Well, my new TOY is here!!!

[FJ62_rAf]

Hey guys,

Well, the new TOY is here and I'm sort of happy with a bit of disapointment.

If anybody plays "craps", I didn't roll a 7 or 11 on the first roll, but I didn't roll snack eyes either. I would say it was an 8, not a bad roll, but I thought I spent all this money for an 11 roll!!!!!

The Cruiser is clean, but has a couple of "issues" that were not disclosed by the seller. I guess he didn't feel it necessary to tell me about some things because it was no big deal for him.

So who's fault is it..MINE, because I'm probably the only crazy out there that would buy a vehicle sight unseen for SOOOO MUCH MONEY!!!!!

I guess there is only so much a picture can show you (I look at the pics now and kick myself because the little things I have issues with are right there)

In the grand scheme of things these issues are minor, but I feel the way I do because they were not disclosed, I almost feel cheated.

What are they:
- the FJ came with a cruise control module , Toyota dealer option(?)..well the wires are cut at the control handle.. crusie control INOP
- there is some hood locking mechanism, no key, no female end (two pieces to this thing, one connects to the engine bay and the other (the female end) to the hood. I can tell where the missing part was bolted on because the holes are present and also a mark/grove from the metal being pressed into the hood). The key hole looks like a fancy soda or vending machine key.
- there is a toggle type switch next to the antenna up/down cluster. In that available spot. Who knows what that turns on/off????
- the light doesn't come on when you open any of the doors...yes I checked to see if the lightbulb was working... works fine when you switch it to "on".
- FJ has old alarm system... wires from THAT job... snipped under the dash and in the engine bay. Looks like the system was acting up and the PO decided to cut any and all wires that didn't look stock!!! Oh brother!!!
- the little fuel door handle doesn't open the fuel door
- The window child lock button is missing, so the only window that works is the driver side (at least I hope that's the reason the windows don't work)
- Dent on the hood, that was disclosed, but refered to as "a small rock dent without paint chipping"... which equals= looks like a bar, wood or something straight and long fell on the hood. The dent is BIGGER than a small rock, unless 2 inch rocks are considered small!!!
- the chrome grill is peeling

All this from a 10 minute walk around as the auto transport guy and I squared off. I drove the truck home, parked it and walked in the house. I was a bit upset because "Everything works and is in excellent condition" as the ebay ad read, I GUESS THAT EVERYTHING doesn't really mean "EVERYTHING". At that moment, I felt like I just got ripped off. I guess on the bright side my wife really likes it.

I woke up this morning and looked out the window... IT DOES LOOK GOOD, paint has great shine, the Hummer wheels give it a good look, overall looks really sharp.

I'm just a "detail" person, if the small things weren't taken care of, how can I be assured the engine/tranny---IMPORTANT stuff was taken care of? I drove her around today... I guess it drove well... I've never owned a FJ. Feels solid.

OK thanks for allowing me to vent. Nothing a good cold can't cure!!!

Cheers

Raf

 

[Southbound]

This was an ebay purchase, wasn't it? I would bring up your issues to the seller and see if you guys can come to any agreement. You are entitled to what was advertised and the dent, in particular, should have been.
Otherwise, it sounds like a lot of the "issues" you're noticing are just the remains of aftermarket modifications. The good news with the alarm is that if it was wired correctly initially, modern alarms use basically the same wiring and so you could probably get a new alarm installed pretty easily and cheaply. I wouldn't have expected the seller to even notice something like that, let alone tell you about it.
I've got one of the hood lock deals and it's great. You could probably order replacement parts and get that operational too. The door light thing might be an additional point to bring up with the seller, but I doubt the fix is hard. It's most likely a worn contact in the light assembly or a relay or fuse. All would be super easy to fix.
If it runs well and looks as good in person (except for the hood dent) as it does in the photos you posted I still think it's an excellent Cruiser.

 

[Theecomer]

Well, first of all congratulations. And welcome to thee club!

Obviously, it's pretty difficult buying a vehicle from afar. You don't get to critique quality and assess condition for yourself. Your kinda at someone elses interpretation of "excellent" or whatever. However, I guess in the end if your still happy about it, that's what counts the most. Remember the cruiser is 16 years old afterall, so it's bound to have some cosmetic blemishes.

