So long 4Runner, I hardly knew ye

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/25/2014 at 22:45 • Filed to: None

Last week, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . My hope was the 4Runner would be more reliable than my Jeep. Well...as of today, I'm back to driving my Grand Cherokee.

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I test drove the 4Runner a couple weeks ago, and all seemed good. The different 4wd modes engaged fine, there wasn't any rust, the dealer had redone the brakes and changed the oil, there was a documented timing belt & water pump service, and it had almost brand-new Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S all-terrain tires on it, which are supposed to be great in the snow—perfect since this is my winter vehicle here in Madison, WI.

The asking price was a little higher than my budget, so I concentrated on finding cheaper options—mostly other 4Runners, Nissan Pathfinders, and Infiniti QX4s (a.k.a. Nissan Pathfinder with an Infiniti badge). They were mostly down in the Chicago area, but this past weekend I was going to be in Chicago anyway, to help my mom move my grandma into assisted living.

I decided however that I had enough on my plate with my Chicago trip anyway, and I really liked that this 4Runner had the rear locking diff and kickass tires, so I tried to hammer out a deal. Last Thursday I finished haggling over the trade value on my Jeep and purchase price on the 4Runner, and Friday I did the paperwork and took the 4Runner. In what could have turned out to be a huge mistake, I didn't re-test drive it.

Right after I got on the highway leaving the dealer, the check engine light came on. I called the dealership and they said to bring it back right away, but I had work to do so I got back to my office, did what I needed to do, and then headed back to the dealer. They scanned the code, said "it seems like just something random but let us know if it comes back," and sent me on my way.

The light came back, after they closed for the evening. I scanned the code myself, and it was P0773 - Transmission Shift Solenoid 'E'. That didn't sound good to me at all, and I had to drive down to Chicago on Saturday. No way was I going to take it with transmission problems.

Early on Saturday morning, I went to the dealer's service department and explained the situation. They jumped into action, said they'll take care of me, gave me a brand new 4Runner from their rental fleet to drive to Chicago, and were generally very helpful, even though technically they didn't need to do anything, since it was an As-Is, No Warranty sale.

Today, they called me back and told me they finished inspecting the transmission, and somehow a bunch of water had gotten up inside it. They said they could replace the solenoids and valve bodies, and flush the hell out of it, but there was no guaranteeing it wouldn't break again.

But, they gave me another option: they'd void the deal, give me back the check I had written them for a down payment (which they hadn't even cashed yet), and give me back my Jeep. Even though I liked the 4Runner, I didn't want to roll the dice on the transmission. So I went back today, they took out all the deal sheets, voided them, gave me copies, and gave me back my check and my Jeep.

I'm disappointed that I didn't get the 4Runner that I wanted, but at the same time, I'm extremely grateful that the dealership did the right thing without me having to make any kind of fuss. They were awesome throughout the process.

Which means, I would recommend them without hesitation. The dealership is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Madison, WI. I actually got the 4Runner at their separate !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! lot, but the service department at the main Smart Toyota is who hooked me up with the rental 4Runner since the budget lot's service department isn't open on Saturdays. Still, five stars to everyone there across the board.

Now I've just gotta try to find something else to replace my Jeep with...

EDIT: Wallaby13 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that there might be a 30-day warranty on as-is sales. I checked and found the relevant Wisconsin statutes, and it turns out, there sorta-kinda is but isn't a warranty in this case.

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in question says:

Unless otherwise agreed to in the purchase contract, the inspection disclosures shall neither create any warranties, express or implied, nor affect warranty coverage provided for in the purchase contract. However, it is an unfair practice for a dealer to not remedy an item improperly reported on the guide that the dealer could have found using reasonable care if the buyer has notified the dealer within a reasonable time after the buyer discovered or should have discovered the improperly reported item and the vehicle is made available to the dealership. The dealer shall reasonably remedy or make a good faith effort to reasonably remedy an item improperly reported within 30 days of the buyer's notification.

So I guess since I notified the dealer within a reasonable amount of time that the check engine light came on, and it turned out to be a significant issue that they hadn't put on their inspection disclosure, this statute probably would apply.

Good to know, but lucky for me, the dealer took care of everything so well that I didn't really even have to go look up the relevant laws.

