80 to 200 - Talk me out of this...

[AussieHJCruza]

G'day all,

I currently own a MY93 HDJ80, manual, Gturbo, intercooler etc etc, and due to a change of circumstances, my vehicular needs have changed somewhat. Am I crazy, at 19, to think of taking on a 200 series, or in particular, a VDJ200?

Talk me out of this - I've only ever bought cruisers, had an FJ45, a HJ60 and a HDJ80, and I don't really want to buy anything else because...I dunno...they just plain work.

What do you all think?

 

[kendrickdlr]

G'day all,

I currently own a MY93 HDJ80, manual, Gturbo, intercooler etc etc, and due to a change of circumstances, my vehicular needs have changed somewhat. Am I crazy, at 19, to think of taking on a 200 series, or in particular, a VDJ200?

Talk me out of this - I've only ever bought cruisers, had an FJ45, a HJ60 and a HDJ80, and I don't really want to buy anything else because...I dunno...they just plain work.

What do you all think?

Wisdom says that only 10% of your income should be going to auto related payments (which is extremely difficult for any auto enthusiast). The Land Cruiser (at least brand new) is is a rich man's vehicle, with the average LC buyer having a personal income of $200K+. Even used ones with 100K+ miles are going for $38K+ At 19 years old, I think you just list your goals out and then ask yourself if it makes sense. Do you want kids? Do you plan on getting married? What about getting settle is a house? At this point in life, it's easy to get into the habit of getting careless with your money.

 

[Romer]

Being in Australia, you have the option of a lower cost 200 without all the options. That is not available to us US owners, so it makes it more affordable. keep that in mind when looking at comments from most of us here in the US

I Loved my 80. I built it big and took it to a lot of places. I bought a heavier trailer and with Mtn passes here I went with the 100 series. I initially was concerned about the solid Front axle vs IFS, but it hasn't been an issue for me on any trail I have gone

You also have the option of the 105, a 100 series with solid front axle, but the older 1FZE engine. Something to look into

I moved from the 100 to 200 for the same reason, bought a heavier trailer, a Kimberley I imported from Australia and the 100 would have struggled with it on the Mtn passes. I also always wanted to get a new (or close to it) land Cruiser to have for a very long time as the others had been 7 years old with over 100K miles when I bought them.

The 200 is an awesome platform, some say the best drive train ever built in a Land Cruiser. The 200 is the racing platform for a group here. That shows its reliability and durability to me.

Other than power, the 200 has newer technology and more creature comforts. Not sure what is available on a stock version in Australia.

Then again, you guys can get Diesels. We can't

What do you want out of your cruiser? What will you be doing with it? Can you afford the 200 without incurring large debt?

You need to tell us a bit more about what you want and why you are considering a 200

 

[gaijin]

G'day all,

I currently own a MY93 HDJ80, manual, Gturbo, intercooler etc etc, and due to a change of circumstances, my vehicular needs have changed somewhat. Am I crazy, at 19, to think of taking on a 200 series, or in particular, a VDJ200?

Talk me out of this - I've only ever bought cruisers, had an FJ45, a HJ60 and a HDJ80, and I don't really want to buy anything else because...I dunno...they just plain work.

What do you all think?

I guess I'll have to be the old man in the room

I think at 19 years old, having already purchased 3 Land Cruisers and gotten rid of two of them, you should slow down and hang on to your HDJ80 for a while longer. Despite the overwhelming urge you have to buy yet another 'cruiser, why not wait a couple of years? And what does, "... due to a change of circumstances, my vehicular needs have changed somewhat," really mean? What would a 200 series 'cruiser do for your new "circumstances" that the HDJ80 won't do?

Bottom line: Enjoy the 'cruiser you have - it sounds like a keeper to me.

HTH

 

[chilibit]

Except for towing and perception what does 200 net you? You did not give us any criteria that could be used to inform a decision.

 

[Markuson]

Without a LOT more information, it is nearly impossible for anyone to help except for basic facts.

Are you saying you are 19 years old?

How did you buy these other cruisers?

What circumstances have changed and how do they relate to a 200?

What is your financial situation?

What is it about the 200 that your 80 can't address?

What can your income support?



Or.... Go have a talk with your grandparents. I suspect they'll give you solid advice.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Dude-You're 19. Concentrate on:

1-Getting a great education. Learn something that pays you back the rest of your life. Otherwise you'll be 39 and still living with mom.

2-Girls. You will have the time of your life between 19 and 25. Make the most of it.

