Hey folks,

I read somewhere that the 4Runners have the VIN# etched into the glass??? Is that all trucks, or just a dealer option?

I bought mine 2nd hand from the Stealership, and they charged me $200.00 for this! They waived the $200.00 "administration" fee, but then charged me for this! I had a feeling they were screwing me over with this extra $200.00 glass etching, but I was just so sick of arguing with them over the price of this truck, I just wanted to get it over with!

 

The vin was put on the glass at the factory.
Surprisingly at no extra charge to the consumer.
Except those who are very gullible. As you have now found out

 

my 94 4runner has this option .. but most other 4runners that have passed thru my hands have not had it ..

 

I found it on all windows, except the windshield...

But never really looked TOO hard for it

 

As I previously mentionned on the original post, I knew he was screwing me, just tired of arguing with the guy over the price. I spent 2 seperate days with 2 different sales people to buy that truck. Even after checking black book prices with one of them online at the Dealership, and finding out that the truck was only worth $10,000.00, I ended up paying $21,000.00 for that thing 6 years ago. Now at the time, $10,000.00 was a pretty low for the price, I figured at least $15,000 to $16,000.00 for it. But they assured me it was a mistake, which at $10,000.00 it was.

At the time, it was the only 4Runner I could find in months. I didn't have a computer, so online sales and searches were not within reach, and after reading so much about the reliability of these trucks I wanted it! He knew that, so he charged me every penny of the sticker price, and then added that stupid $200.00 etching fee!

If I could do it over again I would. But at the time, it was my only option for purchase. That being said, it is only the 3rd such model 4Runner to go up for sale in my area in the past 6 years! The others had way more mileage on them.

In the end, I bought a reliable vehicle, that I enjoy driving to this day. I guess that's all that counts!

Still pisses me off that they would do that to a customer though, definately the last time I buy a vehicle from them!

 

my 1999 4runner limited US, bought in 1998, did not have this on the glass from the factory, [nor does it now]. it is Toyota glass but no VIN number on it anywhere. dealer offered it but I declined

am I missing something ? maybe it is there and I am completely spaced out about it ? I do not recall it ever being there

(I have the micromobile Yaris with me today so i can't check)

I'll have to look when I get home

if it is there, it will be on only one door. the others were crushed when I rolled it over at age 6 months

 

My 1999 has no VIN on the glass. It does have a sticker with the VIN on every body panel and door.

 

stealerships often charge extra for that etching crap that goes into some elaborate system whatever stealerships! thats a crock! to bad you got taken for the fee, most seatlerships will often have the vehicles already etched and tell you right before you sign oh yea its etched you owe us more money! eff them!

 

Yeah! That's exactly what he did! effer!

 

I bought my 4Runner through a private seller. '99 ltd loaded, every option pretty much except for the locker (ugh) It has the VIN on every glass except for the windshield, i think.. like someone above me said. I didn't even know until I put a sticker on the back glass and it caught my attention. I'm sure the seller knew when he bought it but didn't tell me that's for sure. I've got the paperwork on it in my glovebox. I do know it was an option at a cost like any other add-on option.