08 Cruiser Vehicle Inquiry Report

[kiptu]

Have put down a deposit on a 08 Cruiser and have a couple questions about the vehicle inquiry report.

1. What is Category.....: G, and how long to on the ground at dealer typically?
2. If it says Damage....: Repaired, should I be getting upset for being led to believe this is a clean and never repaired vehicle?

Thanks

[tundradg]

1. "G" category stands for "Ground". This means that the vehicle has arrived on the ground at the port. Typically, it can vary from (in my region at lease) one to two/three weeks to arrive at the dealership from the Port. If the dealership has that inquiry, they also get an ETA or D-ETA. Those are usually pretty accurate, to within a day. As the time approaches, the D-ETA is narrowed down on DealerDaily so that the dealership can have an idea as to when to expect the inventory.

2. Damage to vehicles in freight are usually bumpers. In fact, that is the only time I have ever seen any damage received at our lots. There was one instance where there was extensive damage to a vehicle which our dealership never received because Toyota purchased the vehicle back from us before it ever landed. In fact, we had entered it into our Dealer Management System (separate from DealerDaily) and were concerned with it's not arriving. We would have otherwise had no idea we never got the vehicle. They allocated us a new vehicle identical to the one we would've received. If there was any damage to really be concerned about, Toyota would not be sending that truck to the dealership.

I had an experience at a luxury dealership which two vehicles were heavily damaged ($12,000 between two cars). We sold the vehicles at auction, and were able to collect the difference from the insurance company. Vehicles with a lot of damage do not make it to the consumer from new car dealerships. Smaller dealerships with seemingly brand new vehicles (like, incredibly low miles) are the ones that purchase them at auctions when they were damaged...

[LifeTech]

Regarding damage, concealed undercarriage damage appears to more prevalent, gas tanks and "out of wheel alignment" damage (largely considered an adjustment by TMS.

Rarely noticed and passed onto the consumer at time of sale.

From my experience.

Quoting another member..."you get what you Inspect, not what you Expect"

[CACressida]

This maybe slightly off topic, but a year ago I was going to purchase a 2005 LandCruiser loaded to the gills from Modesto Toyota. The truck had 30k miles on it and was in immaculate condition. Even carfax returned a clean history. Rear bumper seemed alil off, so I took one look and to my surprise............

My brand new FJ's backup sensors were disconnected. What does that tell you? I would've never knew this If I didn't inspect. I recommend you guys inspect brand new cars too. Back in 2001, I was going to purchase a 2002 Limited 4Runner. Ended up with a Sport Edition because the Limited front bumper looked like it was painted over. How do I know? Inside the grille of the nudgebar should be black, not silver

It's a good thing to pay attention to details.

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by CACressida

This maybe slightly off topic, but a year ago I was going to purchase a 2005 LandCruiser loaded to the gills from Modesto Toyota. The truck had 30k miles on it and was in immaculate condition. Even carfax returned a clean history. Rear bumper seemed alil off, so I took one look and to my surprise............

My brand new FJ's backup sensors were disconnected. What does that tell you? I would've never knew this If I didn't inspect. I recommend you guys inspect brand new cars too. Back in 2001, I was going to purchase a 2002 Limited 4Runner. Ended up with a Sport Edition because the Limited front bumper looked like it was painted over. How do I know? Inside the grille of the nudgebar should be black, not silver

It's a good thing to pay attention to details.

I absolutely agree (coming from someone who works in the industry). Check for the important stuff, and if you're picky like I am the lesser important stuff. Check the paint (open the hood, doors, etc.) and check for overspray. If a car backs into another on the lot or a technician sideswipes the lift or a careless runner bends the front hood on a brand new Ultra-Luxury ES350 by driving into a fence, these things can be repaired. And often times, the damage is not reported. A good body shop will take care of those issues with little or no noticeabilty (sp?). However, some dealerships who outsource small jobs to private companies or have body shops that are so backed up or busy may do a shotty job. Check for the "orange peel" (which some of our trucks have anyways) and the overspray in the grooves...Carfax doesn't get it all, especially if car has never been registered or left the lot.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by tundradg

I absolutely agree (coming from someone who works in the industry). Check for the important stuff, and if you're picky like I am the lesser important stuff. Check the paint (open the hood, doors, etc.) and check for overspray. If a car backs into another on the lot or a technician sideswipes the lift or a careless runner bends the front hood on a brand new Ultra-Luxury ES350 by driving into a fence, these things can be repaired. And often times, the damage is not reported. A good body shop will take care of those issues with little or no noticeabilty (sp?). However, some dealerships who outsource small jobs to private companies or have body shops that are so backed up or busy may do a shotty job. Check for the "orange peel" (which some of our trucks have anyways) and the overspray in the grooves...Carfax doesn't get it all, especially if car has never been registered or left the lot.

...
LT

[firetruck41]

Originally Posted by LifeTech

...
LT

...
Post # padding?

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by firetruck41

...
Post # padding?

I didn't even think about that until you said it and then I looked at his post numbers...

[Dianne]

Kiptu, what are you paying in Colorado for the LC? What in relation to the MSRP sticker? I am asking because I have shipped a few LC's cross country in the past few months and I seem to be saving folks a lot of $.
Dianne