- Thread starter
- #21
How does everyone feel about buying sight unseen? A big reason I’d given this latest 80 consideration was locality. I liked being able to inspect and drive before making a decision.
Too much rust or good deal?
- Thread starter Bronco007
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Honestly? I'd rather light my money on fire than buy a 30 year old truck sight unseen. I've done it before from auctions, ebay, craigslist, etc and done OK but not with these trucks. Even honest sellers don't know that Toyotas need more than oil changes over their lifetime. I have had inspections done on cars. 100% worth the $500 or so. As they say a fool and his money are soon parted. For the money bags on BAT, they probably don't care, they have stacks to burn.
- Thread starter
- #23
My feelings exactly. I’ve bought one car sight unseen. Won’t ever make that mistake again. I won’t pay more than I believe something is worth. But I think there is some premium to inspecting and driving it personally (in addition to third party inspection) before purchase.
When I bought mine years ago I drove about 4 hours to test drive and check it in-person. It was a nice example completely stock with lockers. Coming from a jeep rubicon years earlier I knew I wanted it to have lockers. Was worth the trip/time to be sure it was what I wanted.
I have lived through owning and working on a rusty truck. I bought my 91 FJ80 new from a dealer in PA before I understood rust protection. After 30 years, every single job took 3 to 5 times longer dealing with rusty bolts. It's just not worth the hassle.
That's a $5K truck IMO due to where it has lived and the fact that it is obviously neglected. Not to mention the fact that 3FE parts are becoming difficult to source.
I bought my 97 LX450 in Phoenix. I was casually looking in the classifieds section for an unmolested white 97 FZJ80 and this black LX450 popped up. After a quick email convo and a boatload of pictures, I hopped on a plane and drove it back to Jersey.
Of course that was before 80 Series prices went through the roof.
That's a $5K truck IMO due to where it has lived and the fact that it is obviously neglected. Not to mention the fact that 3FE parts are becoming difficult to source.
I bought my 97 LX450 in Phoenix. I was casually looking in the classifieds section for an unmolested white 97 FZJ80 and this black LX450 popped up. After a quick email convo and a boatload of pictures, I hopped on a plane and drove it back to Jersey.
Of course that was before 80 Series prices went through the roof.
Ecliff5
SILVER Star
I bought my 100% rust free 96 80 last year from out west for $9k sight unseen and shipped it to the east coast after my previous 80s frame turned to east coast swiss cheese. It wasn't listed for sale, it was a random lucky DM on instagram. Good deals are out there to be found, just gotta look hard to find them sometimes. Also, fluid film is your best friend.