craigslist 1979 fj purchase opinion

Location

United States

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase this fj40 and wanted to get your opinion if I should pass on it or it's worth purchasing. Seller is asking for 11k and willing to deliver it. The fj runs and drives but has been on non op due to being a spare hunting vehicle. It looks to be repainted to beige from the original white color. I'm looking for an fj I can take out on the weekends and take the family camping with. So I need it to be safe and reliable. I'm located about 7 hours from the seller so I'm unable to see it in person.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[swamp-thing]

One thing to consider is if you will need to have it pass any emissions tests where you live?

 

[cbmontgo]

I'd say that $11k is very steep for that 40. Would pass.

 

[satchel]

That's pretty rough. Something like this is more realistic for 11k. 1976 Land Cruiser

 

[overton]

Pass

 

[CRZR45]

99% sure this was the 40 for sale somewhere around 6-9 months ago in the Monterey area for $4500...... they must be passing it along if it’s the same one which I would almost bet the farm on

 

[lackluster]

I'd be better to consider the blue 40 next to the white one.
Appears to be a 79

 

[yotadude520]

I would pass. I have talked to the seller and the blue one would be worth the $11k but he won't sell it. It's been for sale for a while at $11k so that should tell you something.

 

[Kikomonster]

To clarify the owner is including a replacement front and the hardtop as well. The other fj is a 79. They're willing to sell but asking 28k which seems very steep. Thank you all for your input.

 

[YoYoHo]

Ask him if that 40 has been for sale in the last 12 moths and if he bought it .... it is ruff and has been well beaten, at $11k he is making double his money on what he paid for it . Ask him to see the title in his name and look at the issue date and if it is a duplicate ..... they will tell you enough to validate if I am correct or not.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

My "two cents" without looking at it in person and only seeing a couple pics is that 11k sounds a little high unless the doors and top are in GREAT shape. 90% of the time that you see those steel diamond plates on the back corners means RUST underneath.

The Good
- 1979 (2F motor, disk breaks, 4 speed, etc)
- Runs and drives good???
- Soft top and doors
- Hard top and doors??
- Replacement front (fenders? hood? grill?)
- Winch
- Willing to deliver (that is worth $500-$800 or so)

The Bad
- Rust (They all have it, the question is "How much?")
- Seats don't look original
- Lots of dents (Fenders, rocker panels, etc)
- Quarters have been cut

I would ask for a lot more pictures (inside, underneath, etc.) and a video of it running and driving. If it runs, drives, and stops really well and the hard top and doors are in similar shape, I would put it in the $6-$8K category...

At the right price, this would be a good Cruiser it get, drive, go off road, have fun with. If you are looking for one to put back original or to restore, it would be a lot of metal work (rockers, fenders, quarters, etc.).

One last thought, I have bought cars and trucks for significantly less than the advertised price in the past. Not all deals are negotiable, but I would call and have a conversation with the seller. See if he is a nice guy, honest, and willing to work with you. I have met some really nice people over the years of buying, selling, and trading cars. You never know, you might be able to pick this one up for a good price?!?

But that is just my two cents

Feel free to PM me if there is anything else I can do to help!!!

Matthew