80 or 100 (1 Viewer)

[jeffb]

hi,
for reasons bmc i am going to purchase another cruiser. i am familiar with the durability of the 80 series (my '96 80 is da bomb) but i am looking at a 98 100. this is the first year for the 100 series and i am always leary of 1st editions. need i be? are there any red flags on this model year. all thoughts and opinions welcome. thanks

jeffb

 

[mabrodis]

Hi Jeff...I don't have a 100-series yet but I have looked at quite a few and read lots about them. From what I gather there is nothing really wrong with the '98 Cruisers, it was the first year of that model but apparently Toyota did not suffer alot of bad first-run details.

I know the '98 and '99 models did have the option of a rear locker...the '99 had the option of rear a/c (seperate control back there and everything) which I would really like. I have heard several people that had the throttle position sensor go out (only '98 and '99s I think), to where you push the gas pedal and nothing happens...it's a quick fix I guess to just replace the parts and something that most believe Toyota should have recalled, but never did.

If you have any desire to wheel your's I'd look for one with the rear locker, they appear to be very easy to find, every single one on Ebay I found (that had all the pictures) had the rear locker, my sister has two '99's both have the rear locker and both have rear a/c...the one I will buy will be a '99 with the locker and rear a/c...

Good Luck,
Mark Brodis

 

[Cruiser Newb]

i think that 98-00 are the best years. becuase it is going to be less $$$ and a rear locker (optional). if u can find one with low mileage and a rear locker for a good price, i'd say buy it.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Queation for ya Lizard King? Ever owned an 80? I'm betting not??? Once you drive a 100 for a bit and get into an 80 I can't see how'd you be happy? Be glad you bought a 100 buddy. Every time I get home from a drive in our 80 I just can't wait to get into the 100 and drive it around the block. No comparison. Drive it proud and don't worry about Pitbull and his 4Runner. We'll drive up and over him (KIDDING PITBULL!)

 

[Pitbull]

Buy a new AWD 4runner with the 4.7 V8 and 5speed. Now are you guys happy . I know you enjoy driving the 100 series LC, that is slower, harder to handle, heavier, with the same HP/Torque and the same quality Toyota construction. Both are good choices.

Sorry you asked for it I hate to disappoint.

 

[jeffb]

hey. thanks to all for your thoughts. i drove my 96 80 for two years. i bought it w/58,000 and drove it to 105,000. not one thing EVER went wrong. all i did was change the oil. the birfs were going but, hey...they gotta go sometime. one solid f-in truck. on sunday at 2 am this a-hole rear ends me and sends me into a tail spin where my truck spun around, hit the curp and flipped. total loss!! i was luckly to walk away..the cop thought so too.
a bud of mine is a sales manager at a dealer. he hooked me up with a 98 100 series. there was a 97 lx450 on the lot with lockers. after driving the 100 the 450/80 wasnt even a consideration. i didnt get a chance to read any of the posts from my query but after driving the 100 i bought it. no second thoughts. my decision was justified tonight when i read your posts. not one dissapointing comment. 4runner schmorerunner. a cruiser rules..hands down. it has rear lockers. different bells and whistles from the 80, and a whole lot more power. i couldnt be happier. thanks to all who replied.

jeffb

 

[Pitbull]

Jeffb, glad your happy, what color, how many miles and what did you pay?

 

[sleeoffroad]

We get asked this a lot lately. Bottom line is that if you are not going to modify the suspension past the point of what the IFS allows you, in most cases for a all round camping/driving/playing truck the 100 series is better.

It is a lot easier to find a good 100 at a reasonable price than a good 80. Also even with high miles they are younger and cheaper to maintain.

 

[ace10]

we've got one of each. the 80 is mine and the 100 is hers. they are both capable vehicles and i agree that it's difficult to find a "good" 80 at a reasonable price. when we bought the 80 a couple of years ago, i paid at least $2K more than others available, but it had low miles, it was in pristine condition, had lockers and grey leather guts and came from a dealer that i trust.

if i had to have one and only one vehicle, and it had to be a cruiser, the 100 would be it. it's more comfortable on the road, more luxurious and is more fuel efficient. the 100 has been cheaper to maintain, but it won't always be that way. the number of electronic gadgets on board is staggering and potential repairs to the adjustable suspension scares the crap out of me. i know that we will keep the 80 for many years to come, but the 100 may go bye-bye when the warranty expires. the factory-supported warranty is a no-brainer for the 100 IMHO.

$0.02 discounted heavily for inflation

 

[jeffb]

Jeffb, glad your happy, what color, how many miles and what did you pay?

hey pitbull,
for my white 98 100series i paid 18,700. its a different animal compared to the 80. i like it so far. the immediate differences are the power and the handling. the 100 has more power ( da....its a V8) but the 80 handled much better. i already see an improvement in fuel efficiency

 

[jeffb]

hey pitbull,
for my white 98 100series i paid 18,700. its a different animal compared to the 80. i like it so far. the immediate differences are the power and the handling. the 100 has more power ( da....its a V8) but the 80 handled much better. i already see an improvement in fuel efficiency

forgot to mention..85,000 miles

 

[Pitbull]

Sounds like you got a good deal.