Looking at a 2007 FJ Cruiser with 180K.....

Saw a nice looking FJ Cruiser for sale in a yard while driving home. I stopped and looked at it, didn't drive it or see under the hood. Body looks solid, doubtful any panels have been replaced. Underneath is dry, no seepage I could see or oily trans or engine pan. The sign in the window said 180, 265 miles, well kept. What I could see through the windows was a nice interior with no tears or worn seats, panel was intact, no cracked dash. 5-speed auto w/4WD lever next to shifter. Needs new tires, wheels have some finish issues but in pretty good shape overall. No frame rust I could see, underside was pretty clean.

They're asking $16K or best offer. I see this as basically a short wheelbase Tacoma (I own a DCSB 2011 SR5 Tacoma). Is $16K anywhere in the ballpark for a fair price, given the miles? My 2011 Taco only has 128K, and I paid $24K 5 years ago for it (with 62K at the time). Of course, this is just a cursory look-see, I can't decide if I want to go back and drive it and get more serious about checking it out. I'm thinking to keep it around as an additional vehicle, maybe give it to my daughter and her husband if their '06 Sienna takes a permanent crap (407K on that thing). I like the idea of an older vehicle over a newer one with useless bells and whistles (expensive to replace electronic whizbang shit). Gas mileage is less than ideal, but I've lived with 15-17 mpg with my Taco, and figure they can make it okay with that. It would give them a pretty tough and serviceable vehicle for quite a few years if taken care of, which is how we got over 400K on a Sienna.

What do y'all think? I'd buy it for $12K, but in these times doubtful the sellers would meet me there.

 

They went way up in value, and I don't see them coming down any time soon. You will get more for your money buying a used Land Cruiser, GX470, 4runner or Tacoma. Have you seen how small the back seats are in an FJ?

Unless you absolutely have to have an FJ, I'd pass.

 

I was thinking maybe a Tacoma would be more practical. I love mine. I once owned an FJ40 (see my avatar) and although from what I read about the FJ Cruiser's offroad ability, there's no way it could hold a candle to the FJ40.

Thanks for the response.

 

Just wondering if you bought that FJ?

We have a 2008 (bought new) with 328K, my wife loves it.

 

I just picked up an 07 with 173K for 14K. Already had a lift, tires, and skid plates. It was a well taken care of truck.

 

No, it was gone two days later, but I wasn't really in the market.

 

I’ve had two of them. I really like them but they are goofy impractical trucks. You can get a very nice V8 fourth generation 4runner for about the same cash.