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He must not of liked you
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- #23
Part of me thinks I should just go with a RHD and import one, since I have seen some good condition ones for decent prices... but buying one without driving or self inspecting it first seems like it could be an issue... and the fact that it’s RHD!
Just have to remind myself decent ones exist with good prices! Plus I am sure CA is crazy with imported ones for emissions unless it’s a 75 or earlier.
Just have to remind myself decent ones exist with good prices! Plus I am sure CA is crazy with imported ones for emissions unless it’s a 75 or earlier.
LOLHe must not of liked you
I'd avoid RHD personally. You are in Ca so half the battle is over because almost everything I find that is rust free is close to you so you are at an advantage. Even if you ship from Texas, Arizona, or another rust free state you are not going coast to coast which should be cheaper.
Don't rush to buy and you'll find something. If you see anything out my way I'll be more than happy to look (D.C. area), but honestly the cars I have seen here are even too "northern" for my Georgia blood. I am so scared off by rust.
Pics or it didn't happen.
I've been studying pricing for a few years now, and it seems to me that prices are actually starting to come down a bit. I say this based on seeing so many 40s on CL, Ebay, etc that sit in the ads for months on end. A lot of guys seem to be pulling their ads and re-inserting them 6 months to a year later. Seeing lots of examples of that right now- at least 4 off the top of my head that fit the pattern.
Anyhow, to highlight an example of what I'm talking about, check out the pics above. A very clean, semi-restored 40 (got lots more pics of the rig from the ad) that was in Steamboat a few months ago. The seller originally listed it on CL for $20k and it was not selling- sat there for at least 3-4 months. He then dropped the price to $16k (which I failed to get a snap shot of the new price ad) and it was snatched up quickly by Dream 4x4s in CSprings to arbitrage. As you can see, those guys tried to sell it at $29k, eventually dropping it to $25k. Don't know what they finally got for their efforts but I bet they made at least $8k for their efforts (new tires is all I can see done to it).
TCEd
SILVER Star
I came close to buying that FJ40 when it was on Craigslist. The tub is not original or a original replica, it is a fabricated tub possibly from a east coast fabricator. The owner didn't know where it came from also. It was repainted and the job was good but not real good. Tires were shot. #sp. 2 engine.
Just kidding man! I added an emoji smiley face but I guess it dropped because it was iPad-specific.
Anyhow, I believe you. There are some great deals to be had- just need to jump quickly! I saw a RHD 1982 BJ41 imported from Japan with factory PS, and AC that sold for $13k in a day. I know because I called on day 2 of the listing and he already had a line of guys waiting if the first dibs didn't take it. Here was the ad on SD CL.
Did you consider it when it was $20k or at $16k? It sure didn't seem to last long at $16k. I debated flying out there to check it out but Steamboat isn't an easy destination to make so I sat on the sideline. Heck, I think I was in China when it dropped to $16, otherwise I would've made the trip out.
I noticed the tub was not OG after-the-fact, so thought it was an aluminum aftermarket. Also, it was 3spd and F155, so it didn't hit all my checks. Still, it seemed like a hell of a deal at 16.
I’m the 5th owner (as far as I can tell) of my 40. New it was $6500, I got into it for around $11 and with the upgrades I’ve made I feel it could easily fetch $15-18...Was offered $18 this summer at the gas station while refueling... so I would say @Ride Fly your statement about prices going down isn’t accurate. JMO. 
TCEd
SILVER Star
He was around $19.5 when we were talking and I was going to offer $16. The tub (steel) rework seemed good but kinda changed my thinking regarding how far from stock did I want to go. Two mud members from Steamboat checked the vehicle for me and helped convince me to pass on it. Also I kept thinking disc brakes and 2F. I then went after a FJ40 in the Seattle area which got all convoluted when a family member spun a bearing on the low hour rebuild and wanted me to share the repair costs and wait four months for the repairs to be completed. That one may be back on the market soon and is in very nice shape. I ultimately got a '77 that is rust free and very close to stock.
I’m the 5th owner (as far as I can tell) of my 40. New it was $6500, I got into it for around $11 and with the upgrades I’ve made I feel it could easily fetch $15-18...Was offered $18 this summer at the gas station while refueling... so I would say @Ride Fly your statement about prices going down isn’t accurate. JMO.
Well as a new 40 owner, I hope it isn't the case that prices are declining!!!
But that aside, it's just what it seemed to me. But also keep in mind, my reference point of a "decline" isn't at the inception of the 40. My unprofessional observation is from a peak I've noticed a few years ago. It is the same observation I have of VW buses and vanagons...I have a clean 87 Westfalia camper that I got in Nov 2006 for $7,300. At one time, I was seeing Vanagons similar to mine go fro $20-25k, but it seems recently, judging by CL ads that they're going for substantially less. I doubt I could get more than $17k for mine at the moment. As for buses, I'm seeing some sweet buses for "reasonable" prices when compared to a few years ago. Again, just my lay persons opinion/observation. Who knows, in a year, I might notice an upward trend.
It seems like the ultra high end factory correct 40’s have dropped in price this last year or two . I think the Colombian and Costa Rican restorations are causing it. Which makes me wonder how the hell they can make a cent after buying and doing the restoration they do? I understand they pay next to zero on labor , but the parts for a cruiser of any generation are expensive regardless of the country your in. And import taxes in those countries are even higher than ours for car parts. The facilities they have now are second to none and look better than any cruiser shop in the states except for maybe ICON.
Well as a new 40 owner, I hope it isn't the case that prices are declining!!!
But that aside, it's just what it seemed to me. But also keep in mind, my reference point of a "decline" isn't at the inception of the 40. My unprofessional observation is from a peak I've noticed a few years ago. It is the same observation I have of VW buses and vanagons...I have a clean 87 Westfalia camper that I got in Nov 2006 for $7,300. At one time, I was seeing Vanagons similar to mine go fro $20-25k, but it seems recently, judging by CL ads that they're going for substantially less. I doubt I could get more than $17k for mine at the moment. As for buses, I'm seeing some sweet buses for "reasonable" prices when compared to a few years ago. Again, just my lay persons opinion/observation. Who knows, in a year, I might notice an upward trend.
just chiming in to say I've seen prices come down a bit too. Trucks listed for 15ish aren't selling like they used to, and a lot more OK looking trucks that need some love around 7k than there were before
(a bit of a bummer considering I'm putting mine up soon to pick up a more-baby-friendly FJ62)
You're probably right! That could be a major factor in a decline of uber high end restos.
I was originally looking for the best-deal-possible 40, kind of like the one in Steamboat Springs I posted pics above. Then I started thinking, "what the heck, I can afford more, why not just pick up a nice restored rig?" I saw this beautifully restored FJ in Vancouver, WA that had been for sale off and on for over 2 years. Most recently, It was listed on CL for $36k. The owner had two identically restored FJs (a sea foam green and this tan one). He sold the green one for $65k. The tan one was similarly priced two years ago but didn't sell for some reason. I've seen it drop throughout this time to the $50k range, then $40k range, and finally to $36k. I called him the day he had Sotheby's pick up his rig for auction in Arizona. He finally got tired of the hassle with trying to sell it and all the CL flakes. Anyhow here is the old CL ad. As I've stated, this is some of the anectdotal evidence I've collected in the last 2-3 years. I'm sure others can probably provide flip side anecdotes of increasing prices as well.