Help justifying a 100 series?

[DCM36]

Well my wife is on board. We went to look at a certified 2001 100 and she loved it, and so did the kids. It helps that she often prefers driving our FJ62 over our newer car. So we are going to take our time and look for a 2003 without nav(and then I am going to remove the running boards). Since I probably won't get too much for the FJ62, I may keep it around for restoration someday. It may be a while, but I will post pics of the new 100 when we get it. Thanks!

 

[calamaridog]

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[jjbodean1970]

my justification: i sold my 2000 cruiser to get something a little better on gas (pathfinder). it was a POS and i was completely unhappy driving it. sold it and got another 2000 cruiser as soon as i could. worth the extra gas expense to love getting in your cruiser every day!

 

[johnroyale]

Good decision, you'll love the 100

We were in the same position a year ago, planning a family and contemplating a wagon or the cruiser and we went with the 100-- no regrets.

I got a 99 and felt real guilty for awhile about the gas mileage and I almost sold it. But as calamaridog pointed out, you are recycling a used vehicle. The toll on the environment is significantly less than buying a brand new Prius, which has a huge battery that will end up in a land fill some day. Buying a used vehicle that's known for its longevity and reliability is an environmentally responsible act.

I agree with all of the positive points made. We use ours for dog and gear haulin' all of the time. Now we have a baby on the way and I'm thankful for the space. It's a true utility work horse, especially if you take it offroad. My wife loves it. My goal is to always have a cruiser in the garage.

 

[SWUtah]

I bought the LX470 because it was black and looked good and it is built like a brick s*** house. I could care less that I average 14 mpg on premium. I like driving a 6000 lb vehicle (with me and my crap in it) that is safe. I save energy by living in a 1450 sq. ft. condo. Buy it and enjoy.

 

[Josh83]

I'll add another note. I just towed a loaded down 16ft trailer 200 miles with ease while carrying three adults and two kids. Find me a minivan that will do that.

 

[pint]

I've been driving a 2000 Cruiser for over 2 years and love it. My wife has been driving a 2004 Mazda MPV mini van since new. Yes the Mazda is easier to get in and out of...yes the Mazda gets better gas mileage...she's looking to sell it for a her own Cruiser in the next few months! You only live once.

 

[SWUtah]

I've been driving a 2000 Cruiser for over 2 years and love it. My wife has been driving a 2004 Mazda MPV mini van since new. Yes the Mazda is easier to get in and out of...yes the Mazda gets better gas mileage...she's looking to sell it for a her own Cruiser in the next few months! You only live once.

Glad to see your a guy that doesn't give the LC to the wife. Make her get her own

 

[informationjunky]

One other point. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT, on and off for the past 18 years, I'll never put my family in a vehicle that weighs less than 4500 lbs. Those in larger vehicles always fare better than those in smaller vehicles, regardless of crash safety standards. Physics is physics. With this being the case, the poor mileage doesn't phase me. Peace of mind is priceless.

My 2 cents, the LC is a great DD as well if you can afford the fuel.


Adam R.

Same here, + the ability to see in traffic better. Kid t-boned my 450 parked in my drive way about 2 months after I bought it. Totaled his car (pontiac sp?), shoved mine about 2 inches sideway, pushed doors but not far enough to hit seats.

 

[DCM36]

wow, I don't feel like I am "leaning" towards a cruiser now. I feel like "what was I thinking considering anything other than a cruiser". Thank god for mud.

 

[Pigeon]

I have been looking to get rid of my Land Cruiser for a volvo wagon - what year is yours - I"m looking for a awd turbo. I think it would be much more reasonable for what we use it for - hauling the kids around. I've got my dirt bike for fun in the mud.

 

[SC4Hundred]

yeah, what were you thinking getting something other than a crusier, mpg is the only down side as far as I can tell, Insurance is cheap for 00-02 and so you save money there, nothing beats the image of a 100 especially vs. a minivan.

 

[EOS]

It really does get around.

Last week I took my 03 LX470 up some trails that are inaccessible to cars to take some photographs. Friday, we loaded up my LX with my suit and tie buddies to a business meeting and lunch. Today, I loaded up the LX again but with six 8 year old girls including my daughter for a class field trip. The LX seems to suit all of these uses quite nicely, it really is a priceless vehicle for what I use it for. True, most other full size SUV's probably tackle the same duties but nothing else can do these things with such finesse.

 

[DCM36]

I have been looking to get rid of my Land Cruiser for a volvo wagon - what year is yours - I"m looking for a awd turbo. I think it would be much more reasonable for what we use it for - hauling the kids around. I've got my dirt bike for fun in the mud.

I've had an 84 DL wagon, 95 850 wagon, 99 S70 AWD, and now the 2003 V70. They are great, solid cars.

Unsolicited advice: get the volvo in addition to your land cruiser. I tried being a one car family for a while (just volvo) and it was miserable, lost a lot of man-hours looking at land cruisers on the internet.

 

[JJ_SC]

My buddy just got a mini van. It's really nice. Great (relative) gas milage, so much easier to pack the kids and their stuff. Less expensive all around. I mean, if you're not ever planning to go wheeling or tow something, it really doesn't make sense to get the LC. So from a practicle stand point, you face a loosing battle.

Then again, you should hear how bad I can get under his skin about driving a mini-van! You'll never catch me in one!

 

[ChuckB]

Like all of you I like LCs and pretty much anything with an engine and wheels. I try to be good by not buying a porsche 356, motorcylce or other toy. So using an LC instead of a minivan is the one car indulgence at the expense of 5 mpg less. If minivans got 30-35 mpg that would be one thing, but they don't.

INDEED!!


First off, KEEP the 62!!! You will regret it later if you sell it, see sig...

Also definitely agree with C-dog on recycling a used vehicle.

I personally don't have any kids yet, but do have two dogs. Perfect example this weekend with the inlaws visiting (its amazing who comes to see you when you live in Hawaii...) 4-5 people, two dogs, assorted beach gear all in the cruiser, hit the beach. Now, having said that, our other car is a Saab 9-5 wagon, and I'm very familiar with volvos, drove a 240 in High school and my family has owned atleast one volvo for the last 26 years. We would have never been able to pack everyone and everything into the wagon, and if we did it would have been very uncomfortable for 6 hour tour of the island we took. Hence the need for the cruiser. Now I won't comment on mini-vans because I don't have one and don't want one. As far as mpg goes, my 100 is not really a DD, its more of a weekend toy, as my wife and I have the luxury of carpooling to work in the Saab most days of the week. So that is how I justify the extreme pleasure I get from driving the 100 the rest of the time. Obviously, this will vary from person to person.

As I quoted you above, I definitely would like to indulge in any manner of PORSCHE or various other toys, but its not too realistic right now. So instead I am waiting for my ARB front bumper too come in the mail this week My advice is to go for the 100. You can't possibly regret it, the PROS far outweight the CONS. If you need any more inspiration just go here for a few minutes
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=91953
I love my 100 so much, I'm trying to weasel my way into a second one in the next few years... of course I will keep the Saab as a DD.