Have you seen the HJ60 on Portland CL?

[apocalypsegrrrl]

Nice looking cruiser, but in my opinion, over priced. Am I wrong? I contacted the guy about it. He says he's not budging on the price. What do you guys think?

It's worth something just because it's an 86 JDM from Canada already in the US. I asked him how he got it here. He wasn't sharing the whole story.

 

[apocalypsegrrrl]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/401991794.html there's the link. And it's actually an 1989 HJ61 with, I think 160,000 miles.

 

[dogboy2]

Have watched the price on this truck drop over the course of the past 3-4 weeks down from the original asking price of $19 K+. He's banking on the novelty/rarity factor which admitedly is strong.

And while the mileage isn't considered high by diesel standards, other factors like engine compression and oil pressure numbers, documented maintanence history, along with body and frame condition are more relative to determining fair market value.

For the sake of conversation, you could feasibly convert an existing U.S. spec FJ-60 over to a 12H-T diesel with fewer miles and with documented condition, add a brand new H55F 5-speed, a rebuilt t-case, and new gearing with ARB's front and rear, and still have some $$ left over for the current asking price of this HJ-61.

Just a thought ,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[apocalypsegrrrl]

Thanks for your thoughts, dogboy2. I've been watching it for a long time too. How do you think he got it into the states?

 

[roscoFJ73]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/401991794.html there's the link. And it's actually an 1989 HJ61 with, I think 160,000 miles.

There is good reasons why he is not sharing his import knowledge
As for the price,they are not making them anymore and they are truly one of the more desirable Landcruisers.

We probably wouldnt pay that in Australia or Canada but for one tilted in the US I dont think it will last long

 

[dogboy2]

Thanks for your thoughts, dogboy2. I've been watching it for a long time too. How do you think he got it into the states?

I'm guessing here, but given the age of the vehicle, he most likely has ties to Canadian citizenship through familial relations or purchased the vehicle after it had been legally imported into the U.S. under similar conditions by a previous owner.

It is all still JDM stock which supports this theory given the 25+ year old age requirement for U.S. importation without modification by a Registered Importer to meet U.S. NHSTA, DOT, and EPA regulations.

Either that or the vehicle was not legally imported although it is currently registered in Oregon which may or may not present a problem depending on the state of new registration for the new owner.

It's more than a little disconcerting that the current owner isn't openly divulging the full story of it's importation -- a red flag IMHO....

-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[apocalypsegrrrl]

Yeah, I've done a lot of research and talking to importers, but I've gotten many different stories. A couple of guys just straight out told me they would swap VIN tags for me if I wanted to bring in a Canadian JDM. And I've asked this guy with the HJ61 and another guy with a JDM nissan in Seattle how they got them in. They both said they were "legally imported" but weren't going to say anything else. It makes me worry that, if the DOT finds out it was a little shady, they would confiscate the car.

The whole import issue irritates me, because, they say it's for "safety reasons" but I've got a cousing who just built himself a total death trap of a ford cobra replica kit car, and it's perfectly legal. Not to mention all the 17 year old boys driving crotch rockets who will probably not live to see their 18th birthday. I just want a freaking diesel land cruiser. IS THAT SO WRONG?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Yeah, I've done a lot of research and talking to importers, but I've gotten many different stories. A couple of guys just straight out told me they would swap VIN tags for me if I wanted to bring in a Canadian JDM. And I've asked this guy with the HJ61 and another guy with a JDM nissan in Seattle how they got them in. They both said they were "legally imported" but weren't going to say anything else. It makes me worry that, if the DOT finds out it was a little shady, they would confiscate the car.

The whole import issue irritates me, because, they say it's for "safety reasons" but I've got a cousing who just built himself a total death trap of a ford cobra replica kit car, and it's perfectly legal. Not to mention all the 17 year old boys driving crotch rockets who will probably not live to see their 18th birthday. I just want a freaking diesel land cruiser. IS THAT SO WRONG?

