u/Neither_Alternative2

Hi all! Especially to those in Texas!

I’m traveling to Texas this Friday and hoping to find the right FJ Cruiser to purchase and drive home to Michigan!

I’ve been on the hunt for the last few years but decent fjs are hard to come by in the rust-belt areas.

I’ll be flying into San Antonio/Austin and can travel toward Dallas for the right truck.

What I’m looking for:
2010–2014 FJ Cruiser
4WD only
Clean title with no structural or frame damage
Preferably under 200,000 miles
Stock or tastefully modified; a mild lift is fine
No extreme lifts, riveted fender flares or heavily abused builds (as close to stock as possible)
Clean frame with little to no rust
Maintenance records are a major plus
For a private-party purchase, my budget is under $18,000. I’m not expecting a perfect showroom truck—just an honest, properly maintained FJ at a fair price.
I’m purchase-ready and happy to pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection. If you’re considering selling, please message me with the year, mileage, location, asking price, VIN, history and current photos.
Not interested in 2WD, rebuilt/salvage titles, structural damage…etc

Thank you!

Sorry in advance for yet another “is this frame rust too much?” post.

I’m looking at a 2014 FJ Cruiser with 221,000 miles. It’s a Michigan truck that’s apparently spent its whole life here. Asking price is $14,995.

Do any of these areas look structurally concerning or like they’re hiding worse rust underneath?
Is $14,995 reasonable for a 2014 with 221k miles given the condition shown?
One other thing I noticed: there appears to be some oil residue/wetness on the front of the engine behind the accessory pulley area. The front of the engine and the area behind the belt looked damp/oily. Has anyone seen this before on the 1GR-FE? Common timing cover seep, front main seal, water pump, or something else?
The truck drove very smoothly, tracked straight, shifted well, and I didn’t notice any obvious drivetrain vibrations, wheel bearing noise, or steering issues during my test drive.
I’m willing to walk away if the frame or engine leak looks like a future headache, so I’d appreciate any honest opinions from owners who have been around these trucks longer than I have.
Thanks!

WTB: 2010–2014 4WD FJ Cruiser in Texas

2014 221k miles is this worth it?