Buying an 80 series - Estimate Help (1 Viewer)

[reedfe]

Hey all,

Been looking to get into an 80 series and was wondering what a fair price for a 1996 that I went to see the other day. Below is a list of pros/cons that I noticed while inspecting. 200k miles, green exterior, tan interior, Center diff lock only. Seller is asking 15k.

Pros:
Body is clean, straight, and 100% rust free
Has 3rd row seats
New radiator, no overheat
Everything works with exceptions below
Owner owns 3 other Cruisers, clearly passionate

Big Cons:
Brakes - VERY SOFT, brakes felt almost non-existent, not safe
Power steering leak - Appears to be a wrong hose on the reservoir
Air bag Light on
Rear Main Seal Leak - Slow leak
Front Seats - Need reupholstery

Other cons:
Driver mirror doesn't power adjust
Battery tie down missing
Windows - Passenger front is slow, passenger rear does not go up without assistance
Washer bottle - Cracked
Kayak Rack on roof needs to be sawed off
Loose/stuck transfer case bolt
Rear corner side marker light out
Power antenna stuck up
Driver seat belt issues - Doesn't extend/retract without locking
Drive light on cluster burnt out
Clear coat fading - Hood, Roof
Couldn't test Sunroof due to roof rack
Front sunroof trim piece missing
Slight Lifter tick
Sun visors loose, falls down while driving
No service records

I really think the rig is solid from an engine/trans perspective but this list seems like a lot to do. Let me know thoughts if you could please!

TIA

 

[Devils Paw 80]

That’s a lot of negatives. Sounds like a neglected rig. The passion seems weak with this one. What’s the owners explanation for the bad brakes? Could need a new master cylinder and power steering pump for starters.
$15K is way too high.

 

[Tanner H]

Thats a pass for 15k. I understand prices have gone up over the last few years, but for 15k you can get a clean one without all the issues listed above. for 15k you can find a well sorted truck with good paint.

It sounds like this truck was not taken care of to be honest.

 

[reedfe]

That’s a lot of negatives. Sounds like a neglected rig. The passion seems weak with this one. What’s the owners explanation for the bad brakes? Could need a new master cylinder and power steering pump for starters.
$15K is way too high.

He didn't have a lot to say about that. Brakes felt like there was no power and that it just went to the floor. My thought was at least a brake bleed and master cylinder.

I got roughly 6-7k in repair costs for the items I listed. That is me doing most of the repairs except the big ones like rear main and air bag light.

I likely pass on it... Bummer because it seemed pretty nice at first glance.

 

[reedfe]

He didn't have a lot to say about that. Brakes felt like there was no power and that it just went to the floor. My thought was at least a brake bleed and master cylinder.

I got roughly 6-7k in repair costs for the items I listed. That is me doing most of the repairs except the big ones like rear main and air bag light.

I likely pass on it... Bummer because it seemed pretty nice at first glance.

Just out of curiosity, what would you guys think this rig would be worth?

 

[manofthewoods]

Just out of curiosity, what would you guys think this rig would be worth?

I'm going to get philosophical; you need to know what you want in the end. Examples include...
-A beater to last a few months
-a ugly but capable rock crawler
-a completely restored bone stock "new" old beast
-a non daily driver project that you want to rebuild/restore
etc.
Basically, honestly evaluate your use case. Then, shop to best match that case. The higher your standards the longer it will take to find, and likely the further you'll have to go, and of course you'll pay more up front, or later in parts.
This I will promise: it WILL cost more than you think.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Air bag light fix is complicated? It's not familiar to me. Dunno about a reasonable price these days. Maybe $10K max? It seems like they are selling for a bit less over the past year or so. I paid $5500 for one with same miles, no rust and bad PS pump in Spring of '21.

 

[ERG80]

Most of the cons you listed are pretty common.

Why does the kayak rack need to be sawed off? I can imagine it preventing the sunroof from venting up but can’t you test the sunroof by retracting it back?

What’s is a loose/stuck transfer case bolt? What was the owner having done to the cruiser to discover it? Are you talking about the drain plug

Please take it for an inspection before if you are serious about the purchase. Preferably from somewhere that knows cruisers. And update this thread with the findings and pictures of the vehicle if you can. That would give everyone a much better idea on a fair asking price.

$15k is silly.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Big Cons:
Brakes - VERY SOFT, brakes felt almost non-existent, not safe (PRETTY NORMAL AND HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE IF YOU HAVEN'T DRIVEN OTHER 80's)
Power steering leak - Appears to be a wrong hose on the reservoir ( LUCKY IF ONLY THE RESERVOIR LEAKS, HOSE INSN'T SPECIAL)
Air bag Light on ( That could be a big problem or something stupid like a clock spring which is an easy fix)
Rear Main Seal Leak - Slow leak (NORMAL AND EXPECTED FOR 200K)
Front Seats - Need reupholstery (ALMOST 30 YEARS OLD SO NOT UNCOMMON)

