I vote for an locked 80. They're comfy, capable, roomy, and relatively reliable. They're also cheap compared to 40's and even 60's. I bet in SoCal you could find a very clean, well maintained, locked, ex-soccer-mom-mall-cruiser for 5K.
Looking to buy an Fj40
- Thread starter 4X4 For Life
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
corleykj
Jack of some, definately master of none.
I would say spend $8,000 on a 40, and put $2,000 into savings for repairs. Gas is expensive...but driving the cruiser will out weigh the fuel costs
It won't be a perfect 40, but I think you could find one that someone has kept in good running shape. As long as you don't pay too much for the fj40 when you buy, you can always sell it if you find it isn't what you need down the road.
If you want to be practical with finances....an fj40 probably isn't the best choice. An older tacoma or 4 runner could fit the bill. But I do think a 40 is definitely doable and can be a great college car. When we buy old cars we try to keep $1,000-2,000 in an account just for repairs without it being a financial stress, so that is why I suggested that with your $10,000 budget.
What are you driving now?
It won't be a perfect 40, but I think you could find one that someone has kept in good running shape. As long as you don't pay too much for the fj40 when you buy, you can always sell it if you find it isn't what you need down the road. If you want to be practical with finances....an fj40 probably isn't the best choice. An older tacoma or 4 runner could fit the bill. But I do think a 40 is definitely doable and can be a great college car. When we buy old cars we try to keep $1,000-2,000 in an account just for repairs without it being a financial stress, so that is why I suggested that with your $10,000 budget.
What are you driving now?
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
That was harsh
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
Lots of really close places. (within a few miles, really)
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
I would say spend $8,000 on a 40, and put $2,000 into savings for repairs. Gas is expensive...but driving the cruiser will out weigh the fuel costs
If you want to be practical with finances....an fj40 probably isn't the best choice. An older tacoma or 4 runner could fit the bill. But I do think a 40 is definitely doable and can be a great college car. When we buy old cars we try to keep $1,000-2,000 in an account just for repairs without it being a financial stress, so that is why I suggested that with your $10,000 budget.
What are you driving now?
Couldn't agree more. If you need a mechanic referral, I can do that.
- Thread starter
- #26
I would say spend $8,000 on a 40, and put $2,000 into savings for repairs. Gas is expensive...but driving the cruiser will out weigh the fuel costs
If you want to be practical with finances....an fj40 probably isn't the best choice. An older tacoma or 4 runner could fit the bill. But I do think a 40 is definitely doable and can be a great college car. When we buy old cars we try to keep $1,000-2,000 in an account just for repairs without it being a financial stress, so that is why I suggested that with your $10,000 budget.
What are you driving now?
Im trading off and on with my dads toyota camry.
- Thread starter
- #27
Very cool!
There is a lot of cool places around La Grande to explore and having the top off in the summer would be cool. However, after living there, I would suggest an 80-Series if it's your only ride.
- Thread starter
- #29
Hey guys I thought I would give you an update. I ended up buying a 04 Jeep wrangler Tj for $8500 with 70,000 miles on it. Yeah I said it Jeep wrangler. If I couldn't get a legendary Fj40 then I would get the next best thing. It came down to reliability and parts. The Jeep has beter gas milage, I can take the doors off, the top off, offroading, and mudding. She has a nice soft top and some big mud tires. I know I'm going to get ridiculed for my decision, but I don't care. I'm happy with it. I'm going to wait until I'm out of college than I'm going to sell my Jeep and get a bad @$$ Fj40. And one perk is Jeep maintain there resale value fairly well. Thanks for all of your guys help.
- Thread starter
- #30
I hope there is not too many yellow Jeeps
brian
SILVER Star
you have a lot to learn yet. they'res many errors with these statements.
Looks like you have a plan and are stuck to it. Probably is the only choice for a "bobtail 4x4" unless you doubled your "spend" and got a real good 1976 or younger FJ40. Also will probably be a bit more comfortable ride on the 1500 or 2000+ miles from Texas to Oregon. 2004 sounds almost new but it has 8+ year's on it. It would be a good thing to do a "major tune up" on it before you leave - you know - change all fluids, all belts, check all brakes , change all filters - oil and trans (if it is automatic), plugs, plug wires, cap & rotor, shocks and look real close at the tires and if they are worn at all then plan on new ones, etc. If you do all of this before you leave you may have little or no problem on the way there and while you are there.
