3rd Gen 4runner or FZJ80? For a DD with 2 under 18 months?

[89s rule]

This is for the wife as a DD. Basically we dont haveb a lot of room in the runner with 2 baby seats. Would like to at least have seats to carry 2 more people.

Hence us always thinking about a fj80, then after getting into cruisers and realizing that the FZJ80 is the way to go.

SO. We have a 97 SR5 4runner, 4x4, leather, sunroof, running boards, fender flairs, and a tjm front bumper. (see sig) 135K miles, never an issue at all. Only have had to do preventative maint, etc. Its not perfect, front seats worn and have hit a few deer, but all damage repaired correctly and added TJM to prevent any further damage. We have owned it for 3+ years and about 75K miles.

I recently found a 93 FZJ80 with 130K miles I got him down to $6400 hopefullying going to look at it on thursday. Guy does seem a littl wierd. I think hes stressed at trying to sell it and has had many calls and tire kickers. He kept tellign me it wasnt perfect that it was a 15 yr old vehicle, not a new car, etc. (It has been his second car, recently bought a house so hes selling it. He has owned it for approx 2 or 3 years.
-It has leather, towing package, 4wh disc and abs (which means FF rear right?), sunroof. Says its never been in the dirt at all.
-It has a brush guard and tail light guards. (Which I will tkae off and sell, to buy a TJM or ARB for the 80, deer protection!)

What advice, etc can I get? I have read through the FAQ as well as slee's site.
- I will loose gas milage
- Gain space and maybe $ on what I can sell our 4runner for.
- Will I really gain space or is the 3rd row usable? Where we are now we cannot even offer for people to ride with us.
- Will I loose value? According to book values by 4runner is worth more $??
- Both vehicles should have no issue running to 300K as far as I know.
- We love the 4runner and its ride, depedability, etc.
- Is it worth the risk (or is there any risk) in swapping to an other vehicle,etc? We just do not have it in our budget to have auto repairs. Especially with me trying to get the 62 where it needs to be!

- Or should we sit tight, even though this seems to be a great deal. And wait to get a 100 series in the next few years when the price on them drops to around $12K? Again thsi wont be an offroad rig, thats why i have the 62. Is the 100 a better DD, +/-'s etc?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Bryan062087]

sell 62, buy the 80, build it, use it as dd and off road vehicle. or maybe im just missing driving the 80

more realistically, if you cant afford any repair bills, i would not buy another used vehicle at this point. you can never be sure as to what you are getting.

 

[nakman]

I vote sit tight & hold out for the 100 series.

 

[firetruck41]

Both 80 and 100 are heaps better than the 4runner in all but the gas mileage dept, noticeably bigger int, third row seats are functional for adults on a short trip, or indefinitely for kids.

 

[Beowulf]

4wh disc and abs (which means FF rear right?)

Yes.

Will I really gain space or is the 3rd row usable?

The 3rd row is very usable. Adults can sit back there in a pinch.

Will I loose value?

Dunno. Seems an odd question for something that many of us consider to be an emotional decision; buying a Cruiser.

Is it worth the risk (or is there any risk) in swapping to an other vehicle,etc? We just do not have it in our budget to have auto repairs. Especially with me trying to get the 62 where it needs to be!

This seems to be the important question that you will have to deal with on a personal level. We can't help you here. A 15 yo vehicle that has had 2 POs and was an expensive vehicle when new, has the potential for costing you big $$ to get to top condition. I would think you would allocate $2,000 for maintenance expenses during the 1st year of ownership. This would be parts only and assumes you can DIY on the labor. If you selected a 98 up (100 series) then you are looking at a vehicle that is at least 5 years newer though the potential for high maintenance costs is still there.

Good Luck in your decision.

-B-

 

[SR.GRINGO]

I purchased a 3rd gen 4Runner new--year 2000 4wd w/ a 5spd--last year they were produced--it was loaded. I sold it at 65k with 0 problems. I wanted more room and have always wanted a Cruiser--but keep in mind just to base line the cruiser it will be expensive. I went overboard--have spent about 12k in upgrades in the last 18 months--a good chunk of this is for OEM Toyota parts--I live in Mexico and don't want to take the chance of breaking down somewhere. I have no worries about maintenance now but I think a 4Runner would be both cheaper and easier to maintain for you in the short term. If I were you for what you are describing I would hold out a few years and get a 100 series. The advantage a 80 has is you can wheel it.