I've been looking hard for about six months for an FJ60-62 I could afford, was beginning to despair. Man, the market is hot in the Pacific NorthWest for these rascals. I came across one on Craigslist that didn't even make sense it was priced so low, but called anyhow. The seller picked up when I called (second piece of luck), and told me if I'm there tomorrow morning with the cash, it's mine. Scam, maybe... Well, I can just hang onto my cash after driving for an hour and a half to look at it.
So I get there next morning and there it is in all its key-laced glory. Seller didn't mention the pretty extensive key-lacing, and not a 5sp. as advertized. But no body rust, some heavy surface undercarriage rust, not bad at all. Seller keeps swearing the brown leather interior and sunroof are as ordered by the Origional Owner (his father-in-law) from the factory. Still not positive on that but sure looks factory. Leather looks decent, sunroof works and doesn't even leak. Been partially de-smogged but I'm in Washington state, so no problem. Besides, it's been here all its life. Lotta mileage (285k). The one key that came with it doesn't work in any of the gas/door locks, and only occasionally in the ignition lock. The Seller fired it up from cold (didn't tell me about the only occasionally-working ign. switch), sounds pretty good for the tired old girl. Didn't drive it 'cuz the seats were just loose inside. Seller was going to do a 'refurb' on it with his son, but the kid was into new Mustangs. Pretty big miscalc on Dad's part ;-}.
But I'm in love, no turning back now. I pay him the cash and get it towed back home. ToyotaMatt helped me with a key set for it (removed the passenger lock cylinder and polished up the code). The keys should be here today so I might actually get to start it, whoohooo. The kicker is the Seller showed me the list of people calling his cellphone on it--he flipped the call history page 8-10 times showing me! Calls from Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, all over the place. Man, hot market.
So I get there next morning and there it is in all its key-laced glory. Seller didn't mention the pretty extensive key-lacing, and not a 5sp. as advertized. But no body rust, some heavy surface undercarriage rust, not bad at all. Seller keeps swearing the brown leather interior and sunroof are as ordered by the Origional Owner (his father-in-law) from the factory. Still not positive on that but sure looks factory. Leather looks decent, sunroof works and doesn't even leak. Been partially de-smogged but I'm in Washington state, so no problem. Besides, it's been here all its life. Lotta mileage (285k). The one key that came with it doesn't work in any of the gas/door locks, and only occasionally in the ignition lock. The Seller fired it up from cold (didn't tell me about the only occasionally-working ign. switch), sounds pretty good for the tired old girl. Didn't drive it 'cuz the seats were just loose inside. Seller was going to do a 'refurb' on it with his son, but the kid was into new Mustangs. Pretty big miscalc on Dad's part ;-}.
But I'm in love, no turning back now. I pay him the cash and get it towed back home. ToyotaMatt helped me with a key set for it (removed the passenger lock cylinder and polished up the code). The keys should be here today so I might actually get to start it, whoohooo. The kicker is the Seller showed me the list of people calling his cellphone on it--he flipped the call history page 8-10 times showing me! Calls from Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, all over the place. Man, hot market.
