I know most of the stuff here is are fast, sporty, and handle well. My new addition is slow, doesn't turn well, but it's a 4x4.
My friend had bought a new FJ Cruiser with the Trail Team package and we took it out off roading and I got hooked. I wanted a 4x4 because sitting shotgun SUCKS.
My criteria was it had to be a Toyota with extra cab, 5-speed manual, a 22RE EFI 4-cylinder motor, and already have oversized tires. And under $3,000. I wanted something I could take straight to the off road park. I preferred something not too pretty because I didn't want to feel bad abusing it. But I didn't want something that was a total POS. After searching for about two months, I found one close-by, listed by a kid that just graduated high school. He was buying a new Ford Fusion and wanted to sell his truck to make the down payment. I figured I could help.
The asking price was $3,300 on Craigslist, and he couldn't sell it until about a month later. I figured, this restriction would be a disincentive for many people, and I was right. The car was still for sale with about a week to go, before the kid could sell. I asked him what kinds of offers he had gotten. He said he had gone as low as $2,500. Nice.
I knew I could get it for $2,500 if I wanted.
I met him on the day he bought his Ford Fusion, and brought my friend with a 1991 Toyota pickup (he had a 1988 that got stolen). I actually met him at the Ford dealer and drove it around while he was inside doing the paperwork. Ran decent. Brakes were spongy. Motor was wet from possible a headgasket leak and the radiator was dry. We brought these to his attention and it was clear he knew nothing about cars:
"Did you know your radiator is dry?"
"Oh, I don't touch that"
Me thinking, "yeah, that's obvious, the point is you should check it."
In any case, he said he just bought the car and was really nervous because he had to sell his truck within 2 days to cover the down payment. I asked him how much his down payment was. He told me it was $2,000.
I offered him $2,000.
hahah
He told me that another person was supposed to see the car the next day, and said they would buy it for $2,500. At that price, it was still a good deal and I didn't want to risk losing the truck. It was in pretty good shape. I could tell he was nervous that tomorrow's person might fall through and then, he might lose me as well. I offered to split the difference with him and got it for $2,250.
This was about a month ago. So far, I've replaced the radiator and water pump. About $175 total. The alternator went bad when I went mudding in it, but it was a reman with a lifetime warranty, so I just pulled it and got a new one for free at the local Kragen auto store. =) Turns out the wetness on the block wasn't the headgasket. Might have been the valve cover gasket, which was replaced when he just had it serviced before selling the truck. He also just got the belts done and had a new muffler and cat put in it about 5 months ago, when his cat was stolen out of the parking lot. So, a few nice freebies. It came with a Pioneer CD player, Polk door speakers and an amp and two 8" box speakers. I sold the amp for $50. Still have the box speakers. I might hook them up in the garage?
It's got nice Centerline aluminum wheels and 32" mud terrain tires. I've gone wheeling in it twice and it's been great. Looking at re-gearing it from the stock 4.11 to a 4.88 and putting an Aussie Locker in the rear. I really want an ARB, but they're too expensive. Besides the locker and gears, there's nothing else I really need.
Anyways, I think it'll need a new clutch master cylinder soon, this one seems to be leaking a little. And I need to flush the brakes...hopefully it'll eliminate the soggy pedal.
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3/23/09
Just learned that I can put up videos at Webshots, so here are three. Two compilations I made before I got my truck. The MDX in the Thanksgiving one is my wife's. It didn't do much, mostly took pictures of everyone else because it didn't have enough ground clearance to do anything. On the New Year's one, I rode shotgun in the FJ. "My First Hill" is right after I bought my truck...whoooo weeeee!
http://community.webshots.com/album/570653142hoWUlP?vhost=communityEnjoy!
The Parking Lot