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How can I tell if my Pruis is certified used?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by tokienulv, Mar 4, 2011.

  1. tokienulv

    tokienulv Junior Member

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    Hello! I'm in the process of buying a certified prius out of state (sight unseen :eek:) I emailed the dealer and they agreed to certified the Prius and give me the 2.9% financing. They also agreed to ship the car to me.

    I received all the paperwork today in the mail, but NOTHING was written on it regarding the car being a certified Prius? I just want to have the inputs of all who bought a used certified car to see if this is normal or should I contact the dealer and insist that they put something in writing?

    Thank you for all your insights. :)
     
    #1 tokienulv, Mar 4, 2011
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    get it in writing

    If you're paying a price premium for car that's Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, I would definitely have them put it in writing. It could be "certified" by the dealer itself (or not at all) with them putting only a small warranty and it not having all the benefits of a TCUV.

    How far is this dealer? Have you or someone you personally know dealt w/them before? I'd personally rather not make such a big purchase sight unseen. If it were me and I really had to do it remotely, I'd consider flying there (if it's that far) and driving the car back, if everything looks good.
     
    #2 cwerdna, Mar 4, 2011
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  3. tokienulv

    tokienulv Junior Member

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    Cwerdna,

    The car is located in Salt Lake City, Utah (about 600 miles away from me). I do not know anyone that has personally dealt with them. It's not that I do not want to drive/fly there, but I simply do not have the time in my work schedule to do so within the next month :(

    The car was a good deal (IMO) it is a 2008 Touring package 6 with 48,000 miles for $17000 ? Car fax was clean, 1 owner vehicle, personal vehicle with no prior accidents. Checked the Vin online, previous owner did all recommended maintenance at Toyota dealers.

    I will call them tomorrow to see what they say about putting it in writing somewhere on the contract or if I can just "Write" it in somewhere on the contract before sending it back to them ? I just never bought a certified used car so was not sure if it was to supposed to be on the contract or "implied" since they are giving me the 2.9% financing rate.
     
    #3 tokienulv, Mar 4, 2011
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, I don't have much other advice for you. I noticed that the site I provided has an inventory search. I don't see any 08 used Priuses at Toyota Certified Used Vehicles - Search Inventory (using 84101 zip). Not sure if it was there before and then removed from the inventory.

    When helping others look for used cars before, I've seen some dealers have their own "certification" that's not the same as the "manufacturer's certification". By not the same, it's as I described: not all the benefits of a "manufacturer's certified" vehicle, shorter warranty, etc. They also carried "manufacturer's certified" used cars.

    I know of some dealers who had some cars that weren't certified but felt confident it could get "manufacturer's" certified but doing so would add on a a bunch of cost.

    Good luck.

    (I refrained from using the word "factory" since Priuses are made in Japan and it's extremely unlikely anyone would send a US market car back to a Toyota factory in Japan for certification purposes.)
     
    #4 cwerdna, Mar 4, 2011
  5. tokienulv

    tokienulv Junior Member

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    Hi again Cwerdna, the car was taken off inventory yesterday (since I put a "holding" deposit for it)

    Here's the email that was sent to me by the sales :
    Great news . Let’s do this. The car is getting checked out as I type. Once I get a deposit I can get it Certified .
    The Certified program just changed to 12,000 miles or 12 months comprehensive coverage as well as the remainder of the 7 yr. 100 k powertrain .
    Extended full coverage wrap warranties are also available at a lower cost because the vehicle is Certified.
    The Certified rate is currently 2.9% apr for up to 60 months .
    Once the vehicle is properly detailed I can call a transport company and let you know how fast I can get it to you.
    Based on that : I am assuming this should be the TCUV program ? no ?
     
    #5 tokienulv, Mar 4, 2011
  6. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I bought my Prius out of state as a Toyota Certified Used. The car was actually a dealer demo driven by their business manager. My dealer paperwork did not indicate Certified, but my VIN in Toyota's service computers does list it as Certified. Ask your dealer how the VIN number will be recorded in Toyota's service network.
     
    #6 twittel, Mar 4, 2011
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  7. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I bought one certified used vehicle (not a Toyota) and I had the same question. I requested and received an 8 or 10 page form that the dealer's shop had used to certify the vehicle. This document listed all the things they had checked and was initialed by the mechanic and signed off by the shop supervisor. It listed things such as brake pad thickness, tire tread depth, indicated the fluids that had been changed, etc.

    Perhaps they should provide you with something like that. Also the certification would need to be recorded by Toyota for warranty purposes so they should have a record. After I bought my certified used vehicle I received by mail, from manufacturers North American office, a copy of the extended warranty which was included as part of the certification.
     
    #7 tumbleweed, Mar 4, 2011
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  8. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    #8 liskipper, Mar 4, 2011
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  9. tokienulv

    tokienulv Junior Member

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    Thank you all who responded : I emailed the dealer today and got an email response from the finance manager dept that once my paper work is sent in, they will send me a document for the certification.
     
    #9 tokienulv, Mar 4, 2011
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