Advice Needed: Would you buy a Rebuilt Title FJ60? (1 Viewer)

[kansascityFJ]

So as a newbie I could use this great forums advice!

SO I found a 84 FJ60 with rebuilt motor and tranny done by Land Cruiser Specialists in Austin. It also has a very clean interior and the body was redone , painted and any rust fixed. Looks like a nice rig but after about two weeks Im finding out it doesn't have a clean title but a Texas Salvage/Rebuilt one.

Guy wants 11K and called my insurance to find out that they will only cover $6K, so if i would get in an accident the MOST they would give would be 6K and mostl likely less!

So to the awesome FJ fanatics on this forum what is your advice? Very bummed as I was hoping to get a good one with clean title that held its value. Or will it? thoughts? BIG THANKS from Kansas City!

 

[rat]

I don't know anything about the US vehicle market, but a re-built motor & 'rust-fix' is as good as the mechanics who did the work.. I would do a compression/leak-down test and look very carefully at the body

 

[kansascityFJ]

Yeah you are right but in the USA it has a Rebuilt Title not a Clean Title meaning higher insurance and less coverage and a lot of legal hoops to register a vehicle in the state of Missouri. So even if the rig has been redone really well..it's harder to insure and impossible to get a loan. I really appreciate your advise! Thanks!

 

[gregnash]

Very true @rat... also depends on what the "salvage" was for. Lots of the insurance companies don't want to pay for the repairs to the trucks because items are no longer available and surpass the "value" of the vehicle whole. So they just total it and let it go.

I would first get some information on the "what" behind the salvage/rebuilt title. Then go from there, maybe even going as far as to get multiple quotes from different agencies for the vehicle.

 

[vipergrhd]

I totally agree with what @gregnash said,get the whole story why it's a salvage and how bad is the damage. I would never buy a salvage title unless I know why and if the repair was done properly.

 

[cwwfj60]

Land Cruiser Specialist is a well respected mechanic in Austin, all the Austin guys love him and I never hear anything bad about him or his work. That being said, you could call them and probably get his honest opinion of the truck and what it's worth.

I think 11k is steep for a rebuilt title truck. That doesn't mean its a bad truck just a bad deal. I think 11k for a good fj60 is a good price with a clean title, with the rebuilt/salvage your looking at taking a hit if you ever sell it again.

Definitely need the whole story on why it was salvaged before proceeding though.

Is the truck in your area? or are you purchasing long distance?

 

[CaptClose]

There's a lot of variables at play in order to answer that question. However, for $11,000, I think you could find a nice 60 with a clean title elsewhere and not worry about all the hassles that come with a salvage title.

 

[kansascityFJ]

The reason is there isn't one locally and thought is was a good deal. But you are right! I'd never get any where near that! I feel bad for the guy as it sounds like he paid 11k almost a year ago. Yes the guys at land cruiser specialist are amazing and reputable! The frustrating part is the owner didn't realize he bought it with a rebuilt title and hasn't registered it for a year as he's been too busy with work. He has driven it on old plates from the last owner. That's the part that makes me wonder if the info in getting is all true! LCS is closed till next week...darn SXSW! Ok I wish I was at the event. Again thank you all for you advise!

 

[CaptClose]

Put a wanted ad in the classified forum here. You'll get some offers for some nice rigs for 11k. Don't get hung up on s local truck. One way tickets are cheap and a road trip is the best way to bond with your new 60

 

[kansascityFJ]

Thanks man! I'm actually in Kansas City and why i was looking to fly to Texas and drive the rig home. Great advise!

 

[CaptClose]

Thanks man! I'm actually in Kansas City and why i was looking to fly to Texas and drive the rig home. Great advise!

I'm in San Antonio... Let me know if you find anything local that you need me to check out for you.

 

[kansascityFJ]

I'm in San Antonio... Let me know if you find anything local that you need me to check out for you.

Man you FJ' guys are awesome! Wow best offer ever! Back at ya.....thx CaptClose

 

[lcwizard]

Are you planning on keeping it or reselling? No reason to let it bother you if the work is done right. Find out why it was salvage. Could be it was
stolen, parts were taken and the insurance company "totaled" it. No harm to the integrity....or it could mean it was hit by a train that threw it off a cliff into an acid pond. What's important the the reason for such a title. As for insurance, if yours hassles you, check companies like Grundy's that insure classics. You dictate the value and they charge you accordingly. As long as the yearly mileage won't be tremendous you'd almost be better off. Their rates are very good