Bought a 97, 80 Series today (9 Viewers)

[jemsec]

Request your thoughts regarding my purchase today. It's a 97 80 series, 40th Anniversary Edition. It does not have lockers and is in fair condition. Lite green, 198,000 miles. Brakes are metal on metal. Front bumper is bent and grill is cracked. Needs two tires. One owner from Livingston, AL and was last driven by their 17 year old daughter. Traded it for a new Land Rover. Grandmother paid cash for balance.

Interior is fair, power seat is a mess and only one door lock works. Service records are excellent and car fax shows no accidents and it has no evidence of body damage. Suffers from a serious lack of care and attention. Lot's of worn places inside but in very serviceable condition.

Filthy would be an understatement. No evidence of much, if any off road use. Interior will be fine with a good cleaning and there is dry pine sap in many spots. Runs and drives very well.

Will post pictures later after it get's a good cleaning and wash. All glass is good. No evidence of rust. Sunroof is sealed with silicone.

Ordered rotors, calipers and pads today for the front to put in drivable condition.

While driving around it was found on the back lot of Birmingham Land Rover. It was traded in Monday. They were going to do some repairs and I bought it, "as is" for $3,600.03. I'm sure they were glad to get it off their lot.

If it proves itself I may sell my 100 and keep this rag. The 100 is complete except for a rear bumper, front locker and second battery system.

Did I screw up? Don't be kind. Tell the truth even if it hurts. It will be appreciated.

 

[lrowe_csp]

Jemsec:
what was the .03 tacked on the price for?
In all seriousness, I have both a 100 series, and the 80, and I love that 80! If I could only have one of the two, and it wasn't a daily driver, I would have to keep the 80, as it just has so much character, doesn't look like anything else out there, and has that excellent solid front axle for articulation. Personally, I decided I would never sell my 80, so I paid forward for happiness by putting in a 2UZ a couple of years ago. Enjoy!

Oh, yeah- parting thought, keep them both!

 

[Atticus]

You overpaid but no big deal. I love my 80. Where is Moore Corner? I'm from Birmingham.

 

[chairborne]

You did just fine. Plenty of info on fixing the minor problems it has here on mud. The seat is a piece of cake. I paid a lot more for my 97 and it's not substantially nicer...

 

[jemsec]

You overpaid but no big deal. I love my 80. Where is Moore Corner? I'm from Birmingham.

Moore Corner goes back to the old Overton mining days in the early 1900's. It's the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Overton Road. Used to be a country store there.

By the way, how much do you think I overpaid?

 

[gray rider]

Request your thoughts regarding my purchase today. It's a 97 80 series, 40th Anniversary Collectors Edition. It does not have lockers and is in fair condition. Lite green, 198,000 miles. Brakes are metal on metal. Front bumper is bent and grill is cracked. Needs two tires. One owner from Livingston, AL and was last driven by their 17 year old daughter. Traded it for a new Land Rover. Grandmother paid cash for balance. Interior is fair, power seat is a mess and only one door lock works. Service records are excellent and car fax shows no accidents and it has no evidence of body damage. Suffers from a serious lack of care and attention. Lot's of worn places inside but in very serviceable condition. Filthy would be an understatement. No evidence of much, if any off road use. Interior will be fine with a good cleaning and there is dry pine sap in many spots. Runs and drives very well. Will post pictures later after it get's a good cleaning and wash. All glass is good. No evidence of rust. Sunroof is sealed with silicone. Ordered rotors, calipers and pads today for the front to put in drivable condition. While driving around it was found on the back lot of Birmingham Land Rover. It was traded in Monday. They were going to do some repairs and I bought it, "as is" for $3,600.03. I'm sure they were glad to get it off their lot. If it proves itself I may sell my 100 and keep this rag. The 100 is complete except for a rear bumper, front locker and second battery system. Did I screw up? Don't be kind. Tell the truth even if it hurts. It will be appreciated.

Answers to the name of "Lucky"

 

[thatcabledude]

By the way, how much do you think I overpaid?

Since you said it runs good, I think you did fine!

