Advice on new Cruiser purchase

[ClankBang]

Hey Guys/Gals,
Newbe here
I hope this is the right place to post this..... I know that these questions are sometimes very boring and routine but i still have to ask. We are wanting to move into the Cruiser world due to the growing family. We have three large dogs (that must ride inside the car ...) and a new baby adding to the crew. The Cruiser will be a third vehicle designated for family trips and camping with some mild to moderate offroading. We are still split on whether we want a 80 or a 100 series. I have been leaning more toward the 80 because of the price and ruggedness but today I saw this 100 and I was hoping to get some advice. It seems a little high to me but I ran a carfax on it and it shows that it was serviced at all intervals by a dealership. The one thing i haven't found out yet is if it had the timing belt done when it was suposed to (carfax has a service record at 77k that says all recomended service was done) I am planning an calling the dealership and asking what service has been performed. Any way here is the link Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com
Could y'all advise me on the price (and convice me a 100 is the way to go). Of course if i do buy it I will be removing the brush gard and selling it to inorder to purchase some sliders or a real bumper.

Ps. please excuse any misspelling but as Mark Twain once said "I don't give a darn for a man who can only spell a word one way"

 

[askeyey]

I've been doing a bit of price browsing my self and this one seems a little higher than others I've seen. I'm definitely looking for an 80 with the 3FE since I am already comfortable with that engine and can do most of the work myself.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Towing big boats etc.? Go the V-8. 2 CENTS MIKE

 

[ClankBang]

The more I look at it the harder time I have believing that it has a 2.5" lift. Its listed on ebay as an OME lift. What do y'all think about the pictures? Does it look lifted to you?

 

[spressomon]

Maybe LC prices have rebounded some since November-January time period but the price still seems high to me for a '99.

Keep in mind in 13K it will need a major PM/90K PM.


FWIW: I went through 6-months of decision making trying to decide between the 80 or 100 platform when I bought my '99 4+ years ago. I knew I'd be adding significant weight and more than likely an off-road trailer of some type so the V8 won out. If you think the trails you plan to do will be OK with a 2" lifted rig then the 100 is a great platform. OTOH if you really know the trails you want to do will require 3-4" of lift front and back then the 80 would be the better choice. Trailering? Between these two platforms the V8 wins hands down for a normally aspirated engine.

Ideally I think I would be most happy with an 80 with the 4.7L . Waiting to hear from the Slee camp about this...

 

[BManning`]

Ah, 80 vs. 100! There's no wrong way to go, but...


...with 3 dogs, I think the extra room in the 100 would be a Godsend. Also, 100 is larger, stronger structurally, V8 powered, and safer (airbags, which older 80s won't have). And, even with the V8, you'll get slightly better MPG in a 100, as well as the additional towing capacity and better brakes & handling.

I've owned both, they are both great trucks, but for overall utility, I'd go to a 100. As has been mentioned, if you want to run gnarly trails that require more than a couple inches of lift, then an 80 is your best bet.

They're Land Cruisers. There's no wrong choice.

And I agree about the one you're looking at not looking 2.5" up! I'd crawl under it and look at the suspension rather than just taking their word for it. The weight of that front bumper will pull things down a bit, but that truck doesn't look lifted to me.

As far as the price, they'd need to work with you on it. Don't let them give you the "we're making $250 on this deal at this price" crap. I used to sell trucks, I got out but I know the game...if they won't play ball, go buy another one.

Just one guy's opinion: I'd offer $13k OUT THE DOOR and be prepared to walk away if they balk. There are lots of deals out there. Check your local paper, autotrader.com, craigslist.com, cars.com, ebay, etc. etc.

 

[ClankBang]

Sorry I guess my post was a little confusing. The cruiser has 131k and the add says all maintence performed but it does not go into detail about it. here is the carfax

12/23/1998 NICB Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer 01/28/1999 6 Service Facility Pre-delivery inspection completed 04/06/1999 230 Arkansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Fort Smith, AR
Title #66039918669 Title or registration issued
First owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle
Loan or lien reported 05/13/1999 826 Service Facility Parts ordered
Floor mats replaced 09/30/1999 5,060 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 11/19/1999 6,721 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 01/10/2000 8,511 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 04/10/2000 12,423 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Tires rotated 07/25/2000 15,226 Service Facility Maintenance inspection completed
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed 01/17/2001 20,188 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 06/15/2001 23,829 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 08/21/2001 26,112 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Body noise checked 10/22/2001 29,457 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Parts ordered 12/07/2001 32,039 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Four wheel alignment performed 02/25/2002 Arkansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Fort Smith, AR
Title #66039918669 Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location 04/02/2002 35,066 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Front wiper blades/refills replaced 07/17/2002 41,119 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Rear brakes serviced/adjusted
Tires rotated and balanced
Front wiper blades/refills replaced 11/25/2002 46,848 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Tires rotated 08/08/2003 52,164 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Tires rotated 09/12/2003 52,853 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Vehicle serviced 03/05/2004 57,989 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Tires rotated 07/31/2004 61,093 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed 02/17/2005 68,760 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Tires rotated 03/07/2005 Arkansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Fort Smith, AR
Title #66039918669 Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as White 08/17/2005 73,918 J. Pauley Toyota
Fort Smith, AR
479-646-7800
www.jpauleytoyota.com
ww.jpauleytoyota.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 10/17/2005 Coleman Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep
New Boston, TX
903-628-6553
www.colemanmotors.com
ww.colemanmotors.co
m Cooling system checked
Pre-delivery inspection completed
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Differential fluid flushed/changed
Transmission serviced
Transmission checked
Safety inspection performed

Owner 2 Purchased:2005Typeersonal Where:Arkansas Est. miles/year:---Est. length owned:10/17/05 - 1/12/06
(2 months)

Date:Mileage:Source:Comments:10/17/2005 Arkansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Van Buren, AR
Title #66030516084 Registration issued or renewed
Title or registration issued
New owner reported
Vehicle color noted as White 01/05/2006 Coleman Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep
New Boston, TX
903-628-6553
www.colemanmotors.com
ww.colemanmotors.co
m Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 01/12/2006 77,840 Dealer Inventory
New Boston, TX Vehicle offered for sale 04/06/2006 Service Plan Co.
Pueblo, CO Service contract issued

Owner 3 Purchased:2006Typeersonal Where:Colorado, Missouri Est. miles/year:---Est. length owned:5/4/06 - 1/31/08
(1 yr. 8 mo.)

Date:Mileage:Source:Comments:05/04/2006 80,750 Colorado
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pueblo, CO
Title #781927 Title or registration issued
New owner reported 11/30/2006 93,000 Missouri
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Russellville, MO
Title #TAA79693 Title issued or updated
Title or registration issued
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location 01/09/2007 96,595 Riley Cadillac Toyota
Jefferson City, MO
573-893-3100
www.goriley.com Tires rotated
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated 02/15/2007 Missouri
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Russellville, MO
Title #TAA79693 Title or registration issued 02/20/2007 98,686 Riley Cadillac Toyota
Jefferson City, MO
573-893-3100
www.goriley.com A/C and heating system checked 10/01/2007 115,570 Riley Cadillac Toyota
Jefferson City, MO
573-893-3100
www.goriley.com Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Body electrical system checked
Tires rotated

Owner 4 Purchased:2008Typeersonal Where:Alabama Est. miles/year:---Est. length owned:1/31/08 - 1/30/09
(11 months)

Date:Mileage:Source:Comments:01/31/2008 117,191 Alabama
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Vernon, AL
Title #38398235 Title issued or updated
New owner reported 01/30/2009 131,104 Online Listing Vehicle offered for sale