Toyota

**Capt Sensible** · 07-08-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave(man)

lol ('laugh out loud' so none gets lost)

good looking out!

fjberto · 11-10-2011, 02:24 AM

i just bought an FJ Cruiser and purchased an FJ 40 in 1973 for $3900. I sold the same car here in Colorado in 2004 for $7800. I put 326,000 miles on that beauty. Rebuilt it once. It had a mechanicaln wench on it and it was left pretty much stock. So far I absolutely LOVE my new FJ- although there is not much of a relationship between the two. I mean there are obviously some like design considerations- but let's face it- as much as I loved my old FJ 40- it was a grueling ride. However, on the plus side, reliable as anything that's ever hit a Colorado mountain trail. For the thirty plus years I owned that vehicle, it resided in Denver and in Summit County Colorado above 9100 feet.

**Capt Sensible** · 11-10-2011, 05:10 AM

Right on. What made you sell your 40?

FJTonka · 11-11-2011, 12:26 PM

My story... In 2005, I broke my back for the third time. I was rear-ended by a really unintelligent person who was speeding on wet roads. Luckily for me, he hit another vehicle before crashing into my Dodge Dakota. He hit hard enough that my seat back broke and I was bent backwards over the seat from the impact. I broke L3, L4, L5, and S1. After five surgeries and many drugs, two other pick-up trucks, and the settlement of a lawsuit, I decided that I wanted to get another 4x4. One stipulation... it had to be comfortable on my back. The time was April of 2007.

After many searches, road trips, and countless hours with sales people, I decided that the FJ Cruiser was the vehicle for me. The vehicle that had the most comfortable seats was a Hummer H2, but I could not afford one of those. I found a TRD FJ on the website of a "local" dealer. That dealer was about 50 miles away. I called them to inquire about the vehicle. I was told that it was available and very sweet. So, I get my things together and make the trip to the dealership.

What do you think that I find when I get there? No TRD FJ! In fact, it had been sold three weeks prior. When asked about the phone conversation and subsequent travel to the facility, the manager pointed out that they had many other FJ's and he was sure that I would find the right one for me. I told him where he could pack sand and left the dealership.

At which point, I decided to go back to Indy and see a dealer on the northside that I had spoken with a few months before while waiting on my settlement. Upon walking onto the showroom floor, I was greeted by a very nice lady who understood exactly what I had just gone through with the other dealer. She was aware of their tactics.

She and I spoke for quite a while before ever getting to the part of the discussion about purchasing an FJ. We went out to the lot and walked around, looked in, and generally inspected every FJ that was there. None of them jumped out at me and yelled take me home. She saw my disappointment and made a suggestion. She suggested that I come back in a few days because they had another FJ that was out getting some modifications. She was sure that it would be something that I like. I agreed to wait it out and come see her later in the week.

What I found upon returning was a Sun Fusion FJ on the showroom floor that immediately screamed my name. The modification that she had mentioned was custom leather seating with a heat option! With a bad back, heated seats were something that I did not think I could get as it wasn't an option on the FJ.

We took it for a ride. She suggested that I keep it for a few days to see how I like it. As a bonus, she would have my pick-up detailed in case I decided not to buy the FJ. I drove it for only a day before returning with a check to fill out. After a little haggling and discussions on the worth of my Chevy, I wrote a check and walked out with the keys for my brand new 2007 FJ.

I have made many modifications on my own since that time. I have many more to do, but this damn economy has put a damper on that. Since that time in April of 2007, I have put many miles in many locations on the Tonka Toy. I have no plans of getting rid of her at any time. I do want to purchase anotehr vehicle when I can afford one. You can bet that I will return to where I got my FJ from. I have had no other dealer ever do so much and provide the level of customer service that I was given.

okiefj · 02-10-2012, 11:10 AM

July 31, 2009. 12:30pm
I lie in a coma for 32 days, heavy iron gates to my soul rise as I open my eyes, as if I awoke from the best sleep of my life. Not knowing anything was wrong i'm in and out for the next two weeks slowly coming around, and becoming coherent, learning to talk again, telling my brain to move my hands, fingers, legs. But for some reason the lights weren't all the way on to my legs, why is this? Few more days go by, I earn the right to drink and eat on my own, apple juice was the first thing I had to drink in almost two months, and let me tell you, it was Jesus! Finally i'm awake or so it seemed, then I get the news... "You were shot five "5" times with a .40 caliber pistole, your lucky to be alive".
The doctor's say "we may have to take your left leg from the knee down". I'm horrified. Luckily the vein graph held together and I still have my leg.
Entry points...
Three rounds traveling 1000 feet per second, at point blank range, rip thru my upper left chest, exploding my clavical, 4 ribs and my lung, finally exiting thru my shoulder blade, spine, and back ribs.
I turn to walk away, and as i'm turning another bullet tears thru my right hip and pelvis, hits my spine again, turns and goes out my back, barely missing my kidneys.
At this point i'm drowning on my own blood as my lungs fill with blood, I hit the ground.
And the gun goes off again...
The last and final bullet tears thru my left knee, breaking all the bones and worst of all, cut my femoral in two. I'm bleeding to death.

Six more shots ring out in the night as the gun man flee's and fires into a crowd of on lookers. Luckily no one else was injured. Complete strangers pump on my chest and try to hold the wounds the best they can, waiting for help to arrive.
Leaving you with questions...

September 11, 2011 17:00
After months and months of searching and debating Rubicon or FJ, I find my self at Fowler Toyota in Norman, Ok.
I find my 2009 FJ Black Beauty, "OKIE" Slightly used with 50k on it, looked new to me and it was loaded out, settin' pretty on a fresh set of 285's. I owned it that day. Here we are 10k later and a few mods under it's belt and i'm still in love!
I got the FJ to be an extension of myself or former self. I didn't want to just stay inside and feel sorry for myself, every time I climb in the seat it just makes me feel good. I have a slight disability now and I try to not let it stop me from doing LIFE! And no, i'm not retarded! lol! But my legs and back are a wreck, so don't ask me to help you move!

Gotta get back to work now!!! LMAO!!!

FJTonka · 02-11-2012, 09:57 PM

Wow!!! All that I can say is Wow. I am glad that you are okay and are able to enjoy the FJ.

I came here today to give an update on my FJ situation. My '07 Tonka is no longer mine. I was made an offer by the local Toyota dealer here in Indy that I purchased my first FJ from. They made me an offer that I could not pass on. Basically, my '07 had reached its optimum trade in potential and I had a lot of equity in it.

So, at 76k miles, I traded my '07 for my new '12 FJ. It is kind of weird going into my garage and seeing something that is so different but so alike my '07 was. Many of my friends told me that I shouldn't do the trade because the Tonka Toy was/is one of a kind. They had a point, but I could not say no to a new FJ with a new warranty, maintenance contract, and payments that are nearly $250 lower per month.

The attached photos are with my camera phone and not very good. I will add more as soon as I am able to get the real camera out with some good lighting. This is the beginning of Tonka 2.0. A blank slate that I can turn into art.

okiefj · 02-12-2012, 05:03 PM

looks good!!!

Toyota

FJ Cruiser, why?