Featured Car Inspection for the week of February 20, 2012: 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser. This sport utility vehicle received an “A” grade on its AiM Plus package condition report. “On a dealer lot, the cars are usually very clean, and this one was too. But when I popped the hood I saw there were some turned bolts and grind marks, both signs of previous repair. For an inspector with a trained eye, it was easy to see, but someone who doesn’t look at cars on a daily basis probably wouldn’t have noticed it,” said AiM inspecting technician Randy Nelson, who reviewed two Land Cruisers at nearby dealerships in Las Vegas.
“I test drove both SUVs, and they both drove pretty well, but the second one had a lot of previous repair and tracked to the right even though it had passed the dealer’s certified inspection. If it were my decision, I’d probably buy this one over the other Land Cruiser.”
Mileage: 50,792
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior: Gray
Body Type: Sport Utility Vehicle
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 4.7L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Location: Nevada
Featured Car Inspection for the week of February 13, 2012: 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. This extended cab pickup truck with a camper shell received an “A” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “This truck was about as close to a new 1999 truck as you’ll ever see in your life. The paint shined like it was brand new, there were no spots on the seats. It was a really well taken care-of truck,” said AiM inspecting technician Mark Townsend, who reviewed the truck at a dealer lot in Greeley, Colorado. “I’ve seen vehicles that are a year old that don’t look as good as this truck! Even though they made it pretty easy to inspect, I still went through the full inspection process like always. The undercarriage, the frame and everything underneath looked real good, too.”
Mileage: 80,523
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior: Gray
Body Type: Extended Cab Pickup
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 5.9L 8-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: Automatic Transmission
Location: Colorado
Featured Car Inspection for the week of February 6, 2012: 2009 Chevrolet C5500 Tow Truck (click for condition report)
This week AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2009 Chevrolet C5500 commercial truck. This flatbed tow truck received a “C” grade on its AiM Plus package condition report, due to high mileage and some minor body damage. “There was some minor damage to the front end, but it was normal stuff for a work truck,” said AiM inspecting technician Joe Caraballo, who reviewed the truck just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. His thorough report featured 118 photographs. “I had the seller operate all the hydraulic parts of the lift, the ramp, the hooks and switches to show they were working, and I took photos when the lift was up to show the undercarriage and the working parts of it. I feel more comfortable taking more photos than less – the buyer may see something that affects their decision.”
Mileage: 159,125
Exterior Color: White
Interior: Gray
Body Type: Flatbed Tow Truck
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 8.1L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: Automatic Transmission
Location: Ohio
Featured Car Inspection for the week of January 30, 2012: 2000 Ford F150 (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2000 Ford F-150 Lariat pick-up truck. This SuperCab pickup with a camper shell was given a “D” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report, primarily for some unrepaired body damage. “Mechanically it was great, and drove great, with good power and braking,” said AiM inspecting technician Jim Javier, who reviewed the truck in northern California. His report stated “the rear bumper and reinforcement are both bent upward and requires repair/replace in order to lower the tailgate all the way down.” Javier added that “the interior was clean – it’s a well-kept truck except for the dents.”
Mileage: 83,275
Exterior Color: White
Interior: Tan
Body Type: SuperCab Pick up
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 5.4L V8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: Automatic Transmission
Location: California
Featured Car Inspection for the week of January 16, 2012: 1950 Chevrolet Pickup 3100 (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 1950 Chevrolet Pickup Series 3100 truck. This classic pickup was given a “C” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report, primarily for its age, but the AiM inspector was smitten. “It was a gorgeous, beautiful truck that was completely modified, and has been in a lot of classic car shows,” said AiM inspecting technician Shawna Hills, who reviewed the vehicle in New Jersey. “It had a hand-crafted oak truckbed with stainless steel inlays, the tailgate and dashboard were customized, and when we took it for a test drive, it roared to life.”
Mileage: 4,684
Exterior Color: White
Interior: Black
Body Type: Pickup
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 4.6L V8- Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic
Location: New Jersey
Featured Car Inspection for the week of January 9, 2012: 2010 Toyota Tundra (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2010 Toyota Tundra truck. This crew cab pickup was given a “C” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “It was kind of dirty, since the owner had just come back from a trip to Mexico. There was even a head of lettuce in the back seat,” said AiM inspecting technician Scott Reed, who reviewed the vehicle in northern Texas. “It ran awesome, and had plenty of power. But it didn’t seem like the seller was trying too hard to get it sold right away. There was some bug damage, and if that’s left on there long enough it’ll damage the clear coat and eat through the paint.”
Mileage: 29,859
Exterior Color: Black
Interior: Black
Body Type: Crew Cab Pickup
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive/2wd
Engine: 5.7L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: Continuously Variable
Location: Texas
Featured Car Inspection for the week of December 19, 2011: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD truck. This crew cab pickup was given a “B” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “That truck was very clean and had very low mileage for being two years old – it was practically new,” said AiM Area Manager Ron Nichols, who reviewed the vehicle at a dealership near Dallas for a customer located in Alaska. “The truck got a ‘B’ due to two dead batteries it had from sitting so long. There were no mechanical problems, just some normal wear and tear like scratches in the bedliner.”
Mileage: 2,063
Exterior Color: Red
Interior: Black
Body Type: Crew Cab Pickup
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 6.0L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Location: Texas
Featured Car Inspection for the week of December 14, 2011: 2008 Land Rover Range Rover (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2008 Range Rover. This luxury SUV was given a “B” grade on its AiM Plus package condition report. “That car was absolutely gorgeous,” said AiM inspecting technician Cheryl Kielau, who reviewed the vehicle at an indoor facility in Ohio. “It had been completely detailed, and had been cleaned inside and out to the point where there wasn’t a fingerprint on it. That car probably stands out as the best inspection I’ve ever had. I don’t get to inspect many Range Rovers – it was a really nice vehicle.”
