Cruiser Quandry.....

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40Flipper

40Flipper

Master of Nothing
SILVER Star
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Threads
323
Messages
5,276
Location
Mt. Millis
Website
www.rinnadvisors.com
Looks like the 70 isn't going to work out as a daily driver for me. Too slow on the highway, too tough to get parts, and wifey hates driving in it. For the record, I do love that 70 though...very comfortable. I popped a fuel line and drove back from Providence on essentially 3 cylinders going about 35 mph on the highway at midnight. Not a big deal for me but glad my wife and kid weren't in the car.

Do I buy a used car and keep the BJ40 ? Do I sell them both and buy an FJ cruiser? Do I sell one and buy an 80 and keep the 40? 80's get shyt gas mileage and I do mostly highway miles. Do I get a 40 gasser and keep just one car to save $$$ and rent a car for long trips:meh::meh??

Times are tight these days and I can't keep them all. I should actually get a real job making double the $$$ with a company car. I'm sure that's the next conversation with the wife!

Need to figure this one out fairly quickly.
 
Just my opinion here John, but as much as I love my 80 and I do dd it, I think it would not be too practical for you. From the amount of travel you do on the road, it would kill you in gas. If the 70 is too slow, the 80 will do the speed but the mileage goes down the heavier the foot.
 
Part of me wants to buy a $2K honda accord or civic shytebox and drive that in the winter.
 
John, since you are asking, here's my 0.02 cents.

First you need to find out what you like...lately you seem all over the map. Once you figure this out, then you need to think with your head.

Do yourself a favor, and go and buy, or lease a new Corolla. They really are very decent cars, and this will fill your everyday, local or long distance, work or family DD solution. ...you need a good, safe, reliable car for everyday. The Yaris is too small, and the Camry will take funds away from your hobby. Get a brand new Corolla, you will pay X dollars per month for the next 4 years, so you know what your budget will be, and forget about buying someone else s problems...remember, all used cars are someone else s problem, or they would have kept it. Then, pick ONE hobby you love the most, and concentrate on that one. If you love the 70, or prefer a 40, get/keep ONE, work on it, and just enjoy it on your time off, or when you want a change of pace.

I do not think getting an 80 would help you at all, nor did I think the 70 was a good idea either...does not have to be a Corolla (although this would be my first choice) could be a new Civic, new Focus, new Camry or Accord or what ever new small family car you like...just my 0.02 cents :meh:
 
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I disagree on the Corolla, get a Yaris instead. The Corolla is made in the USA while the Yaris is made in Japan and imported. Better fit and finish on the Yaris, the price is about the same for a Yaris Sedan vs Corolla, maybe even cheaper. get the 3 door and its even more cheaper. I'm getting about 42 mpg in my Yaris sedan. A few other Yters have 3 door Yarii and love them also. Size is about the same on the Yaris sedan vs the Corolla. The 3 door is tiny, but smaller = better mpg and lower cost. I'm 5'10 and very comfortable with the wife and two kids in my sedan. I drive 200 miles a day to work and back and I dont feel cramped.
 
John I wish I could give you good advise. You are like I was. I couldn't keep a car for more than a year. I'd get bored and want to try something new. The first daily driver that I was able to keep for any length of time was my Tacoma. My wife frowns on buying and selling cars. She just doesn't get it. This is probably the reason I stopped.

That said you if you like Land Cruisers find what you really like as it would be a good idea to get a daily driver that your wife can live with for when you take her car. All Land Cruisers are a little different and we all have our reasons for choosing the ones we do. I love the 45 and I could easily do a 40 but while the 55's, 60's, 70's, and 80's are cool I just don't see myself owning one of those for a long time.

If I had to guess I think you are more of a 40 guy. Keep the BJ. Do some work to it to make it exactly what you want. The drivetrain has been recently rebuilt. If you want something with more power get a gasser. I really thought you were going to keep Dave B's old 40.
 
uhmm. sell the 70 keep the bj40 (until I have hte funds to buy it) don't hold your breathe on that though and buy a used 4 runner 2000-2004 vintage. your wife will not mind driving that and while it can do the long trips you can switch the volvo if need be.go a a supper long trip.

