after looking at the pictures, the frame dont look that bad. In pic 31 shows the delam and its not bad at all. I have seen cruisers that have spent their whole life in the west and they look worse than this one does.
pre-purchase inspection
- Thread starter topherbecker
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- #22
It's not the auto auction that concerns me but the multiple owners over a short period of time. Makes me wonder why people are buying and selling so quickly. I guess if it checks out mechanically, I shouldn't care.
Bring it down to us and let us look at it. Not sure he will go for it as one of our customers has already called me up to look at this 62 and apparently the owner did not like that idea. I do know these trucks like the back of my hand or better so if you need a professional opinion let us know
540-361-7400
Cam
540-361-7400
Cam
- Thread starter
- #24
I'd love for you to look at it. I'll see if the seller will allow me to take it down there.
We would love too. You will be the third person that has called us about this cruiser will be interesting to take a look at it and see how good or bad it is. You never know with a truck like this that has changed hands a bunch and is still being sold for top dollar.
Cam
- Thread starter
- #26
The owner is "not comfortable" with me takingit to fredricksburg. I guess I can't blame him. So any cruiserheads have some time Saturday afternoon - maybe 20 minutes to give it a once over. I'm also going to take it to a shop as well as an emissions inspection station assuming the owner okays that.
Chris
Chris
Where is the truck physically located for inspection? If in DC, H2O aka Sebastien, is going to be the closest. Depending on where in DC I may have some time on Sat.
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- #28
Shirlington in the afternoon.
Been reading this and something seems odd that he won't let you take it where you want to have it checked out. I believe I would have already walked away from it.
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- #30
Really? I tried putting myself in his shoes. I'm not sure I would let someone take my car half way to Richmond to see a mech. either.
I think that's the difference between a true cruiserhead and a guy selling a car. A cruiserhead wouldn't mind at all. Hell, for a 6-pack you could keep it for the weekend. That said, I don't blame the seller for being cautious. He doesn't know anyone from Adam.
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- #32
That's exactly it.
Why don't you cal Timmy at Convience Car Care in Manassas and see if he would take a look at it for you. That's not half way to Richmond. Test the water call around and find some closer shops. If he's not willing to let you take it to a mechanic to have it checked out then something seems fishy. Just my opinion
Blue77FJ40
SILVER Star
If the owner is concerned with you driving away with the truck for the inspection, why not invite him to come along? It wouldn't bother me to have a buyer's mechanic look over my vehicle. In fact, I seem to remember going through that years ago when I was selling a vehicle. It wasn't a problem, there were no problems, and the mechanic just eased the buyer's fears.
Unless, of course, the seller doesn't want you to find problems.
I'm also sceptical about so many owners, though a number of them could have just been professional car handlers, not owners.
Unless, of course, the seller doesn't want you to find problems.
I'm also sceptical about so many owners, though a number of them could have just been professional car handlers, not owners.
Buying a 20 year old FJ62 with out a pre-purchase is not a good idea. They are great trucks ... if bought with low mileage but they don't age as well as the older pre fuel infected Cruisers do or as well as the later 80 series and the 100 series trucks do. The A440F automatic is ungodly expensive to rebuild and it's a common repair at over 100K. The 3FE is not as robust as the old 2F or the newer powerplants. Many 3F3's puke their guts at 100k. My friend and former club member Jim E. put ten grand of repairs into his FJ62 over a few year period of time.
If he does not want to take it all the way to down to Frednecksburg then ask if he'll ride out to HighTech 4x4 in Chantilly. Offer the guy to buy him lunch. Any gas station mechanic that is competent can do a good job of looking it over for problems, I'd recommend Glen at Wisam's old gas station or Chris Johnson at the James Madison Shell - both in Vienna. PM me for info.
Wait it out, don't hurry this process. Another one will come around if you wait long enough. Trust me, as much as any truck seems like it's great another better one will come around.
If he does not want to take it all the way to down to Frednecksburg then ask if he'll ride out to HighTech 4x4 in Chantilly. Offer the guy to buy him lunch. Any gas station mechanic that is competent can do a good job of looking it over for problems, I'd recommend Glen at Wisam's old gas station or Chris Johnson at the James Madison Shell - both in Vienna. PM me for info.
Wait it out, don't hurry this process. Another one will come around if you wait long enough. Trust me, as much as any truck seems like it's great another better one will come around.
- Thread starter
- #37
I want to be clear that the owner doesn't have any problem whatsoever with me getting it inspected including an emissions inspection. if that were the case, absolutely I'd have passed already. He just wasn't keen on me taking it to a mech 50 miles away. PM on it's way, John.
Thx
b
Thx
b
I can understand not wanting to let you take it that far. But he should be open to you taking it somewhere closer on your dime, esp since he is selling it at a premium. If it needs VA inspection and emmissions, I would atleast require that from him.
I'm not an expert, but I know these trucks pretty well. I've owned a 60 for 8 years and had a 62 for a bit. I could still make myself free to go look at it with you if you like. Wed. afternoon would be ideal. I live in arlington so i live pretty close........
I'm not an expert, but I know these trucks pretty well. I've owned a 60 for 8 years and had a 62 for a bit. I could still make myself free to go look at it with you if you like. Wed. afternoon would be ideal. I live in arlington so i live pretty close........
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- #39
The truck checked out to my satisfaction - including passing emissions and safety without issue. We agreed to a price and will compete the transaction on saturday. I'd still love for any of you knowledgable guys to look at it and let me know what I should work on first, but there's no hurry now. Will def try and make it to the next mtg assuming the sale works out.
Congratulations on your purchase. Since she passed all the inspections then the first thing may be to do all the routine maintinence first and then drive it around and get used to her. I'm sure she'll let you know what she needs. Glad to hear all went well . 
