1986 FJ60 yes or no?

[XanderAutoL]

Hello,

I have always been a toyota person. I have been looking around for a good LC.

Finnaly think I found one I might want, number one issue is my wife doesn't want me buying a LC as a spare car. She knows if I really want it I will buy it...that being said here is what I found.

It's a 1986 I think fj60.

Pros: No Rust that I can find.
Coolant is clean no oil.
Miles 180K
Body looks straight
No leaks that I saw
Owner never took it off road
4 Speed Manual

Cons: My wife
Cracked Dash
Driver side seat has a rip
Starter might be going out
Cracked Windshield res.
Driver side handle is loose.

The asking price is about $2200. Do you think it is worth the price? Is there anything else I need to check before I buy the LC?

Thank you for being here...

Xander

 

[IH8Wood]

Trade the wife.

 

[Spike Strip]

Trade the wife.

LOL!


And Pix would help. (of the Truck, not the wife...)

 

[nodaksn3]

Including problems with the wife, the cons are normal for 60's. None are a problem. My 60 had 230xxx miles on it, w/original clutch, when I sold it. Just got tired of driving it after 10 years. Price seems reasonable- go for it. Ned

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That's a nice price for a running rust free truck.

Let me emphasize the normal quality of the issues you mention.

Starter contacts can be replaced in an hour and about $20 worth of parts.

The ripped seat, if it's in the side where the belt runs is universal in these trucks. I had that fixed with marine vinyl-it looks great and the color was just about perfect.

Your wife will never like your 60, so come to terms with that now.


The only thing that really kills FJ60 is heat, so when you take possession, consider replacing the radiator, thermostat and all of the hoses, and that way you can forget that part of ownership.

 

[Cruisified]

Cracked windshield resevoir? Deal breaker.

Kidding, slap down $2k in cash and drive it away.

 

[IH8Wood]

I have one serious comment to add. Assuming you plan to register it in Calif make sure the owner has a current smog cert for it. If it passes smog, and everything else checks out, I think $2200 is a good price.

 

[Willius]

Buy it. Drive it. Love it.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

You should be able to source those parts quite easily....

 

[Tofudebeest]

$2,000 for a running truck is good.

 

[Rigger]

From your description, it sounds like a good price. Be ready to put money into it to get caught up on maintenance. If is about you buying it, she will be about what lies ahead!

I say look it over good, bargain hard, then pull the trigger and don't look back. I have two Cruisers. My wife would probably rather do other things with the money, but she says, "Those trucks make you happy, and that makes me happy."

Good luck, and don't forget to read thru 60-series FAQ and How to Buy a Land Cruiser.

 

[slcfj62]

$2200 sounds like a good price. Remember you are contemplating the purchase of a 20+ year old vehicle, and there will for sure be lots of maintenance. You should plan on being your own mechanic, so you will need some mechanical ability, some time, some tools, and some extra money. If you don't want to be your own mechanic, prepare to spend a lot of extra money.

Also, if you decide to pass on this one, you might consider looking for an fj62 (1988 to 1990). An fj62 has more creature comforts like power locks and windows, push button 4 wheel drive, and an automatic transmission. Those creature comforts seem to be important to women, so your wife might be more amenable to the rig. An fj62 also has a fuel injected engine, a beefier frame and sway bars. But if you are smitten with the round headlights, you might be disappointed with the square headlights on the fj62.

 

[Heartworm]

$2000 would be a good price for the purchase, but plan on more money to fix things up. Prepare your wife for this...I suggest the hobby approach...your are not drinking and chasing women/ this is something that can be done at home under her watchful eye. Got kids? This could be quality time/educational. This approach will work if it is YOUR vehicle and thus, she gets whatever else you have has HER vehicle.
You will most likely fall in love with the rig. Check it out and keep your wallet handy. Good luck!

 

[XanderAutoL]

I missed out...

I checked out the LC on Monday...and was in contact with seller the whole time. I explained my wife doesn't want me to spend the money on a 20+ yr old car and I will talk to her about it. On Tuesday morning I told him I will get the money and buy it anyway. He was busy Tuesday and I was going to buy it today 7/22. He said he would hold it for me.

I get a call today in the morning and he sold it or $2500 lastnight. I don't blame him more money is more money and we aren't buddies. I showed my wife everybodys smart posts and explained I'm not the only one that knows its a good deal. She still thought I was buying junk.

I was going to buy a yamaha 2006 xt225 enduro bike. I already put money down with a buddy of mine and once he got the registration I would give him the rest of the money. I told my wife I will return the bike or resell it to get this LC. I called my buddy and explained either you sell it and make more money and give me back my down when you get paid or I will sell it and split any profit. He called me right before the LC owner and said he will give me back my money. That bike was only $1900 but goes on ebay/c-list for over $2100. She didn't want me to buy that either.

Where can you buy a running car for $2200 dollars? or a 2006 Street Legal dirtbike for less than $2000. Something that I want as her husband.

But sorry for running my mouth o-well. There is alway other LC's, bikes and girlfriends that can't tell you what to do with your money.

Thanks for reading I will post more questions once I find something.

Xander

 

[84cruzer]

Do it....... do it now!! build it!! Here is my 84' TLC

 

[mp_cude]

My wife was the same way when i bought my 85 freeborn red 60 in 07. She has since gotten hooked. Right now im trying to buy a 67 camaro, and she is pushing me to buy an 84 60 (it's beautifully restored) for her, and a 40 for myself.....Im sure she will come around, so dont hesitate to buy one, it's a sickness

 

[Heartworm]

At $2000-2500 for a running, rust free FJ60, you are not buying junk. You could almost get all your money back parting it out. As long as you can keep it going and are a patient seller, you will get your original sale cost back, no sweat. The re-sale value ain't going to go any lower unless it is being sold by someone who just wants out or really doesn't have a clue.
Having said that, when you get a $2000=2500 running rust free cruiser and start fixing up stuff and adding mods, DO NOT expect to get that money back as well. Depending on how good your workmanship is and the quality of the mods, you can get some of that money back on a resale, but it will be less than you would like. Consider most of the money spent on fixing her up to be "hobby money" or tuition. THe only way to get that money back is to drive the rig.
If you got the $2500 cruiser, drove it for 5 years while spending $7500 on it fixing the stuff that needs fixing, you would have paid $2000 per year for transportation, not counting gas. Taxes are cheaper, insurance is cheaper. You will have less money tied up in transportation than buying some modern POS that will cost you more money per year because of the purchase price.
Good hunting!

P.S. Your wife is right about the bike..she loves you. Those things can get you killed.