USMC Girl

4 months ago I purchased a 1999 Lexus RX300. After a very long process through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), I have been deemed and awarded compensation as a "service connected" disabled veteran due PTSD. I am a 41 year old woman having served in the United States Marine Corps. When I recieved what the VA calls a "hard check" which is back pay to the date the initial disability claim was filed. I had the ability and the means to pay in full for the entire price of the vehicle with cash removing the incredible stress of having a car payment. This left me with very little money as I had used nearly all of it. I was literally left with barely a dollar to my name. I didnt fret figuring that it would be tight for a few months but with owing nothing on a car, my savings would eventually start to grow. On my way to a VA hospital at Ft. Harrison, in Helena, MT for an inpatient treatment for veterans suffering with PTSD. Half way there, after driving for two hours my Lexus started to have trouble. By Bozemen, MT I ended up having to stop at Ressler Toyota to have it looked at. After 2 hours of diagnostics it was determined that it needed a new transmission at a cost of $4,500. And, since I had spent everything I had left, in orded to own it outright do not have the means to fix it. Unlike a vehicle one has to make payment on would lose money, yes. But the consumer would NOT have carpayments and would only be out the money of the few months already payed. I am now out the entire $5,100, AND out a car having to simply walk away from a large amount of money completely empty handed with nothing to show for it. Service to our country, resulting in permanent disability is what allowed the means to purchase my Lexus as a kind of reward from our nation for unselfish sacrifice and undying service to our country. And now, not even a bit of assistance offered by Toyota/Lexus to help correct the problem, nor even taking responsibility for the fault.