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My dad taught me about blind spot monitors a long time ago. He said “ Turn your fucking head around and look before you switch lanes”

 

As a motorcycle rider, I actually worry about folks that use BSM exclusively. There have been several times I have ridden up into a cars blind spot while passing, and noticing their BSM doesn't actuate (observation based on no lights in the mirror, I do realize some lights are on the interior, but I digress). BLUF, more than once, a car would come close to pushing me off the road because they simply didn't look back and just started cruising over. It's only because I anticipated it happening that saved me.

 

I ride too and know where you are coming from. I learned young that my safety is my responsibility and not the other driver’s. There are just too many cars out there on roads designed to handle half of the traffic that they do now. Add in phones and other distractions, and shit just isn’t in our favor. Be safe.

 

If more people would realize this simple truth, car buying wouldn’t be such an ordeal for so many. It seems self evident but for some reason it’s not.

 

Wait, what?? Are we brothers!?

 

You know how car dealerships have 'how to sell cars' courses for their salespeople (oh, they do); well, there should be 'how to buy cars' courses for consumers to counteract the effect!

 

You loved the truck until you found out you paid a little too much for it. I'd make sure the dealership and salesman knew that you'd figured out what happened, but other than that there isn't much you can do. At this point drive the truck and be happy. Other than overpaying you still have a great truck and by the time you wear it out the extra money spent will be long forgotten.

 

There are. Maybe not legit go sit in a classroom or seminar class, but there is plenty of information available on the internet these days to help the consumer. Even this forum can be one for those interested in buying a Tacoma. There is a thread around here somewhere that a member posted about emailing and calling multiple dealers, pitting them against each other until you finally get the absolute lowest price, then that dealer will get the truck transferred from the other dealer.
Also, manufacturers do not keep any secrets when researching packages and add ons, just go to any car make website and download a brochure.
I had the owners manual for the Tacoma downloaded on my phone before I purchased my truck.
It just takes a little time and due diligence on the consumers part, but most don't spend that time and thats how salesman smell their prey.

 

You take your SR and tow a trailer with a gigantic billboard on it that says I GOT RIPPED OFF AT THIS DEALERSHIP DO TO FALSE ADVERTISING and park it legally right outside the dealership. See how fast the dealership reacts and tries to mitigate the problem!

 

Since you're 18, you are probably on all the social media apps. You can put it out to the world. Just post the facts though.

 

OP:
If you have the web site description or any ad that describes your truck as a SR5 and you know its just a SR, I would present that info to the General Manager. Figure out the difference of a used SR vs SR5. Ask them for some compensation. The difference between the two models, extended warranty, certain amount in parts accessories, etc.

If you get no satisfaction from the dealership I would contact one of the big TV stations that has a consumer advocate reporter. Or as others have said, just drive the thing and enjoy the vehicle. You have learned a life lesson about the need to really understand the product you want to purchase before going in to make the deal.

 

From their website

 

Sounds like a good lesson to learn early on. The only way to really have your eyes open to the complex nature of dealer ships and life is to get screwed over once. Now you know what pit falls to look out for and maybe how to leverage them for a new purchase.

btw if you wanted to get back at them down the road (it’s a complete douche move kinda but this kinda stuff flew threw my mind when I got screwed over at car max) when you plan to trade in your truck plan to do it at that dealership and round off all bolts you can find, drain for the oil pan or any service areas, and Red thread locker on all the bolts for rims. They’re things that they’ll only see when they do their used inspection and not when they take it as a trade in. They’d also have to prove malice and not just stupidity.

would I do it no, do I recommend doing it nah I just like toying with idea of how I would screw someone over if I wanted to do a subtle F- You.

 

These are some seriously messed up ideas of revenge. And most likely some poor smuck down the road would have to deal with them because the dealer decided to send the truck to an auction house rather than spend money on an inspection.

 

That's the problem. An old company I worked for would disconnect odometers for a while so they wouldn't get a total beating on trade-ins..no, I never once drove a company vehicle so I had no clue. In theory the idea was to hose the dealer but in reality that would just end up getting passed on to someone else who bought the vehicle down the line

 

Thinking they will know the trim level of a used truck is asking a lot. Just think of how you guys mod trucks and how the packages change from year to year. I know, I know everyone expects the salesman to be an expert, but in most cases they are nothing more than a facilitator. You beat them up so they only make a few hundred on the truck, but want an expert level guy selling it to you...….you cant have both.

You bought a used truck, not a new one, used trucks do NOT have a window sticker. You needed to confirm everything about the truck yourself. Just think of how many Tacomas are on here, what percentage is stock? When one of the members takes their truck in and trades it, do you think they make a list of mods? Do you think the dealer inventories the mods? Or the original Eqp? How many people debadge or rebadge. Yes they can look up the VIN number, they did, its a Tacoma.

100% on you, you can do all your social media bashing and sign painting, but that shows very little class and points the finger back at yourself.

As an 18 year old if that is the worst mistake you make you're golden. Try not to dwell on it and be thankful for what you have. When I was 18 I had a total piece of shit.

Caveat Emptor.

 

Or, the dealer can put the Vin number into this nifty little tool and find out exactly what they are selling....

https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

 

Should of did your research BEFORE even looking for a truck,lesson learned.Enjoy your Tacoma.