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OMG. Just a little advice is all I need.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by JohnRobinson, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. JohnRobinson

    JohnRobinson Junior Member

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    Just a little advice is all I need. (Dealer Problems)

    Its been a while since I last posted here so sorry for that but trust me when I say I have been reading everything, or at least alot, on a daily basis.

    Anyway, here goes my issue. We arent rich, far from it. We had a 2005 model Prius and then a 2007 at a good price popped up so I suggested we bought it and sold the 2005 asap. 6 Months later we still had it so I got desperate. We went to Toyota and "bought" a 2009 Prius with the agreement that we could part exchange the 2005 and our 2007. Everything was simple and agreed with no issues. However then it started.

    We bought the 2009 with the understanding that it had accident damage. It was a demo car that had cosmetic damage on the left side that had to be repaired before we accepted it. No problems we said.

    We were supposed to take delivery on the 7th October. On the 4th we drove up too Toyota just because we were curious and found our car with the rear left door replaced but without the window in. Stood outsite without even a little bit of plastic. Im sorry but for the whole weekend it had been raining and I can only assume it had been stood there for the whole period. Whats worse is that when it hadnt been raining it had been extremely damp in the morning. Really damp.

    Now I dont know alot about cars, especially Prius's, however firstly the car has leather seats which means water has been poring on them all weekend. Then the battery pack is located below the rear seats. The carpets, the electrics, the airbags the the the......

    For us living in Norway ( englishman here) 320.000 norwegian Krone is ALOT. ($55.064)

    Should I worry about the electrics? How about the leather seats or the carpets? We ordered the Premium ( top of the range ) so Im concerned about the safety aspect here, like the battery or airbags not working etc..

    We went straight to the salesman who blew us off completely. Like this was the normal thing to happen. Oh his wording was, "if anything is wrong is will be covered by the guarentee!" Wth. So I have to take my car back in 6 months after its started to act weird or smell like mould and have to try and prove it was initially their fault?

    So my question is this. What would you do? And please, any comment is a good and a thankfully accepted opinion.

    ;)
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wouldn't worry, just ask the dealer to go thru all your concerns with you. norwegians are the salt of the earth!
     
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  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I would cancel the purchase agreement, on the basis that the car had not been properly stored prior to your purchase. The car's exposure to water and humidity may cause problems with the wiring harness and ECUs located in the passenger cabin. Those problems often will be intermittent which can be almost impossible to find. You'll be better off without that headache.

    (If you are not rich, then why spend US$55K on a used car in dubious condition? You'd be better off keeping the cars you have.)
     
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  4. JohnRobinson

    JohnRobinson Junior Member

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    Thanks for the quick replys.

    I obviously will check the car from top to bottom before I accept it however I cant help but feel that it will always be on my mind.

    Oh and Ill be honest Patrick it was a long term reason for buying the car. At 320.000kr it was about 40.000 less than book price so we were getting a good deal. Of course before the water damage. Plus of course less insurance, hopefully lower running costs, etc.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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  5. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Based on your pictures, walk away from it. The water damage to the interiors (beyond wiring) could cause mold issues that you will never be rid of. How careless of the dealer to leave it out like that. A shame really.
     
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  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I think it rains here in the UK about as much as you get and no garage would leave a car outside in the pouring rain like that!

    If they're that blase about leaving your car open adverse weather what are they going to be like when you need it servicing in future?

    How much water had got into the car? Had it been left open all weekend or had they just started on it and it just got hit with a heavy shower? A bit of damp in the carpets isn't a problem if it dries out quickly, but if they were allowed to get saturated over the full weekend, then you might have mould problems in the future!
     
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  7. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Active Member

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    Sure sounds like an American car salesman moved to Norway, and you got him.
    I would walk away from that deal with the mishandling of your goods. It seems like a misprint on the price. Looks like it is us Americins who are poor now. Oh well..
     
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  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    This sounds like asking for trouble. I would walk away on this one.

    Tom
     
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  9. ravenmaniac

    ravenmaniac Senior Executive VP of Nothing

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    RUN, don't walk away! You will find a good deal in the coming months. January will be here before you know it and that same car will be two model years old and the value on a comparable one will align with this one. What a terrible dealer!! Left the car in the rain with no glass in that hole? Come on! You would be better suited to wait for a car with no regrets.
     
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  10. JohnRobinson

    JohnRobinson Junior Member

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    Ok guys. Thank you so very much for your replys. Need to think alot harder about it and I think I will perhaps wait until its finished and check it out and then make up our minds.

    Thanks again!!! :)

    P.s. its a gen 3 premium top model. Just looked on the norwegian car forum and cant find any with the same milage for less than 350.000kr.
     
  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I guess it doesn't matter but I'm a little lost in translation here.

    You owned a 2005? You purchased a 2007? But now your plan was to trade "both" of them in on a 2009?

    I don't know...just on the surface I'd say walk away based solely on the fact that leaving an open vehicle out in the rain and damp is incredibly stupid and shows a lack of attention and caring from the dealership. I wouldn't want to continue with the deal just because I wouldn't want a relationship with a dealership that A: would be so careless and then B: Ignore your concerns after you discover it happened. (Seriously..."If" you have any problems it will be covered by the guarantee...is a ridiculous answer).

    But I'm a little unclear. Was it just that you were having trouble selling the 2005 and you wanted to make a 2 for 1 deal? If you have no problems with your 2007 just be patient and sell your 2005...there will be a buyer....
     
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  12. JohnRobinson

    JohnRobinson Junior Member

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    Ok we owned a 2005. I found the 2007 so we decided to buy it and sell the 2005 asap. Problem was that it didnt sell. After 6 months of paying loan payments and insurance we got desperate. It was then that the dealer offered to buy both and it seemed like a good deal. Plus I really wanted the gen 3.

    Sorry about the pic quality.
     

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  13. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    OMG! Wait, the above picture shows "Toyota Lier" on the door!
     
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  14. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    I see that Lier is a city in Norway. Live and learn.

    Now "liar" would have been rofl.
     
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  15. JohnRobinson

    JohnRobinson Junior Member

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    LOL! Yeah Toyota Liar would of been a blast! :D
     
  16. johalareewi

    johalareewi Member

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    In Europe, Toyota branded the Gen3 Prius as a 2009.
     
  17. vday

    vday Member

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    Hard to believe - car costs almost 50% more than in Israel. And I always think cars here cost a lot (there are less taxes on hybrids here)
     
  18. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    LOL

    It's not a misprint. The taxes/fees are SO FREAKING OBSCENE in Norway. I was talking to a guy who visited Sweden (they must be in cahoots) and he bought a four-five seat car but had the rear seats removed because two seaters are much cheaper to buy, apparently because they force people with families to use public transport. Doesn't make sense to me, either. But even if that story is nonsense I know for sure cars are a mint in parts of Scandinavia, like 3-4X the cost of one in the US.

    I'm going to guess you have no damage to this other than a damp interior that will likely dry out. This is a guess; I've not experienced a heavily saturated interior car but I bet it will be ok. Whether I'd buy it or not I don't know, cars there are so expensive I'd just ride a bike, even in the winter in a storm.
     
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  19. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    There are several countries that have 100% (min) Tax on imported cars, Japan, Scandinavia and probably more. So much for Total Socialism. Knowing this, it is easy to say I would never buy a new car. However the citizens are slowly brainwashed into this normal high tax, high cost way of living that this is all they know. And, many people need a car, even in Scandinavia.:D:D
     
  20. peirhead

    peirhead Junior Member

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    One more suggestion...get a 2010 instead!!