80 Series Current Market Value Update/Discussion

[CatchMoTrout]

Hi all,

I am no longer in the market for an 80 series, as I purchased my 93' FZJ80 in May for what I had considered a decent deal. Come to find out after PPI that my vehicle needed (Still needs more) $20K in work to get it up to a properly maintained and drivable state. While I have no intentions on selling my truck, and riding it out till it dies as it's my dream vehicle, what the heck is up with the market, and are people just out of their minds?

I notice things, and people who have their trucks listed for 20-30k with 260k on the ODO, are being listed on marketplace and MUD for months without dropping the price. I know, I know... some of these vehicles have been meticulously maintained, and to someone who wants to drop the cash and go on adventure immediately, it might be worth it. But come on... a 33 year old truck that has the original motor at 260k, needs knuckles rebuilt, has all these maintenance items wearing, paint is extremely worn, and people asking 15-18k for these is outrageous! It seems that most of these vehicles need at least 10k of maintenance dumped into them before Mods. I feel that my truck, after all the maintenance I put into it, will never be worth 20k unless I completely restored it, which is just unreasonable.

So i hope to understand from some people where this balloon of value comes from? Is it social media? Is it perhaps that there is no urgency to sell these vehicles, that owners are fine if they sit at an outrageous price? There's a lot that could be hashed over in this discussion, including the state of the economy, the current vehicle offerings from manufacturers. It's a can of worms... I know.

No ill intentions here. Just want to be educated! Thanks.

 

[Roostre]

How much is a less capable GX550 today? Ineos Grenadier? What options exist that are a better value for an all around adventure/offroad rig that will get you home and isn’t overly complex??

I just dumped about 3x what I paid for mine into it. Don’t plan to sell it, but I was tempted during the Covid craziness.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

How much is a less capable GX550 today? Ineos Grenadier? What options exist that are a better value for an all around adventure/offroad rig that will get you home and isn’t overly complex??

I just dumped about 3x what I paid for mine into it. Don’t plan to sell it, but I was tempted during the Covid craziness.

Totally. I get this sentiment.

I keep reminding myself of this as well. I feel though that the work required to get these rigs back into working condition would be more reflected in their price.

I may be completely wrong and the answer is literally just the "landcruiser" badge.

 

[cts]

It's simple supply and demand coupled with some emotion-based decision making. These are cool old trucks that can't be bought new. Most people (myself certainly included) underestimate what baselining a 30 year old vehicle costs. At post-COVID labor rates around $200/hour, those repairs add up quickly if you're not doing the work yourself. I've probably spent double what mine would sell for, so $20-30K for a well maintained and build 80 series doesn't seem that outrageous. And resell value is irrelevant anyway if you don't sell it.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

It's simple supply and demand coupled with some emotion-based decision making. These are cool old trucks that can't be bought new. Most people (myself certainly included) underestimate what baselining a 30 year old vehicle costs. At post-COVID labor rates around $200/hour, those repairs add up quickly if you're not doing the work yourself. I've probably spent double what mine would sell for, so $20-30K for a well maintained and build 80 series doesn't seem that outrageous. And resell value is irrelevant anyway if you don't sell it.

You are correct, having been in this position myself recently.

I have done a mix of work on mine to help shave off some labor costs. Definitely helps.

What I was not expecting, and perhaps others don't is the parts that are NLA for these trucks. I think the luxury that modern vehicles provide is easy access to parts, as well as peace of mind for a time for the vehicle to have no issues.

I came into the game knowing my vehicle cannot get me to death valley and back until I put in the work and baseline it. That's why I think it's crazy that the entry point on these vehicles being so high, even for neglected models is crazy. I think the amount of time and work you can put into it, is what makes it truly valuable.

 

[NeverFinis]

The seller sets any price they like but it is the buyer who determines what a vehicle sells for.

I suspect the high asking prices is to catch the inexperienced buyer who just wants an 80 series quickly.