DISCUSSION (46)

sellphones2493 > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 22:51

Sorry to hear about that. However, that dealer deserves a good review based off what you said happened.

What about the Xterra they have in stock. Miles are a little high, along with the price, but it's got a stick!

http://smarttoyota.com/used-cars-madi…

Vimto > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 22:51

It sounds like you got really, really lucky that you bought it from a reputable dealer.

Textured Soy Protein > sellphones2493
11/25/2014 at 22:54

I definitely wanted to give them a chance to sell me something, given how far above and beyond they went in handling this situation.

As for the Xterra though, I want something with full-time 4wd, which the Xterra doesn't have.

That was actually reinforced by the rental 4Runner SR5 they gave me which was also part-time 4wd. It snowed yesterday and while it's mostly fine, the part-time 4wd where if you put it in 4wd there's no center differential (just a locked 50/50 front/rear split) means there's a bunch of driveline snatch if you try to take a tight turn on a not-too-slippy surface.

My Jeep, and the older 4Runner Limited that I briefly had, both are full-time 4wd with center differentials, and they're much better when driving around a snowy city with varying degrees of plowed roads.

Textured Soy Protein > Vimto
11/25/2014 at 22:56

That's for damn sure!

wantafuncar > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 22:57

Based upon your purchases, it sounds like you want affordable, reliable, and awd with some cargo space.

Why not Subaru?

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:00

That is one stand-up dealer! A+ for them.

HammerheadFistpunch > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:00

Well played dealership. well played. Sorry about the car. never heard of a shift solenoid going out, i would guess one of the PO's drove it too deep of water and it got sucked into the breather

Textured Soy Protein > wantafuncar
11/25/2014 at 23:06

I know Subarus are good, but for my purposes I kinda prefer an actual trucky SUV with lots of ground clearance.

Textured Soy Protein > HammerheadFistpunch
11/25/2014 at 23:13

That's actually one of the theories the service manager had.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:19

I know what you need.

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:20

That might be the best dealer story I've ever heard. I got a Becker radio replaced once when they didn't have to do it, but wow.

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro
11/25/2014 at 23:22

Bahahahahhaahahahaahaha! Although it does have the full-time 4wd I want, and possibly a rear LSD. I actually looked at Troopers for a while before I got my Grand Cherokee last year. The '98-'02 Trooper LTD has the equipment I want, "torque-on-demand" full-time 4wd, and a good number of them have the optional rear LSD. Dunno if the rear LSD was standard on the VehiCROSS.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:23

Oh, and some of the dealers, or perhaps all of them, are networked. There might be a 4Runner sitting on another Toyota dealer's lot that they could get for you.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:25

So is that a "Yes Brian, I'll get to searching for ones for sale right away!"?

Textured Soy Protein > Steve in Manhattan
11/25/2014 at 23:29

I asked about that. Typically dealer trades only happen on new or certified pre-owned vehicles, not cheap old sub-$10k used cars. I also floated the idea of them getting something from an auction for me, but they said often the reason cars end up at auctions because dealers don't think they can sell them themselves, so given the transmission issue they didn't recommend that. Mostly it'd just be if they get something as a trade-in that meets what I'm looking for. I'm not in absolute dire need to replace my Jeep, so I'm planning to see what else is out there but also give these guys a chance to find something else for me.

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro
11/25/2014 at 23:30

Only wrench in that idea is one of the requirements I have for my winter/utility vehicle is that it has a good sized and easily accessible back seat, since the back seat in my 135is only has room for small children, little people, and/or adults with no legs.

E92M3 > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:35

Wow! That's a standup dealership. Not many would even look at it for free after the deal ( since it was as-is), much less take it back.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein
11/25/2014 at 23:44

but VehiCROSS doe

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 00:07

This is a good outcome. If you'd had to fight them, it would have cost lots of time and money. Making a buyer whole is almost unheard of ... keep us informed as to what happens next.

promoted by the color red > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 00:08

So a lifted Outback?

wallaby13 > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 01:18

At least in my state (MD) a dealer is required to give a 30 Day warranty on every sale. As-Is or not.