3-Enjoy the Land Cruiser you have to go somewhere interesting.

 

[NLScooby]

Fill #3 above with #2 and enjoy it while you can!

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Thanks for the solid advice.

The 80 is a weekend truck, because I have a company car, but I will be changing jobs shortly due to an interstate move for family reasons and won't have a company car, and will be doing a lot of long distance highway travel.

I just thought a few of the mod-cons would be nice.

I don't know, I really like the 80, it's been a great truck, but my needs in a vehicle have changed.

I think I'm probably crazy...

 

[Markuson]

Thanks for the solid advice.

The 80 is a weekend truck, because I have a company car, but I will be changing jobs shortly due to an interstate move for family reasons and won't have a company car, and will be doing a lot of long distance highway travel.

I just thought a few of the mod-cons would be nice.

I don't know, I really like the 80, it's been a great truck, but my needs in a vehicle have changed.

I think I'm probably crazy...

If you can manage to be on your third Cruiser at the age of 19, then I doubt you are crazy.

 

[gaijin]

The 80 is a weekend truck, because I have a company car, but I will be changing jobs shortly due to an interstate move for family reasons and won't have a company car, and will be doing a lot of long distance highway travel.

Then keep the 80 as a weekend truck and buy yourself a car that will be comfortable and economical on long highway trips to replace your company car.

No reason to try to force fit one vehicle into all roles.

HTH

 

[Romer]

Then keep the 80 as a weekend truck and buy yourself a car that will be comfortable and economical on long highway trips to replace your company car.

No reason to try to force fit one vehicle into all roles.

HTH

Highways there and highways here are different

If your talking about Sydney to Brisbane, a commuter car would be great. If your talking Perth to Alice Springs, you may want a cruiser. What about a diesel 70 series?

 

[AussieHJCruza]

It would be 4-5 hours on a weekly basis and 18 hours or so every 6 weeks or so.

Dunno about a new 70, the 80 has everything th 70 has. Except cup holders maybe...

 

[CLHickman]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest you pickup the 200. For some reason, I don't know your finances, you're laying it on that you can afford the 200. If it will work for you, as well as you finances, then do it. It is not crazy for wanting the vehicle you want. Enjoy life while you can.

And even more, you most likely won't allow some people on the interwebs to sway your decision.

 

[Willy beamin]

get the 200 and cougars will flock to you!!!!!...score

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I would have to take out a loan to buy it, that's t only thing im a bit uncertain about

 

[Markuson]

Meh...
Frankly, the quality of advice can't be any better than the extent of information used as the basis for the advice. Not enough information from you to give specifically focussed advice.

OK... Here's one thought I think is worth considering no matter what your income, etc...
-Consider used and consider the vehicle's "age" in terms of mileage and condition rather than whether it's two years old or seven. Unless you just feel reeeeeally attached to the first 40 or 50k miles...let someone else take the massive initial financial hit of new...and enjoy a fantastic vehicle without the sting of initial devaluation.

Just four days ago, I came out to a parking lot to find an entire carload of guys standing around my 2008. I had just left the car wash...and they started asking questions. Funny thing was...they thought is was brand new! I guess the wheels, tires, lift, sliders, etc. made it look different enough to them and they thought it was brand spankin new. Heh... When I told them it was an '08... You should have seen the look on their faces. Funny... It's in amazing shape for an eight year old truck, and cleans up nicely.

Anyway... Almost anyone can buy a Cruiser if they don't mind some lightly-used years.

-Grumpy old Markupoop

 

[AussieHJCruza]

The Cruiser I'm looking at is an 07 VDJ200, done 150000 ks an they are asking 50k

What more would you like to know?

If I took a 3 year loan, it would be approx 20% of yearly income for 3 years

 

[Markuson]

The Cruiser I'm looking at is an 07 VDJ200, done 150000 ks an they are asking 50k

What more would you like to know?


If I took a 3 year loan, it would be approx 20% of yearly income for 3 years

When you first posted, you just said a 200. It helps to know the vehicle age and price range you're looking at.

So that's about $36,000 US, and about 93,000 miles.

I guess it depends on your other expenses and whether the other 80% comfortably meets your other needs. That's what I mean by not really knowing enough. Only you know what those other needs are.

A $50k Australian dollars (About $36k USD) loan at 6% interest paid over 36 months is about $1500 Australian per month (about $1100 USD)...so that means your income is about $7640 Australian per month (about $5500 USD per month).

Am I close?

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Yep, AUD