State of the market for used diesel Cruisers?

[rstl99]

Hi folks,
Just wondering about the current state of used diesel Cruiser market. I've been trying to sell my 82 BJ60 in Ontario for 4-5 weeks now, SAFETIED, and still no takers. Fair amount of trolling, and 2-3 people have come to look at it, but so far no buyer.

Low mileage (230K); excellent interior; solid frame front to back; solid floors, rockers, doors, sills, etc. Bunch of mechanical repairs/upgrades in last year (brakes all around, brake lines, rad and cooling/heater hoses, shocks, upgraded springs, new glow plugs and wilson switch, new hitch, etc. So-so paint job but it looks ok. It's an earlier BJ60 so has the 4 speed, and no power steering. Anyway, one tough solid truck.

I was hoping to get $7K but that's proving difficult. I don't want to give the truck away but since I acquired the 80 diesel I need it to get out of my yard before winter. Would it sell better in the early Fall?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[lshobie]

Well my thoughts are - 4 speed and armstrong steering, that eliminates all women drivers, the 4 speed is no fun for people who drive any distance. All the upgrades and work aren't really worth much unfortunatly - if they were my truck would be worth 150K

A tough sell at 7K in my opinion. Ask 4 and it will sell sooner than later, 6 and you might get it this fall - or stay where you are and you might get lucky - but I doubt it. You can buy a 1997 FZJ80 with all the bells and whistles for 8K now - I know it gets bad mileage but the comforts are there. The JDM market ruined the high resale on CDN BJ models.

Just my opinion, I have bought and sold alot of cruisers.

Louis

[Joe Egolf]

Its old enough to sell into the USA,Maybe better market here???Nice to know 230K is low mileage on a 3B heh heh as my 1981 BJ42 /3b has 220km on the clock.

[rstl99]

Originally Posted by lshobie

A tough sell at 7K in my opinion. Ask 4 and it will sell sooner than later, 6 and you might get it this fall - or stay where you are and you might get lucky - but I doubt it.

In retrospect I probably paid too much for the truck last Fall. Someone offered me $4K for it when I posted the ad, I thought it was too low. Someone else was willing to give my price and wanted to ship it to Africa for his brother-in-law, until he found out the country there won't allow import of vehicles older than 10 years (!). Someone else was very interested but wife nixed the deal. Someone else from out of town was willing to pay about $6.5K, but in the end backed out. Well, I suppose there's always a number of near-sells, but in the end they don't amount to much

Yeah, sounds like the market for Cdn BJ/HJ60's has dropped. A guy in the Trader in Toronto is trying to sell a "refurbished" BJ60 for $15K!!

I'll go a couple of weeks more and then may drop the price some more, we'll see...

Thanks for the thoughts.

[Diesel Weasel]

Originally Posted by lshobie

Well my thoughts are - 4 speed and armstrong steering, that eliminates all women drivers, the 4 speed is no fun for people who drive any distance.

My wife has had an armstrong 4 speed bj60 as her daily driver for 7 years, since she was 19--she loves it. That's her in my avatar. So, yes, women CAN drive these rigs.

Also, we just drove our 4 speed bj60 across Canada (8,000km) over a 1 month period while towing a trailer and it drove flawlessly. The 4 speeds are just fine for long distance driving.. just don't drive too fast.

[rstl99]

Originally Posted by Diesel Weasel

My wife has had an armstrong 4 speed bj60 as her daily driver for 7 years, since she was 19--she loves it. That's her in my avatar. So, yes, women CAN drive these rigs.

Also, we just drove our 4 speed bj60 across Canada (8,000km) over a 1 month period while towing a trailer and it drove flawlessly. The 4 speeds are just fine for long distance driving.. just don't drive too fast.

That's great for your wife, good for her!! Thanks for debunking the myth that strongarm steering is only for men!

And I agree with you about the 4 speed. My old BJ60 had a 5 speed so I can compare. I find the 4 speed MUCH better for around town driving (it has a USABLE 1st gear, instead of a very low granny gear as on the 5 speed, and I can get around town comfortably in 3 gears). On the highway, with 31" tires fitted, I can get up to 100-105 without a problem, revs are up around 2700-2800, and it's not tiring. I find the strongarm steering gives more "solid" feel on the highway, less wandering.

, and bravo again to your wife for sticking with the venerable early 60!

[lshobie]

Yes, of course women drive armstrong steering cruisers, but I think you know what I mean - most women in the city (ottawa) are not keen on driving a 4 speed cruiser with no power steering - if they didn't mind they would still be making them. And yes you can drive them on the highway and all over the place, but the 4 speed is not as nice, it is nicer to have the 5th gear - ask anyone who has driven both.

