2002 XLE 4cyl suspension?

I have a 2002 XLE with 76k miles that I bought only a 2 days ago. The problems that I have experienced after driving only a few miles are:

1) vibration of the steering wheel with braking at speeds 50mph and higher.
--> used car manager says that the front rotors are out of shape. He offered to resurface, but I have heard that the newly designed rotors are of better quality. Should I beg for new rotors while the deal is still hot?

2) Awful noise in front over bumpy roads. Very loud road noise and even small potholes (common in Detroit) make the car sound as if it ran over a huge boulder.

When I hit these constant bumps on old worn highways, it feels like I have less control, which could be a huge problem during michigan winters!

What is the problem? Used car manager says that they will check out the struts and will split the cost of new ones if necessary. Does this sound like a fair deal?

3) light vibration felt in accelerator pedal usually at low speeds or when stopped.
-- Is that going to be a problem?
Otherwise the car is a dream. The ride is not as quiet as I would like it to be, but should I expect it to be as quiet as the newer model Camrys?

Thanks for your much needed feedback!

Do you have a mechanic you go to that you trust. If so, have him/her check your problems out and recommend what's needed on paper. You could also go to a Toyota dealer and have them inspect the car, but do no work--basically get an estimate for the work. Be sure to let them know you want NO work done. Then bring the report back to the used car manager where you bought the car and request those things be fixed.

Did the Used Car place where you bought it give you any kind of warranty, like a 30 day warranty? Depending on what it says, you could threaten to back out of the deal if he doesn't fix the problems. That might be enough incentive for him to fix the problems.

For the brakes, it's always best if you could get new rotors replaced for free. However, if they haven't been turned before, then they probably could be surfaced. Surfacing the rotors is perfectly acceptable, but the next time you have to do your brakes in 50,000 miles or so, you'd likely have to replace the rotors then.

For the struts, again, what kind of warranty. If the car was sold "as is" then he really doesn't have to do anything. But it sounds like he's trying to address the problems you've brought up.

For the vibration felt in the accelerator pedal, does the engine vibrate at slow RPM's? That could indicate it needs a tune-up (plugs, filters, etc.)

I have a 3month 3kmile 50% warranty from the local Toyota dealership here in Michigan... I will take it to my trusted mechanic and see if he will test drive it for free (he usually does nothing for free!) to fee the vibrations and bumps.

I will do it with haste today because that 72hour return window is almost gone!!!


Only the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied, and only the gas pedal vibrates when at stop. No engine shaking. The car hat a 60k toyota service done at 55k. It included:
Fuel induction service
battery service
oil and filter change
lube chassis
fluid check
belt and hose check
new air filter
new trans fluid
emission check
new coolant
new spark plugs
brake check
clean and adjust brakes