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Claudiomartinof · Nov 22, 2019

OP

I had a 2016 sr and I added fog lights, sewed a leather wrap to the steering wheel, added intermittent wiper control, added auto dimming rear view mirror, added off road skid plate (not front one, the second one).

Cases like me could be used to make false advertising... hope local dealer didn’t.. I’m in miami btw...

4bangers are bulletproof. Op enjoy your truck!

Ps: I would’ve gone to dealer and spit salesman face. (This is just me)

GreyBaldTaco · Nov 22, 2019

Claudiomartinof said: ↑

Ps: I would’ve gone to dealer and spit salesman face. (This is just me)
Click to expand...

No, no you wouldn't have.

Speedfreak · Nov 22, 2019

avwilhite20[OP] initial post: ↑

Alright, so obviously this is quite the accusation so I'll get straight into the details, and I’m going to try and be as detailed as possible. Quick Summary is at the bottom.

We (my parents and I, I being 18 years old and getting my first car) began to look for used mid-sized trucks for me, and recognized that the Tacoma is one, if not, the best for me. So we narrow our search down to used tacomas and eventually stumble upon Fred Haas Toyota World’s website and their advertisement for a used “2018 Toyota Tacoma SR5” with a low mileage (below 30k) at a really good price relative to what we’ve been seeing. So, we head to the dealership and do the whole test drive and talk with the salesman. Throughout the entire time (at desk and during test drive), the salesman is constantly referring to the truck as a “2018 Toyota Tacoma SR5”, and even brags about the “SR5 features” in an attempt to impress us. Going into this, all we knew was the price was really good. We didn’t know the differences between the trim levels, besides the fact that the SR is level 1 and the SR5 is level 2. Yes, I know dumb mistake, but frankly I dont believe it should make a difference and you’ll see why.

We don’t buy the car the first day, but end up coming back to it after about a week and a half because it’s without a doubt the best deal on the market given the trim level (SR5), mileage, and the price. Now we’ve purchased the “2018 Toyota Tacoma SR5” and I’m as happy as can be… Then a few months go by, and I start to realize that other Tacomas have things such as a chrome bumper, chrome grille, two extra lights at the bottom, nicer rims, etc. I began wondering why these Tacomas had so much more than mine. So, I went to digging and found a chart that showed the differences between the trim levels and began to realize that I was missing all of the SR5 exclusive ones. I thought surely I or the chart was mistaken, because the car that was sold to me was a SR5. But, still confused, I did some research and eventually found out what a VIN number is. I located my vin number and looked it up in the official toyota website to find out that the car we bought was actually a 2018 Toyota Tacoma SR.

The entire time, we were under the impression that the car was a 2018 Toyota Tacoma SR5 because 1) the advertisement said so, and 2)the salesman said so. Thinking that this is most likely either a mistake, or a legal issue that I need a lawyer for, I ask my parents to get out the paperwork for the car (standard copies of the contract etc.) so I can take a look at it. I read everything, and by everything, I mean everything. Every single instance that the car is referred to, it is simply named “2018 Toyota Tacoma”. There is no trim level specified. So, my conclusion is that the dealership was as vague as possible so they wouldn’t be able to get sued, since legally the only thing that matters (as far as I know from court scenes in movies) is whats on the contract.

Is there anything I can do to get the car that I rightfully thought I bought? Any advice would be appreciated. Obviously I’ve learned a lot from this situation, and 1) wont be returning to Fred Haas Toyota World and 2) will make sure contracts are as specific as possible.

Quick Summary: Dealership led us on to believe that the car was an SR5 through the advertisement saying SR5, and the salesman calling it an SR5. However, I've realized we were sold an SR. The contract merely states "2018 Toyota Tacoma". Is there anything I can do to get the SR5 that I thought I bought?
Click to expand...

I know people have mentioned this but if you are truly happy with your truck and aren't concerned about the difference between an SR or an SR5, then don't let this slight ruin the purchase. You have a truck that will do all the same things. A trim level doesn't change that. So let's change the mood of this thread and

Let's celebrate your truck and not the slight! Show us some pictures of your truck!

Ronzio · Nov 22, 2019

What that dissertation...it’s pretty evident you scammed yourself.

crazysccrmd · Nov 22, 2019

Claudiomartinof said: ↑

Ps: I would’ve gone to dealer and spit salesman face. (This is just me)
Click to expand...

Such a badass. I’d pay $5 to see you do that and then watch you cry as the police put you in the backseat.

auskip07 · Nov 22, 2019

Claudiomartinof said: ↑

OP

Ps: I would’ve gone to dealer and spit salesman face. (This is just me)
Click to expand...

FYI spitting is assault and if it lands its battery. Not 2 charges that are taken lightly

3JOH22A · Nov 22, 2019

In Texas (OP's state), spitting is a class-C misdemeanor if the salesman presses charges.

