Hey guys I'm looking into buying a Fj40. I just turned 18 and will be headed off to a small 4 year university. Anyway my parents offered to buy me my first car. The budget is $10,000. Im looking for one that does not have rust and could make it through college. Do you think its possible? Where do I need to look? I have looked at ebay but the ones under $10,000 are in **** condition. Sorry if this is not the right thread to post this on, but I wanted to talk to people who DD there Fj40. Thanks in advance.
Looking to buy an Fj40
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1911
chupacabra
Craigslist and the classifieds here on Mud. You should be able to get a decently-reliable but not necessarily a pretty 40 for $10K or less, but you might have to be patient and wait for one worth having. Don't be in a hurry to buy one. If you can't find the right one before you have to leave for school, buy a cheap beater car and wait for the right 40.
I suppose you realize that even one in great shape is still going to be more than 30 years old, and will need more maintenance and tlc than a newer vehicle. Make sure that you are capable and will have the time, tools, and a place to work on it at school.
I suppose you realize that even one in great shape is still going to be more than 30 years old, and will need more maintenance and tlc than a newer vehicle. Make sure that you are capable and will have the time, tools, and a place to work on it at school.
Buy a used fuel efficient car and get thru college. When you start making money, buy yourself a bad ass 40.
This is exactly what I told my son when he started college.
He is a sophomore at Arizona state, and like you, he would love to drive a 40 as he is always out in the desert or mountains camping, hiking or whatever. While a small, fuel efficient car would be the most practical for him, we compromised and got him a nice used Toyota 4wd truck with 31's and a rear locker. It gets him where he wants to go dependably and gets 17 mpg. He doesn't know it, but there will probably be a nice project 40 or 45 waiting for him when he graduates.
Remember that a FJ40 gets about 10 mpg, is a major target for thieves, and requires much more maintenance than a newer vehicle. It is just not a practical DD for a college student. Best to wait.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I agree with the target for thieves and are not hard to steal. But as a vehicle for college it would depend on where you go to school. ASU a FJ40 won't be right but some small town like Flagstaff where NAU is would be a different story. While I didn't attend NAU I lived in Flagstaff and when I bought my first FJ40. Any chance I got and I would be out in the forest which surrounds Flagstaff. Big city I would say no but in a small town I won't rule a FJ40 out. Mileage isn't great but your general driving would be less in a small town. You might use a bunch of gas offroad but that something you wouldn't be able to do in a small economy car.
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- #6
I will be attending college at EOU (Eastern Oregon University) its located in Lagrande, Oregon. The college is very safe considering there is a police station literally a block a way. What I love is that the mountains are only a mile a way.
1911
chupacabra
I was going to give the talk about a practical car, but I can't because one of the cars I had when I was in school was a 1965 Sunbeam Alpine, about the most impractical and unreliable car that could be imagined. Girls loved it though; a two-door, drop-top sporty car about two inches off the ground.
If you really want to, you'll find a way AND you will learn to like spending time keeping it running well, not to mention driving slow between here and Oregon. You can do it, it's just different than hopping in a modern car and turning on the cruise control, a/c, and a good stereo and eating up the miles. I've driven my 40 (w/ stock engine) all over the western U.S. and back many times - but it's a different journey than a modern car for sure. Like I said, you have to want to do it.
FWIW also, my youngest son goes to school in Idaho and drives his FJ60 there and back every year. It cost him over $300 in gas last time (one way). He has to have a part-time job at school to pay for his gas to go snowboarding, camping, wheeling, etc. because I won't - but he loves that truck and would tell you that it's worth it; YMMV.
If you really want to, you'll find a way AND you will learn to like spending time keeping it running well, not to mention driving slow between here and Oregon. You can do it, it's just different than hopping in a modern car and turning on the cruise control, a/c, and a good stereo and eating up the miles. I've driven my 40 (w/ stock engine) all over the western U.S. and back many times - but it's a different journey than a modern car for sure. Like I said, you have to want to do it.
FWIW also, my youngest son goes to school in Idaho and drives his FJ60 there and back every year. It cost him over $300 in gas last time (one way). He has to have a part-time job at school to pay for his gas to go snowboarding, camping, wheeling, etc. because I won't - but he loves that truck and would tell you that it's worth it; YMMV.
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- #8
Very cool
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
I live in La Grande. It's a great place to own and drive a 40. Mine has lived here it's entire life (40 years this year). Get the 40, it'd be great to see another one around. To many flipping J**p's here!
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- #10
Dang what are the odds of that. If I see you in town Ill defiantly say hi.
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
I look forward to it. Are you planning on staying in L.G. Through the summer? When will you be starting school?
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- #12
I'll be starting in the fall of this year.
I worked in La Grande Oregon in the mid 80's and lived in Union - just a few miles south of La Grande and in a place called Perry just a few miles north of La Grande - Perry is probably not on any map but has some interesting history. In fact I lived and worked all over NE Oregon - from Baker City to Joseph/Enterprise. Nice country - I really like(ed) it there! Gotta get back there some day.
