bought a lemon, help!

Exactly what I was thinking!!!! Nothing they've said so far makes much sense.

 

It appears to me that the frame on the truck you are looking at now, has been repainted. The leaf springs and other areas have a lot of rust that would also be visible on the frame, if it had not been repainted. Tap the frame in areas that have been repainted to ensure it's not too corroded.

 

Yes, it does look repainted. Hot spots for rust on this frame is inside of the rails near the catalytic converter. Check here first, just in case someone is trying to make it look better for prospective buyers. Take a ball peen hammer and tap around for soft spots. Reference the “frame rust recall’ thread for comprehensive info.

Otherwise looks like a solid truck.

 

What is the name of this dealer and which factory replaces the frame? This thread is a tad bizarre

 

Is the crow back???????????

 

Not officially

But after reading this gem of a thread, first read in a long while. I had to mention the obvious. Mods will do the right thing

 

I bought a real pretty 05 last month from a small used car dealer. I knew the frame wasn't great, but it looked solid. It had no warranty and I had to sign a bunch of papers saying that it was as is. Shortly after buying it, I took it to a Toyota dealer for a leaf spring recall. After replacing the leaf springs, I was told the truck was unsafe because the frame was about to break! My dad and I took it back to where I bought it. The guys who sold me the truck saw my dad rip out a chunk of frame! At first they said they could get it welded, but after one of them crawled under there and saw how bad it really was, they agreed to buy it back! Now it's for sale again and they want more than what I paid for it!

 

Nice looking truck! Some uninformed sucker will buy it and be in for a nasty surprise. Thank you for posting pics so maybe somebody will recognize it though.

 

I came back to see what all the hullabaloo was about, read the post about a Manhattanite shopping for a Taco, and a dealer saying they will ship a truck back to Toyota for a frame swap, and got really pissed off for legitimately caring about the OP’s outcome, when the circumstances are as real as Santa Claus.

I hope the rest of you have a fantastic Tuesday...over there in reality.

Edit: based on the posts below I retract the above, except I still want you guys to have a great day of course

 

@nineteen64 hey Carla any progress with the dealer ?

 

Hey, thank you for reaching out. I want to apologize for the confusion. The dealer didn't say he was going to ship the frame back to the manufacturer (I interpreted it that way). He said that their service dept had to look at it first and Toyota corporate would make the final determination for the final outcome. I reached out to Toyota corp last night and gave them the following info (over the phone and through email):


On Dec 29th 2019 I purchased a 2006 Toyota Tacoma (5TEUU42N06Z236890) from City World Toyota in the Bronx. Among other quality assurances the sales consultant showed me (and I signed) inspection paperwork where the vehicle was given a 96/100. After purchase I took the truck to a private mechanic who informed me the vehicle should never have passed an inspection. The frame (which should have been recalled and replaced years ago) was nearly rusted through and was a danger to drive. I immediately took the car back to City World and the used car manager acknowledged an internal mistake had been made, but that he would need to contact his service department. I called him back today and after being hung up on twice I was told he was still waiting for the truck to be inspected in order to make a determination of whether the frame can be replaced. I am not interested in a replacement. I can see from the service repair order (RO #6403935, dated 12/6/19) that a number of safety recall repairs were made. In doing so the technician ignored the obvious and attached a right-rear leaf spring to a rusted frame. Given this glaring and reckless incompetence, I have no confidence that the City World service department will make the necessary repairs and restore this vehicle to a safe driving condition. I ask that my $15,564.70 USD be refunded immediately and in full.

The Toyota case manager will be getting back to me no later than Wed.

Again, I want to thank you for all of your help on this. Frustrating and embarrassing to say the least (and learning a lot in the process)

 

OP, if you aren’t refunded by this weekend contact the consumer protection unit of your state district attorney with what you posted above. Tell the dealer you are doing this.

 

Ok, will do!

 

Very well written email. Good job.

Interestingly enough, that truck is still listed on their website for sale. However, the pics shown are file pics of a 5 lug.

 

The email is well-written and very professional, and it should act as another line of correspondence to protect you. Keep us updated!

 

just gonna keep this VIN/dealer here for safekeeping

 

I have never had occasion to write to Toyota but if I do will you do it for me? That's some good work on your part and a much better 2nd choice Tacoma. @nineteen64

 

Google image search. LOL

I did a Google image search for the burgundy Taco that Flare side Taco Lover bought and took back and I found it on their site for sale. This is the description from their site.

Just to be clear, this is the truck Flare side Taco Lover took back and not the OP's truck.

"THIS IS A VERY NICE AND AFFORDABLE 4WD TACOMA THAT RUNS AND DRIVES AS IT SHOULD. IT COMES WITH A CLEAN CARFAX, SR5 PACKAGE, AND HAS A NICE SET OF AFTERMARKET WHEELS AND TIRES AS WELL. WE HAD THIS TOYOTA LISTED FOR SALE ONCE BEFORE AND FOUND A SOFT SPOT IN THE FRAME. WE HAVE HAD THE FRAME PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED AND IT IS READY TO GO."

 

Shame on me. I will delete the post.

 

No need to be embarrassed. l didn't know anything at all about Tacomas until l bought mine and joined this forum. Great resources here, and l learned a lot from the members here.

But, l can see the frustration!! Hope it all works out for you in the end. Plus, l always look at it that everything in life is a learning experience.

Keep asking away.. l know l still do.