[Healthy Scratch]

I'm looking for a used FJ, and would appreciate any tips anyone can provide regarding common problems to look for, etc. Mostly just window shopping on Craigslist right now.

Are there any year models to avoid?

I've got my eye on two right now:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5342035494.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/5346497921.html

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Sanderhawk]

Crawl under it and check for dents, gouges, scratches and heavy offroad use. I know plenty of people that offroad the hell out of these things then put them back to stock and sell them as mall crawlers.

 

[KS13TT]

Generally, you will see improvements as they become newer. The engine changed in 2010 as did a few other things. Crawl, etc. got added in 2013. Very early ones (2007) had some fender bulge issues. All years, however, are good. There are no "dogs" out there or huge issues to be concerned about.

I think you should decide what you want to do with it and what is important. The 2012 that you are looking at appears to be an unmolested Trail Teams. It is a limited edition, so to speak, and has some off-road options that are not on the 2010 that you are looking at. I am talking specifically about rock rails vs. steps that are bolted to the body (on the 2010). The 2010 is not limited, has some mods that look cool but will not help, or even hurt off-road. It is two years older, with the same amount of miles and about the same price.

Either are nice, but pick out what you want for features. Me, I would get the RR TT..... the 2012.

 

[chriskrossapplesauce]

Welcome to the forum!

They are both real good rigs. 2010+ had the least problems (there were hardly any on earlier models though) so you'll be good with either rig. The white one has crappy running boards that won't work very good if you go off-roading. Other than that, inspect the hell out of em. It's Toyota so you know it'll last forever, but make sure the previous owner maintained it well.

 

[Slowhite]

Jump on that 2012 TT if it looks good. That's a scream'n deal - most that I have seen are closer to or over 30K! :rocker:

 

[Voight Kampff]

Buy the red one if it is clean.

As has been mentioned, crawl underneath it - that's where the real story lies.

 

[Healthy Scratch]

Thanks for the pointers guys. I'm leaning towards the 2012 as it seems like a better deal on paper, but haven't looked at either of them yet. I'll mostly just use it as a daily driver, hauling the kid around, etc, but may get the itch to take it off road a little once I have it.

 

[FatJohnson]

Oh you'll get the itch alright, so give it a healthy scratch!


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[iwashmycar]

x5 on the Red TT. Looks quite nice if you can live with the Radiant Red...the interior is pretty darned red too, lol

The white one does have some mods...wheels, tires, vinyl, ladder...probably a little leveling kit up front. The Red one is a nicer price on a rare bird.

 

[sigtrovert]

Rather than crawl under it, might be much better to put on lift and use a good light, so you can see underside condition! Obviously, only do that if you want the car and just want to be sure of condition. BOTH CarFax and AutoChek, as one will pick up things other service doesn't. Use candidates
VIN to check service history at dealer and separate data base to check on warranty work, recall remedies, etc. These steps ONLY if you want a specific truck and agree on price, just verifying condition.

If it isn't time to be serious about finding and buying a truck, please be considerate and not waste people's time..you wouldn't like it happening to you!

 

[gmurrell]

I have a bias but I say go with the '12 red TT. When I was looking at mine, I remember crawling under it and seeing some rust (which I still have yet to address) and wondering if it would be a problem. I have a family friend who is a toyota mechanic and he checked it out for me and said it was fine. GLWP

 

[Healthy Scratch]

Thanks for the input guys. I drove the 2012TT tonight and plan to purchase it Saturday pending an inspection at the dealer. The only things I could find wrong were one small paint chip, and she's only put it in 4wd one time. She wouldn't come off the price at all, but it's already the lowest priced 2012TT I could find anywhere in the country with similar mileage.

 

[FJ Cruiser Matt]

Good luck! I hope it works out.


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[sasha2086]

Go with the 2012 TT, IMO!! Price is certainly right....I just locked up a 2011 TT one owner, clean car fax, all maintenance records, super clean, 109,xxx miles, with all the options I wanted except the hitch...1.5 month search and 4 days of back and forth (not too bad I guess)....price was right and numbers ($20,500) and trade in worked within my budget....search / process was certainly frustrating at times...but with the help of this forum, I was able to know what to expect, what features I really wanted and which could be added, what to look for and how much to pay (although most dealer prices are not really negotiable if priced right but private ones certainly will be)...I found more and more dealers not playing negotiation games...just pricing fairly and moving them...I even tried to get a hitch added to mine to close the deal to no avail...bought it anyway at their cost and had them install it rather than throw it in to the financing and raise the payment...they ARE throwing in a brand new receiver (so, I'll take it)....GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Healthy Scratch]

I spoke too soon! The seller contacted me this morning and decided she couldn't bear to part with it. The search continues I guess.

 

[Healthy Scratch]

Well I pulled the trigger today. Found a good looking 2013 TT.

Used 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Base For Sale | Myrtle Beach SC | VIN: JTEBU4BF8DK168917

 

[WebSnyper]

Well I pulled the trigger today. Found a good looking 2013 TT.

Used 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Base For Sale | Myrtle Beach SC | VIN: JTEBU4BF8DK168917

The ad is gone, so post up some pics. The Cement TT is one of my favorite colors.

I spoke too soon! The seller contacted me this morning and decided she couldn't bear to part with it. The search continues I guess.

Strange that the 2012 TT is still posted on Craig's List.

 

[Healthy Scratch]

The ad is gone, so post up some pics. The Cement TT is one of my favorite colors.



Strange that the 2012 TT is still posted on Craig's List.

I agree. We had a handshake deal for the price she was asking. Not sure why the ad is still up.

How do I post a picture on here?

 

[Healthy Scratch]

Here's a pic...