Car dealer false advertising help?

[Summit]

Leather can be dealer added. Run the VIN and you should find out what you need to know.

So where do I check?

We did Carfax before we bought and it says: "2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5/LIM/TRA/TRDPR"

So that doesn't say much...

ETA from what I can tell form here, it has the listed SR5P features:

• Heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators
• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
• SofTex®-trimmed, heated front seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support; 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• SofTex®-trimmed 40/20/40 split reclining and fold-flat second-row seat
• Entune™ Premium Audio with Navigation7 and App Suite,8 and 6.1-in.high-resolution touch-screen display (standard on SR5 Premium, available on SR5)

Although I can't tell if the mirrors are heated... they do have the turn signal indicators...

 

[bofa]

So where do I check?

We did Carfax before we bought and it says: "2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5/LIM/TRA/TRDPR"

So that doesn't say much...

There are a couple of site out there. Some with free info. Try this one.

Toyota VIN decoder - Lookup and check Toyota VIN number and get options and specs for free. Search Toyota history, price and car loans.

 

[rrroae]

So where do I check?

We did Carfax before we bought and it says: "2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5/LIM/TRA/TRDPR"

So that doesn't say much...

With the way that looks optioned out, I don't think you did bad nor is it that much different than what you would have gotten with limited besides tires and full time 4wd.

 

[Summit]

Using the VIN decoder it comes back as:
SR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

With the way that looks optioned out, I don't think you did bad nor is it that much different than what you would have gotten with limited besides tires and full time 4wd.

What's upsetting is if the dealer had been accurate, we'd have bought similar for a lower price with less miles without airfare, taxis, hotels, and a 2 day drive home.

 

[flyrv9]

Even if it wasn't a Toyota dealer, they should have run the vin to find out what they really had; if for no other reason than pricing. Maybe they did - who knows. Either way, I think the polite approach as suggested is the way to go; while you investigate other options. Fighting a battle from a distance is going to be tough.

 

[rrroae]

Using the VIN decoder it comes back as:
SR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)



What's upsetting is if the dealer had been accurate, we'd have bought similar for a lower price with less miles without airfare, taxis, hotels, and a 2 day drive home.

I hear you and I,d be furious as well. But this is not a disastrous purchase. You didn't get a screaming deal but you did get very solid one.

If you don,t get anything out of the dealer, you,re still in good shape with very good, nicely optioned rig.

 

[Summit]

I hear you and I,d be furious as well. But this is not a disastrous purchase. You didn't get a screaming deal but you did get very solid one.

If you don,t get anything out of the dealer, you,re still in good shape with very good, nicely optioned rig.

Truth

 

[PCMSF]

That's a bummer although I actually had the opposite situation where the vehicle was advertised as an SR5 Premium and I could tell from the ad it was actually a Trail Premium with KDSS.

Maybe suggest approaching the seller for free or discounted parts or an extended warranty or something that wouldn't be cash out-of-pocket for them. It's *really* tough to get people to give you cash back after the transaction is completed. Good luck!

 

[Summit]

Technically the Limited is All-Time 4WD, AWD is slightly different.

As to the OP, I would think it'd fall under false advertising... but I am not sure. That picture is an SR5, Limiteds have that ugly chrome bar.

Functionally is a T4R in 4H without the center locked any different than AWD?

 

[flyrv9]

After a little thought - here's a couple of things I'd do. First document everything in exact detail; like you started in this thread. Have this for reference when you call and make sure you are talking to someone who can make a decision. Don't settle for a run around. Be nice and see what they will do. If they blow you off, then mention they will be getting contacted by the AZ Atty generals office. Also you plan to contact every TV station nearby with your false advertising story.

Also, before you call, have a good idea what you will settle for and how much (if any you will compromise). You can start by calculating the value of the options you didn't get. Tell them you have hard copy proof. Don't let too much time go by before you act.

 

[BilboSchwaggins]

Functionally is a T4R in 4H without the center locked any different than AWD?

The transmissions are one of the few things that are really different between SR5, Trail, and Limited.

SR5 and Trail are more similar, but Trail has a real stick for 4H-4L and SR5 is shift-by-wire (with a knob). Limited is much different.

