Let me start this by saying I'm not new to Land Cruisers but am always learning more about them. I've owned around 15 since 1998. I've purchased several online without seeing them prior but most of these were under $7k in price.
I "won" this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Land...ser-Base-Sport-Utility-2-Door-4-/321397526108) FJ40 on eBay back in November and drove down to Miami to pick it up. It was being advertised as a mint quality, almost complete restoration. I believe the auction ended around $22k. I was thinking I would be buying a $40k+ rig.
Upon arrival I was disappointed to discover the cruiser was originally painted red. This was not mentioned by the seller and not visible in any of the photos that were posted and sent. The (incorrect) yellow paint looks like quality work in the photos but upon inspection the original red layer is visible in the door jams and body crevasses. I would hope it is running now. When I tried to crank it, it would turn over but not ignite. The headlights weren't working nor were other electrical components, and many parts were missing (front and rear heaters, console, spare tire and carrier, floor mat, dash parts to name a few).
Due to the vehicle being grossly misrepresented, in order to salvage my trip to Miami I offered $12k which I felt was fair considering what's mentioned above. In retrospect, I think that might be a bit high (for me) since I wouldn't be able to live with the visible red paint and would want to repaint the whole cruiser back to the original Freeborn Red, as well as replace the other non-OEM parts. He countered back at $18k but I couldn't justify that. I ended up enjoying an unexpected vacation in South Florida.
I just want to try to help anyone else out who is considering purchasing this. The owner speaks spanish only and enlists others to sell on his behalf. The 'dealer' that I dealt with had no knowledge of the vehicle but was an excellent sales person who I felt was caught in the middle of an unhappy buyer and a seller who didn't disclose much info to him.
Don't feel sorry for me. This story does have a happy ending
As fate would have it, I found my *dream* Land Cruiser a few months later. A one owner, nearly completely original, garage kept, low mileage FJ40, I now call, the Red Rabbit.
It took the mistakes of not asking enough questions and making assumptions on what I'd be getting to understand all of the room for disappointment when buying a 30+ year old vehicle site unseen. I was able to learn from this experience and apply to what turned out to be my 'keeper' 40.
I "won" this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Land...ser-Base-Sport-Utility-2-Door-4-/321397526108) FJ40 on eBay back in November and drove down to Miami to pick it up. It was being advertised as a mint quality, almost complete restoration. I believe the auction ended around $22k. I was thinking I would be buying a $40k+ rig.
Upon arrival I was disappointed to discover the cruiser was originally painted red. This was not mentioned by the seller and not visible in any of the photos that were posted and sent. The (incorrect) yellow paint looks like quality work in the photos but upon inspection the original red layer is visible in the door jams and body crevasses. I would hope it is running now. When I tried to crank it, it would turn over but not ignite. The headlights weren't working nor were other electrical components, and many parts were missing (front and rear heaters, console, spare tire and carrier, floor mat, dash parts to name a few).
Due to the vehicle being grossly misrepresented, in order to salvage my trip to Miami I offered $12k which I felt was fair considering what's mentioned above. In retrospect, I think that might be a bit high (for me) since I wouldn't be able to live with the visible red paint and would want to repaint the whole cruiser back to the original Freeborn Red, as well as replace the other non-OEM parts. He countered back at $18k but I couldn't justify that. I ended up enjoying an unexpected vacation in South Florida.
I just want to try to help anyone else out who is considering purchasing this. The owner speaks spanish only and enlists others to sell on his behalf. The 'dealer' that I dealt with had no knowledge of the vehicle but was an excellent sales person who I felt was caught in the middle of an unhappy buyer and a seller who didn't disclose much info to him.
Don't feel sorry for me. This story does have a happy ending
As fate would have it, I found my *dream* Land Cruiser a few months later. A one owner, nearly completely original, garage kept, low mileage FJ40, I now call, the Red Rabbit.
It took the mistakes of not asking enough questions and making assumptions on what I'd be getting to understand all of the room for disappointment when buying a 30+ year old vehicle site unseen. I was able to learn from this experience and apply to what turned out to be my 'keeper' 40.
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