I am on the horns of a dilemma.
The 2003 4Runner SR5 V8 4WD that I ordered in February arrived this week at my Toyota dealership. The vehicle had all the options I wanted (AT, DR, EC, GY, LF, NA, PC5, PN, and RF, plus AP, AL, and KG, which were made standard after I had placed the order). I was preparing to enter the new and exciting life of proud 4Runner ownership.
Great, right? Well, as everyone should do, I took the extra time to inspect the vehicle thoroughly, inside and out, before taking delivery. I found the following three defects:
1. Grease on the seat, probably left by the truck driver when he unloaded the vehicle. Fortunately, this problem was fixed perfectly by the dealer with some magic cleaning fluid.
2. Off-centered steering wheel. The first time they adjusted it too far in the opposite direction. Now they are trying again, and I suspect it will be ok.
3. Missing VIN # on the dashboard. If you look very carefully, in just the right light, there is a slight hint of a few letters above where the VIN number should be, but essentially it appears that the VIN # was either not properly embossed or not ever attached. Both the salesman and shop guys had never seen this defect before, and they were very curious about it. The shop manager said it would cost about $1000 to obtain a replacement VIN tag and then to install it, which would require removing the windshield and possibly the dashboard.
Clearly, (1) and (2) are no big deal, but what should I do about (3)?
Is this a show-stopper -- meaning do I cancel the sales agreement, retrieve my $500 deposit, and then start again? Or do I purchase the vehicle only after the dealership has replaced the VIN tag, at their expense? Or do I simply purchase the vehicle as-is?
I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.
For months, I have been a frequent reader of the postings on www.toyota-4runner.org. Upon the purchase of the 4Runner, I had planned to become an active participant in the forum, posting photos of my new baby, etc. I had not expected that my first posting would be a negative one.
Thanks very much for your help.
The 2003 4Runner SR5 V8 4WD that I ordered in February arrived this week at my Toyota dealership. The vehicle had all the options I wanted (AT, DR, EC, GY, LF, NA, PC5, PN, and RF, plus AP, AL, and KG, which were made standard after I had placed the order). I was preparing to enter the new and exciting life of proud 4Runner ownership.
Great, right? Well, as everyone should do, I took the extra time to inspect the vehicle thoroughly, inside and out, before taking delivery. I found the following three defects:
1. Grease on the seat, probably left by the truck driver when he unloaded the vehicle. Fortunately, this problem was fixed perfectly by the dealer with some magic cleaning fluid.
2. Off-centered steering wheel. The first time they adjusted it too far in the opposite direction. Now they are trying again, and I suspect it will be ok.
3. Missing VIN # on the dashboard. If you look very carefully, in just the right light, there is a slight hint of a few letters above where the VIN number should be, but essentially it appears that the VIN # was either not properly embossed or not ever attached. Both the salesman and shop guys had never seen this defect before, and they were very curious about it. The shop manager said it would cost about $1000 to obtain a replacement VIN tag and then to install it, which would require removing the windshield and possibly the dashboard.
Clearly, (1) and (2) are no big deal, but what should I do about (3)?
Is this a show-stopper -- meaning do I cancel the sales agreement, retrieve my $500 deposit, and then start again? Or do I purchase the vehicle only after the dealership has replaced the VIN tag, at their expense? Or do I simply purchase the vehicle as-is?
I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.
For months, I have been a frequent reader of the postings on www.toyota-4runner.org. Upon the purchase of the 4Runner, I had planned to become an active participant in the forum, posting photos of my new baby, etc. I had not expected that my first posting would be a negative one.
Thanks very much for your help.
