Thinking of buying a 60???

[pint]

I currently have a very nice 2000, 100 series as a DD and "fun" vehicle. Nothing hardcore, but I enjoy using it for primitive camping, old fire roads, and back country Colorado exploring. Unfortunately gas is killing me as I drive it 25K per year for my job. I know a 60/62 won't get better mileage, but if I sell the 100, I can afford a new economy car and a truck! Can I get a decent rust free 60/62 for $5K to start building? I love my 100, but have always wanted a 60/62. thoughts?

[gaylon]

You have a sweet 100. I really like 60's but I would not want to be without my 100. My 60 is a lot of fun and I am more likely to drive it on the weekends, but the 100 is a totally different creature. Faster, quieter, dependable (newer), comfortable, did I say faster?

[RockDoc]

I think you could find something nice for that price range if you keep your eyes open for a while. Take a peak in the classifieds, you should get an idea of realistic (and not) prices.

[PortFJ62]

If your gonna keep to the same type of terrain as you would with the 100 I say keep it, looks nice by the way. I had a 100 and wish we hadnt sold it. But I bought a 62 with a V8 that was built for anything.

[pint]

I would love to keep the 100, but with the miles I drive during the week, it may not be practical. Like I said in the beginning, gas is killing me. I need a nice reliable/economical car for my job , but also want a weekend "fun" vehicle. Currently the 100 serves both purposes. I thought about keeping it and getting an inexpensive commuter, but I really need something reliable for my work travels. I cannot afford to breakdown 200 miles from home. I was thinking a new Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, which would leave $ for a 60/62?

[PortFJ62]

Keep the 100. Its already built and its a great truck for all your needs. There are plenty of used economical cars out there that will be reliable.

[gaylon]

Originally Posted by PortFJ62

Keep the 100. Its already built and its a great truck for all your needs. There are plenty of used economical cars out there that will be reliable.

I agree completely. You already have a built truck that will be a pain in the ass to sell, most likely, and you will get minimal return on the modifications done. Get a 6 year old Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla and keep the 100. If you do decide to go through with it, $5 - 6K can score a pretty nice 60/62.

[calphi27]

Selling the 100 can be tougher than you think right now. Maybe I can trade you my 62 and saab 9000 which gets 30+mpg for your 100?

but really though, you could get an older corolla for a decent price. keep the 100

[philos1]

Add me to the list of keep the 100 and buy a small commuter car. Unless you're gonna make a full time trail rig, you'll still have the 100. Additionally (albeit a small bonus) you already know how your 100 works on trails/fire roads. No new idiosyncrasies to figure out.

On the other hand, I do love my V8J60

[cstamm81]

if you do go the sell the 100 route, might I strongly recommend a VW TDI as the commuter car. 2002 - 2003 seem to be the best years, and the Jetta wagon (which I just got) is made all In Germany. I can pull 50 MPG on my daily slogs. Oh, and it's tons more conmfortable than a real econo box, ie Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit. I would have a hrd time selling that 100 though, my 80 series makes my 60 series feel new. I could only imagine going from a 100 series to a 60, if you plan to do any miles on your weekend travels.

[alaska60]

Just remember you can make you 60 as fast and nuts as you want to. I know I love driving my 60 over any other vehicle I own. Range rover and beemer owner here.
I took some time to increase the horsepower with a 383 stroker conversion as well as a 5 speed with a splitter making highway driving a dream too. It rolls down the road at 90 mph with tons of oomf left. The sppeed ometer ends at 85 and with the 35s I was probably doing 100. You'll love the simplicity of the 60's hands down. Nice 100 though!

[D'Animal]

I will trade you for my FJ 60.

Search for the Beagle Chariot.


Let me know.

[Trapper50cal]

Originally Posted by alaska60

Just remember you can make you 60 as fast and nuts as you want to. I know I love driving my 60 over any other vehicle I own. Range rover and beemer owner here.
I took some time to increase the horsepower with a 383 stroker conversion as well as a 5 speed with a splitter making highway driving a dream too. It rolls down the road at 90 mph with tons of oomf left. The sppeed ometer ends at 85 and with the 35s I was probably doing 100. You'll love the simplicity of the 60's hands down. Nice 100 though!

I have a tendency to trust Cruiser folk and many also own beemers (cars that have a less than stellar rep with many) my question is this...

Is it a bad thing to want a late 80's 635?
I absolutely love the lines of the E24 (?) body and want one REALLY bad.

Oh and PINT....get a 60

[cruiserpants]

If you have always wanted a 60/62 then go and make it happen - you already know that it will be different from your 100, and so what?
You have a desire for a 60/62 - weather it makes sense to others or not - go for it; it's your dream. You'll have a smile on your face every time you look at it.
Be daring - paint the canvass of your life with your own colors.

I'll cheer you on...

[pint]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

I will trade you for my FJ 60.

Search for the Beagle Chariot.