Lots to do outside summer and winter - 4x4, motorcycle and snowmobiles!!!!! At the time I had a 76 FJ40 and remember the first time it hit 35 below "0". It had snowed and I needed the FJ to get to work. I knew it was a quart low on oil and so I reached behind the seat to get a quart and tilted it up to pour it in - when nothing came out then a blob that looked like honey plopped out and it dawned on me it must be really cold!! So I took it in the house and sat it by the wood stove to heat up and went back outside to check the thermometer - DUH - 35 below zero! She started up though and I was good to go until I stepped on the clutch and poof no clutch - slave cyl had popped. Lucky for me I had a kit in the glove box so I crawled under pulld it off went inside and put the kit in - go back out and stuck it back on - new fluid - pump it a time or two and good to go. Never had another problem. I really liked that 76 FJ40.
So it's a good place to go- warm in the summer - cold in the winter so be ready for both of them!!
La Grande is known as a teachers college - is that what you are going there for??
Looks like you are in Texas - how far are you willing to go to get a FJ40??
Good luck!!
LBM
Looks like your 40 has a touch of J**pitis at the rear fenders!
If you get a car like this, you'll have to work on it AND school. 10K can get you a pretty decent rig in terms of reliability (though you're still going to have to work on it regularly). You will need to shop around thoroughly and carefully. More importantly though, you're going to have to study up. Vintage cars are a major in their own right. My brother in law took a '67 Mustang to college, but it wasn't restored very well and was a constant thorn in his side. It doesn't have to be that way though.
Personally, I don't see any reason not to take a car like this if a few criteria are met:
-You must have a way to get around for when the car is down
-You must have a place to work on the car (dorm parking lot is a no-go)
-You must be completely knowledgable and tooled up for maintenance and repair
-You must have the TIME and dedication to keep, maintain, and repair a vintage car
-You must have the BUDGET for parts (it can be as much as a new car payment at times)
-You must have the appropriate attitude in term of safety (it's safer than a Harley, but not by much, and must be treated with the same level of respect)
-You must have a backup plan
If ANY of the above criteria are not met with a healthy margin, I would advise toward a more modern vehicle (an 80-Series, Tacoma, or 4Runner can all be had in your price range with fewer headaches for the uninitiated). If you feel confident that all of these criteria are met, I encourage you to pursue your automotive passion while you're pursuing your scholastic passion.
Personally, I don't see any reason not to take a car like this if a few criteria are met:
-You must have a way to get around for when the car is down
-You must have a place to work on the car (dorm parking lot is a no-go)
-You must be completely knowledgable and tooled up for maintenance and repair
-You must have the TIME and dedication to keep, maintain, and repair a vintage car
-You must have the BUDGET for parts (it can be as much as a new car payment at times)
-You must have the appropriate attitude in term of safety (it's safer than a Harley, but not by much, and must be treated with the same level of respect)
-You must have a backup plan
If ANY of the above criteria are not met with a healthy margin, I would advise toward a more modern vehicle (an 80-Series, Tacoma, or 4Runner can all be had in your price range with fewer headaches for the uninitiated). If you feel confident that all of these criteria are met, I encourage you to pursue your automotive passion while you're pursuing your scholastic passion.
I have to say, looking back at my college years, I am absolutely thrilled I drove a beat 1994 Buick and not an FJ40. I had wanted a 40 since I was 17 - I'm now 26 and just got mine.
The problem with using a 30+ year old vehicle as a daily driver is that it wont be - it will be down more than it is running. I know there are a couple guys on this forum who would disagree, but I think this is the truth with about 95% of the surviving population of FJ40's. Personally, I think that they absolutely need to be a second vehicle. If your college experience is anything like mine was, you'll be scraping together your pennies to buy a 30 pack for the weekend.
trumps all, plus it will attract more babes than your cool classic 4x4 
If you are really looking for a "get out of dodge" vehicle to take out on trails on the weekends, etc. - why not a more modern 4WD? You get the off-road capability you'd need, better fuel economy, better reliability, and better safety - you only sacrifice the "beautiful" looks of the FJ40. Then, once you get out of school and put that shiny new diploma to good use, buy the 40, keep the modern 4x4 as your DD, and never worry about the 40 cutting into your money, or leaving you stranded.
Just my two cents, based on personal experience. For what it's worth, saving for the better part of a decade to buy my dream car (unassisted by, and totally against the wishes of my parents) just made finally owning it that much sweeter. I still remember driving it over to their place the day I bought it, grinning ear to ear - Dad comes in and says "I see there is a piece of s*** in the driveway..." Just made me grin even wider.
My vote: Go find yourself a solid 80-series Land Cruiser, or a Taco, for $6000 or so, and save the other $4000 to start a war chest to buy your FJ40 when you graduate.
