Arbitration date set for July 16th...hope it turns out well!

[Tony01Gts]

Well, they finally called and told me that the date for my arbitration is the 16th. They are going to have it at the dealership and I need to bring my car. Do you guys think I should take my mods off: AEM CAI, V-SPEC coilovers, gauges, (TRD exhaust is ok), etc.? I mean if I go through all the trouble of ripping the **** off and then they don't give me a new car I will be pissed. I think they pretty much have no choice since I've already filed lemon law. What do you guys think? And I don't think the mods are applicable to my arbitration case because if they were then the work shouldn't have been warranteed anyways right?

[CSteckel]

Honestly,
When it comes to legal issues involving a lack of factory performance for anything, you best hope the company can't prove that you modified the working condition. Even if it doesn't/didn't affect the troubled area in question, it gives you a false character of being somebody who "abused" it regularly. Honestly, I have a storage room with a Blitz intake, TRD exhaust, head light replacements, Carcept wing, full Body kit and a few other goodies that I am DYING to install, but I didn't for the last 8+ months because of the rash of $hit that has been going on with my car. My lawyer agreed (and thanked) me for not putting any of this stuff on (even the TRD exhaust) because if we end up in court, it's one less MAJOR stab that Toyota/Colonial can take at me to convince the judge I misused my baby. I hate to say it, but I would strip it. Also, you may very well be turning in the car then and there. If you agree the car will no longer be yours, do you think they would want you "beating the p. out of it" for a week or two until the suit is settled. Probably not since they will most likely resell it as a recertified vehicle...poor future owner :wtc:

:wtc: :wtc:

[CSteckel]

Oh yeah, keep us posted. Hey, since I sent you the complete scenario on my mishap, can you send me one for your situation. I want to see how they are related.

Chris

[Willis5050]

Definately take them off. Toyota will come down on you and ruin your case so quickly you won't even know what hit you. I did the same thing as CSteckel and left all my mods off until the situation was resolved. It was a good thing since toyota started complaining that my dealer installed aftermarket alarm voided any chance I had of arbitration because wires were cut to install it. Think how they would have reacted to an intake or exhaust etc. Arbitration is a lot of work and you have to be willing to put the effort forward in order to win.

[CSteckel]

:werd:

[Tony01Gts]

Looks like I'm going to be spending a few days returning my car to stock :( What about my head unit? Should that be ok? Won't the dealer just tell the arbitrator everything that was done to my car anyhow?
If they decide to give me a new car at arbitration they take my car then and there? I'm not givin em **** until they have my NEW car on their lot. I've already gone 37 days with no loaner or rental.

[CSteckel]

They may not take it right them, but since you'll have it available for them to, it could prove to be a good negotiation point for you!! As for the stereo, it is part of the electrical system. Not sure about that one though, since stereo's are the most swapped part in cars, they may very well waive that as a "trouble" area all together. Did you "CHOP" any of the factory wiring?? If I lived closer, I'd offer to give you a hand with the uninstalls. Good luck!
Chris

[Tony01Gts]

Well, I've got to buy a new stock spoiler and deck. Already got em lined up, so I'm gonna wait on those two to see if I even get the new car. The head unit was professionally installed so hopefully nothing was chopped! I did snip my DRL wire to my ECU but they probably won't notice that. I guess I'm gonna take my car up to my grandpa's and do the springs and intake. The springs are a biotch, and I think one of the boots is fuct, but oh well...