I really don't think you will get what the bj40 is worht from someone . that really is a nice truck. and the 70 will sell .

i would sell you my lv but its not what you really want:)
 
Good input.

Obviously I'm never gonna keep anything forever. Hoping for an interesting trade to pop up for the 70. I would be very happy with a 55 actually. I really like LV's and would be my ultimate cruiser. 55 is it's uglier, syphilitic cousin. After a couple beers a 55 looks just like an LV (in the garage, not whilst driving) Perhaps I put on my cruiser goggles and get a pig?

I'm down to a 4Runner and the 40 or a winter beater and a 55. Could be a combination of any of those.

Wait 10 minutes for my next post when I change my mind and but a Cherokee.
 
my dad has a 2005 4runner which is really nice. I was surprised how nice it drives. your welcome to come down and take it and the lv for a drive if you want.
 
I think you need some serious therapy!
 
I have a friend with a nice fj55 he might be getting rid of cheap. Probably around 3K. I will see him tomorrow.

He pulled the glass and int for paint (no rot, actually really clean, just was rattled red and he wanted a nice paint job on it) and it has been sitting a while in heated storage. Stock otherwise, mild lift, good rubber, late model with discs and a 2f. Interested? Easy afternoon reassemble.
 
Sorry Mike...I had a Yaris for a day and a half...and I`d rather have a Corolla, hands down.

John, if an LV is what you really want, then sell everything else, and get an LV to play with...no point in "just" being happy with anything else. I stand by my first post...unless you are buying a new 4runner, I would not buy an older car as my true DD...just not worth the headaches...you`ll have enough of those with the LV :beer:
 
Is the 70 really that hard to get parts for? The BJ40 can't be that much easier.

If it's too slow, buy a turbo for it and you'll be happy. The wife has her own ride, right?
 
LV resto is a dream and far too unrealistic for the wallet. Pig parts are easy as most parts trucks are under $1000. LV's need reproduction on many items. As Foggie how much he spent....I'm afraid to! Would love one but I'll have to wait until you guys start buying a lot more wine from me!

Lane is 100% right. I have cruiser problems. I really do need to find one and stick with it. A Pig would solve family travel issues that the 70 brings up....the big stroller needs to be strapped to the roof if we take the 70 to the park, etc. Once I get a pig, I will immediately be looking for an LV or something else because that's just how I am. BUT!!!!, I could get a pretty sweet pig for the value of one of these other rigs I currently have.

Flipping cars brings up commitment conversations with the wife (just like Leaping Deer mentioned) I can't commit to a car yet I've been 100% faithful since I met my wife (8 years) For some reason cruisers are a window into my soul as the wife sees it and she wonders when I'm going to trade her for a newer model. Told her she'll never find a soon-to-be-fat used car/wine salesman better than me. That kills her argument every time. Damn right she's lucky!

The BJ40 would be fine to keep as I would not be relying on it on a daily basis. I'm having some edic box issues on it and I can't go to Napa Auto Parts to fix it. Something to be said for the 350 and the 2F parts availability.

Anyway, hoping the perfect trade deal comes along and I won't really have a choice. Work has become so busy and I'm traveling so much that I don't have time for any projects. I have a set of new springs for the BJ40 that have been on my garage floor for 2 months with no hope of getting on that rig anytime soon.

I need to prioritize and possibly get my s*** together...which likely won't happen soon.
 
landtank said:
take the Sunday globe car section and pin it on the wall. Then blindfold yourself and throw a dart in that general direction.

What you hit is what you buy.

Drive it for a few weeks and sell it.

Repeat!

Why change things up now? :D
Click to expand...

Running to 7-11 now...:cheers:
 
how about a mini cooper:flipoff2:
 
The mixture of beer and emails has led to some interesting prospects. Stay tuned.
 
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