Finally Bought an 80!!!

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Jun 29, 2007
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A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and got an 80. I'm very excited. I've been looking very patiently for about 2 years waiting for a good deal and a great running truck. I finally found one...

I fell in love with the 80 in 1990 when my parents brought home a brand new Accord and my neighbors across the street brought home a brand new 80. I'd never seen anything like it before. Huge, stylish, comfortable, seating for everyone, it was amazing. They really must have gotten one of the first ones delivered (they still have it by the way). I was only 14 at the time, but now I'm driving the Accord (bought it from the 'rents 7 years ago) and now have an 80 of my own.

In addition to the Accord, I'd had a 4runner for the last 4 years. Great truck, a '97 like my 80, 5spd, and now in the hands of my brother-in-law so I didn't have to see it go far.

So anyway here are some of the details about it.

1997, Locked (thx for the heads up guys), 179K but after 3 weeks I can honestly say it appears to have no mechanical flaws at all, most issues are cosmetic such as the carpet and leather need some major cleaning, wood grain fading badly, some minor scratches (no rust), hood paint has marks on it from bugs which must have been left on for a while, leather below windows has some holes on it, PO bought it from his sister 2 years ago (she bought it with 9K in '98), has some towing in its history but never been offroad, his wife drove it, "D" light on dash doesn't work, thumb lock on e-brake broken off, their a little steering wheel play which appears to be common.

One strange things is that the keys only unlock the driver's side door and turn the ignition. They do not lock the driver's door and don't do anything to the passenger door or glove box.

All of these things are very minor though, I'm so happy with this thing. It runs like a dream and I feel it was a good buy at $6800.

A few pics (hope this works):

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The owner said the axels were redone two years ago. I didn't ask about the HG but it seems to be in order. I'm still waiting to get the service records in the mail.

Anyway, my wife wants it on road until we after a road trip to Houston in November (we live in NC), and then I can start mods. I'll probably stick to cleaning up the interior until then, add the CDL switch, and save $$.

I'm open to any suggestions on where to start with the mods, looking foward to it!!
 
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Sorry, couldn't resist.

Welcome.
 
That's the valet key you have there. It's the one you give to the valet when you want him to park and return your cruiser but you don't want him to have access to the glovebox, etc.
 
That's the valet key you have there. It's the one you give to the valet when you want him to park and return your cruiser but you don't want him to have access to the glovebox, etc.

That's what I thought, but shouldn't the valet key be allowed to lock the door? It should also still work in the passenger door I'd think.
 
Welcome:flipoff2:

That seems like a smokin' deal! I just bought a '96 for $7750 and I thought that was a great price. They are a blast to own!
 
That's what I thought, but shouldn't the valet key be allowed to lock the door? It should also still work in the passenger door I'd think.
Hmm, you got me there. My 4Runner valet key did the same thing, though. Maybe the valet is supposed to manually lock the door?

Beats me.

Anyway, sweet rig. Welcome to the "always wanted one, now I got one" club!

:flipoff2:
 
Steal of a deal, good for you m8!
Good luck and welcome to the addiction!
:cheers:
 
Welcome aboard and let the fun begin!
 
Glad that you've finally found one.

I have a 97 as well. Everything looked great when I got it, even for a Socal 80, but one peep under the roofrack, ah fu@k. I'll be dealing with that this week.
 
Gomiggity, where are you in NC? There are a number of cruiserheads here, mostly g'boro and points west due to access to Uwharrie NF.

- Don't worry about the 'D' light, most of them don't work and when they do folks wish it didn't.
- Claybar the paint to get rid of all the bug juice and contaminants and then apply a good wax
- Your front axles look good, but go ahead and baseline everything so that you KNOW things are in good working order.

Welcome! :flipoff2:
 
Thanks for the welcome everybody.

I'll try the claybar this weekend and see if that helps with the bugs and other scratches. I'm in Durham actually so right in your neck of the woods ZCruiser.

I think I got lucky on the deal. The guy advertised it for 7000 on Craigslist and I did a short test drive during my lunch break and told him I'd get back to him, meaning I just wanted to get approval from the wife. Knowing he had someone taking a second look the next day, I called and left messages twice that night and when he called back the following morning I told him I had the money with me and asked if he'd do 6800, pending an inspection of the low gear and the lockers.

He was anxious to get rid of it since he had just bought an Odyssey so my timing was perfect. To be honest with you at 7000 I didn't even ask if it had lockers, I was going to check it out anyway, so when I got there I could surprise myself with it. He didn't know what they were to be honest with you.

Thanks again for the welcome.
 
It's like Christmas morning. I couldn't get the smile off my face when I found out mine had lockers.:bounce: It's like a boulder was lifted off my shoulders. Congrats on your find and welcome. :flipoff2:


To be honest with you at 7000 I didn't even ask if it had lockers, I was going to check it out anyway, so when I got there I could surprise myself with it. He didn't know what they were to be honest with you.
 

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