You didn't say anything about the mechanics of the vehicle. If they're all sound and the cruiser runs strong, I would be pleased as many memebers of this board would probably agree that a strong running, mechanically sound vehilcle is more desirable than a clean, like-new condition jalopy. I have (and love, an 84 FJ60) and one of the funnest aspects of owning it is perpertually looking for ways to make it better (or in my case, renewed stock). Being in the right place at the right time and finding something you've been looking for awhile yields many rewards. Of course, some people don't necessarily want to work on these things, but I think many of us who own them consider them classics, like old Mustangs, and are always trying to make them more special than the day before.

Most of the things you mention, I feel are pretty minor and could be sorted out rather easily with a little bit of tinkering. This is a great resource, just dig in! I wouldn't get too bummed out. An FJ is a unique vehilcle and the more you own it and drive it, the more you'll love it. Plus, I love that I can drive around my city all day long and not see another FJ on the road. And just wait, you'll start getting offers to sell or glowing comments and people pointing at your Landcruiser. If you own an FJ, you're a King!

Start checking eBay or Crusierparts or whatever else anyone on here recommends to get those pesky items fixed. Do it a little bit at a time and have fun doing it. Besides, you're gonna have this for a while, right?

 

[PortFJ62]

I know the feeling. I bought mine from an ebay seller as well . I had stars in my eyes. I was ready to fly several states the first day I saw one on ebay I liked. I ended up buying my 62 for 7500. Looked beautiful but because my head was in the clouds I didnt go through the right steps in checking it out mech, price compare, etc etc. I spent the better part of the next 2 years spending over 7000 getting it in good running condition. I almost got rid of it. Now I love it, but I learned a big lesson.

 

[Texx]

There's a word for folks who buy ebay trucks unseen: Victim
None of your problems sound like too big of a deal. Forget contacting the seller, you'll likely get no satisfaction there. You chose it, You chose not to look at it, YOu chose to send the money sight unseen, You need to man up and take your medicine. It absolutely slays me how people send their money off only to end up with a knee jerk reaction over some perceived slight...ever hear of Barnum and Bailey? Get a factory service manual, and electrical tester, and maybe a paintless dent guy?? You'll be okay, it could be worse. Guy in south texas bought one I saw that had to have frame work to even put it up on a lift! That, and the green paint had more texture than a football field...paid over 10k!

 

[BILWFURIOSIL]

Hey FJ62, first congrats on the toy.

Second, before you do anything else, remove that alarm completely. I had the same situation on a 62 that I just bought, a lot of annoying little electrical glitches. Once the alarm was removed, all glitches were removed too. The way I did it was one wire at a time to find out its effect. You should have it connected to the ign, door locks and lighting, maybe the horn too.

On mine, the door locks worked inter., the battery had a drain when all was off, and I had 2 blown fuses. Good luck with your new toy, you will love her trust me once you get over these minor dissappointments.

Bill

 

[89s rule]

Srry for the little things being wrong. I would be mad too if I spent that much for somethign not perfect.

But it is this way on anything that you are not there to look it over. (Once I drove from SC to AR to get a truck and didnt buy it! Drover over 20 hrs withing 24hrs.)

Always, always get someone else to look it over at a minimum. Always ak around here if someone is local. Or if you have family or friends in the area, who know cars.
And you can never ever ask too many questions. If someone gets flustered with all of your questions, you do not want to buy from them. (This is something that I still do not understand.)

 

[zcruiser]

Raf, I know you'll love your FJ once you get the little kinks out. Part of it is getting to know your rig and building a relationship with it, so once you get things worked out you'll be proud of yourself and your new TOY. Doesn't sound to me like you think you made a wrong choice, just need to know how to move forward. It looks good, drives good, nothing major wrong just gotta work through your list.

Yeah, get a FSM, read it through, use it to fix a few of your problems while continuing to ask advice here, you'll learn a lot! I would def suggest replacing all fluids so you know what you've got.

BTW, the rocker switch to the left of the antenna up/down is the rear window defog, is that you one you mean? Or is it to the right, unlabeled somehow?

