What's a 325K-mile FJ worth?

[juicebox]

So, I've always wanted an FJ and I found one locally in my price range. It has 325K miles though, and it's a 2008. Original owner, full synthetic oil since 10K miles, scheduled maintenance always done on time, etc. The lady selling it is an older lady, she works in las vegas and lives in southern Utah. Her passion is also geocaching, so between freeway commuting and adventuring to go see what is inside of a box in the wilderness, the miles racked up pretty quick.

Anyway, she seems really cool. The only reason she is selling it is because she got a brand new FJ last year and isn't using this one. She said she trusts this one to go anywhere in the world, but she just wanted a new one before they stopped making them.


Condition- Interior is in great condition. She kept it really clean and the seats look new because they had seat covers on them. Exterior isn't so great, there are utah pinstripes and the clearcoat has faded on the hood, the silver rear bumper cover corner is dented in.

At any rate, I know something is only worth what someone will pay. I just can't figure out what that is for me. I would be buying this for a project, I thought it would be cool to vinyl wrap it, get some bumpers on there, etc. I'm probably going to test drive it shortly, I talked to the woman in the parking lot and watched it start up and drive away, no smoke, no noises, etc.


What do you think?

 

[GR8ADV]

So, I've always wanted an FJ and I found one locally in my price range. It has 325K miles though, and it's a 2008. Original owner, full synthetic oil since 10K miles, scheduled maintenance always done on time, etc. The lady selling it is an older lady, she works in las vegas and lives in southern Utah. Her passion is also geocaching, so between freeway commuting and adventuring to go see what is inside of a box in the wilderness, the miles racked up pretty quick.

Anyway, she seems really cool. The only reason she is selling it is because she got a brand new FJ last year and isn't using this one. She said she trusts this one to go anywhere in the world, but she just wanted a new one before they stopped making them.


Condition- Interior is in great condition. She kept it really clean and the seats look new because they had seat covers on them. Exterior isn't so great, there are utah pinstripes and the clearcoat has faded on the hood, the silver rear bumper cover corner is dented in.

At any rate, I know something is only worth what someone will pay. I just can't figure out what that is for me. I would be buying this for a project, I thought it would be cool to vinyl wrap it, get some bumpers on there, etc. I'm probably going to test drive it shortly, I talked to the woman in the parking lot and watched it start up and drive away, no smoke, no noises, etc.


What do you think?

For me if I were buying, here would be my equation: cost of an 85,000 mile 2008 FJ - cost of a new engine. You come out ahead dollar wise as you end up with a new engine, but that should work itself out with transmission and suspension requirements that 325k miles brings to the table. YMMV

 

[gmacmt]

I would be a lot more conservative than an 85k mile + cost of engine rebuild.

With 325k you'll probably want at least a new drivers seat (I cant imagine its not totally blown out by now) and you have to account for more than just a new engine. I would consider engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, etc.

Here is a clean title, nice looking paint example for $9k with 215,000 miles and it went for 9 grand.

I would be looking at the 5k mark at the most. It sounds like more of a headache than its worth though, unless you are on a really tight budget.

What is she thinking price wise?

 

[plh]

325K on an FJ has got to be pretty used up. Heck they say Land Cruisers are good for 300K and this ain't one of those. Pass on that one.

 

[gringo m]

Everything is wore out at 300k.

 

[4runnerteq]

I wouldn't be afraid of it if the price is right. Keep in mind though, its 300k miles, anything that goes bad shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[1911]

The 1GR-FE is a great engine; I don't doubt it will go a lot farther than 325K miles if it has been maintained and used synthetic oil. Mine has about half that many miles and still drives like new, and doesn't burn or leak a single drop of oil between changes.

 

[Mrknowitall]

To me it wouldn't be the main powertrain things- more stupid stuff like steering pumps, alternators, AC compressor, HVAC fans (usually running), wheel bearings, axle bearings, pinion seals... I had an Accord w/ 255k on it- ran like a champ until my wife got clobbered in it on her way to work. No doubt the motor had another 100k to go. Seriously- couple thousand- maybe 3 at the most.

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Would love to see pics of this FJ. Do you have some to share? How much does she want for it?

 

[juicebox]

Sorry, I got busy with other things. She wanted $7K for it, if anyone is interested, I can see if she's still selling it. I just got way too busy to have another vehicle.

 

[runuover]

I have a friend who might want it. Is there a link to seller?

 

[calicamper]

325K The taxi guys driving the Prius tell me they do a new crate engine every 350K the last one I was in had 450,000 miles on it he told me the new engine which had been put in at 350K was great! HA HA I'd figure engine replacement cost into its value.