who painted this car?� I told him that I had bought the car �new� from Superior Toyota and have never had any paint work done on the vehicle. I expressed my opinion that if the car had been repainted it was due to something that happened prior to my purchase and it was not disclosed at the time I bought the car. He then said it was �out of warranty� anyway and that DSPM had declined to approve any repairs by Toyota. Had I known there was a problem with the car I would not have accepted it.

Fourth, I called Mr. Sam Avazpour, Sales Manager at Superior Toyota to see if they were willing to make any accommodation such as covering the labor if I paid for the paint, or some thing along those lines, given the circumstance that if the car had to be repainted it was done prior to my purchase and not disclosed at the time of sale. He said he was not authorized to do anything once the DSPM had ruled. I asked for the name and a contact number for the DSPM and he told me to call the Toyota 1-800 number.

Fifth, I called Toyota back and they told me that the DSPM�s decision was final and that they would not disclose her identity or contact information.

In closing, I suppose there is nothing more I can do, other than try to discourage anyone I am in contact from purchasing a Toyota product in the future. If you have any suggestions or advice on this matter I will certainly appreciate it.