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Advice wanted: Buying an FJ with an unclean title (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter HolyCityFJ40
- Start date
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pb4ugo
SILVER Star
The OP states a "fully restored 78 FJ40" and we all know it's not. If it was fully restored it would be a lot more than 30K. I think the dealer knew it wasn't fully restored because of the sale price. It's an assembled 40 just like many of the builds on this site. Folks are swapping tubs and parts all the time for better stock ones or new replacements in steel, fiberglass or aluminum. The only difference is the builder/owner on here has the benefit of having a clear title to start with. I wouldn't expect a huge discount from the sale price. It has value and there's a market for it as it sits with the title issue disclosed. At least it has a title. The 2 most important #'s are the frame # and the VIN# on the title being the same. We see decent looking stk, assembled or modified running 40's sell in the range of 18k to 25k plus or minus all the time. Depending on the quality of the build and if the dealer gets the 40 back and discloses or corrects the title issue, they would probably try to re-sell it around 25k. The OP should link his previous thread, so we could pick it apart. I think it has more pics.
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In my sincerest efforts to beat a dead horse....to death..lol.. Like others have said, your specific desires and long term goals are the biggest issue in any decision. My .02 is that it's a pretty serious frankenstein rig with mismatched years, which I am completely fine with, but 100% impacts the future value. A lot. At this point, the salvage title is a moot point. The mismatching of the 'resto' made that a certainty. On a side note, the word 'restoration' is thrown around like 'literally', these days. A salvage/rebuilt title on a an old vehicle, for the most part, doesn't bother me at all if I know the reasons why it was salvaged. 40% off fo salvage is a steep number...it's really not that much difference as the vehicle gets older. I went through that with my 2017 Sierra. I bought it knowing it was rebuilt, and got a great price on it. The work was done to a high standard and it served me well until I sold it..The sale price wasn't much less than a clean title truck of the same year and it sold quickly.
So yeah, if you love the rig and plan to keep it for a long time and it's in fantastic shape, I wouldn't worry about it. Me personally, I'd get my cash back ASAP and buy a very nice accurate rig for the same $.
Good luck!
So yeah, if you love the rig and plan to keep it for a long time and it's in fantastic shape, I wouldn't worry about it. Me personally, I'd get my cash back ASAP and buy a very nice accurate rig for the same $.
Good luck!
1971 body and 1978 running gear, some folks do that on purpose. The real question as said a few times now is do you really like it and will you keep it or are you looking to turn it for a profit at some point. 30K will buy you another just as nice with no title issues.
- Thread starter
- #27
OP again - Thanks to everyone for the sincere feedback and advice here. I read every single one and really do appreciate the knowledge and value this community provides.
When I was initially looking for the FJ and found this one, I have to admit that I was not and am currently not an FJ expert (I only found mud after i bought the FJ already)
I was looking for something to replace my Series 3 Land Rover and found this one and fell in love with it after the test drive. It looked great inside and out, top/bottom and ran great and was turnkey (in my eyes) - but like they say, you don’t know what you don’t know.Yes, I am aware NOW that it’s a Frankenstein of a rig like many others but I had no idea of knowing that when I initially bought it, having never owned an FJ before. I’m pretty sure the Ford dealership I bought it from still has no idea the differences between a ‘71 and a ‘78 body - it was titled with a clean SC title for a ‘78 FJ40 and I’m pretty sure thats all they looked at. It’s fortunate they’re looking to make it right.
I know some of you are looking to pick this rig apart and point out the discrepancies on parts/years despite the cost, I appreciate that, but thats not the advice I’m looking for at the moment. Truth be told, I still love the rig and I can see myself owning it in the long term and maybe even passing it down to my son one day. I have enjoyed driving it, not too worried about mismatched parts at this point. I think most folks who own a vintage vehicle would say it’s an investment, right? So I definitely think theres that factor too. This news about the title is a huge bummer but I know it’s not over yet.
At the moment, the ball is still in the DMV’s hands, the owner of the dealership called me last Friday and told me they still want to make the title right by today (Monday) or tomorrow and will get back to me. For me, I think this all hinges on that decision and what kind of mark they’re going to give title if they do it. I have to see if my insurance (State Farm) will even provide coverage, and if they don’t thats a dealbreaker for me and I’ll most likely get the buyback option. If they do provide coverage and I take the discount option, what do y’all think would be a fair counteroffer? I know salvage/rebuilt vehicle is typically worth 20-40% less, right?
Appreciate y’all, thanks again.
There are ways to fix weird title issues. There are online services. I did abondonment on a gray market truck and was able to title it in Virginia (often the stricktest of DMVs). While it is unlikely to happen, what will you do if a former owner still holding a title comes wandering into the picture? I suspect you would have to litigate it if he really wanted to stick it to you.
