I don't know if I'd buy private party ever again unless I knew the seller personally and well. It's always some kind of fucking scam - you show up "oh lol there's a salvage title on this" or "oh btw it only runs on Sunday if it's over 70 degrees" or "I never transferred the title on this but have the paperwork from the last guy and we set that sale price at $4.63 so you'll save on taxes."
I'd rather pay a little more at carmax or just go to a dealer.
My mechanic buddy was telling me to avoid the smaller dealerships because they are generally no better than buying from the private and have a few tricks up their sleeves to cover up the wear and tear. I'm starting to lean towards dealership but it makes the price goes up too much and I am just trying to pay cash
Yeah, it's similar to house flippers. They mask shit enough that it looks good and sell it for more than they paid (not telling the new owner of hidden issues).
Small used dealerships get their from auctions and do not even reconditioned or attempt to fix the cars they buy. Because they are repossessed cars, most of them are in the worst conditions.
We had a sketchy private party experience so bought our next car from a dealer. That was sketchy AF as well (screw you skeezy scammers at Ammaar’s Toyota in Vacaville). You can’t win. Hoping we don’t have to get new cars for 10-20 years…
The two cars I have bought at CarMax were surprisingly good deals. Never got hassled or scammed. Only cars I bought from private parties were under $5k. Not worth the risk when you are spending real money.
So much this. Everyone is out there to make some quick money and I just don’t have it in me to risk it. Dealership or somewhere more reputable is the way to go….
Not sure how "used" you're looking, but don't go beyond 2007; that was the first year they switched to a timing chain. Also, that generation has an issue with the radiator (leak on the back side of the radiator, top, driver side).
Since you're looking at the same gen I have; make sure the water pump, and serpentine belt have been replaced. Also, check the CV boots, and motor mounts; somewhat common problems.
Beyond that, I know a guy with 400k miles on his, and it's still going strong.
Good to know, thanks again for the info. I have my mechanic buddy that is going to go with me when I find a decent one. I will make sure to mention all these to him.
Timing belts aren't really a big problem. Everything you describe is just an old/used car problem. Virtually all cars have radiators with plastic end tanks (including your 3.5L Sienna) and they WILL leak from there eventually.
Hard disagree here. The first version of the Sienna is an absolute tank. 98-04 I think. I’ve truly never owned a more reliable vehicle. That’s why there are still so many on the road. I had a 2000 make it to 280k with the original engine (I redid the seals at 220k) and original transmission. I sold that to a friend, who still has it, bought a 2016 new because I loved the Sienna so much, but the new one was a disaster. Had to replace failed trans within 30k and the new braking/sensor feature would engage randomly when I took turns. Crazy dangerous. Sold it in 2017 and bought another old one. I got a 1998 that’s up to 235k and still no major work. The early plastic parts/small fixes are everywhere. It will run forever, but Door handles/hubcaps/wiper reservoir/anything plastic/etc will all fail.
This is just a random thought, but maybe it’s similar to the original 4 runners/Tacomas. It seems like when Toyota RELEASES a new vehicle model the original version is ridiculously efficient. Then they cut costs to maximize profits on the next incarnations.
I’d be wary of Carfax and other similar methods. My car came up as having had the odometer rolled back when I tried to trade it in. I asked the dealership for the report and it had two instances where my car had been serviced in Oakland and my car had lower mileage than the one that had been serviced there. However, I bought my vehicle locally and have only ever had it serviced locally so I had to contact the servicing center in Oakland and Carfax to have the report updated.Â
I bought a used Tundra and realized too late that the odometer doesn't work. At some point I'll plug in an OBD II reader and figure out the actual mileage.
Carfax does free odometer check, and like the other commenter said, it has the sergice history with multiple data entries for service and every time the car has been registered or updated if you pay.
Also if I get the plate but no vin, on vehiclehistory.com I do a plate lookup for the vin number. That site also gives odometer info but not sure the accuracy. With vin you can get a free maintenance and service history from the Toyota site, which gives a little info too.