I think in the case of the HJ61 it is probably square with the state its licensed in but not with federal laws which should take precedence over state in regards to motor vehicle importation.
It will probably be ok but taking it to another state and trying to license it there could cause problems.

Swapping VIN tags contravenes so many laws its just not worth it

 

[goldchaser]

There is good reasons why he is not sharing his import knowledge
As for the price,they are not making them anymore and they are truly one of the more desirable Landcruisers.

We probably wouldnt pay that in Australia or Canada but for one tilted in the US I dont think it will last long

Ive got a hj61 roscoe,our small tojo dealer around the corner has a nice sahara,manual,400klms,one small spot in roof i can see where the rust has just started,there got $14999.00 on it! surprised me.
cheers goldchaser

 

[dogboy2]

The whole import issue irritates me, because, they say it's for "safety reasons" but I've got a cousing who just built himself a total death trap of a ford cobra replica kit car, and it's perfectly legal.

Ironic, isn't it, that with the 25+ year importation law, how let's say, a 1984 model is not eligible for import without $$$$ modifications this year due to "safety reasons", yet wait until 2008, and low and behold, the very same vehicle is suddenly cleared for U.S. import without restriction.....hmmmmmmmm

Burns me up too.....
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[roscoFJ73]

Ive got a hj61 roscoe,our small tojo dealer around the corner has a nice sahara,manual,400klms,one small spot in roof i can see where the rust has just started,there got $14999.00 on it! surprised me.
cheers goldchaser

I would have rather have had the one in Esperance,aust spec,all extras,no rust 60000klm = $20k

 

[goldchaser]

did you know if they sold it at that price?

 

[fe sus]

The HJ61 in PDX is/was registered in WA, not OR, last I heard. I friend here in Seattle went and took a look at it. He passed but was tempted... FYI it was not legally imported. Buy it at your own risk...

 

[dogboy2]

FYI it was not legally imported. Buy it at your own risk...

HA! I had a feeling as it's been on the market for quite some time now. Someone should offer him $9K for it as a parts rig and make a complete swap over to a U.S. spec '60. My pockets aren't that deep at the moment or I would.

-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[roscoFJ73]

did you know if they sold it at that price?

It was only advertised once ,so I guess so

 

[roscoFJ73]

The HJ61 in PDX is/was registered in WA, not OR, last I heard. I friend here in Seattle went and took a look at it. He passed but was tempted... FYI it was not legally imported. Buy it at your own risk...

Is the seller the same person that originally bought it into the US? I seem to remember someone in WA selling a few JDM landcruisers on ebay

 

[brownbear]

Personnally I would find a super clean 60 LHD from Arizona. Not a speck of rust anywhere. Pay them 5 k for it and then get on the order list for a 12h-t from GandS cruiser parts.

Then you have a no questions asked legal vehicle.

If you dig around in the diesel section long enough you will read about vin numbers from BC. BC re-issues VINs. Supposedly guys in the USA can bring it in as a Canadian market cruiser using this vin. With no mention of the origin.....


But search. Like I said, I would search for a clean FJ60. Then diesel it.

17,500 is too much IMOP. But if you look at the canadian importers sites, it is what they ask for sometimes.

 

[apocalypsegrrrl]

I'm in the process of importing one from Australia. We'll see how it goes...

 

[apocalypsegrrrl]

fe sus, do you have some insider knowledge about the non legallity of it? I'm just curious. I'm not an undercover DOT agent, just a person who was really excited when I first saw the ad, but thought better of it and now I'm second guessing myself.

 

[Captain23]

The following was posted by Surveyor Cruiser a couple months back on another thread about this rig.

I live in Southern Oregon, ran into the fellow last weekend when he was down here. I turned him on to IH8MUD and suggested craigslist so it would get sold to someone who appreciates it and truly knows what it is.

It got registered in WA originally since it was imported by a dual citizen canadian. It was indeed very clean and sounded nice as it drove away. As per its care the current owner nows jack SH!T about it. There is an ass for every seat some will buy it