My first 4Runner - bitter sweet

[waq28]

UPDATE: 8/20!

Hello all,

I'm happy to join the club, but unfortunately it is a little bitter sweet for me.

To make a very long story short, I purchased the vehicle off of craigslist. Its a beautiful 2005 Black SR5. Listed at 82k miles and he posted it for $11,500. I was able to talk him down to about $9,500 which I felt was a fair deal for this vehicle in the shape it was in.

Looking back I wish I did not base my decision on looks alone because shortly after I purchased the vehicle I found out the odometer had been rolled back. I feel so stupid because I know better but did not check carfax for the history report, but according to Carfax as of Jan 1st 2015 the vehicle was serviced with 170k miles. Today being August 12th I can estimate the vehicle having close to 200k miles on the chasis and motor.

A good friend of mine who is a certified mechanic for Toyota for several years (who I wish I had contacted before making my purchase) pulled the vehicle history report from Toyota which listed all the service done to the vehicle through out its history by Toyota and that also had the car listed at high mileage beginning this year.

Overall the vehicle is in good shape. Being that it came from NY there is a significant amount of corrosion from the salt and snow but there is no major damage to the frame. Overall I am happy with the vehicle but I am not happy I was duped into paying double its value. I would like to think the vehicle will last me a long time but I am afraid of having to fork up more money to replace the motor soon although it does run very smooth.

I have contacted a lawyer to try to pursue any action against this person, who purchased the vehicle in May of 2015 for the purpose of just flipping the car, but I am also at fault for not paying enough attention to the small details. It may be a lost cause but I am going to try it anyway.

I will post pics of the vehicle and history reports if anyone is interested and I hope my story can open the eyes of others looking for a used vehicle to just invest the 35 bucks in carfax and look at the history before making any purchase. Its worth it.

Any input or info is greatly appreciated I am feeling down on my luck but I'm hoping joining the community will boost my moral.

Thanks for reading my story.
-Sam

 

[CXS]

A good friend of mine who is a certified mechanic for Toyota for several years (who I wish I had contacted before making my purchase) pulled the vehicle history report from Toyota which listed all the service done to the vehicle through out its history by Toyota and that also had the car listed at high mileage beginning this year.

That sucks Sam, I believe turning back the odometer is illegal in every state so you shouldn't have any trouble proving he did just that to a judge. Maybe a simple threat of being sued would get the seller to deal with you and get your money back or whatever would make you happy.

For future reference anyone can get past dealer maintenance from Toyota using Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

Good luck, let us know how things turn out.

 

[Range]

That is absolutely illegal. I would return it and get my money back.

 

[BOSMECH]

Yes take it back with a copy of the law abot messing with a odometer and then tell him you will go to court if he does not do it.

 

[waq28]

Yes take it back with a copy of the law abot messing with a odometer and then tell him you will go to court if he does not do it.

I have contacted him and told him what his options and currently waiting for a reply. I'm not taking this lightly, I just hope some good can come of it.

 

[mavrick1903]

Good luck. Thanks for the reminder to be vigilant.

 

[black4vcobra]

Sorry to hear your story, hopefully you can get your money back.

Still wondering though, other than a different dash, how can a digital odometer be rolled back???

 

[cpark_12]

Sorry to hear your story, hopefully you can get your money back.

Still wondering though, other than a different dash, how can a digital odometer be rolled back???

That is my question also!

What was the mileage on the title when he bought it? That is, assuming it has it on the title.

 

[waq28]

That is my question also!

What was the mileage on the title when he bought it? That is, assuming it has it on the title.

I asked my buddy that exact question, "How is that possible?" but he didnt know either. The only conclusion we could come up with is that he changed out the dash. Even as a mechanic for several years he has never seen this happen. It really sucks!

Mileage on the title is listed as the 82k so I tthought nothing of it. It wssnt until I tired to register the vehicle that the dmv told me of the untrue miles.

 

[CXS]

Swapping out the instrument panel is easy, buying a used one even easier.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Sorry to hear your story, hopefully you can get your money back.

Still wondering though, other than a different dash, how can a digital odometer be rolled back???

I saw something on tv before showing someone simply hooking up a laptop and changing the odometer. I want to say it was a Wheeler Dealer but I don't think that's right. They didn't say anything about the software, etc.