Textured Soy Protein > wallaby13
11/26/2014 at 01:29

Well now that you mention it, I found the Wisconsin statute on as-is sales :

So I guess since I notified the dealer within a reasonable amount of time that the check engine light came on, and it was a significant issue that they hadn't put on their inspection disclosure, that this statute probably would apply.

Good to know, but lucky for me, the dealer took care of everything so well that I didn't really even have to go look up the relevant laws.

Arrivederci > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 12:01

Good on them for doing what was right. Hopefully not an overly major repair to the 4Runner so they can get it fixed up and on to a new home.

Textured Soy Protein > Arrivederci
11/26/2014 at 12:08

They said they're probably going to try and patch it up and sell it at auction rather than try to sell it to a customer.

mazda616 > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 19:01

That is awesome that they took what could have been an awful situation and made it right. All the dealers around here would've said "Sorry 'bout your luck."

HiMyNameIsJayAgain > promoted by the color red
11/26/2014 at 21:06

Yeah, he needs a battlewagon!

Kinja'd!!!

dogisbadob > wantafuncar
11/29/2014 at 12:08

Awesome gif!!!!

dogisbadob > Textured Soy Protein
11/29/2014 at 12:13

Kinja'd!!!

ooooo rusted older caravan

dogisbadob > Textured Soy Protein
11/29/2014 at 12:13

How about a Tracker/Vitara?

OldManMcKenna > Textured Soy Protein
11/29/2014 at 15:10

Was it water, or was it coolant (some folks use the terms interchangeably)? These things are known to blow the ATF cooler in the radiator and cause a "pink milkshake" (ATF in coolant). Maybe the previous owner did that, flushed the heck out of it, put in a new radiator, and tried to slip one past the dealer?

Textured Soy Protein > OldManMcKenna
11/29/2014 at 18:32

They didn't specify whether it was water or coolant, just that it had a bunch of rust up in the transmission. If it was coolant, then yeah, busted trans cooler for the strawberry milkshake. If it was water, then someone drove it in deep enough water for water to get in the transmission breather.

Textured Soy Protein > dogisbadob
11/29/2014 at 18:33

Too small. I want something reasonably close to my Grand Cherokee when it comes to room and comfort.

FieryGod > Textured Soy Protein
11/29/2014 at 20:11

GMC Sierra?

Textured Soy Protein > FieryGod
11/29/2014 at 20:11

I want an SUV not a pickup.

dogisbadob > Textured Soy Protein
11/29/2014 at 20:20

The XL7 :)

Textured Soy Protein > dogisbadob
11/29/2014 at 21:27

No. I want a Grand Cherokee, Pathfinder, 4Runner or Montero.

FieryGod > Textured Soy Protein
12/01/2014 at 20:29

sorry, I meant a Yukon, i have a yukon xl and its amazing. although probably to big for any sort of off roading lol

Textured Soy Protein > FieryGod
12/02/2014 at 00:55

I'm not too concerned with off-roading, just driving through the semi-frequent 6-12 inch snowfalls we get here in Wisconsin.

I don't want to deal with anything as big as a Yukon.

FieryGod > Textured Soy Protein
12/02/2014 at 17:55

Ah, well sorry, can't think of anything smaller then that off the top of my head, goodluck finding something that works

Textured Soy Protein > FieryGod
12/02/2014 at 18:40

I've got my list, basically certain variations of Grand Cherokee, 4Runner, Pathfinder and Montero. I've got a possible '05 Grand Cherokee Limited with the Hemi & Quadra-Drive lined up that I'm gonna take a look at this week.

FieryGod > Textured Soy Protein
12/02/2014 at 20:41

nice

Brickman > Textured Soy Protein
12/19/2014 at 17:03

Darn. I would have me a project truck.

I love the red and silver combo. All 4runners I see are silver and gold

Ulsrt > Textured Soy Protein
01/29/2015 at 16:01

Nice to hear they did the right thing. Yeah.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
01/29/2015 at 20:10

Maybe that dealer can find you another one. A very good experience that could have turned very bad.

FiST of FuRRY > wantafuncar
01/29/2015 at 21:55

thanx for the seizure inducing gif :P

cazzyodo > Textured Soy Protein
04/08/2015 at 16:14

I'll definitely tip my hat to the service they provided you. That's refreshing to hear.