Bludozer
SILVER Star
Bit off topic but how did you like your 430? Been thinking about switching out my current beater POS with one.
Are any of you daily driving their 80-Series? (2 Viewers)
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Best car I’ve ever had, I miss it already. It was a 2005 and had just over 88k on it when I traded it last week. 100 Series quality, but since they’re a luxury car they don’t hold their value well. Smooth, quiet, 0-60 about 6 seconds. You can fit a few bodies in the trunk. Get a 2004-2006 so you get the 6 speed and updated exterior. I recommend one and will buy another low mile one in the future.
Daily Driver since I bought it in 2001. I did work from home some during that time, but for the most part it's always been a DD. I don't own another vehicle to drive so what ya gonna do but drive the beast? Never really cared about gas because you can't really do anything but get gas when you need to fill up. Plus it's like I have a relationship with it and it's part of my identity at this point. Not real sure what I'd get after the 80. Maybe a GX460.
I probably put about as many miles on the 80 in a year as most folks here do in 2-4 weeks of daily driving.
The wife and I started biking to/from work more seriously a couple years ago, I might drive it for an errand on the weekend, but sometimes it goes 2-3 weeks without starting. There is an issue with the fuel gauge, been using the odometer to estimate how much is in the tank and a couple other issues that make it less friendly and it is the hardest thing to find time for wrenching on it these days.
Did use it for a week long hunting trip, about 9 hours to/from camp this year though and a few other small trips.
The wife and I started biking to/from work more seriously a couple years ago, I might drive it for an errand on the weekend, but sometimes it goes 2-3 weeks without starting. There is an issue with the fuel gauge, been using the odometer to estimate how much is in the tank and a couple other issues that make it less friendly and it is the hardest thing to find time for wrenching on it these days.
Did use it for a week long hunting trip, about 9 hours to/from camp this year though and a few other small trips.
I daily mine about 70 miles roundtrip each day. I have another low mileage car but I leave that home for the wife.
spent 12 hours in the 92 last Saturday on a wheelin trip to the sierras and contemplated what a joy it is to drive these rigs as well. I was'nt even sore the next day so I will echo the sentiments throughout this forum. As i drove the mountain pass by Bucks lake, late, all by myself, low on gas, on a very lightly traveled stretch of highway (after banging through some scetchy terrain and winching 4 of us out) I got a little nervous but as usual the cruiser got me where I needed to go, and then some. She hung the mountain corners in full-time and didnt mind getting a little soaked inside on the trail when I left the sunroof open as weather came in while I was scouting obstacles. 
I DD'ed a 85 FJ60 then a 96 LX450. Still in the 80. Had to get rid of the 85 because we have four kids and lap belts/manual was a nightmare when we needed to trade vehicle. The 80 is perfect if you want a reliable, cool, car that can still haul kids. My wife loves it too!
I DD mine every chance i get and i prefer the 80s over my bmw just because in LA traffic, nobody wants to mess with the 80s on 37s and full armor.
I DD my 80 when weather permits. Yes that may sound weird but I have not yet under coated her as I have lots of work planned for the winter. She will never be winter driven as she is rust free and I want to keep it that way as long as possible.
That being said it brings the biggest smile to my face every time I drive it. Yes it's a pig on fuel but I don't care!
After this winters work she will be drowned in Krown Rust coating so she will at least be driven in the rain in the summer. I will probably put 4-5000 miles on it per year.
Drive um if ya got um!
That being said it brings the biggest smile to my face every time I drive it. Yes it's a pig on fuel but I don't care!
After this winters work she will be drowned in Krown Rust coating so she will at least be driven in the rain in the summer. I will probably put 4-5000 miles on it per year.
Drive um if ya got um!
Us a fuel injector cleaner and you will get better mileage. I just did so with mine and the acceleration and mileage are both better. I have 280K on mine as well. It isn't a daily driver but I'll probably drive it more over the next few months. My tires are 6 years old and have half the tread left on them. That should tell you how little I have been driving it over the last few years. Need to put some miles on the tires. I'll probably take it wheeling more as well to run them down. I'll swap them out after 7 years regardless. Rubber ages and I'd prefer that old tires not be the reason I die.