ETA, limiteds have much more luxurious interior, and more electronics and creature comforts. One big difference (at least for the 2016s I looked at) is the regular radio key vs the new generation smart key (where you don't need to push a button, just get near your car to unlock, and key stays in your pocket with pushbutton start).

If you want more info, you should cross-post this on AR15.com GD, I usually only come over here if I want info on dissipator gas systems and chili without beans.:banana:

 

[oljedi11950]

If you need to see the difference between sr5 & ltd go to findlayauto.com 2 ltd for sale in Flagstaff ! Just an fyi

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Don't go driving around in 4WD all the time. The SR5 has part time 4WD - its either on or off, there is no AWD feature (the full time system is only on the limited). The 5th gen is not like the 4th gen, there is no multi-mode 4WD/AWD/RWD feature. I would not want you to damage your 4WD system.

 

[Yukon4Runner]

If you want to pursue a legal remedy to this situation, you'll need to first determine if the purchase agreement your wife signed reflects what they actually sold you or what you thought you were buying.

 

[humbertx2]

What did the window sticker say?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[southcarolina1801]

I definitely don't want to sound like a jerk but I definitely don't think you'll have any recourse with this issue.

Yes, the ad states that it is a limited but the photo clearly shows an SR5. That combined with the fact that your wife inspected and took delivery on the car also hurts your case.

I know it's tough to buy remotely, but take this as a lesson to pay attention to the details.

 

[Summit]

Don't go driving around in 4WD all the time. The SR5 has part time 4WD - its either on or off, there is no AWD feature (the full time system is only on the limited). The 5th gen is not like the 4th gen, there is no multi-mode 4WD/AWD/RWD feature. I would not want you to damage your 4WD system.

Well that is a big deal... she's coming from a Subaru and with the 4th gen T4R my motto was "road wet or white, AWD on" because the vehicle reacts better under acceleration than in RWD. And it is totally normal with the right conditions and tires for us to drive at 65-75 with AWD...

I haven't driven 4WD in the rain or snow except crawling along. It strikes me that the 4WD would promote skid initiation in a turn in slick conditions. Is this so?

I was excited for her to have the full time AWD of the Limited as that was what she was used to. No AWD almost makes we wonder if we shouldn't insist on a return and get her a newer H6 Outback or an 09 4Runner. :hurt:

 

[bofa]

Well that is a big deal... she's coming from a Subaru and with the 4th gen the motto was "road wet or white, AWD on" because the vehicle reacts better under acceleration. And it is totally normal with the right conditions and tires to drive at 65-75 with AWD...

I haven't driven 4WD in the rain or snow except crawling along. It strikes me that the 4WD would promote skid initiation in a turn in slick conditions.

I was excited for her to have the full time AWD of the Limited as that was what she was used to. No AWD almost makes we wonder if we shouldn't insist on a return and get her a newer H6 Outback or an 09 4Runner. :hurt:

Plus if you make a lot of u-turns or tight turns (parking lots) you will notice some binding. If she's used to AWD that will be new for her. Maybe see what the trade value is locally and see if you can break even or close to it? If you go to the edmunds forum, there's a thread for real world trade values... post the vehicle specs and condition and they can give you a ballpark of what to expect. Or just hit up Carmax or similar.

 

[bamma]

Well that is a big deal... she's coming from a Subaru and with the 4th gen the motto was "road wet or white, AWD on" because the vehicle reacts better under acceleration. And it is totally normal with the right conditions and tires to drive at 65-75 with AWD...

I haven't driven 4WD in the rain or snow except crawling along. It strikes me that the 4WD would promote skid initiation in a turn in slick conditions.

I was excited for her to have the full time AWD of the Limited as that was what she was used to. No AWD almost makes we wonder if we shouldn't insist on a return and get her a newer H6 Outback or an 09 4Runner. :hurt:

That is the main reason we got a limited when we bought ours in 2012. An extra safety factor when the roads arent quite slick enough for pt 4wd.

 

[Summit]

Trade in is a good idea as there are plenty of Limiteds around here...

Speaking with my wife, she said the last thing the dealer said to her as she drove off the lot was basically "you got a screaming deal because Limiteds don't go that cheap ever."

Checked the dealer's website and they still have the vehicle listed as a Limited.