When you say the window child lock button is missing, is there a hole in the door panel where it should be and no switch? Should be able to get a replacement from someone parting out, check the 'for sale' section.

I also drove 4 hrs one way to look at a cruiser with "no rust" and... whaddya know? RUST! What's up with these people?

Good luck with the cruiser, we're here for ya, buddy!

 

[zcruiser]

Forget my rocker switch suggestion, here's the pic:

Have no idea what this would be, def a PO custom install of some kind. Trace the wires if you can.

Oh yeah, and cruise controls are highly overrated. I've got one that works but never use it. Rip it out....

 

[srplus]

don't buy 'just take your licks!'

fj62_rAf:

it is time for you to be proactive. did you post feedback on this guy yet? his feedback rating when you purchased the vehicle was 100% so you had the right to expect not only complete disclosure but also the remedy for lack of it. don't just sit on you butt and whine or listen to anyone who says you got what you deserved.

first off: you have the seller’s phone # and email. as much as you paid for this vehicle there should be some accommodations made (cash returned to you) for repairs. the hood should have been mentioned. unless the several electrical problems were mentioned then they should be paid for by the seller also as well as the fuel door latch and the cruise control. as i remember the ad he said everything was in good working order. i would have to assume that that meant when he was selling it... not when it was a new car on the dealer’s lot.

you REALLY should have had someone take a look at it; but, you didn't. that does not mean that you are wrong to want what was advertised. feedback is very important to legitimate EBay dealers and you can hold this over his head until he 'does the right thing'. i believe you have a good case - from his ad: "This FJ62 is in absolute BEAUTIFUL CONDITION. Always garaged, second owner, vehicle comes with complete and detailed dealer service records. Registered in California thru'06. Passed California Smog/Emission inspection in January '06. The smog technician told me that this vehicle passed at close to 100% on all measured test results, that this truck is operating in the like new range. Everything works and is in excellent condition. The Landcruiser has 4 Brand New GoodYear Wrangler AT Tires on 17 inch Hummer H2 Rims ($2500). Flowmaster exhaust w/ oval stainless tailpipe. No expense was spared. The interior is in beautiful condition. The Paint and Body are in perfect condition, not a spot of rust anywhere! Ever! Always garaged and covered out of the elements/weather. The engine bay and undercarriage are as clean as the rest of the truck. Other websites like (TLC4x4.com) are selling earlier FJ62's for over $20,000! with more miles! This is the nicest Cruiser in Southern Cal." see url: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990...oryZ6443QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

you should first mention to him that you have not put in your feedback about the transaction... and see what his response to that is... then, if he does not offer to make it right you should talk to him about posting negative feedback. right now he has 100% positive feedback - so he WILL mind if he is going to get a negative response. i would phone him but ALWAYS document the phone call with an email to him with a carbon to someone who might look to him like an attorney or better yet actually be one.

DO NOT TAKE THIS LAYING DOWN. DO SOMETHING AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED. THE REASON HE COULD NOT SELL IT LOCALLY (as he threatened in his EBay ad) is because of the things that you found on your inspection on delivery... most certainly you should have noted all of them that you saw on the freight receipt. might even be that the delivery guy dented the hood.

let us know how you make out.

 

[srplus]

don't buy 'just take your licks!'

just do it!

he was the one that claimed it was the nicest cruiser in southern Cal.

was he referring to the car’s demeanor?

 

[agent orange]

The only things that seem like a big deal are the dent on the hood and the windows, the other crap seems like an afternoon of tidying up wires. Can you not just move the child switch button with a screwdriver or something? My cruise control is inoperable right now, and to be honest i dont care, its only good on flat ground anyways. I would call the seller, tell him about the issues and i bet you could work something out. I mean, its not like he didnt just get a big influx of cash. Tell him you need 500-600 to fix the dent and quote something decent for "your mechanic" to fix the windows/cruise/alarm s***, and then do all the work yourself for 50 bucks and be happy with your clean ass 62.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Well you get a "congrats!" and "that sucks!" at the same time.

If it makes ya feel any better, the window locks thing is common, and can be remedied temporarily with a ball of foil jammed into the slot where the switch used to be.

Kinda but it works.