An ongoing point of interest on the forum are the costs associated with owning and operating 80 series landcruisers. My general observation is that:
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For the 6 years and 62k miles that I've owned my 80 I've tracked most of the time and $ that I've put into and below is a summary of my 80 costs to date, minus insurance. I bought my 80 as a driveable but very rough project in 2016. The first few years were spent on baselining and making it reliable, the next few years were primarily on driveability and now I'm into interior comfort and cosmetics work related to making it "nicer". If I go much further I'll change my insurance strategy as I've had it at liability only while it is ugly/rough.
It's probably worth saying that I'm really happy with my 80 and am enjoying the restoration and maintenance work that it requires though I have to pace myself to avoid it feeling like work. I'd be open to changing vehicles and I've occasionally considered moving to an LX470 for the V8 and smooth ride (I like the AHC) or a newer Tundra/Sequoia that can fit the family. Thinking of the extra maintenance/complexity that I'd be getting with the LX makes me prefer the 80, looking at the purchase prices of the newer rigs makes it seem like the 80 is a bargain and I prefer older stuff anyway. My plan remains to keep the 80 as my primary vehicle indefinitely.
- potential 80 buyers seem to focus mostly on purchase price
- 80 owners point out the costs of catching up on maintenance, modifications and general care and feeding of an 80
].For the 6 years and 62k miles that I've owned my 80 I've tracked most of the time and $ that I've put into and below is a summary of my 80 costs to date, minus insurance. I bought my 80 as a driveable but very rough project in 2016. The first few years were spent on baselining and making it reliable, the next few years were primarily on driveability and now I'm into interior comfort and cosmetics work related to making it "nicer". If I go much further I'll change my insurance strategy as I've had it at liability only while it is ugly/rough.
It's probably worth saying that I'm really happy with my 80 and am enjoying the restoration and maintenance work that it requires though I have to pace myself to avoid it feeling like work. I'd be open to changing vehicles and I've occasionally considered moving to an LX470 for the V8 and smooth ride (I like the AHC) or a newer Tundra/Sequoia that can fit the family. Thinking of the extra maintenance/complexity that I'd be getting with the LX makes me prefer the 80, looking at the purchase prices of the newer rigs makes it seem like the 80 is a bargain and I prefer older stuff anyway. My plan remains to keep the 80 as my primary vehicle indefinitely.
- current cost per mile is $.52, without insurance factored in
- overall cost per month are $435 and should drop over time
- 2016 "parts costs" includes the purchase price of $1800 and misc fluids/stuff to drive it home
- Baselining has included HG, suspension bushings, most rubber, etc. and seems universally needed for any not-yet-updated 80 at this point
- My main surprise is that fuel costs are so close to parts costs at this point. I pay more attention to the parts spend but the fuel steadily adds up and higher prices are evident the last few years.
| Parts Costs | Fuel Costs | Miles Driven | Hrs Worked | |
| Totals | $17,906.90 | $14,443.98 | 62,498 | 536.1 |
| 2016 | $2,000.00 | $0.00 | 140 | 16 |
| 2017 | $3,129.00 | $71.82 | 627 | 96.5 |
| 2018 | $4,940.00 | $1,889.79 | 8,687 | 143.85 |
| 2019 | $2,556.00 | $2,507.57 | 12,646 | 55.5 |
| 2020 | $1,991.00 | $2,254.38 | 13,042 | 80.25 |
| 2021 | $1,950.90 | $3,869.36 | 15,586 | 78.25 |
| 2022 | $1,340.00 | $3,851.06 | 11,771 | 65.75 |
