Seems like a fair deal. Yes an '07 is worth it. IMO there aren't any issues with them. Make sure all maintenance has been performed through records. Has oil been changed every 5k? Is there any frame rust? Is it 4WD? Does it have a trac and diff locker?

 

Thanks for replying. No body rust. It’s a real CA car. Family owned. The only time the took it in the dirt the diff broke. It’s production date is 2/6/16
So I’m worried about the diff breaking all the time. I’ll also need to do the diff/atrac hack. Is that easy enough ?

 

I'm an early 2006 build and have been on 35's with stock gears for the past 10 years. No issues at all, but you have to understand what a locker is, and how it works, or you can easily break most any diff.

The hack is very easy, following the tutorials here on this forum.

 

Probably worth it. I have a 2007 with 170K miles, never had a problem with the diff, a-track or locker. Runs great. I'd think that if there was a rear diff problem, it would have happened long ago.

 

I have a 2007 with 210k miles. Love it. About to lift it a little. Had it for about 4 years. No issues except the front struts are leaking now and the coils have become shorter. Expected - All stock and 210k miles.

 

I bought my 07 in Aug 06. I have 170,000 miles on it and I offroad it all the time. Have never had any problems with it except for so maintenance parts replacement. Also the 2007 is the only FJ year that doesn`t have TPMS sensors in the wheels. Starting 2008 all vehicles have TPMS sensors that need to be replaced every so often.

 

Hmm that's weird. Everyone on the forum always says how many pesky problems our '07's have.

Or maybe those threads that are 15 years old keep getting parroted.

Wouldn't trade my '07 for anything.

 

The only problems with an '07 I'm aware of are:
1) differential gear heat treating mistake, but looks like those all failed very quickly and were replaced under warranty (C/M from 2/'07)
2) inner fender cracks, but those were merely cosmetic and not all got them (C/M from 4/'08)
3) seatbelt mount crack, recall issued 5/'13, addressing all '07~'13 (a plate is riveted over the area in the access door where the front driver's seatbelt retractor is mounted).

Benefits of an '07:
no TPMS

Disadvantages of an '07 (minor stuff):
no side visors
hack required for pre 11/'06 to get ATRAC working with Rr Diff Lock
key fob is separate (it was incorporated into the key from '08MY)

From '09 the headrest angled forward in a way that makes my neck and shoulders hurt. But, the front map lamp was added, and the "VSC Off" Switch was added.
From '10 the new engine came along (more hp, less torque). Rear Diff diameter was increased from 8" to 8.2", though, most find the 8" is fine on the earlier vehicles unless serious rock crawling or running very large wheels/tires.

 

2007 with 158k miles and never a problem with the diff or fender bulge. I also wouldn't sell it for that price so if it is a true cali car with no rust issues that has been maintained well it sounds like a good deal

 

Worth every penny.

The diff breaking - dead horse.
If the build date is early enough - no chip in the key. Means a replacement is $2.99 at the hardware store.

'07 - '14 .....all look the same.
'07 - '09 - supercharger is available

Don't get gun shy....buy it IMO.

 

Bought a 2007 with 240k for 12.5k. Ran carfax and service records were great. I was surprised how well it drove and that didn’t seem to any serious ware items. Found several 2007-8 with half the miles but double the price. that means I could spend $10k on engine or transmission if it were needed. If it’s been well maintained I wouldn’t hesitate.

 

I have a 2007 Black Diamond with 180k and would not sell mine for that. Good deal. I have made up my mind that if anything happens to it - I will bite the bullet and replace anything needed to keep it on the road. Recently had two friends purchase a Gladiator and a new Bronco. I would rather have my reliable, capable and paid off '07 FJC than those two options. Good luck with your decision.

 

I bought my '07 18months ago, and it had 199K. Now 215K. A little frame rust but not bad. I didn't know about the diff lock/ a-track thing, so I need more info. Haven't locked the diff since I got it. New Mexico has a lot of good reasons to own an FJ, and I've been so pleased with it from day one. Only thing I'm considering is a trans oil cooler (which I bought but haven't installed yet) because it came with a small trailer, and this forum had a good thread on towing and trans oil cooling.

 

Just throwing this out there. For any of you 07 owners that want the side sun visors I bought them at Toyota for about $40 and they bolt right up. No modifying needed. I bought them back in 08 or 09 and they are great

 

Still trying to figure out what the hell the side visors are for.. Been driving my 2013 FJ for almost 9 years in SUNNY California and have never needed or used them once.

 

My 2007 with 188k runs like a new baby everyday!

 

New babies cant even crawl!

 

My 07 runs and drives like a new vehicle. These things are tanks. If they are properly maintained and not abused they are great rigs. Get a mechanic to check it out to be sure.
The biggest downfall of the early production FJs is that prior to the 07 TRD model you could not use diff lock and ATrac at the same time. Just my 2 cents🙂

 

"I slept like a baby last night. A hungry, angry baby."

 

Purchased my 07 in October of 06. 178,000 miles and not a minute of trouble! Regular maintenance is the key IMO. Never selling mine and if I did she wouldn't leave my driveway for that price! Dive in head 1st friend and drive her home!

 

If I were you, I'd immediately give a $500 refundable deposit to the seller then research the heck out of your particular rig. Make sure the VIN is on your receipt.

Make sure and first spend the piddling sum on a CARFAX report. I don't remember how much it cost but it wasn't more than $30 or $40. I even got on after I bought my '12 FJ. Take it to a mechanic that's familiar with FJs. Personally, I would not consider the dealer mechanics. They'll pick the sh*t out of your vehicle hoping they get the job. Hopefully, you'll find a mechanic that will allow you to crawl around the FJ with him. You can learn a bunch. EXPECT the mechanic to find some issues. The rig is 15 years old. $12K seems like a super good price to me.

BUT, there is always a BIG BUT, know ahead of time that once you have an FJ, you will never ever again want to not have one. You'll be sucked in FOR LIFE. There aren't many vehicles that have a soul but the FJ is one of them.

 

I bought my 2007 with 75k , never off road , lift kit, zero rust, for $17,000 , but this was an exception for sure. I just hit 100k and have had to use 4 wheel drive often , snow past coupe years and a 4500 mile road trip to the southwest on & off road, zero to isues with attached/diff lock. Have seen 2007 that were beat down selling for 20k.

 

I have a 2007 that I Bought in Aug of 07. It has 162,000 on it. It's a 6 Speed Manual, AWD, and manual 4Wheel Drive with Locking Diff. I put new struts on it at 100K but other than that have not had any problems off or on road. I have never put it under real heavy stress off road. It got hit in the right rear quarter (on the axle) I drove it home and to the body shop and ended up having $9000 worth of repairs. Its perfect and wheel alignment/tire wear for the 80,000 miles since has been perfect..... I might take $13K.... then again I might be buried in it.. 😉😉😎😎

 

This video probably sums it up well:

As an '07 owner with 166k miles I've went through a couple of the troubles described in the video (wheel bearings and idler pulleys). Nothing major though, the powertrain is generally very solid minus a couple of little things here and there as mentioned in the video. If you want it to feel like a new truck, you can probably rebuild the suspension with new control arms and it'll likely feel good as new for another 200k miles.

 

Buy it and don't look back. Bought my 07 in 2010 and have enjoyed the heck out of it. I have ,low milage, 124K and added a supercharger at 108K. You can't go wrong. The one thing I have to say, is if this is a self maintained rig the owner should have the documentation of all his oil changes/trans fluid changes etc. THEY are just good off-road and very reliable. My 2 cents.

 

I have 16 years worth of maintenance records of everything I`ve done to it