You know what’s funny? I put some Techron in it from Costco a few weeks ago, and now once in a while it’ll start with a low idle and die - then when it restarts it’s fine. Wondering if that’s from blowing some built up deposits out of the injectors that hasn’t burned off yet. All the tuneup stuff has been done recently, so I’ve just been using it as a reason to mash the skinny pedal a little more to get that stuff through. Never had an issue with it in any other vehicle.
LX450 - drive it every day. Everyone asks why I’m driving an old as piece of sh*t. I just smile and tell them I like to have a physical connection with my earthly possessions. I don’t look at the pump when I gas up.
Update. I now have put over 50,000 miles on my 80. Still daily driving it with a smile on my face everyday.
UCLAcruiser
SILVER Star
I daily drive mine and have not had any regrets. Just find your local preferred gas station and drive it with a smile.
Like @Marco Lau said, no one wants to mess with an 80 in LA traffic. I only have 33s, front bumper and small lift. Folks in their Prius or Tesla still move/back off when the 80 rumbles into the lane. Also, I drive in the ‘hood every day for work and the beast is made for that type of terrain: poorly maintained streets, unpaved areas, lots of road debris and people that don’t follow the rules of the road unless...your ride is bigger than theirs.
Like @Marco Lau said, no one wants to mess with an 80 in LA traffic. I only have 33s, front bumper and small lift. Folks in their Prius or Tesla still move/back off when the 80 rumbles into the lane. Also, I drive in the ‘hood every day for work and the beast is made for that type of terrain: poorly maintained streets, unpaved areas, lots of road debris and people that don’t follow the rules of the road unless...your ride is bigger than theirs.
I love cruisers. I own and have owned many for almost 35 years. My commute is around 50 miles round trip. I can think of no reason why I (or anyone) would use one of these rigs as a daily driver. They are neither economical, fun to drive, overly comfortable, particularly safe, etc. They have nothing I am looking for in a daily driver. Not that I am looking for all these items. For example, I can put up with poorer mileage if I get performance or something else in return. The only reason I can think of anyone using one as a daily driver is that either their commute is extremely short or it is an image thing. Flame suit on.
my commute is 4.5 miles one way =)
50 miles. I get a Tesla or Prius. =)
surfpig
The Anti-Tech
I DD my 80.
My minimum daily round trip is 30 miles. I am frequently out to other shops, so my daily on those is 150 miles/day.
I average about 20K miles/ year.
I got my 80 cheap, I have gone through everything to make it very reliable.
You say "not safe"....I disagree. Look at some of the threads on here that people walked away from. Mines a 96 with dual airbags.
You say "not comfortable" I disagree. And I'm 6'-1" and a fat guy.
You say "not economical". I totally agree. But I don't drive it for the gas mileage. My cost per mile is very low due to depreciation and maintenance. WAAAYY cheaper than a new vehicle that can carry similar amounts of tools, inspection equipment, customers, and PPE as necessary. All that stuff doesn't fit in a Camry. The other guy I work with has a 2017 Chevy Silverado 3/4T that he owes a LOT of money on. I have about a fourth of the cost of his in mine. And he still seems to have issues with his truck needing to be in the shop. He get 18 MPG to my 13. I can buy a LOT of gas for the difference in investment and cost of fuel.
Plus, my newest vehicle is a 2009 Chrysler minivan, and I don't drive that one. Come to think of it, my LC is my third NEWEST vehicle.
I keep my stuff a long time and maintain old stuff with high mileage.
Plus, I don't have to worry about weather. Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet shall inhibit me from arriving at my destination.
Well said..
I can blast my AC in LA traffic and watch my temp sits at 190 F. Ice cold AC, with a view over traffic for miles.
I commute 75 miles a day. Your back and mine disagree. (which is allowed) I've got 4 cars and had my old Tacoma. The 2 vehicles that don't make my back ache (old lifting injury) are my 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and my 80. (even with my worn out seats) I can adjust lumbar, angle and width in my 80. If my back seems like it isn't happy, I adjust accordingly. For my back, my seats are more comfortable than my wife's much newer Lexus. True, it's not fast to drive either. But, I find it more fun than my modded Evo 9. The older I get the more I like the "truck" feel to a vehicle. Fuel mileage... I have no excuse. Even with the diesel, I am looking at 20 mpg roughly. Some caveats are that I live outside the city and my rig sees dirt almost every weekend, even if I'm not wheeling. In the end, though, there is something intangible that makes me "want" to drive it in the morning. When I get up, the Cruiser keys are the ones I go for.
