Seeing pictures like this makes me happy to live in the desert southwest and own a '99 that lived the first 10 years of its life in Tucson and the last 8 in Albuquerque. No harsh winters, no humidity and no salted roads.
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- #23
After the 100 fell through I did some more looking. Found this '96 80 series with front and rear lockers, 215k miles for ~$3000. She doesn't look too good either. Seems like it would need a healthy amount of work to the front axle. Exhaust looks pretty rough. Engine compartment looks ok I guess. Not as familiar with the 80s. Figured I'd share the photos here instead of the 80 tech page since some folks were already looking at the thread.
Are you only working with a $3-3500 budget? You'll be hard pressed to find a decent condition 100 or even 80 at that price point. They'll either be rusty or not running.
The 100 in the pics isn't that bad. Not good by any means but it's still got some life left in her. The frame still looks pretty good. Replace the exhaust, sway links and hose the underside down with some sort of corrosion inhibitor, snug up the valve covers to stop (or slow) the oil leak, and just keep on trucking. If it runs, drives and stops good, the body is clean, doesn't need tires right away and the interior is good, it seems decent enough for $3500.
The 100 in the pics isn't that bad. Not good by any means but it's still got some life left in her. The frame still looks pretty good. Replace the exhaust, sway links and hose the underside down with some sort of corrosion inhibitor, snug up the valve covers to stop (or slow) the oil leak, and just keep on trucking. If it runs, drives and stops good, the body is clean, doesn't need tires right away and the interior is good, it seems decent enough for $3500.
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- #26
Thanks for the advice, Andrew. I'm sort of working two angles to see what pans out. Angle 1 is keeping my daily driver and wrenching on a cheap 80/100 for offroad/car camping. Angle 2 is selling my daily driver and could then afford something like a 2004-2006 100. But angle 2 is proving a bit of a challenge for whatever reason.
I have to agree with @AMGAndrew. For the price, this one is actually better than what I have seen in this price range. Granted here I do not know what the inside and body looks like, and has limited view of the frame. Personally I am not worried about rusty components like exhaust or shocks - especially if I know I can and will replace them anyway. Surface rust on frame is ok (for this price), a hole is probably not ok.
Also, what is the goal here. If you intend to keep it forever, maybe do not start with this one, and get the one that is completely rust free (going to be more expensive for sure). If you intend of keeping it for a few year, it probably works fine and you are not going to get hit from big depreciation for several years of use.
Just my 2c.
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- #28
I hear ya. This would be a "keep it for a few years" situation. If it goes for 4-5 years, that's great too. I've got lots of small trips, and a few big ones planned for the next couple of years. Car camping/adventure/road trip type stuff.
The second set of pics shows the cheap 80 series. Pretty significant rust as well, needs suspension parts and front axle rebuild for sure. But she's got front/rear lockers (seller claims they aren't seized up) and a pretty clean interior. I'm not cheap, definitely respect what people are selling. Just frugal overall...I take pretty much any expense over $500 with serious consideration.
The second set of pics shows the cheap 80 series. Pretty significant rust as well, needs suspension parts and front axle rebuild for sure. But she's got front/rear lockers (seller claims they aren't seized up) and a pretty clean interior. I'm not cheap, definitely respect what people are selling. Just frugal overall...I take pretty much any expense over $500 with serious consideration.
I am with you. We are pretty frugal as well. When replacing components, the cost can quickly add up even when you are doing this yourself, so that is something to consider. I would get something that you are comfortable with the price and condition.
From now on y'all should be calling me nostradamus...
Buy the 100. Go thru it, make some repairs, do the maintenance and do your best to keep on top of the rust.. but don't lose sleep over it. No reason why you shouldn't be able to get 5 years out of it. It might still be in decent enough shape to be sold at that point too.
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- #32
Given the advice/suggestions on the 100 I talked to the dealer again but they've decided to "export it to the middle east". I thought the middle east had it's share of LCs already...weird. I find that odd, but they've made up their mind.
Spoke with the 80-series owner. He says it
2qt/5000mi seems high
Seems like that could be any number of things causing that one...gaskets/main seal/piston rings...dunno about that haha.
Spoke with the 80-series owner. He says it
- Uses less than 2 quarts of oil in 5000 miles
- "Does not have air conditioning belt"
- Crack in windshield on passenger side
- Passenger fwd/aft seat adjust doesn't work
- No leaking fluids visible
2qt/5000mi seems high
Seems like that could be any number of things causing that one...gaskets/main seal/piston rings...dunno about that haha.
Glad you miss the 100. Corrosion once active, very hard to stop, specially at hidden corners. The 80 series got the same headache as the 100.
Keep the smaller car you have for short trips as these 100 are doing 13 MPG at best on highway. Safe few more $$$ and get a truck with a OK engine (T-belt, radiator replacements), transmission and non corroded frame/axles/suspension. If you are willing to travel, you'll get good deals.
Keep the smaller car you have for short trips as these 100 are doing 13 MPG at best on highway. Safe few more $$$ and get a truck with a OK engine (T-belt, radiator replacements), transmission and non corroded frame/axles/suspension. If you are willing to travel, you'll get good deals.
Bah. Oh well. The ME has a bunch of 100's already but theres still more buyers than there are 100's availible. Plus they don't last long when launching them off the tops of sand dunes.
When you're buying at the very lowest end of the $ spectrum, you need to move fast because they sell fast, even if they're rusty, poorly maintained or interior/exterior is thrashed.
I'd stick to finding a 100. It's got the right balance of on road comfort and off road capability. Good luck!
When you're buying at the very lowest end of the $ spectrum, you need to move fast because they sell fast, even if they're rusty, poorly maintained or interior/exterior is thrashed.
I'd stick to finding a 100. It's got the right balance of on road comfort and off road capability. Good luck!
