Looking for a FJ62 what this one worth?

[ncduckman]

Ok, forgive me as I know this likely comes up all the time. I have decided that I can no longer be Cruiser-less and want another FJ62. I think I may have found the "one".

1989 112000 miles.

No rust, everything is there (toolkit, etc). Everything works except power antenna and rear wiper. Owner looked for for 6 months before he bought. 1st owner put on 100k in 13 years. 2nd owner was a mechanic who sold it because he wanted something to work on, and this didn't need work. Current owner has put on 7500 miles in three years. He had it checked out by the dealer. It checked out fine.

I have a lot of detailed pics of the interior and exterior. It could use a good wash and detail, that is all I can see. It is 3 hours down the road and I am going this weekend.

Here is the deal: he is asking $6990 for it. I know that is high. He paid $8000 3 years ago. I explained that the market is not what it used to be. Anyhow, he said to come and check it out and we'll go from there and that there is "some" wiggle room. He seems like a stand up guy and hopes that it goes to a "good" home as he bought it to keep forever.

I am thinking in the $5000 range, maybe $5500 tops. The VERY low mileage is what is really drawing me to it.

I imagine I should be patient. But it is not my nature. Who knows if he would even consider the $5000 range.

If this is what it is, what should I be prepared to offer?

Robert

 

[RockDoc]

Where are you?

Sounds nice, but sounds high.

Have you looked through the classifieds here?

 

[Bryan062087]

I know of one person on this board who recently bought a co-workers fj62 for 2500$ I believe. It was rust free, low mileage, stock. Condition much like the one you describe.

I think your guy is asking too much, but there may be some people out there who will pay it. And who knows how long it would take to find a deal like the one above.

5k would be an OK price, if everything checks out mechanically. 5k would have been a great price 3 years ago, but not in the current market. I think this guy needs to have a reality check. SUVS are going for dirt cheap now.

What color is it?

 

[ncduckman]

Where are you?

Sounds nice, but sounds high.

Have you looked through the classifieds here?

I am in NC. I have just recently started to look again. I have searched the classifieds here for FJ62s as well as Ebay completed listings and Craigslist nationwide to get an idea of what to pay. The main thing for me is, of course, RUST. I stumbled across this one in Atlanta:

Toyota land Cruiser 89 model

But at 285,000 miles on the original tranny, and having it checked out by David Dearborn at Urban Land Cruisers, I am a bit squeamish on it. I would love to find a built one that is straight in the $0-$7000 range.

There is another near here at 238,000 miles with no rust and an unknown history for $2400.

The thing about the "one" for me is the fact that it has apparently been pampered and has very low miles. If I could talk him down to $5000, I think I would have to pounce.

Or.........should I be patient. Y'all likely know the market better than I do.

Thanks!
Robert

 

[ncduckman]

What color is it?

I thought they only came in one color, gunmetal gray!

I agree on the fact that the market has changed. I will likely have to be patient. If $5000 is only a "fair" price, then I will have to wait. I keep hearing about other's deals, but could that possibly happen to me?

I do agree that the seller is in for a reality check. He had mentioned that his wife felt that they should ask for $10,000.

I did try to explain that the market had changed, but coming from a potential buyer.................

Robert

 

[hank14]

If it's what you want, I'd buy it for whatever he'll sell it for. They aren't growing on trees. Take it to someone you trust to have it checked out first, though. And, don't underestimate the cost for getting one caught up on maintenance.

It can really cut into your duck hunting fund. Ask me how I know.

 

[Bryan062087]

Don't get me wrong. Spending a little more $$ a great truck that you want I think is a reasonable and correct thing to do.

There's nothing worse than buying one for 5k you think is good and having to put 5k of work into it. Ask me how I know. My dad bought my current cruiser without checking it out thoroughly for 5k thinking it was in good shape. I've had to put tons of time and money into it and still have an engine overheating issue that I cannot solve. Not much fun when these trucks are renown for their reliability and one reason why I drive one.

Buy the one you want. I mean 6k is not that much for a car. A cheap new car now is what like 25k?. You are not throwing away money spending 6 thousand dollars on a vehicle if its the one you want and its in great shape. Also, its true these trucks are rare and even rarer are ones that are still in good shape. In 20 years, different owners can do a lot of bad things to a car.

Only come in gunmetal grey? Are you crazy? You must not be looking very hard for fj62's, if you haven't found out they come in different colors.. I'd do some more research at least..

Why not consider fj60's as well?

What do you want to do with it? Keep it stock, offroading, expedition stuff? Buying one already built to some degree would save you money as well. But some people like building up their own rigs and I understand. More satisfying that way and you get to do it exactly how you want it.

 

[bigred1]

If the ac and everything else works on her, and shes not got any rust or major dings etc, and the interior is presentable then Id say go with 6K in your hands. You will have maintenance as expected, but if youve got good bones I think 6-7k is fair.

 

[ncduckman]

I am well aware that they come in different colors. That was my lame attempt at humor, as it seems the bulk of them are that color. The reason I am hung up on the 62 is that I used to have a 1989 that I sold to another Mudder, and it was..............gunmetal gray. So I have a sentimental thing going on with the FJ62. I just LOVE the 4 headlights and the old school boxyness of them.

If I was smart, which I am not, I would look for a locked FZJ80.

My intentions are to build it up. I just want a solid foundation to begin with. It will likely be a pimped out highway queen, but will get wheeled at GSMTR and Uwharrie, etc.

Robert

 

[jessewmcgregor]

if you want to wheel spend less on the rig and save $$ for mods.

 

[ballardcruiser]

It sounds like the rig is pretty much stock? Honestly, if your intentions are to wheel it, you may be better off buying a slightly more used rig that someone before you has already added a lift, bull bar, upgrades, etc to. That stuff adds up quick when new but loses a lot of its resale value. In these trying times, you can probably find someone who did half the stuff you eventually want to do for about the price of this rig.

Another thing to think about... the auto on mine went out at 140k miles. The previous owner replaced it (for significant $$), before I bought it. The motors will last forever, but the transmissions don't. So low mileage may not be all it's cracked up to be. Of course, finding one without rust is a big deal...

 

[Bryan062087]

Auto's will last forever if taken care of. Not sure what the PO did to yours to make it fail at 140k, mine auto tranny has been abused and back again. Still going at 200k.

 

[intense1]

I paid $8400 for mine 3 years ago. I'm the second owner and it had 212k of all hwy miles on it. I wish I had your 'deal'.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I think $5-6k is reasonable for any cruiser that is no/low rust and has low miles .
Make sure the paint is original and the frame is rust free.

These autos sometimes go early but most of them last nearly as long as the engine.
They are as good as the 5sp IMO

 

[adidasprof]

I stumbled across this one in Atlanta:

Toyota land Cruiser 89 model

But at 285,000 miles on the original tranny, and having it checked out by David Dearborn at Urban Land Cruisers, I am a bit squeamish on it. I would love to find a built one that is straight in the $0-$7000 range.

This is my brother in law's cruiser. If you want any more info I can have him call or you get you some more pics. It's pretty nice. Paint looks pretty good and the roof rack is custom and very solid. I know Urban Land Cruiser has done some work on it, and it seems to be running well. At any rate I shopped around for about six months before I bought mine three years ago. Competely rust free 1990 from Phoenix with 150000 miles for 6000. Take your time and make sure you get what you want for the price you're willing to pay. Good luck.

 

[ncduckman]

This is my brother in law's cruiser. If you want any more info I can have him call or you get you some more pics. It's pretty nice. Paint looks pretty good and the roof rack is custom and very solid.

Thanks for the heads up. I have been talking to Adam about it for a while now and have seen more detailed pics. It is very nice and very accessorized. He took it down to Urban Cruisers to have it checked out and it checked out pretty good. I think I may keep looking. His was the first one that I really looked at hard. You know they say not to buy the first one.

Robert

 

[adidasprof]

Okay, well good luck with your search

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I would like to reiterate on posts #11 and #12. The transmissions can go for many miles if taken care of. Mine is at 280,000 and never been rebuilt but it clunks now when going from park to drive or reverse. The other thing is that used tranys can be found on mud for CHEAP when people do H55 swaps. I got a used trany for $170 total delvered to SnT by Woody.

Argue with the guy that you can buy two cruisers at $2500 each and have a running one in the same condition as his. Don't pay too much and don't buy it unless you're abolutely sure.

I looked at 5 cruisers until I found "the one." This was before the market crashed. I wish I would've waited for 6 more months because there are even more cruisers on the market now. I try not to look at them becuase I see so many good ones going for less thatn $5,000.

 

[ncduckman]

It sounds like the rig is pretty much stock? Honestly, if your intentions are to wheel it, you may be better off buying a slightly more used rig that someone before you has already added a lift, bull bar, upgrades, etc to. That stuff adds up quick when new but loses a lot of its resale value. In these trying times, you can probably find someone who did half the stuff you eventually want to do for about the price of this rig.

You are exactly right and this is what I am REALLY aiming for, to buy one that is already goodied up, as opposed to have to shell out mad cash on a straight stocker.

I have found another:

1989 220,000 miles
Tranny rebuilt at 195,000
Current owner uses as daily driver and has racked up 40,000 miles in 2 years.
ARB winch bull bar
ARB roof rack
ARB sliders and fender bars
OME Dakar 2.5" lift
New 31" Goodyears
New brake job and rotors turned (still in shop)
New alternator
Repainted silver, was blue. Apparently did decent job, must look deep under hood and behind dash to find blue.
"Some" rust. Only small bubbles, nothing all the way through. Supposedly pretty straight.
Owner added leather seat covers!
$6900 obo.

This may be the new "one"!

Oh the torture!

Robert

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Pictures or link? Show us what you're looking at. Sounds like a good start, especially if you plan on wheeling it.

What type of wheeling do you plan on doing with your truck?