Sch0227 · Nov 22, 2019

If you're ever in Dallas you can have my TRD Offroad grill, foglights, and factory skids.. and call it whatever you want!

auskip07 · Nov 22, 2019

Sch0227 said: ↑

If you're ever in Dallas you can have my TRD Offroad grill, foglights, and factory skids.. and call it whatever you want!
Click to expand...

sounds like an 18 year old is going to take a road trip

itzyoboipaul · Nov 22, 2019

I looked specifically for an SR. Could care less about the fog, which I can add anyway. The wheels and tires, I upgraded a week after. I also added my own mud guards, step rails, HID etc.
Didn’t really want to pay extra for Intermittent wipers, fenders flares, bla. All I really wanted were the keyless entry and cruise control. Maybe cause I’m almost 40

I’m actually considering adding a TSS or off road decal. Now they really won’t know what i got

After taking the truck home, I realized the SR don’t even have any emblems/badges. Which is good because I was going to de badge it anyway

itzyoboipaul · Nov 22, 2019

Sch0227 said: ↑

If you're ever in Dallas you can have my TRD Offroad grill, foglights, and factory skids.. and call it whatever you want!
Click to expand...

Next please. Poor SR guy here Lol

auskip07 · Nov 22, 2019

itzyoboipaul said: ↑

I looked specifically for an SR. Could care less about the fog, which I can add anyway. The wheels and tires, I upgraded a week after. I also added my own mud guards, step rails, HID etc.
Didn’t really want to pay extra for Intermittent wipers, fenders flares, bla. All I really wanted were the keyless entry and cruise control. Maybe cause I’m almost 40

I’m actually considering adding a TSS or off road decal. Now they really won’t know what i got

Click to expand...

same and same. i just wanted 4x4 v6 and key less

ctimrun · Nov 22, 2019

I think we have all been there at one point or another in life. You gained some valuable life experience as long as you learn from it, sounds like you have. You still have a great truck you should be proud of, have fun making it yours!

itzyoboipaul · Nov 22, 2019

TRDCal said: ↑

Be happy with what you have. My first car was a 95 Corolla, didnt even come with a clock (that was an option back then). Over time I went to scrap yards and upgraded it with optional equipment (clock, dash cluster with a tach, different trim pieces) Was fun and a taught me alot about the car and mechanics.

Not much you can do unless the paperwork states it was an SR5. Even then, it's been months.
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My first car was a used 4door 1990 Corolla 5spd manual that my dad purchased for $5k. Added some 15” low profile wheels/tires, super turbo muffler. Didn’t even have power windows or power locks. Had a car alarm though. I was happy as fuk.

Bigtrees · Nov 22, 2019

Echoing above replies, it honestly seems like poor/shady dealer marketing and failure of purchaser to do due diligence. Any vin search, title, registration document, would have shown an SR trim level. Enjoy the ride, be stoked and move on.

jerzsubbie · Nov 22, 2019

avwilhite20[OP] said: ↑

About a $2000 difference. Just the fact that the salesman screwed us over pisses me off. He acted as if he was "a man of god", which were his exact words. He even showed us his bible that he has on his desk. Just shows me to not trust anybody, especially people that aim to make a profit.
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In that case, for $2k less, you probably did OK. You didn’t get the screaming deal you thought, but probably paid a fair price. I know, it still sucks that you thought you were getting something even more valuable, but it was still $2k less than the others, not $500 more than your 2nd choice which was an actual SR5.

No disrespect meant but, the $2k delta should have been your que to research a little bit more, to understand why they would be selling it so cheap. The fact that you didn’t, means you learned a life lesson. Just be thankful it’s not costing you much of anything in this case.

markmizzou · Nov 22, 2019

One thought -- can you find any copies of the truck being advertised as a SR5 - anywhere. newspaper, local bargain circulars etc.? If you can , then you have some recourse to go on -if not --then they can deny deny, deny. and you are stuck with what you have.
If I was cheated and deceived this way, I would go out of my way to spread the BAD word about their dealership as well!

Hooper89 · Nov 22, 2019

Honestly sounds like you were wowed by the price and didn't check everything properly. I learned the same lesson when I was 20. Just be glad yours doesn't have a bent frame.....

5nahalf said: ↑

I worked in a VW dealer for many many years. 90% of sales guys and service writers are scum. Look for the old guy who doesnt give a flying fuck because he retires at the end of the year, or look for the one who uses the least amount of hair grease to slick back their hair.
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I talked to probably twenty different dealerships in my quest for a new/used truck and only three were straight up. The rest were all sleazebags.

rtzx9r · Nov 22, 2019

I’d bet the salesman doesn’t even know the difference between an SR, SR5, TRD sport, etc...

Enjoy your truck!

Shades_Of_Red · Nov 22, 2019

itzyoboipaul said: ↑

I looked specifically for an SR. Could care less about the fog, which I can add anyway. The wheels and tires, I upgraded a week after. I also added my own mud guards, step rails, HID etc.
Didn’t really want to pay extra for Intermittent wipers, fenders flares, bla. All I really wanted were the keyless entry and cruise control. Maybe cause I’m almost 40

I’m actually considering adding a TSS or off road decal. Now they really won’t know what i got

After taking the truck home, I realized the SR don’t even have any emblems/badges. Which is good because I was going to de badge it anyway

Click to expand...

Almost 40? Guys like us should maybe have gone with the limited trim then since that is what the older folks tend to buy.

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