What would you do?

[robhurlburt]

I purchased a '07 4runner with 55k mi on it yesterday. the wife drove it home (1.5hrs), and we then took it out when we went to dinner last night. I noticed the temp gauge fluctuated quite a bit, more than i felt an 07 vehicle should. i checked the coolant level this morning and it was low so i went directly to napa and topped it off. Then i went to lowes and the temp gauge shot right into the red. shut it down and let it cool off. Got it cool enough to where i could drive it home (1mi or so) and changed out the t-stat on it. T-stat fixed the issue as far as i can tell, drove it around for 45mins or so and the gauge was perfectly centered the whole time.

I didn't get it inspected by an independent mechanic, i bought it from a reputable nissan dealer who said they do a 100+ point inspection when they take a car in on trade and found no issues. I bought it as-is, no warranty.

Should i contact the dealer and complain? What are the chances there are other things that were over looked, or did the t-stat just die like that?

really they hold no responsibility since i bought it as-is, but i didn't know if there was something else i should do in-case.

pretty pissed, pretty bummed. i'm supposed to enjoy a new car purchase, not worry.

[patrikman]

I wouldn't let it slide. You took delivery yesterday?

Raise hell...ruined your weekend/wife didn't put out/missed a family party, etc. etc.

[volkstyle]

I bought my GTI from a Chevy dealer 1 hour away. Next day the check engine light came on. I called immediately and let them no how disappointed I was and they needed to get it fixed at no cost. The pressure worked and they were pretty good with it.

[robhurlburt]

I bought my GTI from a Chevy dealer 1 hour away. Next day the check engine light came on. I called immediately and let them no how disappointed I was and they needed to get it fixed at no cost. The pressure worked and they were pretty good with it.

did you take it back to them an hour away?

I hate the fact that i would have to drive all the way back for them to work on it, i just don't have the time.

and yes it did ruin my weekend, i was supposed to be at the pool today, not fixing an overheating 4runner

[JettaGT8V80]

as far as i know dealerships are not held to as-is they cant legally sell them as is they all carry at the very least a 30day

[robhurlburt]

sales manager wasn't there today, said i have to call back in the morning

[lojasmo]

as far as i know dealerships are not held to as-is they cant legally sell them as is they all carry at the very least a 30day

Varies by state.

[volkstyle]

did you take it back to them an hour away?

I hate the fact that i would have to drive all the way back for them to work on it, i just don't have the time.

and yes it did ruin my weekend, i was supposed to be at the pool today, not fixing an overheating 4runner

Yes I took it back, not knowing the job was going to take days... I was never told the estimated time so I didnt plan ahead. When they said It was going to take 2-3 days, I told the guy at the desk "you should of made me aware of that" and they had somebody give me a ride back. They offered me a truck to drive around but I was not old enough. In my case going through the trouble was well worth it, im sure the intake flapper modds would of cost me in the thousands.

[Zstampe]

I'd take it back to the dealer for sure. I'd have them re-imburse you for yout time and parts, I'd also have them do a full leakdown test on the engine because the v6 in these is prone to have headgasket issues after over heating. Make sure they give you the results of the test as well for good measure.

Good luck,
Zach

[onebadbug]

You could call the saleman and let him know but the main thing you should do is check over a vehicle BEFORE you buy it.

Hate to be that guy but the chance of it being low on antifreeze before you signed the papers is huge.

I will admit though that buying a fairly new car these days can encouragge you to let your guard down. Gotta pretend they're all 1975 Novas with 117000 miles.

[Mr Miyagi]

You let it go because the problem is ****ing solved.

[bronson75]

Late last year, I helped my mom buy a 2001 Tacoma from a Toyota dealer in Chicago. It was sold as-is, no warranty. I did a VERY thorough inspection, and looked at the "$700 invoice for work perfomed" before we bought it. Everything checked out, before she signed the papers, I asked the salesman if we had any problems after the sale, would we have any recourse, and the answer was a resounding 'no'. As is, no warranty, meant just that. Once it was off the lot, it was her truck, her problems (he was a little pissed, we shopped the truck very hard, and got a TON of money off the asking price). But, they'd be MORE than happy to service it for her after the sale!
If you fixed the issue, I'd call it a done deal. I doubt you'd have any luck talking to them, unless you're a repeat customer, or if they're feeling generous. Chances are they didn't make enough money on the truck to get them to check it over again.

[Grey Mouser]

hances are they didn't make enough money on the truck to get them to check it over again.

This is laughable. I've seen a dealer take a car I traded in and mark it up 4-5k. They make more money on used vehicles than new most of the time.

[UnimogR]

really they hold no responsibility since i bought it as-is, but i didn't know if there was something else i should do in-case.

.

Exactly. You bought the vehicle "AS IS" that means "AS IS" you understood that too so you have no reason to expect anything from the dealer.

The only thing you could do is take the receipt for the t stat back to the dealer and explain what happened, and they will probably reimburse you for the part. That is all.

[chdavis]

I wouldn't worry about the thermostat as much as potential damage from previous overheating.