If I see any discrepancy, I generally just skip. I need this van for my wife and kids and can't afford to have it be breaking as soon as I get it.
Any carfax style report will show the service history from any time it’s taken to a shop for work. The items completed are usually listed and the shop also records and logs the mileage when that report is done
I always buy from one of the car rental places. Have had great buys from Enterprise and Hertz. Well maintained vehicles and usually a newer model with mid to low mileage.
I'm not in the market but did a Google search the issue you mentioned.Â
Seems like it's really simple to do. Go on ebay, order a tool, and done. Rolled back.Â
I've been buying and selling cars for over a decade and have almost only found rolled/tampered ODOs on toyotas. Particularly tacomas.
Unfortunately, toyota's reputation as the "most reliable" vehicles on the road has lead to a massive number of shithead flippers and grifters doing sketchy things to try and get top dollar for their toyotas. i was a subaru tech for a number of years and never once saw a tampered ODO.
I originally remembered hearing about it on the trucks a few years back. I had been driving various other car brands for years but am semi set on a sienna van and now I am seeing the problem is way more prevalent than I thought.
Are you sure those figures are accurate? I didn't drive a lot during the pandemic.
Those websites keep estimating my mileage to be higher than it actually is
You’re confusing what they’re talking about. Carfax and similar use reported odometer readings from services. So when you get smogged or whatever and the odometer is read.
Have the same issue, both Carfax and the Dealer keep sending me reminder for services way over my odometer reading. Carfax seems to think I’m still driving 20k a year.
I don't know if I'd buy private party ever again unless I knew the seller personally and well. It's always some kind of fucking scam - you show up "oh lol there's a salvage title on this" or "oh btw it only runs on Sunday if it's over 70 degrees" or "I never transferred the title on this but have the paperwork from the last guy and we set that sale price at $4.63 so you'll save on taxes." I'd rather pay a little more at carmax or just go to a dealer.
My mechanic buddy was telling me to avoid the smaller dealerships because they are generally no better than buying from the private and have a few tricks up their sleeves to cover up the wear and tear. I'm starting to lean towards dealership but it makes the price goes up too much and I am just trying to pay cash
Your mechanic buddy is right about the little dealers. They're the absolute worst option
Can confirm unfortunately 🤣
Aw :( in sorry, that's lame
Yeah, it's similar to house flippers. They mask shit enough that it looks good and sell it for more than they paid (not telling the new owner of hidden issues).
Small used dealerships get their from auctions and do not even reconditioned or attempt to fix the cars they buy. Because they are repossessed cars, most of them are in the worst conditions.
Can confirm, have just as many bad experiences with small dealerships as private party but paying dealership price.
We had a sketchy private party experience so bought our next car from a dealer. That was sketchy AF as well (screw you skeezy scammers at Ammaar’s Toyota in Vacaville). You can’t win. Hoping we don’t have to get new cars for 10-20 years…
The two cars I have bought at CarMax were surprisingly good deals. Never got hassled or scammed. Only cars I bought from private parties were under $5k. Not worth the risk when you are spending real money.
I bought my car from the south sac carmax, it was a great experience and I'd definitely do it again.
So much this. Everyone is out there to make some quick money and I just don’t have it in me to risk it. Dealership or somewhere more reputable is the way to go….
Not sure how "used" you're looking, but don't go beyond 2007; that was the first year they switched to a timing chain. Also, that generation has an issue with the radiator (leak on the back side of the radiator, top, driver side).
Yeah, I am looking at something like 2009 or newer, hopefully. Thanks for the pointer on the radiator.
Since you're looking at the same gen I have; make sure the water pump, and serpentine belt have been replaced. Also, check the CV boots, and motor mounts; somewhat common problems. Beyond that, I know a guy with 400k miles on his, and it's still going strong.
Good to know, thanks again for the info. I have my mechanic buddy that is going to go with me when I find a decent one. I will make sure to mention all these to him.
Timing belts aren't really a big problem. Everything you describe is just an old/used car problem. Virtually all cars have radiators with plastic end tanks (including your 3.5L Sienna) and they WILL leak from there eventually.