Other cons:
Driver mirror doesn't power adjust (80's HAVE POWER MIRROR ISSUES, MAINLY THE ADJUSTER HOUSING BREAKS)
Battery tie down missing (EVERY 80 I'VE LOOKED AT WAS MISSING THEM, I JUST BOUGHT MINE)
Windows - Passenger front is slow, passenger rear does not go up without assistance ( SAME ISSUE AND A COMMON ISSUE)
Washer bottle - Cracked
Kayak Rack on roof needs to be sawed off
Loose/stuck transfer case bolt (HUH?)
Rear corner side marker light out (PRETTY COMMON, USUALLY THE SOCKET GETS KNOCKED OUT/ BROKEN BY EITHER THE JACK OR THE TRAILER WIRING MODULE DEPENDING ON THE SIDE. BOTH MINE ARE BROKEN)
Power antenna stuck up (COMMON ISSUE)
Driver seat belt issues - Doesn't extend/retract without locking (COMMON)
Drive light on cluster burnt out (COMMON)
Clear coat fading - Hood, Roof (VERY COMMON FOR THE COLOR)
Couldn't test Sunroof due to roof rack (HUH?)
Front sunroof trim piece missing
Slight Lifter tick (MAY BE A LIFTER TICK BUT COULD BE TIMING CHAIN SLAP TOO WHICH IS AN ISSUE IN A LOT OF TOYOTAS)
Sun visors loose, falls down while driving (COMMON)
No service records

Most of what you listed is common problems. Not much out of the ordinary including the price. People think their clapped out Tacomas are $12k trucks and their 300k+ tundras are worth $25-30k. This is more of a reflection of the unrealistic expectations of the market than anything.

That being said, I would never pay that for an 80 with that kind of mileage. There are plenty of better options for 50%-70% of that cost. Shop around.

 

[Bisons]

To give you a comparison. I bought a 94 triple locked last April for $5000.

Zero rust, entire life out west. ARB front bumper and I can’t tell the make of the rear bumper but has a spare carrier. Sliders.That bumper needed some work to get it to lock.

Interior is cloth, good shape except the driver seat which wasn’t factory and in rough shape. Zero service records. Broken antenna. Several dents, clear coat totally baked off of the truck. No brakes whatsoever. Zero evidence of the front axle ever being serviced. Power windows slow when cold…and I mean super slow. And a whining sound from the motor I’ve yet to figure out(replaced belts, idler pulley, power steering pump and alternator). Tires completely worn out.

I’m sure there’s some other things I’m leaving out…oh yeah the rear locker engages sometimes, sometimes it doesn’t. Haven’t had time to run that down.

I sometimes feel like I overpaid for this truck, again just as info. There are some reasonably priced 80s out there, particularly out west.

15k is kinda weird price. I’d probably up my budget to 20 plus and get a pretty good built one that’s been baselined and cared for.

 

[Broski]

IMO that’s Covid pricing
Prices have come down in the last year. People are still hoping to skins a fat cat.
Keep looking !

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

IMO that’s Covid pricing
Prices have come down in the last year. People are still hoping to skins a fat cat.
Keep looking !

^^^^This is exactly it^^^^ Pandemic pricing mindset. Chip manufacturing isn't an issue anymore and manufacturers are producing plenty of new vehicles. Used vehicles aren't in the same demand as they were and prices will and are dropping. Shop around, don't let impatience rule you.

 

[JoeCova]

Agreed with everyone. I paid much less and have zero of those issues....

 

[SoTexCruiserDoc]

Great comments above. Certainly not $15K from your description only. $10K is pushing it, but more information and pictures would improve the estimates. Either get this one at a much more reasonable price or keep looking, depending on what your goals are…

 

[suzuguru]

As others have said, 15k is too high for one without lockers. Also, whenever I see someone with multiple cruisers for sale, I can't help but think that the one for sale is the runt of the litter.

 

[CrabCake]

As others have said, 15k is too high for one without lockers. Also, whenever I see someone with multiple cruisers for sale, I can't help but think that the one for sale is the runt of the litter.

Yup, dumping off the problem child...maybe $7-$8k if you can do all of the work yourself and the body is solid w/no frame rust. If you need to pay someone to do the major work for you, walk away.

 

[Bisons]

Here’s 3x locked 80 appears to be in really good shape cheaper than what you’re thinking about buying.

For Sale - Delmar, NY. 1995 Factory Triple Locked, Lifted, Land Cruiser 80 Series

$14,000. Selling my 1995 Land Cruiser with 3" lift, factory front and rear differential lockers, new paint (rare, beautiful factory nightshadow pearl color), brand new windshield, LED headlights, very minimal surface rust as shown; southern vehicle with a very clean frame and body, no dents, and...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[reedfe]

Thanks all for the comments! this certainly has helped me. I'll likely reach back out to the seller and let him know where I stand but also that I'd like a PPI to be done. I am putting value in it being a rust free straight example. I can fix most of these issues and live with some others, and your input has helped me reaffirm what I thought was a fair offer.

 

[reedfe]

Thanks all for the comments! this certainly has helped me. I'll likely reach back out to the seller and let him know where I stand but also that I'd like a PPI to be done. I am putting value in it being a rust free straight example. I can fix most of these issues and live with some others, and your input has helped me reaffirm what I thought was a fair offer.

Any recommendations for a PPI land cruiser specialist near Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Lots of good comments above.

I agree with the comment things always cost more than expected. There's always something unexpected, unforeseen, or little bibs & bobs you didn't think of.

You think 6-7k in repairs? budget for 8-9. Especially if you're paying for shop time