Georgia is a BOS state for older cars. I just registered a 1970 VW with no title. There is an open title from 1991 but I feel I am good due to the age of that. If I decide it is worth it, I will pay a title service to fix it. If I don't I will sell it with a BOS here when it is time to pass it on.
Georgia is a BOS state for older cars. I just registered a 1970 VW with no title. There is an open title from 1991 but I feel I am good due to the age of that. If I decide it is worth it, I will pay a title service to fix it. If I don't I will sell it with a BOS here when it is time to pass it on.
I would definitely push for the DMV to keep it a clean title. Once it's no longer clean, there's no going back. Even though there are a lot of people like me who think the actual state of the vehicle means infinitely more than words on a paper.
I'm in GA and bought my truck in alabama, and I wasn't able to get the title straightened out. It was clean, but hadn't been registered to the new owner, blah, blah, blah...he was a solid guy, but I ended up registering with no title. I, too, will never sell this one and if I have to, I don't care about the title...If it were an old porsche or ferrari or something that really needed the paper trail, ok, I get it. FJ40? nah... If it's everything you love, then its oddities make it even more special. If you can, try to get $5k-$8k knocked off and use it for some tasty parts or a gift for the wife...lol. Welcome to the family, though! Don't sweat the nit pickers, either...
middlecalf
SILVER Star
How do you get a license/register without a title? It’s required in Idaho.
brian
SILVER Star
Yeah same in pa, no title number, no registration.
1) Stop calling it an FJ!
B) I think some people may think of owning a classic car as an investment but with these vehicles it's unlikely to be a profitable one in the sense of income.
III) If you like the 40, want to keep it and understand you are probably not going to make money off it then ask the dealer for 5K to 7K back if they can't get the title cleared.
B) I think some people may think of owning a classic car as an investment but with these vehicles it's unlikely to be a profitable one in the sense of income.
III) If you like the 40, want to keep it and understand you are probably not going to make money off it then ask the dealer for 5K to 7K back if they can't get the title cleared.
I would return for a full refund. It's a mix of years and when you, or your mechanic, need parts that's going to be an issue. If in a few years your infatuation with it wears off and you try to sell it you'll likely loose money. Get the refund and continue looking for the FJ40 that has not been bastardized. When you find one that you like bring it before MUD for an evaluation and guidance on purchase. The members of this forum will be honest, sometimes brutally honest, but honest and know the iconic Land Cruiser better than anyone else.
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
Thinking about it, id probably return the vehicle. It's a good looking 40, but i think you paid a premium for it, even if it had a clean title. Have you looked in the classified section on this site? You'll find honest representations at various price points. Dont be in a hurry, be willing to travel and dont get blinded by bling. In your intial thread you had a to do list. Later stk US Spec 40's come with bucket seats and cracked bondo doesn't sound good.
You get the advice here you need, not always what you wantOP again - Thanks to everyone for the sincere feedback and advice here. I read every single one and really do appreciate the knowledge and value this community provides.
When I was initially looking for the FJ and found this one, I have to admit that I was not and am currently not an FJ expert (I only found mud after i bought the FJ already)
Yes, I am aware NOW that it’s a Frankenstein of a rig like many others but I had no idea of knowing that when I initially bought it, having never owned an FJ before. I’m pretty sure the Ford dealership I bought it from still has no idea the differences between a ‘71 and a ‘78 body - it was titled with a clean SC title for a ‘78 FJ40 and I’m pretty sure thats all they looked at. It’s fortunate they’re looking to make it right.
I know some of you are looking to pick this rig apart and point out the discrepancies on parts/years despite the cost, I appreciate that, but thats not the advice I’m looking for at the moment. Truth be told, I still love the rig and I can see myself owning it in the long term and maybe even passing it down to my son one day. I have enjoyed driving it, not too worried about mismatched parts at this point. I think most folks who own a vintage vehicle would say it’s an investment, right? So I definitely think theres that factor too. This news about the title is a huge bummer but I know it’s not over yet.
At the moment, the ball is still in the DMV’s hands, the owner of the dealership called me last Friday and told me they still want to make the title right by today (Monday) or tomorrow and will get back to me. For me, I think this all hinges on that decision and what kind of mark they’re going to give title if they do it. I have to see if my insurance (State Farm) will even provide coverage, and if they don’t thats a dealbreaker for me and I’ll most likely get the buyback option. If they do provide coverage and I take the discount option, what do y’all think would be a fair counteroffer? I know salvage/rebuilt vehicle is typically worth 20-40% less, right?
Appreciate y’all, thanks again.