I will agree about the 1st gear in the 5 speeds - my 1st is pretty useless - but is very good when in 4x4 low. But in the end for a daily driver on the highway the 5 speeds are better in my opinion.

[TOBASH]

Let the market decide the value her on MUD or on Fleabay.

I just 1500 for a car that was given to me, just 'cause it was a 1968 Sonett. It was rusted, unstarted, and needs a frame off. I thought that was what it was worth, but I started the auction at $1 with a $200 reserve. Fleabay lets you decide real value just by letting the market push the price to where it belongs.

Best,

T

[lshobie]

Oh ya - ebay sets the market price, we should get rid of the NYSE and use ebay as well - would be more realistic.

[Lewis]

I was looking at that truck of yours on usedottawa looks like a nice rig, I'd buy it if I had the money. Good luck on selling it.

[John Galt]

Post it for sale on the Biodiesel/SVO forums where the value of a diesel is appreciated:
Biodiesel & SVO Forums - Powered by eve community
BurnVeg.com Forums :: Index
FRYBRID SVO/WVO FORUM an open and public discussion of Vegetable Oil as a fuel

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by rstl99

That's great for your wife, good for her!! Thanks for debunking the myth that strongarm steering is only for men!

And I agree with you about the 4 speed. My old BJ60 had a 5 speed so I can compare. I find the 4 speed MUCH better for around town driving (it has a USABLE 1st gear, instead of a very low granny gear as on the 5 speed, and I can get around town comfortably in 3 gears). On the highway, with 31" tires fitted, I can get up to 100-105 without a problem, revs are up around 2700-2800, and it's not tiring. I find the strongarm steering gives more "solid" feel on the highway, less wandering.

, and bravo again to your wife for sticking with the venerable early 60!

Originally Posted by lshobie

Yes, of course women drive armstrong steering cruisers, but I think you know what I mean - most women in the city (ottawa) are not keen on driving a 4 speed cruiser with no power steering - if they didn't mind they would still be making them. And yes you can drive them on the highway and all over the place, but the 4 speed is not as nice, it is nicer to have the 5th gear - ask anyone who has driven both.

I will agree about the 1st gear in the 5 speeds - my 1st is pretty useless - but is very good when in 4x4 low. But in the end for a daily driver on the highway the 5 speeds are better in my opinion.

Doesnt the 3B have enough poke to take off in second with the 5sp. Ive been doing 2nd gear take offs ever since I drove my 1st series II LR

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Doesnt the 3B have enough poke to take off in second with the 5sp. Ive been doing 2nd gear take offs ever since I drove my 1st series II LR

Yes and no. It can do it. But you're floored on the skinny to get it to start to roll. You can do it though. But I always hit first for 10 feet and shift. It would be tiring in the city. A bit longer 1st would make it nicer for city driving.

Now I am talking about a 60 only eh... A lighter 40 or 70 might take off in 2nd easier.

I basically dump the clutch right away, so the engine has to accelerate to get it moving.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by John Galt

Post it for sale on the Biodiesel/SVO forums where the value of a diesel is appreciated:
Biodiesel & SVO Forums - Powered by eve community
BurnVeg.com Forums :: Index
FRYBRID SVO/WVO FORUM an open and public discussion of Vegetable Oil as a fuel

Good idea, post a for sale in there.

[rstl99]

Thanks for the suggestion to post on those biodiesel sites, will do so. And no, fleabay is not something I will consider trying again for vehicle sale (been there, done that, no thanks... ).
Sorry if this post sounded to some like an ad, it was more meant as a sounding board, and I appreciate your informed feedback. It _is_ a nice truck I have, and hopefully I'll be able to find it a good home.

Obviously the upturn in fuel prices is causing a lot of people to reconsider buying a truck, any truck, even a rather thrifty 3B fitted truck like many people on this forum like and appreciate (but then again, most people wouldn't even realize the advantages of such a setup, as the initial reaction I usually get, when I tell people I like diesel vehicles, is: "isn't diesel fuel even costlier than gasoline?" <sigh>).
Cheers, all!

(sorry again for tying up this technical forum with something that's more of a chit-chat subject...)

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Yes and no. It can do it. But you're floored on the skinny to get it to start to roll. You can do it though. But I always hit first for 10 feet and shift. It would be tiring in the city. A bit longer 1st would make it nicer for city driving.

Now I am talking about a 60 only eh... A lighter 40 or 70 might take off in 2nd easier.

I basically dump the clutch right away, so the engine has to accelerate to get it moving.