Let me know.

Nice rig! Maybe we'll talk in a few months when I'm ready to unload the 100!

[pint]

Originally Posted by alaska60

Just remember you can make you 60 as fast and nuts as you want to. I know I love driving my 60 over any other vehicle I own. Range rover and beemer owner here.
I took some time to increase the horsepower with a 383 stroker conversion as well as a 5 speed with a splitter making highway driving a dream too. It rolls down the road at 90 mph with tons of oomf left. The sppeed ometer ends at 85 and with the 35s I was probably doing 100. You'll love the simplicity of the 60's hands down. Nice 100 though!

This is the idea. I can sell the 100 and buy both a commuter with good mpg, and a Cruiser! Get a clean 60/62 and build it into what I want over time. Lift, 35's, gears, 5 speed, either a V8 or diesel, bumpers, sliders, etc...

[Toadhopper]

If you can, drive a 60/62 first. As people have said, its a totally different animal.
I love my 60, but if I had driven an 80 or 100 before I bought it I MAY have gone a different route.
More info before you make a decision isn't usually a bad thing.
Bryan

[b56tc]

I have a '79 633Csi since 1983, 60K mi, lowered, rolled fenders, rubyred w/ a 5sp, Stroh headers - that is so pretty I like to just look at it. It's like a sculpture. Who cares if you can drive it. You will never regret it, and they will not be avail much longer

re: 100 v 60 - love'em both - but SO different - and a mildly built 100 like you have will be very, very hard to replace in comfort, capability, efficiency - if you're worried about gas prices, do NOT depend on a 60 for your routine use -

[Trapper50cal]

Originally Posted by b56tc

I have a '79 633Csi since 1983, 60K mi, lowered, rolled fenders, rubyred w/ a 5sp, Stroh headers - that is so pretty I like to just look at it. It's like a sculpture. Who cares if you can drive it. You will never regret it, and they will not be avail much longer

re: 100 v 60 - love'em both - but SO different - and a mildly built 100 like you have will be very, very hard to replace in comfort, capability, efficiency - if you're worried about gas prices, do NOT depend on a 60 for your routine use -

I want an 88 635csi Euro L6 in Cinnabar Red so bad I can taste it.

Pint: The 60 is just a simpler truck with tons of parts and mods available to a 2 banana mechanic. Solid axle, all leafs and plenty of storage space and you can make it as mild or wild as you want. I love mine. Having said that though, its rustic....72 on the highway tops unless you drop a v8

[Pacific Swell]

I have an 87 FJ60 I'm thinking of selling. It's restored and worked on by Jim Dickey (Gardena, CA). Rebuilt engine, rear disk brakes, brand new 5 speed, clutch, brake, paint, seats and much more. What's the going price for 87 FJ60's?
I have all the receipts for all the parts. It has about 215, 000 and great condition.

[Pacific Swell]

Here are two more pix. It has Lojack and Alpine stereo system with DVD player, XM Radio and much more.

[Trapper50cal]

That's a beautiful and desireable 87 60!

[pint]

That is a beautiful 60!

Don't get me wrong, I love my 100. However, I really like the simplicity of the 60. This would not be a DD, just a weekend fun, camping and expedition vehicle. All I ask is that it gets me through next winter in stock form when the snow gets deep, I would start tweaking soon after!

[Bryan062087]

Sell the 100, get a cruiser with a soul!

[pint]

Still thinking the 100's gonna go in August or so. At least try to sell, may take forever? I drove a friends pretty nice stock 60 last week with a V8 and loved it. I like the more utilitarian "real truck" feel it has, plus I won't miss the extra creature comforts from the 100. If I can sell the 100 in a couple months I will buy a high mpg commuter first as that is a necessity, then get another Cruiser close to winter. All I really want is a nice mostly rust free fairly stock example. I don't care if it has a million miles or not as the motor/tranny etc will probably go next year in favor of a V8 or diesel with 5 speed. If I can find the 60/62 for $5K I'd be very happy. Then I can transform it over time. I think you probably get more smiles and thumbs up in a 60/62 than a 100?!

[Max.Powerzz]

Here's an article analyzing the benefits/cons of trading in a newish vehicle for an econo car: When to Downsize Your Car - MSN Autos

I don't envy your decision, but one thing the 60's have going for them is the definite cool factor.

[Moby]

I made the decision in 2003 to retire my 62 from any sort of daily driving (although it was never a 5 day/week car) and bought a Audi 1.8 A4 wagon. And that was when gas was cheap! Of course now I hardly even drive my Audi (bike, company shuttle, work from home).

Anway from that point on my 62 became completely a hobby car. I can take it down for months at a time if I need to, modify it as time permits, learn how to do whatever it is I want to do to it. This has provided me the opportunity to gain automotive/fabrication skills that I never would have otherwise acquired.

From a love of landcruisers perspective there are real advantages to your commuter/60 series plan.