Need help...FJ80

[brittan]

Last night I found a white 97 Land Cruiser that has 42K miles on it. I talked it over with my wife and she said we could go look at it. Early this morning we pack up the fam to go look. It was a trade-in at Superstition Toy by an older couple who upgraded to a Lexis. Its a one owner and...well...you had me at 97 and 42K miles. So I run off to get a check at the bank. While I am away the guy at the lot went to get the emissions done. While on the drive to the get the emissions done the car is side swiped by a lady on a cell phone. The damage is not excessive, all on the drivers side. The front bumper has bad scratches, the front passenger rim has a small chunk out of it, there is a little body damage in the rear quarter panel, the running board is done, the side of the car will need to be repainted, and the fender flares are gone. I don't know if the guy ran it into a curb to avoid the collusion but the front passenger tire side wall was ripped.
The dealer suggests the following: When he gets the check from the adjuster he will drop the sales price of the Cruiser by the amount of the adjusters check.

I think I will come out on top of this deal for the following reasons:
I can get the work done for less than the adjuster will estimate.
I can use the rim as the spare and live with the damage.
I can get other cosmetic problems solved at no cost-small dings on driver door
Cost of new Slee or ARB bumper will be offset by the cost of Toy bumper

My questions are:
Are my presumptions real or is it just wishful thinking?
Does anyone know a good body shop in the east valley of metro PHX?
Where are the good used replacement parts...specifically the running boards?
Am I missing a major aspect of this dilemma that I can't see?

Sorry this is so long...but thanks for any feedback you might offer.

[Scott Brady]

The engine and drivetrain still has 40K on it. I would do that deal in a heartbeat! You could end up with one hell of a bargain IMO

[Desertdude]

Plus all the worry is over about the first scraches or body damage - if the frame is un touched you are golden :) And the color is so right :sunny:

[brittan]

Thanks guys...I am with you. I am hoping the adjuster comes back with a 6-7K check. I think I can get the work done that I need, put new tires on it, and bumpers on both ends. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[BajaTaco]

Whoa! NICE! I missed this thread, so am a little late here. I agree with the other guys - as long as the frame is cool and the price is right, I would probably go for it too.

[brittan]

Thanks for the feedback Chris. I plan on getting some pix later today...then everyone can see for themselves.

[brittan]

I posted some images on the first post...It doesn't look that bad.

[flyingwil]

I posted some images on the first post...It doesn't look that bad.


I agree... Pics don't look too bad! I am sure the frame will be fine, and now you have an excuse to upgrade the tires and so on. The front damage seems minimal, and I would only replace the rear damage. I say go for it. SS Toyota is a pretty good dealership, in fact that's the one I use. Just my 2 cents.

Wil

[BajaTaco]

No sweat! Much better than I imagined.

So... who's car is this really going to be anyway? :)

[Life_in_4Lo]

It looks horrible! Hopeless! They should pay you to take it off their hands!

hehe, at least that's what you tell the dealer ;)

looks sweet man!

[MaddBaggins]

Use that as a bargaining tool, thats nothing to a 42k miles cruiser.
Mine looks worse after wheeling with Scott :hehe:

[datrupr]

Do it! it is all cosmetic and you can't beat the mileage. Plus, you can get some new tires and you have a reason to remove the running boards.

[brittan]

No sweat! Much better than I imagined.

So... who's car is this really going to be anyway? :)

Darcy is asking that question right now. This has become an issue. I know the FJ80 is a better platform with more aftermarket options then my Tacoma…but I love the Tacoma and just built it up. I don’t know if I can keep my hands off the 80.

[BajaTaco]

Darcy is asking that question right now. This has become an issue. I know the FJ80 is a better platform with more aftermarket options then my Tacoma…but I love the Tacoma and just built it up. I don’t know if I can keep my hands off the 80.

AHA! I knew it. :) I was imagining the same thing. In all honesty, I can't see that being an ideal vehicle for Darcy due to the poor fuel economy. Now if you were to get it to build as a trail/expedition type vehicle, and she would drive it when you aren't, then it makes more sense. But in those cases, will she be comfortable driving the Tacoma? Sorry, just playing devil's advocate here.

[brittan]

AHA! I knew it. :) I was imagining the same thing. In all honesty, I can't see that being an ideal vehicle for Darcy due to the poor fuel economy. Now if you were to get it to build as a trail/expedition type vehicle, and she would drive it when you aren't, then it makes more sense. But in those cases, will she be comfortable driving the Tacoma? Sorry, just playing devil's advocate here.

Darcy burns through a tank every two weeks. Porter doesn't need to be run anywhere so I think it would be a great solution for her. To boot there is that much more metal around her if she wants to tangle with another car.
I won't be able to keep my hands off it though and at some point Darcy won't want to drive it any more. If she'd drive the Taco than all would be well. I'll have to ask her.

[Dirk]

Buy it! That rear flare is very easy to fix. In addition, the front bumper damage gives you an excuse to buy an ARB, Slee, or TJM.

[brittan]

She is in my car hole (that's a Simpsons reference)
The insurance adjuster came back with a low offer. The dealer gave up a little and I drove off with it. In the end I got it for $16K and change. I have an estimate to do the body work for less than $1000. I am happy with the deal.
I have called Slee for a set of OME medium springs, shocks and a transfer case skid plate. She also needs to have the front axle worked on, that's in the works too.
The plan is to let my wife drive it for the next couple of years, or until I can't stand it anymore, and then turn it into my trail rig.
I still have a very capable Taco that I don't want to give up...so this is a good compromise.
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.

[flyingwil]

She is in my car hole (that's a Simpsons reference)
The insurance adjuster came back with a low offer. The dealer gave up a little and I drove off with it. In the end I got it for $16K and change. I have an estimate to do the body work for less than $1000. I am happy with the deal.
I have called Slee for a set of OME medium springs, shocks and a transfer case skid plate. She also needs to have the front axle worked on, that's in the works too.
The plan is to let my wife drive it for the next couple of years, or until I can't stand it anymore, and then turn it into my trail rig.
I still have a very capable Taco that I don't want to give up...so this is a good compromise.
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.


:clapsmile congrats on the new ride! It'll be fun watch this Cruiser evolve. I run into the same problem with my wife, but she likes my Taco, and I hate the Lexus.... Hmmm, how many people have you heard say that? Wait let me reiterate, I HATE THE LEXUS. Too bad that puppy's a Toyota in disguise and will never die! Keep us posted with your progress on both your rigs, we look forward to it! Hey also if you ever have the urge to go on a quick run, let me know since you live close by.

WIL

[Desertdude]

Congradulations on your purchase :clapsmile

In three months or less - you'll be slowly wheeling that ride in deeper and deeper :coffee:

How did that old commercial go? " Once you get your hands on a Toyota, you'll never let go" :elkgrin:


The plan is to let my wife drive it for the next couple of years, or until I can't stand it anymore, and then turn it into my trail rig. :

[brittan]

Thanks guys...tires were today...OME springs and birf rebuild will be here next week. I hope to stop for a while after those two projects.
However I will need to see how the new OME set up does off road. MMMM

[ShottsCruisers]

Thanks guys...tires were today...OME springs and birf rebuild will be here next week. I hope to stop for a while after those two projects.
However I will need to see how the new OME set up does off road. MMMM

RESIST the temptation to wheel it. If ya do....the Taco will go to your honey and the 80 will become your dedicated trail beast after that first time out.
Not knocking Taco's....I have a nice one....that gives me immunity. :bowdown:
But Cruiser's are Cruisers (and I have 3)( :hehe: ).

Enjoy your rides. :luxhello: