[vitonol]

Hello all,
this is my first post in this forum, but I already read quite a few posts, and love amazing community!
Just wanted to share my excitement, and maybe ask for an advice.
Getting the car delivered in 5 days.
it's 2013 FJ cruiser with 55k miles.
I'm am gonna have 7 days to decide if I am gonna keep the vehicle or not. Besides looking underneath the body for rust and hinges on a back door, I don't really know what else to check.
I am thinking to take it to the mechanic and ask them to inspect it well and lift it and show me / walk me through. But most of my experience with mechanics was bad.
Maybe someone would suggest anything specific I can ask mechanic to determine car's condition.

I appreciate any ideas, or even links to other posts.
Cheers 🥂

 

[norm356]

Here is a great thread to guide you through each step of the way:

jimmy-buffett's Complete Guide to Buying or Selling...

* 2021 Updates * As we've all seen, the FJ market since I wrote this post 4 years ago has gone bonkers. I am consulting on sales/purchases via PM's, in threads etc multiple times a week. The TFL Truck guys on Youtube also asked me to evaluate their purchase, which provides much of the info...

www.fjcruiserforums.com

Welcome to the club!

 

[Uncharted]

Hi vitonol, welcome from Ohio!

I would take it your local Toyota dealership for a Pre-Purchase Inspection. The dealership is likely to be the most familar with FJs and what needs to be serviced. Remember you don't have to have them service any of items they identify, any trustworthy shop can do that. The PPI is one of the times I would go to a dealership first.

Good luck and post some pics!

 

[vitonol]

Here is a great thread to guide you through each step of the way:

jimmy-buffett's Complete Guide to Buying or Selling...

* 2021 Updates * As we've all seen, the FJ market since I wrote this post 4 years ago has gone bonkers. I am consulting on sales/purchases via PM's, in threads etc multiple times a week. The TFL Truck guys on Youtube also asked me to evaluate their purchase, which provides much of the info...

www.fjcruiserforums.com

Welcome to the club!

Oh thanks, that was a great read!

 

[vitonol]

Hi vitonol, welcome from Ohio!

I would take it your local Toyota dealership for a Pre-Purchase Inspection. The dealership is likely to be the most familar with FJs and what needs to be serviced. Remember you don't have to have them service any of items they identify, any trustworthy shop can do that. The PPI is one of the times I would go to a dealership first.

Good luck and post some pics!

Thought of doing it, probably the best advice.
It's more like a post purchase inspection, haha but as I said, with carvana I'll have 7 days to change my mind for whatever reason.
Oh, and looks like my truck is being shipped from Ohio 😁

 

[FLASHOVER]

Hello Vitonol, welcome to the FJ family. I understand you have 7 days to change your mind. Keep in mind that FJ Cruisers are hard to find, at least in Miami, Florida. I'm an original owner of a 2008 FJ Cruiser and I can't tell you how many times I've had letters and phone calls from dealers offering to buy my FJ. I recently received a phone call from a coworker offering to buy my FJ because he has been having a hard time finding one at an affordable price; of course I turned down all the offers.

I purchased my FJ in 2008 and about two years later I was getting offers. I realized then I have a gem so I decided to keep my FJ for life. I purchased it for $27,000 at the time and I have done some upgrades to it and I've been told I can sell it for more than my purchase. As for compliments, I've received more than my offers. They are great vehicles that hold their value and are worth keeping. The pic below is my toy and I hope it inspires you to keep your FJ.

 

[NVDojo]

Welcome from Vancouver, Canada!

 

[Uncharted]

MONEY DOESN'T BUY HAPPINESS, BUT IT DOES BUY AN FJ.
AND I AIN'T EVER SEEN A SAD PERSON IN A FJ.

and that's the truth 😊

 

[vitonol]

Hello Vitonol, welcome to the FJ family. I understand you have 7 days to change your mind. Keep in mind that FJ Cruisers are hard to find, at least in Miami, Florida. I'm an original owner of a 2008 FJ Cruiser and I can't tell you how many times I've had letters and phone calls from dealers offering to buy my FJ. I recently received a phone call from a coworker offering to buy my FJ because he has been having a hard time finding one at an affordable price; of course I turned down all the offers.