That said - if you absolutely must have one now (who could really blame you?) I'd check out the classifieds here, and craigslist. The iH8MUD community is awesome and I sincerely doubt anyone selling their truck here would scam you or screw you over on a sale. Avoid ebay if posssible for just this reason.
The problem with using a 30+ year old vehicle as a daily driver is that it wont be - it will be down more than it is running. I know there are a couple guys on this forum who would disagree, but I think this is the truth with about 95% of the surviving population of FJ40's. Personally, I think that they absolutely need to be a second vehicle. If your college experience is anything like mine was, you'll be scraping together your pennies to buy a 30 pack for the weekend.
trumps all, plus it will attract more babes than your cool classic 4x4 If you are really looking for a "get out of dodge" vehicle to take out on trails on the weekends, etc. - why not a more modern 4WD? You get the off-road capability you'd need, better fuel economy, better reliability, and better safety - you only sacrifice the "beautiful" looks of the FJ40. Then, once you get out of school and put that shiny new diploma to good use, buy the 40, keep the modern 4x4 as your DD, and never worry about the 40 cutting into your
money, or leaving you stranded. Just my two cents, based on personal experience. For what it's worth, saving for the better part of a decade to buy my dream car (unassisted by, and totally against the wishes of my parents) just made finally owning it that much sweeter. I still remember driving it over to their place the day I bought it, grinning ear to ear - Dad comes in and says "I see there is a piece of s*** in the driveway..." Just made me grin even wider.
My vote: Go find yourself a solid 80-series Land Cruiser, or a Taco, for $6000 or so, and save the other $4000 to start a war chest to buy your FJ40 when you graduate.
That said - if you absolutely must have one now (who could really blame you?) I'd check out the classifieds here, and craigslist. The iH8MUD community is awesome and I sincerely doubt anyone selling their truck here would scam you or screw you over on a sale. Avoid ebay if posssible for just this reason.
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- #17
I worked in La Grande Oregon in the mid 80's and lived in Union - just a few miles south of La Grande and in a place called Perry just a few miles north of La Grande - Perry is probably not on any map but has some interesting history. In fact I lived and worked all over NE Oregon - from Baker City to Joseph/Enterprise. Nice country - I really like(ed) it there! Gotta get back there some day.
Lots to do outside summer and winter - 4x4, motorcycle and snowmobiles!!!!! At the time I had a 76 FJ40 and remember the first time it hit 35 below "0". It had snowed and I needed the FJ to get to work. I knew it was a quart low on oil and so I reached behind the seat to get a quart and tilted it up to pour it in - when nothing came out then a blob that looked like honey plopped out and it dawned on me it must be really cold!! So I took it in the house and sat it by the wood stove to heat up and went back outside to check the thermometer - DUH - 35 below zero! She started up though and I was good to go until I stepped on the clutch and poof no clutch - slave cyl had popped. Lucky for me I had a kit in the glove box so I crawled under pulld it off went inside and put the kit in - go back out and stuck it back on - new fluid - pump it a time or two and good to go. Never had another problem. I really liked that 76 FJ40.
So it's a good place to go- warm in the summer - cold in the winter so be ready for both of them!!
La Grande is known as a teachers college - is that what you are going there for??
Looks like you are in Texas - how far are you willing to go to get a FJ40??
Good luck!!
LBM
I will be majoring in Criminal Justice. I'm going the National guard plus I will be in the Army Rotc program. And guard duty is 5 minutes from the school. I will be making $550 because I will be in the guard and Army Rotc.
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- #18
Is there any places to go mudding/offroading in La Grande?
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- #19
Honestly, I would say a good FJ60 might be a better choice - due to the ability to carry more people, and to be able to lock up the back.
Realistically, I agree with the suggestion to get the small efficient car to get through school. You have a lot more important stuff to do in school than work on a FJ40, like chase women and drink beer. OBTW - you need to graduate, at some point.
But it would be a blast, and even from 30 years ago, I remember all the cool cars that some people had... It will make for a lot of memories and adventures.
Rocky
PS> A buddy of mine sent his kid off to Flagstaff (NAU) with his 80 Series. He said "it's the perfect vehicle for a college student. Solid enough to protect him in an accident, and it drinks so much gas that he will never have the money to drive it a lot!"
Realistically, I agree with the suggestion to get the small efficient car to get through school. You have a lot more important stuff to do in school than work on a FJ40, like chase women and drink beer. OBTW - you need to graduate, at some point.
But it would be a blast, and even from 30 years ago, I remember all the cool cars that some people had... It will make for a lot of memories and adventures.
Rocky
PS> A buddy of mine sent his kid off to Flagstaff (NAU) with his 80 Series. He said "it's the perfect vehicle for a college student. Solid enough to protect him in an accident, and it drinks so much gas that he will never have the money to drive it a lot!"
