I bought a small truck from Tiny Mite because of the reviews and the CARFAX. I wish I hadn't. Overpriced, on its last leg junk. CARFAX will tell you a good bit. I knew it was an older vehicle and I did a thorough research on what I wanted to look at on the lot before going thanks to their website listings. I had one of these types of trucks many years ago and I knew that the engines last for quite a while. But it's what the CARFAX and the initial visual inspection cannot tell you. I also failed to check the Blue Book. But I knew what I wanted and I expected by the Yelp reviews that this was a reputable shop. Turns out NOT. The saleswoman was very passive aggressive saying she had too many emails to count on inquiries and it was gonna sell fast. She also would not let me take the truck onto the interstate and the gas in tank was on E for the less than 10 minute and route directed test drive. Classic used car salesman tactics. But as I said I thought I knew the value of the truck pretty good and its reputation as a brand. Turns out I did not. I paid cash of about $5000 of which they gave me $200 off for being a cash customer and a veteran. Later when I looked up the value I had paid slightly over the Blue Book value for an immaculate condition rating. This was far from it I later realized. I knew I would probably have some issues with a 15 year old plus vehicle but I did not expect I would spend at least another $4000 to have it repaired within the first 2 months. All belts had to be replaced. The entire AC system had to be replaced including electrical switches. A transmission leak. Valve cover gaskets. NO spare tire. No jack or jack assembly. Crank had to be ordered from Nissan because of design and general parts not made anymore. Broken tachometer. The driver's seat had to be replaced (from a junkyard) because I thought it was broken and leaning. Turns out the body frame is bent indicating it had been in some sort of accident but that was not reported. So many things were worn out like radio (replaced--did not work), cruise control parts on pedal that had been rigged with old coins, washer parts not working, wipers and assembly replaced, both front signal lights replaced (were completely rusted and had to replace entire assembly just to make legal), and a whole host of other issues including brakes, tires, and others I can't even remember--all in the first few weeks. They couldn't even replace an obvious missing lug nut. As I said I expected I would spend probably up to $1000 within the first year but not in the first month or two. It even had a "temporary" battery. I have never seen one of those before. But I kept putting into my investment until I just gave up on it. And what I even thought initially was pretty good cleaning service when they left the adhesive carpet covering on the floor, turns out was covering huge stains, ink/paint spills, and a hole in the floor underneath the obscuring "service mat". It was actually stuck on with an adhesive sticky back so you couldn't readily inspect what was underneath until you bought it. These people knew this truck was on its last leg and they jacked me up on it anyway--giving me the "Veteran's" deal and thanking me for my service. Do yourself a favor. Go somewhere else. The only thing I was right about is that the engine still seems to be ok. It has over 200k now that I have put about 7k on it. But I think the engine will last longer than the body. Guess I could always make a go-cart. Take your choice to an independent shop to have an inspection--but I doubt they will allow that here. These people don't even have a simple repair shop on site. Apparently they get them in from the auction yard and then just wash them up and dump on the lot. Bad business. Don't be suckered by an all-female crew thinking they will be more honest. Used car salesmen are all the same. And these guys are some of the worst I have ever dealt with. Bogus. read more
