Looking at a 1992 FJ80

[harrydunn]

Greetings--

Missed out on a '93 FZJ80 a few weeks ago but have found a '92 FJ80 in 'the next town over.' I know the '92 will have the 'weaker' engine so that is a bit of a concern, perhaps not. Looking for any input with regards to things I should look for on this '92 compared to the '93 a few weeks ago. Looks like a grocery-getter based on the neighborhood and the fact that he calls it a 'car.' The answers to the questions I asked the owner are listed. Pics also attached. Looks very clean except for a nice chunk of rust at rear wheel-well. 190,000 miles.

Your thoughts? Good price? Thanks.

Original e-mail response from owner:
I purchased the car in 1993 with 11,000 miles. The car is white with gray cloth interior. For it's miles and age it is in good shape. The car has been very dependable for us.

Has your Cruiser ever had any major repairs, either from a wreck or mechanically?
The vehicle has been involved in two park lot fender benders. The first one was several years ago. The front bumper was repainted and the side bumper was replaced. The second one (a few months ago) involved the driver's rear bumper and it was replaced. The fender had a couple of scratches so it was repainted also. There has been no major mechanical repairs. I have replaced the alternator ( Sept 06), the water pump (April 04) and starter (Nov 99). The tires were replaced at 149,000 miles so they have about 40,000 miles on them. I sent you a picture of the tread. The battery was replaced in June, 2007. The A/C needs to be recharged. It is a third car for us and we do not use the A/C so I haven't recharged it.

Any leaks?
It leaks a small amount of oil. No other leaks that I am aware of.

Any rust?
There is one rust spot -picture included. This in the drivers rear wheel well. There is a small spot of rust just below the rear window. Too small to show in pictures. There are surface rust places on the front bumper. Again they would not show up well in a picture.

Any major interior rips?
The driver's seat has three wear spots. I sent you a picture of that also. All the other seats are in good shape.

What are you looking to get out of it?
I am looking to get $4,500 for the car.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

 

[ToothDr]

I'd keep looking. The pic with the rust makes be wonder how the underside and frame looks. Plenty of rust free 80's out there to be had if you don't mind poss looking out of state.

 

[shep]

I love my 92, but there are times I wish I'd have held out for an FZJ with factory lockers. With the rust and miles, for that price I'd pass. Keep looking and be patient and you will find a better one out there. The more you look and search and learn about these things the more you'll know when the right one pops up.

 

[jonheld]

I'd keep looking. The pic with the rust makes be wonder how the underside and frame looks. Plenty of rust free 80's out there to be had if you don't mind poss looking out of state.

AFAIC that is a rust free 80. Looks pretty nice to me.

 

[ToothDr]

AFAIC that is a rust free 80. Looks pretty nice to me.

Look at pic #8

 

[MadTripper]

I'd almost think there was some type of damage at that rust spot causing it to begin premature death. If it is close enough, take a peek at it and look at the frame, wheel wells, and engine bay. If there is little or no rust in those areas, it is probably good to go. Overall, it looks pretty clean and judging by the neighborhood, dealer maintenance costs probably weren't an issue.

I'd start around $3500 and work up from there. If you like what you see when you check it out and have $3500 cash on you, they might let it go. I definitely wouldn't go above $4000 for it but that is merely my opinion based on the above information. Unless you are a body guy, that rust is probably going to be about $500 to $700 done right.

Tripper

 

[bthelton]

From the pics mine is nicer and chaeper

 

[toyman317]

definately keep looking. Got my 94 for the same price.

 

[rtarh2o]

That would be a rust free car in the midwest or northeast. If you are in Missouri just go a few hours south into Arkansas to look. Once you get that far south they will truly be "rust free" I would bet there is a coating of surface under the car, nothing to worry about structurally but working on them is a pain.
Rusty

 

[jonheld]

Look at pic #8

LOL...that's the one I was looking at.

 

[harrydunn]

Found a '91 fairly close for $3,300. Daily driver w/ 178K miles. No rust. Says no leaks, does have some sun spots and dings but I don't care too much about that since this would just be a second vehicle. Passenger side mirror missing (not the housing, just the mirror). He said he replaced the radiator which concerns me a bit (overheating perhaps???) I'm guessing he will come down into the $2,000's if I take bills with me. Thoughts???

 

[bhmmapping]

Found a '91 fairly close for $3,300. Daily driver w/ 178K miles. No rust. Says no leaks, does have some sun spots and dings but I dont' care too much about that since this would just be a second vehicle. Passenger side mirror missing (not the housing, just the mirror). He said he replaced the radiator which concerns me a bit (overheating perhaps???) I'm guessing he will come down into the $2,000's if I take bills with me. Thoughts???

FWIW I just replaced my radiator and never had any overheating issues. The top of my radiator had a lot of small cracks in it and a couple started leaking coolant - it was the original 16 yr. old unit, I would expect most would either have already been replaced or need to be. I would be more concerned if the replacement wasn't OEM.

 

[Tennesseestorm]

LOL...that's the one I was looking at.

Yeah, up in New York, that is rust free!

The one I am looking at locally, does not have any rust that you can see even in that area, but has some curling around those bolts inside the wheel well. Its from northwestern Virginia... in the mountain area.

Both of those Cruisers look nice to me.


Good luck with your purchase!

 

[ThePookieBear]

I think both look good. Either way, make sure to check the birfs and see if they are leaking any soup out. That can be a MAJOR bargaining tool. My 1992 had 150,000 when I bought it and he wanted $5800 for it. I noticed the birfs would need replacing at some point and he knocked off two grand, then some other stuff I saw. I got it for $4200 and the guy gave me $1000 cash after for my old 1992 Honda station wagon. Since I have had it I replaced the birfs and seals for $700. (Did the work myself) And the alternator which I bought used from a member doing a diesel conversion for $80. Just be ready to "possibly" do work on it because they are getting old. They are wonderful though. I wouldn't shy away from either one if you can work the price down.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Harry,

You might let others know where you live. I'm sure I'm not the only one who casually keeps track of 80s for sale or available in their area. I know of 2 FJ80s for sale and a locked FZJ80 for sale in my area. Might help your search.

DougM

 

[Sc0-]

Pass, A/C might need to be recharged and the "fender Bender" brings up the flag, the rust just takes the cake... unless he subtracts more $$$ to mae the deal more appealing...

Locked/rust fee/ working AC/ trail modified '97 can be had for under $8k.. I paid more than that for my unlocked bone stock '94. (but the investment was for the larger tranny...