Used Dealer sold me a 2012 with only 3000 miles but old tires. Advice

the only difference in those sizes is the width of the tire. someone correct me if I am wrong. 70 aspect ratio both on 16 inch rims is the same heigth if I understand metric tire sizes correctly. 265/25.4=10.43 inches wide vs 235/25.4=9.25 inches wide. width doesn't throw the speedometer off.

 

Going from 1/2 or less tread 235/70/16's to stock 265's would be a fine outcome to me. But we shall see. I just feel duped due to the tires not matching the age of everything else on the vehicle.

 

But you signed the papers and drove away! It is going to be tuff to get tires out of them.

 

You know the stock tires that come with TRD Off Road are crappy, right? Look up reviews of the BFG Rugged Trail. You tend to find reviews like "worst tires I've ever used". Many owners here consider them unsafe and replace them with real all-terrain tires after leaving the dealer's lot. You see snow in central NY? Don't run stock tires.

As for dealer's liability, there are a couple of things working against you:

- Tires still have enough tread to pass a safety inspection.
- Dealer didn't hide anything from you. Tires were in the open for you to examine before the purchase.

 

Have never had a problem with my rugged trails, on road, off road, even driving through super storm sandy and heavy rain.

 

Well, I'm taking quite a beating on this subject, someone do me a favor and post that gif of the girl doing the ride along on the drift. That should change my demeanor

 

save your time...energy...and aggravation, and go buy yourself a new set of tires.

 

sorry to add to the beating, but if you wanted a new truck, you should have bought a NEW truck, and like others have said... who cares? you went in to buy tires anyways.....

get some nice new tires, bigger meatier like you wanted anyways, and get on with the modding!

 

+1

Laws vary by state, but in most cases 50% tread is legal for them to sell.
As far as them being the proper size, that's on you when you inspected the truck before buying. You noticed that they seemed smaller and not the same tread... you obviously know what tires should come on a 4x4 or Prerunner.

And 265 down to 235 is only a 6% difference in tire size. They are only reading about 3-4mph high at 55 mph compared to the correct tires.
Yes, you are seeing a 6mph difference because the stock calibration is off by about 6% as well.


So you were looking into getting "beefier" tires... what's the problem with these worn out tires if you're just going to pitch them?

 

235/70r16

235 is width in millimeters
70 is the sidewall height determined by percentage of the width (70%)
16 is the wheel size

So 70% of 265 is taller than 70% of 235

 

I don't want to kick you while you're down either, but look at this as a reason to get those new tires you wanted. As other have said, you bought a truck you admittedly weren't the best educated to buy at the time. Tack it up to a learning experience and enjoy your truck and the new set of tires you choose.

 

The dealer sold u the used truck that u test drove..... Thats it. I understand if the engine was swap out or something but the tires were in plain view.

 

Don't take this as a beating, rather a learning experience.
But help me understand. In the Original post you described an issue with the tires, including size, age, and some dry rot. In one of your follow-up posts you called it a "wheel" issue. So, now I am not sure that you even have the right wheels. Not uncommon for someone to sell wheels and tires off a new Tacoma and replace them with after markets. And if someone is about to lose a new truck to the repo man, they might do that out of spite. How about a picture of your truck with whatever tires and wheels you have now.

 

My bad, Being relatively new to the car world, I sometimes forget that wheels and tires are two separate things. The tires are the issue, the wheels are factory trd or alloys.

 

Consider it a lesson learned. save the gas money from the ride to the dealership and back and go buy the tires you want.

You bought a used vehicle (repoed at that). I hope you got a very good price. You looked at it, drove it, liked it, and bought exactly what you saw. Caveat emptor.

 

The only way to likely hold them accountable for tires on the vehicle might be if the DOT number puts the age of them too old. I am not 100% sure if this hold true since it is a used vehicle.

Tires are not supposed to be sold once they are past 6 years old whether they are brand new and sat in storage or if they are used.

All I can say is if you noticed them being to small for your liking and the non aggressive tread pattern but you still went ahead with the deal since it was money driven that you thought the deal was good enough. Seems you thought would replace anyways.

This is like buying a used car with aftermarket wheels you know they are not factory but they get the job done whether they are a different diameter or width.

 

I agree with the general consensus that you bought the vehicle "as is", and therefore you're ultimately responsible for accepting the vehicle in that condition.

HOWEVER, I consider their action to be unethical. Even if they accepted the vehicle with those tires in trade, they are responsible for putting forth a properly/safely equipped vehicle for sale, which they did not (speedometer). If they don't "meet you half way", then I would involve the BBB or Toyota (not sure how much Toyota will care since it's not a Toyota dealer). Also, any opportunity to "review" the dealer online would serve to ding their reputation and warn other buyers.

IMO, the bigger question is what you're trying to achieve. They're not going to replace the tires with the big beefy ones you ultimately want, right? If they've been dicks about it, maybe it's best to report to BBB, review online, and move on. In the end, you still have a fairly fresh Tacoma to show for it!

 

I'd go over to your local TV station and show them. See what they say. Some Reporter may take up your cause. You were duped, Man. F' em. I hate dealerships like that but getting them on TV could be sweet revenge. 3k truck with worn out (and different size tires is a SAFETY concern- I'm sure their Insurance Co would like to hear the Dealer is sending out vehicles with incorrect sized tires. Fry the Pricks. Open a file (it's free compliments of your tax dollars) with your State Attorney General, too. F' em. Don't get mad, get even.

 

You said a couple of salesmen were driving tacomas?..what style wheels are on your truck now? Are they the offroad wheels, or sports? That could give you an edge also if there the wrong wheels.

 

What did you buy the used Tacoma for? Price/