The smart 80 series buyer will post a potential 80 series for sale here and ask for opinions. IMHO, about 8 out of 10 80 series gets shredded....while the remaining 2 are deemed worthy of purchase.

Most of us also work on our own vehicles. We are not paying post-covid labor rates.

I have a stack of receipts about 1.5" thick just for parts..and that is only after deciding to keep the receipts for insurance purposes. Mine took me across the country recently and will do it again tomorrow if needed. Mine will never be for sale, but if it was, it would make those high priced 80 series seem like a bargain.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

The seller sets any price they like but it is the buyer who determines what a vehicle sells for.

I suspect the high asking prices is to catch the inexperienced buyer who just wants an 80 series quickly.

The smart 80 series buyer will post a potential 80 series for sale here and ask for opinions. IMHO, about 8 out of 10 80 series gets shredded....while the remaining 2 are deemed worthy of purchase.

Most of us also work on our own vehicles. We are not paying post-covid labor rates.

I have a stack of receipts about 1.5" thick just for parts..and that is only after deciding to keep the receipts for insurance purposes. Mine took me across the country recently and will do it again tomorrow if needed. Mine will never be for sale, but if it was, it would make those high priced 80 series seem like a bargain.

I would have to agree. If there weren't buyers at those prices, the market would eventually adjust.

I think our little bubble of Mudders also provides an anecdotal experience that doesn't reflect reality. The vehicles on here are majority, very well maintained and are generally priceless to their owners, so when going to sell them it would have to be quite a ridiculous sum of cash to part with them. I do see plenty of rust buckets and neglected cruisers around 5-8k on facebook marketplace. Those vehicles are TRASHED though. Either rust buckets or completely not running.

I find it generally interesting. The price of 100 series is going through the roof right now though, it's very cool to see the ebbs and flow of demand.

 

[Tim Herald]

Interesting to me that 80’s are also the hot ticket in South Africa and Zimbabwe right now. They can but 70’d as far back or as new as they want, and some of the guys I have been in camp with the past couple of weeks have been telling me that everyone over here wants an 80 right now.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

Interesting to me that 80’s are also the hot ticket in South Africa and Zimbabwe right now. They can but 70’d as far back or as new as they want, and some of the guys I have been in camp with the past couple of weeks have been telling me that everyone over here wants an 80 right now.

The grass is always greener on the other side eh? Haha

 

[cts]

Interesting to me that 80’s are also the hot ticket in South Africa and Zimbabwe right now. They can but 70’d as far back or as new as they want, and some of the guys I have been in camp with the past couple of weeks have been telling me that everyone over here wants an 80 right now.

I don't plan to ever part w/ my 80, but having a 79 series truck parked alongside it would be awesome.

 

[Tim Herald]

I don't plan to ever part w/ my 80, but having a 79 series truck parked alongside it would be awesome.

Agree 100% !

 

[PIP]

It's important to consider the value of the dollar in this discussion.

Your dollar is worth about half what it was 10 years ago.

80 series are unique vehicles with a strong following and nice examples should sell for above average money for a 30+ year old vehicle.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

It's important to consider the value of the dollar in this discussion.

Your dollar is worth about half what it was 10 years ago.

80 series are unique vehicles with a strong following and nice examples should sell for above average money for a 30+ year old vehicle.

Yes! I didn't even consider inflation.

I'm curious, because I wasn't a member of this community then, but was a clean 200k mi example that now goes for $15-20k now, going for $7.5-10k a decade ago?

I have heard that a brand new 80s would be about a $120k truck if it was sold in the market today, when comparing for inflation.