I purchased my FJ in 2008 and about two years later I was getting offers. I realized then I have a gem so I decided to keep my FJ for life. I purchased it for $27,000 at the time and I have done some upgrades to it and I've been told I can sell it for more than my purchase. As for compliments, I've received more than my offers. They are great vehicles that hold their value and are worth keeping. The pic below is my toy and I hope it inspires you to keep your FJ.

View attachment 1174733

Awww,
Thank you for words of encouragement! I appreciate it.
And omg your tank looks incredible! Love the light bar on top!
Yeah, the only reason I would change my mind if there is some serious rust or crazy expensive repair down the road. Just made an appointment with local Toyota service for "pre purchase inspection". 🤞

The only doubt I have is a gas..
Although I am currently driving 3.5 V6 (Honda Crosstour) and mpg rarely hits 20 (I don't bother to make calculations anymore). So it's not great on gas already, yet I am getting a car that's even worse when it comes to ⛽ :/
But, if consider resale value and subtract gas cost over years owned, perhaps FJ wins.

I am really excited and probably will keep the car, the thing is my daily commute to work is 20 miles one way.. gosh I need a new job 😭

 

[norm356]

"my daily commute to work is 20 miles one way" - sounds like you need an aux tank as one of your first mods

It won't save you any money, but at least you'll be able to pass a gas station once in a while (the stock tank is TINY).

 

[Kaiju]

Hello Vitonol, welcome to the FJ family. I understand you have 7 days to change your mind. Keep in mind that FJ Cruisers are hard to find, at least in Miami, Florida. I'm an original owner of a 2008 FJ Cruiser and I can't tell you how many times I've had letters and phone calls from dealers offering to buy my FJ. I recently received a phone call from a coworker offering to buy my FJ because he has been having a hard time finding one at an affordable price; of course I turned down all the offers.

I purchased my FJ in 2008 and about two years later I was getting offers. I realized then I have a gem so I decided to keep my FJ for life. I purchased it for $27,000 at the time and I have done some upgrades to it and I've been told I can sell it for more than my purchase. As for compliments, I've received more than my offers. They are great vehicles that hold their value and are worth keeping. The pic below is my toy and I hope it inspires you to keep your FJ.

View attachment 1174733

What's the front of the hood and grill painted with? That looks very good. It looks like the top is painted the same way.

 

[FLASHOVER]

What's the front of the hood and grill painted with? That looks very good. It looks like the top is painted the same way.

Sorry for my delay response. It's wrapped, no paint.

What's the front of the hood and grill painted with? That looks very good. It looks like the top is painted the same way.

Sorry for my delay response. It's not painted, it's wrapped. The good thing about wrapping is that it protects your original paint and you can remove it, if you wish. It's a little expensive but cheaper than a good quality paint job. It depends what you like.

 

[vitonol]

Sorry for my delay response. It's wrapped, no paint.


Sorry for my delay response. It's not painted, it's wrapped. The good thing about wrapping is that it protects your original paint and you can remove it, if you wish. It's a little expensive but cheaper than a good quality paint job. It depends what you like.

Do you have to change color on the registration, if the whole car is wrapped and it's a different color?

 

[FLASHOVER]

Do you have to change color on the registration, if the whole car is wrapped and it's a different color?

That depends on your local authorities. In Miami, FL. we are not required to make a change unless the car is painted. Wrapping can be easily removed so no need to make changes to the vehicle's registration.

 

[vitonol]

Ok, she is here and she is b e a u t i f u l ! ! !
(Mine is iceberg white, quicksand one is my neighbor's )

 

[FJQueue]

Congrats! So.....have you decided to keep it yet?

 

[vitonol]

Congrats! So.....have you decided to keep it yet?

Hell yeah I am keeping it! 😎
Took it to Toyota service.. the only thing they told me - compass needed calibration 😅

 

[FJQueue]

Hell yeah I am keeping it! 😎
Took it to Toyota service.. the only thing they told me - compass needed calibration 😅

Great decision & congratulations again!!!

 

[Uncharted]

Hell yeah I am keeping it! 😎
Took it to Toyota service.. the only thing they told me - compass needed calibration 😅

That's great news! Have a lot of fun with your FJ 😁

 

[vitonol]

Parked behind this white fella to get some coffee, it's always nice to see your twin haha