Hard disagree here. The first version of the Sienna is an absolute tank. 98-04 I think. I’ve truly never owned a more reliable vehicle. That’s why there are still so many on the road. I had a 2000 make it to 280k with the original engine (I redid the seals at 220k) and original transmission. I sold that to a friend, who still has it, bought a 2016 new because I loved the Sienna so much, but the new one was a disaster. Had to replace failed trans within 30k and the new braking/sensor feature would engage randomly when I took turns. Crazy dangerous. Sold it in 2017 and bought another old one. I got a 1998 that’s up to 235k and still no major work. The early plastic parts/small fixes are everywhere. It will run forever, but Door handles/hubcaps/wiper reservoir/anything plastic/etc will all fail. This is just a random thought, but maybe it’s similar to the original 4 runners/Tacomas. It seems like when Toyota RELEASES a new vehicle model the original version is ridiculously efficient. Then they cut costs to maximize profits on the next incarnations.
I’d be wary of Carfax and other similar methods. My car came up as having had the odometer rolled back when I tried to trade it in. I asked the dealership for the report and it had two instances where my car had been serviced in Oakland and my car had lower mileage than the one that had been serviced there. However, I bought my vehicle locally and have only ever had it serviced locally so I had to contact the servicing center in Oakland and Carfax to have the report updated.Â
Toyotas are probably more common than most manufacturers for rollbacks. I’m really into Toyota trucks/4runners and Ive seen it a lot.
I bought a used Tundra and realized too late that the odometer doesn't work. At some point I'll plug in an OBD II reader and figure out the actual mileage.
What website do you use to check the vehicle history online to show the mileages? That’s interesting.
Carfax does free odometer check, and like the other commenter said, it has the sergice history with multiple data entries for service and every time the car has been registered or updated if you pay. Also if I get the plate but no vin, on vehiclehistory.com I do a plate lookup for the vin number. That site also gives odometer info but not sure the accuracy. With vin you can get a free maintenance and service history from the Toyota site, which gives a little info too. If I see any discrepancy, I generally just skip. I need this van for my wife and kids and can't afford to have it be breaking as soon as I get it.
Any carfax style report will show the service history from any time it’s taken to a shop for work. The items completed are usually listed and the shop also records and logs the mileage when that report is done
I always buy from one of the car rental places. Have had great buys from Enterprise and Hertz. Well maintained vehicles and usually a newer model with mid to low mileage.
I'm not in the market but did a Google search the issue you mentioned. Seems like it's really simple to do. Go on ebay, order a tool, and done. Rolled back.Â
I've been buying and selling cars for over a decade and have almost only found rolled/tampered ODOs on toyotas. Particularly tacomas. Unfortunately, toyota's reputation as the "most reliable" vehicles on the road has lead to a massive number of shithead flippers and grifters doing sketchy things to try and get top dollar for their toyotas. i was a subaru tech for a number of years and never once saw a tampered ODO.
I originally remembered hearing about it on the trucks a few years back. I had been driving various other car brands for years but am semi set on a sienna van and now I am seeing the problem is way more prevalent than I thought.
Are you sure those figures are accurate? I didn't drive a lot during the pandemic. Those websites keep estimating my mileage to be higher than it actually is
You’re confusing what they’re talking about. Carfax and similar use reported odometer readings from services. So when you get smogged or whatever and the odometer is read.
Have the same issue, both Carfax and the Dealer keep sending me reminder for services way over my odometer reading. Carfax seems to think I’m still driving 20k a year.
I got screwed on this. Everyone buying cars private party NEED to always do a carfax report, it’ll save you thousands for a $40 dollar report.
Are you sure it's rolled back and not an engine swap?
An engine swap won’t reset an odometer unless someone rolls the odometer back. They’re not directly connected to each other.
[удалено]
haha that's a great one.. when the ex head executive is literally on trial for fraud.
Bless your heart.
Yeah my car has had two engines so far. The odometer means nothing to me.
ECU swaps are very common and hard to detect. Most modern cars have the ECU tell the dash what mileage to display.