New England B.S. Thread

I was searching all the Toyota dealers in like 100mi radius for an acceptable truck...I wanted Sub 80K 2008 or newer, 1 owner if possible w/ service...etc...all the stuff you want. 2 weeks ago sunday one popped up on Ira Toyota in danvers. They had horrible online reviews but I had an open mind...I was there at 12pm opening that sunday and told the guy I wanted to see it...2010 access cab 4cyl manual with 78k, SR5 package.
He brings it around and says "Take it for a spin around the property (they even have a 4x4 mud area to test it out on if you want) but stay on the lot because we don't have the title yet..."
So instead of getting in and driving it I pull out a flashlight and get under the truck Checked out the frame, brakes, exhaust, suspension, welds etc to be sure it's all good. Looked great. All original, no rust...Then I was reaching in and tapping the gas and popping under the truck and hood to listen..front side exhaust had a pronounced rattle that you couldn't hear in the cab...Checked the tailgate for any bowing, bump stops had no marks (it is 3 springs rear)...It looked like someones 2.5 year old commuter truck...Engine looked brand new..
The inside was filthy and the upholstery needed replacement on the drivers seat...The guy was like "Sorry, we haven't had a chance to clean it...it was just traded in..." This was actually a great thing as far as I was concerned because you could spot any blemishes they hadn't had a chance to cover up...Body looked great, brand new. There was only one 2 inch cut in the rear bumper plastic..not a ding on the rest of the truck..drivers seat looked like someone had spilled battery acid on it...
His co-workers were laughing at him because of all the due diligence I was up to...
I drove it around in and out of 4, 4 low, reverse, forward, braking etc...seemed fine..

I parked it and said let's talk $$...He was again apologetic for the appearance (which didn't matter to me because I know they can detail it no prob...)
So we work out a price and he says they'll take a look at the list of things I want fixed...I put a deposit down and we are waiting on the title...
He called me a few days ago and said it's all set and ready..just waiting on the title. I am very psyched because I think I got a great deal...They re-did the upholstery on the front seats and arm rest, put 4 new tires on, alignment, replaced the front half of the exhaust system...at least $1600 worth of work in my book...It's also toyota certified so it has the 7 year 100k warranty and I only drive about 6-8k a year so I'll hit 7 years before 100K...
I have a credit score of 800+ so DCU was handing me a loan for $11k...I have the remainder in cash...Total interest on that loan will be like $450 I asked if she could give me 2 and I could buy some dividend stocks with the other!
Total agreed upon price $17,573 (worked the dealer BS costs into the price)...If only the sales tax weren't so absurd...thanks Deval...so the drive off cost is $19,187...
When I went for the loan the banks computer had the truck as $22K...she was like "Wow...nice"...
It's driving me nuts waiting!

 

Sounds like a beauty!

I would have avoided Ira at all costs, but to each their own! I never knew they had a mud pit... So I could have tried out the FJ I almost bought in the mud in 2010? Damn... I probably would have bought one then!

 

Yeah, the mud looked fairly new...it was behind the used car...I mean pre-owned...building on the left (From the street) straight back...I too was thinking it would be a huge hassle to deal with Ira...but so far..so good..I think I knew 10x more about the truck than he did..He may have been new b/c he wasn't on the list of reps on their site...that's why I don't want to jinx it. They'll probably try to bill me for the pre-sale repairs..
They really have HORRIBLE reviews online...intermixed with occasional stellar reviews probably written by employees on break...
I am still going to have to run the final gauntlet at payment where they try to sell me back the floor mats they removed at trade in...and offer me muffler bearing fluid...I am going to say "Do you have weathertechs for less than $150? "

 

My dad bought a dark blue 4runner from them in 2004... They go to pick it up and they brought around a sky blue one, then tried to tell him too fucking bad. I mean, seriously!? They couldn't even get the right color down.

They fixed my truck a few months ago and I had to go back 3 times to have them fix stuff they didn't do right the first time. I can fix stuff better than they can. I'm never going back there again, even if I have to push my truck to the nearest non-Ira dealer...

 

If it's Weathertechs you want, just keep eyes on the FS area here or a group buy. I was going to do just that before my wife bought them for Christmas.

 

Lame.

 

Agreed!

Woburn Foreign Motors and McGee are my favorites, and Jaffarian in a pinch if I have to.

Holman Toyota in NJ is in the same boat as Ira. They totally fucked me over when I went through my submarine phase.

 

Get them off Amazon, esp if you have amazon prime. I got mine through amazon with free shipping (prime), and they were a few bucks less than other places. One of the best things i've done to the truck so far.

 

My favorite shop is my garage. Sure the owner can be a miserable prick at times but I never need an appointment and although the 'mechanic' makes mistakes but he always eventually fixes it up the way it should be. There's also a growing selection of used parts on the shelf also

 

Yeah..all you read about is Ira Nightmares..jeez..

Jaffarian always makes me laugh b/c I had a korean roommate one year in college who called it "Jacks Aryan Ball Bow Toy Yola"

 

To the guy getting the 2010, check out Husky liners also. They're really nice but quite a but cheaper than Weathertechs. I've had mine for over 5 years now and they've held up great!

 

Who can I call to set up an appointment?

Do they provide loaner vehicles? Something fuel efficient like a motorcycle? Lol

 

That's a lot of money for a sr5 4 banger with 80k on the clock .
Good luck with it though

 

Did you not read... no appointments, it's walk in only and only if the mechanic is in and feels so inclined to work on your vehicle (bribery is strongly encouraged). Loaner vehicles would be whatever you can find the keys in at the parking lot next door and the duration of the free loaner is until you get caught (no affiliation with said lot).

 

Have any of you guys put POR-15 or Fluid Film on your trucks? If so, which one and did you do it yourself or did you take it to someone (where)?

 

I think bostonbilly is using it on his '29 Ford Restomod. I think a bunch of people considered it for their sliders, but the consensus was the amount of prep it requires is ridiculous, and unless you get the prep perfect it won't last. As far as a vehicle, unless you are doing a frame off restoration I think the same applies. It would be too hard to prep to get it work correctly.

If you're just talking about protecting it without having to remove everything check out this thread:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...astwood-rust-converter-rust-encapsulator.html

 

Billy used por-15 on his sliders.

 

I stand corrected

 

Are you interested in OEM running boards? I am selling mine.