 

[iBison]

Some vehicles store the mileage in the ECU I htink. I don't know how Toyota does.

 

[iBison]

You could pull the cluster and see if it has bright colored maker writing on the back of it. Junk yards usually mark used parts with flourescant marker.

You could also look on ebay at completed listings, such as this one that recently sold with 82k on it. If you get very lucky you might be able to match it up and go from there.

 

[waq28]

You could pull the cluster and see if it has bright colored maker writing on the back of it. Junk yards usually mark used parts with flourescant marker.

You could also look on ebay at completed listings, such as this one that recently sold with 82k on it. If you get very lucky you might be able to match it up and go from there.

Im going to wait and speak to a lawyer to see if I have a case or not. With all the info I have on the vehicle Im hoping I do. I see her Monday.

Thanks for all the support from everyone !

 

[LTDSC]

Swapping out the instrument panel is easy, buying a used one even easier.

this, its literally plug and play if you buy a used one with less miles.

 

[COn4mer]

but I am afraid of having to fork up more money to replace the motor soon although it does run very smooth.

It's never a good feeling knowing you've been taken advantage of and of course you should pursue action against the seller, however you asked for input and so I wanted to help put your mind at rest on a few things. You mentioned you're new to 4Runners, and I'm going to assume Toyota in general. One reason they hold their value so well is that they last a long time. If it is running smooth like you say then there is no reason to assume you will have to replace the engine soon. Not at 200,000 miles, and chances are not even at 300,000. I traded my Gen 3 at 278,00 after putting over 200,00 miles on it, and my Gen 1 before it at 220,000 after putting 150,000 on it, and they both ran as good as they did the day I bought them. Also, I'm not sure how SUV prices compare in VA, but I did a quick search in my area at some local car dealers and found two 2005s, one with 191,000 miles, and the other with 197,000 miles, and both are going for almost $11,500. So if you had bought your car at a dealer with the true mileage known, you would still have paid more than you did, at least in my area. I hope this helps a bit.

 

[ghs215]

well....its easy to set the odometer with the correct tool for less than $100 from china!

DHL Free !! CARPROG Full Set Without Dongle count reset cable support almost all cars in the world Odometer Correction -in Diagnostic Tools from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I saw something on tv before showing someone simply hooking up a laptop and changing the odometer. I want to say it was a Wheeler Dealer but I don't think that's right. They didn't say anything about the software, etc.

Probably a VW or Audi, you can pretty much do ANYTHING to a VW/Audi if you have a VAGCOM or similar factory VW/Audi tool.

I asked my buddy that exact question, "How is that possible?" but he didnt know either. The only conclusion we could come up with is that he changed out the dash. Even as a mechanic for several years he has never seen this happen. It really sucks!

Mileage on the title is listed as the 82k so I tthought nothing of it. It wssnt until I tired to register the vehicle that the dmv told me of the untrue miles.

Some vehicles store the mileage in the ECU I htink. I don't know how Toyota does.

Toyota stores Odometer data in the cluster, there's no way for the TIS Techstream scantool currently to modify odometer data in the cluster. Chances are they bought a used unit and swapped it out without documenting the change with DMV and/or having a speedometer shop correct it (New Instrument Clusters are ordered with the current vehicle mileage typically, at least when we order them through Toyota; I imagine the other possibility is 0miles)

well....its easy to set the odometer with the correct tool for less than $100 from china!

DHL Free !! CARPROG Full Set Without Dongle count reset cable support almost all cars in the world Odometer Correction -in Diagnostic Tools from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

The only thing about that tool is that you need to take apart the cluster to access the circuit board and know which microprocessor legs and solder joints you need to tap to (in some case you physically solder the tool's harness to the cluster to "talk" with it.) Also notice that under "Odometer" section of the listing it shows mainly VW/Audi and no Toyota support.

[MENTION=129249]waq28[/MENTION] I would continue your course of action and either get the previous owner to take the vehicle back or provide you with reimbursement for the correct market value of the vehicle in the condition it is in. Though honestly if the instrument cluster has been replaced you may have some trouble registering the vehicle until all the paperwork is taken care of (which, since you were not the one who did the repair, could complicate things.)

 

[waq28]

Here are a few pics.

 

[waq28]

Few more