If you just take off you may have an easy trip but then again you have better chances of running into a problem. Speaking from experience here - I've transfered and moved all over the west - enough to have more then 1 "limp across America trips". You know drive a couple hundred miles then stop and fix the Distributer, run another couple hundred then stop and fix the alternator, blow out the rear tires in the heat then limp in and find a couple to stick on.
You are getting ready to leap into another part of life - take your tools!
Good luck with learning about the Justice System and the Legal System and your Military Experience - are you going to stay in the Guard or go Active at some point???
LBM
Honestly I want to hate jeeps as much as others on this site but I can't. For your situation I think you made a really good decision - you bought a vehicle to have fun with - and you won't have to worry about some 30+ year old part bailing on you mid expedition. As you said down the road by all means buy and appreciate the unique experience that is an FJ40 but for the time being I neither fault not blame you. You'll just have to accept that our trucks are better looking than yours 
.
.
1911
chupacabra
Well, you're smart enough to realize that you might not be able to get your dream car while still a college student.
You bought a heep for its reliability? Seriously?
Comes with the territory!
That's all that matters then.
Now there's a more practical plan for sure. Best of luck with your studies and your jeep. School may seem like it takes forever at the time, but you will be through before you know it. My only other advice is, if you're going to spend four years (or more) of your life and a ton of money getting a degree, make sure that it's one you can earn a good living with when you're done.
Right On, Brother!
- Thread starter
- #36
It would be a good thing to do a "major tune up" on it before you leave - you know - change all fluids, all belts, check all brakes , change all filters - oil and trans (if it is automatic), plugs, plug wires, cap & rotor, shocks and look real close at the tires and if they are worn at all then plan on new ones, etc. If you do all of this before you leave you may have little or no problem on the way there and while you are there.
If you just take off you may have an easy trip but then again you have better chances of running into a problem. Speaking from experience here - I've transfered and moved all over the west - enough to have more then 1 "limp across America trips". You know drive a couple hundred miles then stop and fix the Distributer, run another couple hundred then stop and fix the alternator, blow out the rear tires in the heat then limp in and find a couple to stick on.
You are getting ready to leap into another part of life - take your tools!
Good luck with learning about the Justice System and the Legal System and your Military Experience - are you going to stay in the Guard or go Active at some point???
LBM
Point taken. I've got a good mechanic in town and he said he would look it over for free. I did an inspection of it and cosmetically its mint and the 4l inline 6 sounds great. The tires only have 2,000 miles on it and there is a ton of tread. In Army Rotc I would be a full time student. I'm for sure going to be in the program for sure, but I don't know if I will be on scholarship or not. The Guard helps me pay for college plus I'm getting military experience and money for school. The ultimate goal is get a 4 year scholarship and be in the National Guard through college and then commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. I want to pursue a carrer in the military the college education gives me a jump start plus its something to fall back on when my service is up and my country does not need me any more. I defiantly want to go active Army when I'm out of college, but I believe that will be extremely hard to get because everyone who is in my position in Army Rotc want active. It depends on if we are in a war and if America needs a lot of guys for active. I would like to defiantly. Also as far as jobs go which in for year is completely up to what the Army needs, but I like to do something in combat related arms, like cavalry scout, infantry, tanks crewman. Oregon is not a sure thing it depends if I get a scholarship for Army Rotc somewhere else so I would obviously go there. Oregon is a great school is I don't get the scholarship, because the tuition is cheap the Col that runs the program is a great guy and I can earn my spot to get the scholarship.
- Thread starter
- #37
Honestly I want to hate jeeps as much as others on this site but I can't. For your situation I think you made a really good decision - you bought a vehicle to have fun with - and you won't have to worry about some 30+ year old part bailing on you mid expedition. As you said down the road by all means buy and appreciate the unique experience that is an FJ40 but for the time being I neither fault not blame you. You'll just have to accept that our trucks are better looking than yours
Hahaah thanks
- Thread starter
- #38
Well, you're smart enough to realize that you might not be able to get your dream car while still a college student.
You bought a heep for its reliability? Seriously?
Comes with the territory!
That's all that matters then.
Now there's a more practical plan for sure. Best of luck with your studies and your jeep. School may seem like it takes forever at the time, but you will be through before you know it. My only other advice is, if you're going to spend four years (or more) of your life and a ton of money getting a degree, make sure that it's one you can earn a good living with when you're done.
Thanks. And I would have to say a 30+ year old Fj is less reliable than a 9 year old Jeep even though its a Jeep. If all goes well I will be able to graduate debt free.
- Thread starter
- #39
I'm going to try and post a picture of her, If I can figure out how to get one on here lol.
- Thread starter
- #40
Here she is