 

[devo]

I have 322K on my 1997 80. I do all the work myself. Except for when I’ll need a motor rebuild! I can source every part I need new except for some interior trim parts. So much of this vehicle can be rebuilt or replaced. Cost, I mean what the hell! Parts may be expensive but they last a long time. I make a list and when a dealer has a sale (like Serra) and I make my purchases saving me hundreds of dollars.
I traumatize myself frequently with should I sell? The thing about an 80 is that it is one of, if not the best overall platform for off roading whether you are stock or built. So I ask what could replace it? The Grenadier is the only suitable rig. But, their dealer support is not where it should be for me to make the investment.
The day will come when I will have to get serious about replacing my 80 and at this point with the cost of a replacement (and not a Toyota Prado 250) I think I would spend 80-100 grand on a frame off refurbished 80 Series.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Hi all,

I am no longer in the market for an 80 series, as I purchased my 93' FZJ80 in May for what I had considered a decent deal. Come to find out after PPI that my vehicle needed (Still needs more) $20K in work to get it up to a properly maintained and drivable state...

Was the engine seized when you bought it? I'm wondering how you spent $20K to get it drivable.

 

[CatchMoTrout]

Was the engine seized when you bought it? I'm wondering how you spent $20K to get it drivable.

I perhaps misspoke,

I have spent 14k on parts I have done myself, and shop help in total. Purchase price was about 8.5k. I think I was generally indicating that it needs more work even after all that. I rebuilt my knuckles, installed new birfields, serviced my rear axles, put new brakes/rotors/calipers on all 4 wheels. Redline and Slee have worked on with driveline vibration, power steering rebuild, oil pump seal and front timing cover leak, ABS repair, and various other maintenance.

 

[desmocruiser]

Before reading this post please take this for what it is worth, there are no ill intentions.

If you are mindful of finances, price/value justification, and aren’t looking for a labor and expense of Love, DO NOT buy an 80 Series, you will never justify the cost to obtain and maintain in the current market.

Good not great, 80 Series Land Cruisers are $30k and above, just depends on if you want to pay most/all at once or in installments of purchase price and maintenance catch up!

I continue to see threads of disappointed sometimes bewildered new 80 Series buyers that think they are $12k trucks, that is the starter kit price, still another $20k to spend and you probably still have aftermarket seat covers and faded paint on a 250k+ mile truck, but there is a great chance you love it every time you drive it!

Owning an icon isn’t cheap or for everyone, see the Air Cooled Porsche World of the past 10-20 years for historic examples!

Enjoy the 80 Series experience, there is not much else compares!

 

[CatchMoTrout]

Before reading this post please take this for what it is worth, there are no ill intentions.

If you are mindful of finances, price/value justification, and aren’t looking for a labor and expense of Love, DO NOT buy an 80 Series, you will never justify the cost to obtain and maintain in the current market.

Good not great, 80 Series Land Cruisers are $30k and above, just depends on if you want to pay most/all at once or in installments of purchase price and maintenance catch up!

I continue to see threads of disappointed sometimes bewildered new 80 Series buyers that think they are $12k trucks, that is the starter kit price, still another $20k to spend and you probably still have aftermarket seat covers and faded paint on a 250k+ mile truck, but there is a great chance you love it every time you drive it!

Owning an icon isn’t cheap or for everyone, see the Air Cooled Porsche World of the past 10-20 years for historic examples!

Enjoy the 80 Series experience, there is not much else compares!

This is my experience as well. Definitely not upset at the pay to play game and I definitely fall into the starter category.

I agree with your expectations. I couldn’t afford a great spec truck off the bat and decided within my budget I could spoon feed the repairs. So far it’s been slowly getting to speed.

 

[desmocruiser]

This is my experience as well. Definitely not upset at the pay to play game and I definitely fall into the starter category.

I agree with your expectations. I couldn’t afford a great spec truck off the bat and decided within my budget I could spoon feed the repairs. So far it’s been slowly getting to speed.

That is good to hear!

There is an abundance of great in the built not bought column, it is typically an experience you will never forget.

Whether you duplicate the process will depend on several factors, mostly a balance of resources, commitments, and sanity!

Most folks that are paying big money for 80 Series started in the same spot, it was the beginning steps and missteps that got them hooked on the hobby, they are just able to approach it differently now.