 

[jemsec]

Answers to the name of "Lucky"

That, my friend, my turn out to be the case.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Do you know the service history on the truck? any records? Has the headgasket been replaced? PHH? If you don't know, then I'd say you overpaid a bit... not a ton, maybe $500-$1000

 

[jemsec]

Has a new head gasket, starter, belts, water pump. Just finding repairs and so far, it looks better and better. No lockers is a negative but will adjust with time. Ordered parts for the driver's seat today and replaced front rotors, calipers, pads and waiting on brake hoses to deliver. Pads were worn half way into the metal. Will get a good pressure wash this weekend.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Has a new head gasket, starter, belts, water pump. Just finding repairs and so far, it looks better and better. No lockers is a negative but will adjust with time. Ordered parts for the driver's seat today and replaced front rotors, calipers, pads and waiting on brake hoses to deliver. Pads were worn half way into the metal. Will get a good pressure wash this weekend.

That's good. Very good.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

That's funny. You wouldn't find a serviceable 16 year old land rover in the back of a Toyota dealership (or any dealership for that matter) Especially with 198k mikes and having survived the abuse of a 17 your old to boot. Surprised they didn't give it to you cheaper in order to avoid reliability discussions with potential new vehicle customers.

 

[retrofive]

Sounds like you did fine. Little elbow grease can go a long ways.

 

[Atticus]

I stand corrected. With all of the repairs and maintenance done, you have some minor things standing between you and a good truck.

 

[harrydunn]

Sounds like you did fine. If it needs two tires, it probably needs four. AWD.

 

[canamcruiser84]

If the engine seems solid. I would just fix things here and there. So you Don't feel like You are dumping alot of cash on it at one time. Good buy...

 

[bigfj62]

Who cares if you did not get the best deal. You are the new owner of a Land Cruiser. Congrats have fun!

 

[Azca]

Who cares if you did not get the best deal. You are the new owner of a Land Cruiser. Congrats have fun!

I agree. The only person you have to satisfy is yourself. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[HMalice]

If you are happy, it was a good deal.

 

[BILT4ME]

That sounds about like mine when I got it. The PO was a 17 YO boy that ran it hard and ended it's career with them by protecting him from a guardrail that jumped out in front of him!

Mine had 196000 on it, the sunroof leaked(s) like crazy, the tie rod ends were shot, the brakes were shot, the interior smelled like boiled dog p***, the front seat leather is shot, the chrome on the wheels is peeling BAD, two wheels don't match the other three, the wipers didn't work, the hood wouldn't stay up, some of the windows will go up or down (but not both), the exhaust Y pipe is cracked, the left outer mirror was broken, and the window tint on the front two windows was so hazed that you had to roll down the window to see out.

The good news is: The price was RIGHT! The HG was done 45K ago, the engine does not burn or leak oil, and the DRIVER'S window goes up AND down!

So far, I put on a new wiper motor, one hood strut, 3 bolts in the RF steering arm, two TRE, and a pair of Airlift Air Bags in the rear springs and used silicone to repair the left mirror and a razor blade and carburetor cleaner to remove the window tint. With adding only $400 to it, I have driven it 21,000 miles with no other issues.

Now I am starting into the heavy PM rebuild phase.
Complete front axle rebuild (WB, Trunnions, seals, swapping birfs S-S) w/ Powerstop rotors and 100 ceramic pads, new brake hoses, and caliper rebuild kits.
Rear axle rebuild (WB, seals) w/ Powerstop rotors and ceramic pads, new brake hoses, and caliper rebuild kits.
Replaced the lift gate cylinders with the McMaster Carr mod. (absolutely SWEET!)

Next will be:
Y pipe repair
Remaining fluid changes (Antifreeze, T-Case oil, PS Oil)
Track down eternal sunroof leaks
PS hoses
Distributor ORing
Oil Pump Seal
Tires
Springs
Shocks
Paint front and rear bumpers and wings

I always wanted a LC and when the opportunity came up, I jumped on it! I even paid the guy TWICE what he offered it to me!

Fortunately, the bodywork from the guardrail had already been taken care of. There is absolutely NO rust on this truck, even though half it's life was spent in CO.

So far, I love driving it, in spite of the issues. I am using all this work to teach our 14 YO son how to work on things since he may inherit it (from my cold, dead hands...)

I'm positive I got a better deal than you, but I think you did OK. I was in the right place at the right time with cash.

Congratulations to another owner of a Land Cruiser!