steveegan

All,
I am hoping to get a sanity check here. 2 months ago I purchased from a dealer, what I thought, was a 2009 GS350 ML with 26k miles on it. The car was purchase new in mid 2009. The car has been great but the more I look at it the more something does not seem right. The title, bill of sale, carfax, autocheck and the like all say 2009 but there are things that make me think I have some legal issue ahead of me. The manuals, mirrors, front fascia, and steering wheel all are pre-2008. The carfax said the car was 100% clean, no accidents, but there has to be something wrong.

I have re-verified the vin on the dash, hood, drivers door and lower B pillar. All of the VIN numbers I can see match what the title says. I hope this is as simple as parts having been replaced but is there anything else I can check to validate that this wasn't an elaborate frankenstein of parts to create a "clean" car?

steveegan

Oh, and it has a ML Tape Deck which was not around in 2009

Ap1_Alan

iTrader: (1)

I think the GS kept the tape deck until 2010

can you post some pics of the car?

steveegan

https://www.me.com/gallery/#100038

I also just noticed that the interface for the onscreen display is different. Could just be software for that.

jtrue28

There's a VIN underneath the hood at the back of the engine bay on the fire wall, did you check that one as well? You can see the number without removing any of the plastic panels.



The white rectangular box underneath the windshield wiper...

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

post pictures for people like me that refuse to use mobile me.

heres some easy ways to tell

Mirrors:
2007


2009


notice that the 09s have turn signal mirrors where as the 07s didnt (option that came standard in 08)

Grille Surround/Front Bumper:
2007


2009


notice the chrome grille surround on the 09s go into the city lights where as the 07s didnt


Center Console:
2007


2009


notice the shift plate is different between the 09s and 07s

CAK 500

Excellent tips above. Likewise, I'm not going to see your pictures unless you post them to an open location like photo bucket, but would be interested in taking a look.

Stormforge

ixi187ixi posted excellent tips on the differences

steveegan

Yeah all of the 2007 images are exactly what my car looks like.<br>
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Ap1_Alan

iTrader: (1)

Looks like 07-08 front bumper, grill, wheels, cup holder console, steering wheel, and mirrors

The good news is that the gas door & trunk release buttons are outside of the drop down panel (which i believe started in 08).

steveegan

No, the gas door and trunk release are inside the drop down panel. Arghhh. I just checked the firewall and it looks as if the numbers match there too. Has anyone heard of Lexus re-year'ing a car? Clearly this has all the makings of a 2007 but everything from a paperwork perspective says its a 2009. I am baffled.

drewdogg80

That's a 2007. Somebody must have done a switcheroo on paper.

edit: even your rims and steering wheel are 2007.

steveegan

That's what I was afraid of. That had to have happened at the dealer right? The online service records go back to origination and clearly show it was a Lexus dealer so is this something that the dealer would have done to move inventory? I can't imagine that is legal.

TWong350

iTrader: (8)

Wow...this is definitely an 07. Sorry to read this man. If they sold it to you as a 2009, I'd say it's safe to say that you have yourself a case. Good luck!

JH48

iTrader: (3)

can that car be bought at 2009 brand new? That is also why the car only got 29k on it