Mileage: 30,469
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior: Blue
Body Type: SUV
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 4.2L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Location: Ohio
Featured Car Inspection for the week of December 5, 2011: 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup. This lifted extended cab truck was given a “B” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “It was a monster truck,” said AiM inspecting technician Lisa Detorakis, who reviewed the vehicle on a rainy day in Ohio. “It was so big I couldn’t take a picture of the roof. But it was very well kept.”
Mileage: 153,259
Exterior Color: Red
Interior: Grey
Body Type: Extended Cab Pickup
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 5.7L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: Automatic Transmission
Location: Ohio
Featured Car Inspection for the week of November 30, 2011: 2000 Fleetwood Jamboree (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2000 Fleetwood Jamboree Motor Coach. This cutaway van RV was given a “B” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report, which included a lot of comments. “I had to adapt and write a lot of comments for things that an RV has that aren’t on a car’s checklist, like the TV, plumbing and the awning,” said AiM inspecting technician Denise Malis. “Luckily, I know my way around an RV because my family ‘RVs’. It took some extra time to check the pumps, generators, the awning, and the interior. It was an adventure.”
Mileage: 60,046
Exterior Color: White
Interior: Grey
Body Type: Class C RV
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 6.8L 10-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Location: Arizona
Featured Car Inspection for the week of November 21, 2011: 2003 GMC Sierra Denali (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2003 GMC Sierra Denali Pickup. This Extended Cab truck was given a “B” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “For a used pickup, it was in very good shape,” said AiM inspecting technician Charles Pullman. “There was some previous repair to the front bumper, but it was repaired very well, and the car drove perfectly.”
Mileage: 83,835
Exterior Color: Black
Interior: Tan
Body Type: Extended Cab Pickup
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
Engine: 6.0L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Location: Illinois
Featured Car Inspection for the week of November 14, 2011: 2002 Ford Econoline Van (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2002 Ford Econoline Cargo Van. This conversion camper van was given a “C” grade on its AiM Preferred package condition report. “The interior of this vehicle looked very clean,” said AiM inspecting technician Tommy Holder. “The exterior needs minor body work on almost every panel.”
Mileage: 46,741
Exterior Color: Gold
Interior: Tan Cloth
Body Type: Conversion Van
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 5.4L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Location: New Mexico
Featured Car Inspection for the week of November 7, 2011: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe LT (click for condition report)
This week AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. This large SUV was given a “B” grade on its AiM Preferred package inspection report. “For a 3-year old vehicle the SUV looked almost new,” said AiM Inspecting technician Richard Adams. “The front and rear bumpers had been repaired and repainted, dropping this car from an ‘A’ to a ‘B’.”
Mileage: 32,902
Exterior Color: White
Interior: Tan Leather
Body Type: SUV
Drive Type: Four-Wheel Drive
Engine: 5.3L 8-Cylinder Engine, Flex Fuel Capability
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Location: New York
Featured Car Inspection for the week of October 31, 2011: 2009 Porsche Cayenne (click for condition report)
This week AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS. This high end sport SUV was given an “A” grade on its AiM Preferred package inspection report. “This Porsche was in amazing shape,” said AiM inspecting technician Charles Pullman. “The exterior showed no signs of repair and the interior was in excellent condition. This is a great truck to own.”
Mileage: 12,420
Exterior Color: Red
Interior: Black Leather
Body Type: SUV
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
Engine: 4.8L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Location: Illinois
Featured Car Inspection for the week of October 24, 2011: 2001 Chevrolet C8500 Flatbed (click for condition report)
This week AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2001 Chevrolet C8500 flat bed. This heavy duty truck was given a “C” grade on its AiM Plus package inspection report. “This was obviously a work truck, so you expect to see heavy signs of use,” said AiM inspecting technician Donte Stallworth. “It’s safe to say this truck has seen better days. It ran fine but had damage all over the cab with signs of paint overspray.”
Mileage: 186,775
Exterior Color: Gray
Interior: Gray Vinyl
Body Type: Truck
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine: 7.2L 6-Cylinder Engine, Diesel Fuel
Transmission: Manual Transmission
Location: North Carolina
Featured Car Inspection for the week of October 18, 2011: 2005 Chevrolet SSR (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2005 Chevrolet SSR. This hot rod pickup truck was given an “A” grade on its AiM Plus package inspection report. “This truck was in perfect working condition,” said AiM inspecting technician Scott Reed. “It was an awesome vehicle to ride and drive, with great power and acceleration. Whoever buys this truck will be glad they did.”
Mileage: 24,743
Exterior Color: Red
Interior: Black Leather
Body Type: Truck
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel
Engine: 6.0L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Location: Texas
Featured Car Inspection for the week of October 7, 2011: 2011 Lexus LX570 (click for condition report)
This week
AiM Mobile Inspections inspected a 2011 Lexus LX570. This full size luxury SUV was given an “A” grade on its AiM Plus package inspection report. “The vehicle was virtually brand new,” said AiM inspecting technician Justin Horvath. “After completing the bumper to bumper inspection I could not find any major damage, overall this car was in amazing condition.”
Mileage: 2,936
Exterior Color: Black
Interior: Beige Leather
Body Type: SUV
Drive Type: Four-Wheel
Engine: 5.7L 8-Cylinder Engine, Gasoline Fuel
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Location: Florida