Buying Advice

pnwfj · 07-29-08, 04:41 PM

I'm looking at 2 different trucks. Both trucks are the same color and in similar condition. One truck is out-of-state so I haven't actually seen it and the other is just down the road. The truck down the road has 5K less miles on it but there are a few things broken on it. The headlight has a small hole in it, the driver's side signal is cracked, and the key is in bad shape. The out-of-state truck could very well have the same or similar broken items. I'd prefer the gray leather in the out-of-state truck over the beige leather in the local truck. The out-of-state truck has a better rear DVD player / the gray spaceship looking deal vs. the smaller unit. I've got the out-of-state truck and the Toyota dealer right now for an inspection. One of the trucks is in Houston TX and the other is in Oregon.

Both trucks cost the same $. Should I go with the local truck because it has fewer miles and I know exactly what's wrong with it? The dealer says the headlight will cost $600 to fix, the key $250, and the signal $70. There isn't any guarantee the the out-of-state truck won't show up with similar minor problems.

Decisions, decisions.

Comments?

BMWSTOY · 07-29-08, 05:08 PM

I think it would cost you the repair amounts just to get the truck from Houston?
I think Beige is more natural looking leather - well you asked - IMHO
Fewer miles matter the way the prices are plummeting right now due to fuel costs.

Good Luck to you. You can always offer less on the one you are not leaning towards - what do you have to loose.

LSUfj · 07-29-08, 05:10 PM

I personally wouldnt want to buy a vehicle without seeing it. At least ask for detailed photos of any defects. Factor in the trip from Houston as well. Gas alone will be quite costly from Houston to Oregon. Although, its a great excuse for a road trip, through the Rockies no less. You'll want to replace those lights, my fog light got water in it and is fudged.

Good luck!

Trunk Monkey · 07-29-08, 05:12 PM

Use the damage as leverage to get the price down. Those are all easy fixes and can be done a LOT cheaper.

LSUfj · 07-29-08, 05:12 PM

[quote=BMWSTOY;3522988]?
I think Beige is more natural looking leather - well you asked - IMHO
quote]

Agreed....

pnwfj · 07-29-08, 05:31 PM

I should add - Houston truck w/ shipping = cost of Oregon truck.

Is an Oregon truck better than a Houston truck for any reason?

Wife thinks the gray leather will hold up to 3 kids better. Gray leather truck has wood trim package - not a huge fan of the wood trim.

kitkraft · 07-29-08, 05:37 PM

Well, we don't salt the roads down in Houston. I don't know about Oregon..;-)
Oh, and I love my beige leather but your wife may be right.....

Trunk Monkey · 07-29-08, 06:07 PM

Wood trim can be removed, DVD replaced, etc. I'd be more concerned about CV joint leaks, transmission issues or exhaust manifold problems. Like I said in one of your other multiple threads on this, have a local Mud member drive the truck.

TX would have the preference for climate, but does have pretty lenient salvage laws.

pnwfj · 07-29-08, 07:02 PM

Sorry about the multiple posts Trunk Monkey - I'm overly anxious at this point.

CDan just told me about the Gulf States Toyota distributor which most likely explains why the rear DVD player in the Houston truck is different from the DVD player in the Oregon truck. The Oregon truck has the Toyota OEM rear DVD player in it - the Houston truck has a JBL system in it. How does the JBL system compare to the Toyota OEM system?

Additionally, I think the tow hitch on the Houston truck is different from the one on the Oregon truck.