My 75 does 2nd gear take offs easily fully loaded(3035KG).Im not sure if the BJ60 have 4.11 diffs or maybe its just the bigger 1HZ.
Sometimes I use 3rd if Im eating a hamburger

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

My 75 does 2nd gear take offs easily fully loaded(3035KG).Im not sure if the BJ60 have 4.11 diffs or maybe its just the bigger 1HZ.
Sometimes I use 3rd if Im eating a hamburger

No the Bj60 has normally 3.7 gears. But mine is 4.11

I think it's the 1hz difference.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by brownbear

No the Bj60 has normally 3.7 gears. But mine is 4.11

I think it's the 1hz difference.

Are you sticking with the 3B for a while?

[BC40]

Definitely seen a big drop in the price of the diesel 60s. OTOH, I would think that if the truck really is in good shape, it should be worth something out east in your area. Most eastern vehicles die an early death due to corrosion.

Doesnt the 3B have enough poke to take off in second with the 5sp.

I find with my stock BJ60 it is fine to start in 2nd, but prefer to use 1st so I don't have to slip the clutch.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Are you sticking with the 3B for a while?

Till the end of time. I love my BJ60. It is my Japanese Mistress.

Originally Posted by BC40

I find with my stock BJ60 it is fine to start in 2nd, but prefer to use 1st so I don't have to slip the clutch.

Yah I played a bit today. 2nd gear is doable on flat surfaces. Clutch needs a little slip. Just a tiny bit. I'm more of a dump the clutch kinda guy, so first will most likely continue to be used more.

[TOBASH]

Originally Posted by lshobie

Oh ya - ebay sets the market price, we should get rid of the NYSE and use ebay as well - would be more realistic.

Every car I have sold on the fleabay has done well. That being said, I also did mention selling on this site, so let's be fair in our comments. I in no way insulted this site or its classified section.

As far as NYSE, the Bears are in control. Only Bush is full of Bull.

Best ,

T

[83bj60]

Originally Posted by rstl99

Someone else was willing to give my price and wanted to ship it to Africa for his brother-in-law

Beware, it's a known scam. You get paid and the bank cashes the money and three months later finds out it's an elaborate fake and takes the money out of your account...

[83bj60]

As for the market... YES they are tough to sell... It took Pierre 6 months to sell my old BJ60, after putting 2 grand in it I find him lucky that he was able to sell it for $3,000!

Second is the cost of diesel... It just doesn't make a diesel fuelled vehicle such a smart buy anymore. Especially when your fuel costs range around $5,000 a year. If diesel is 20% more expensive, saving maybe 10% with the greater efficiency isn't such an attractive deal anymore when you can get the same vehicle with an even more efficient gas engine (have you looked at the figures from the newer American engines on full size SUVs? It puts many diesels to shame!). On top of that it's probably going to be in much better condition (bolts that you can actually screw off instead of torch off like in Cannuck trucks of the same vintage) and when it's so easy to get a southern US state 60 series for many thousands less...

Sorry to be so pessimistic, but Landcruisers are for afficionados, and old Canadian 60s just aren't up to snuff anymore! And considering how the market is getting stiff competition from the JDMs in comparativeley pristine condition, no wonder they are so tough to sell!!!

Give yourself 4 months, not 4 weeks. THEN will be the time to ask yourself if the price isn't too high!

[roscoFJ73]

The prices of diesel cruisers havent dropped too much in oz. HJ60 with little or no rust are still pullling $7000 which is about $2500 more than an FJ6O.
The 61 are still above $10000 for a nice one with 300000klms
And the 80,100 series turbo diesels are still $10k more than the equivalent gasser .

Funny thing is in the 7*,the FJ73 and the BJ73 are pretty much the same price at about $6000.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by 83bj60

Sorry to be so pessimistic, but Landcruisers are for afficionados, and old Canadian 60s just aren't up to snuff anymore! And considering how the market is getting stiff competition from the JDMs in comparativeley pristine condition, no wonder they are so tough to sell!!!

Give yourself 4 months, not 4 weeks. THEN will be the time to ask yourself if the price isn't too high!

I gotta say I disagree with most of your post. I think the part that bugs me the most is Cnd 60's arn't up to snuff. Who's to say we all want a JDM?

Now you wanna talk MPG with a gasser to a diesel cruiser? I just figured out my mileage fully loaded with my tent trailer from my trip to Vancouver and back. With a monster roof rack and 500lbs on top, and a 2000lb trailer I am 14 Litres per 100k. Or 20 imp(17.x us) Let's see a gasser 60 even come close empty.

[rstl99]

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