Buyer Beware - Again
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
Here we go again. I swear - deja vu only in blue this time. I made it as far as the vin# again- jt4rn38d5b0013167 GRRRRR! 38d is a deluxe 4×4 shortbed, not an SR5. So again, how is it that this truck has two-tone paint since my understanding from the factory brochure was that this paint color was only available on SR5 models. But wait there’s more. It says SR5 on the tailgate. Things are not matching up again, so lets run down the list…
RARE TOYOTA 4-WHEEL DRIVE SR5 SPORT RALLY 5 SPEED TRUCK
Well now the seller knows what SR5 stands for, but its not, with the reported vin#. And by the way I’m not listing these trucks under rare, because they are not true representations.
I am proud to offer a rare, original two-owner 1981 Toyota 4WD SR5 Truck
Again with the original two owner claim. Was this simply copied from the other truck ad?
super low miles, and in bone stock configuration
Ah, no in both cases. Later the milage was reported at over 200k.
original two tone blue/white paint retains much of its original shine and luster with very minor blemishes
Not. The stripes on this truck are not even close. Its obviously been repainted. Although the two-tone colors do match on the cab and inside of the door, the outside top frame should be all blue. But again how did two-tone paint and SR5 decals get onto a deluxe truck?
The truck has a deluxe or SR5 package, included was tilt steering wheel, chrome front and rear bumper, tach gauge, L50 5-spd transmission, and the 2.4L 22R motor.
Deluxe. Tilt steering has nothing to do with SR5 or deluxe. It is an option on both. So is the chrome package which included front bumper, grill, and wheels. Rear bumpers were dealer installed options. L52 5 speeds were standard on SR5 trucks, but since this is not it probably has a 4 speed. All 1981 non diesel trucks had 22R engines.
Also, the A/C system will need to be recharged.
What AC??????
Now comes the bad news. The seller added some carfax information to the listing:
| CARFAX Buyback Coverage REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED |
Guarantee Coverage: 07/29/2009 - 07/29/2010
CARFAX Vehicle Description: 1981 TOYT STANDARD BED 1/2 TON
| VIN: JT4RN38D5B0013167 | Body Style: PICKUP |
| CARFAX will buy this vehicle back if you find that any of these severe problems were reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles and were not included in this report. |
Salvage/Junk |
Exceeds Mechanical Limits |
Manufacturer Buyback |
If I read that correctly this truck has been totalled and does not have actual miles. How can this be a rare and original SR5 then? Looking at the front end, it doesn’t look square. But I’m not sure if it was in an accident, or stolen and recovered, or - what does manufacturer buyback mean?
I sent a note to the seller to send a pic of the tag under the hood. This should make some things clearer. I hope to get a response. From the seller’s “discoveries” I get the sense that the title may not be in his or her name. I noticed that the carfax has 20 hits, but I’m not going to waste my time reviewing it. This falls into the not recommended category- again.
Please review the factory literature printed by Toyota Motor Corporation for a list of options that were available on SR5 or Deluxe model trucks.
