Help me with my DESCISION! (1 Viewer)

[elum]

Hello,

I have for the longest time wanted a LC. Now I am in a situation where I can afford a decent used one.. I have spanned the spectrum of different models of which I desire most with the exception of the FJ40--kinda. The only reason I am not looking at the FJ40 is because I want something that I can take myself, the wife, the dog, and our future child camping with...

I originally liked the FJ62.. Retro.. but with fuel injection and power/luxury items. Then I kind of swayed towards the FJ60 for the idea of it being a stick, a little easier to work on, and maybe a little cheaper.

The funny thing is that I fell in love with a picture of a FJ80-ish LC on a beach all alone in the middle of no where. I read the recent thread on "the best LC for Baja trips" (Something I would love to do!) and then opened up to the idea of FJ80s and FZJ80s

Now I'm left somewhere where they all look good.. but I'm leaning towards the 80's.

Let me say what I want to use the LC for.. It's main purpose in life (my life at least) would be to take my family and I out three out of very four weekends to either the back country, the desert, or the beach for family recreation. The trip could be anywhere from 10 miles to 300 miles a weekend. I do not plan on rock-crawling (although I think it's cool as sh_t), but just going off the beaten path and getting away from it all.. During the week my wife may drive it 3 out of the 5 days to get to and from her job or the market (maybe 5 miles each of those 3 days).

This being said I have been looking at the FJ/FZJ80's with factory lockers, hence my post in this specific forum. There are a lot of them for sale out there and I am looking to pick your brain on which avenue to pursue. Many say to buy the newest one I can afford with the least miles. Yet, a strong part of me would like to get one that has been modified so that I will not find myself having to pay for the mods later (i.e. OME suspension, wheels, tires, etc.)

I am guessing it is because if you by any modded vehicle, you have to wonder how it was rode by it's previous owner moreso than a stock vehicle. I also noticed a few modified vehicles that have one side that might be damaged throughout from being rolled over, these vehicles seem to be a really "good value".

If it was a perfect world I'd buy the newest FZJ80 I could afford and put all the mods on myself, but I know it'd be easier for me to get one that has already been modded than get permission from my wife to put on these mods (entirely separate issue)...

Currently there are three LCs I am looking at: (1) is a 91 FJ80 that is around $5k with a lot of mods and about 180k miles but one side damaged, (2) is a 95 FZJ80 that is around $12k with a lot of mods and about 160k miles but more than I wanted to spend, (3) is a 96 LX450 that is around $12k stock and almost like new despite the 120k miles.. what would you all decide? I am leaning towards choice #3.. with me saving more later than upgrading to an OME suspension and then getting 33s later... I'm only hesitant to go this route as I can see my lovable Rottweiler drooling away on this vehicle. I would have to get seat covers for all the seats and then rubber mats throughout the vehicle at least...

If there is anything I missed in this Novella please let me know. Have fun riding this weekend, Eric

 

[Tools R Us]

I agree #3 if it has lockers.

 

[Josh83]

One thing to keep in mind for your new ride is it seems like this truck will be used as such. So get something that will not make you cry if it gets scratched or dinged up. If you can stand the thought of a ding on the LX450, get it. Generally, buy the newest, lowest mile cruiser you can afford(and are willing to beat on).

 

[bluto]

No.3 also. When I was looking for my LC, I wanted one with low miles and decent wear and tear. As I found out here in SoCal, everything varied. Low miles with s***ty interior or high miles with suspect mechanicals or low miles with everything in between and no f/r lockers. It took me four months to find mine. It is high mileage for what I was looking for but I have confidence on its mechanicals. The interior did not have any tears and was taken care of except for the dog hairs and 3 small scratches not seen. Definitely get one with lockers. I was so eager to have an LC that I was willing to get one unlock if it was in good condition -ARB locking it in the future. But these guys are right. Why not get one already locked - it does not add anymore to the price especially if the owner does not know they are a rarity. I also plan to have my LC as a expedition type rather than a rock crawler. I don't worry about mods as I worry about the mechanical of my LC. I got mine for $8200 with some dents but no paint damage. I know I got a good deal. Mods in the future.

 

[elum]

It took me four months to find mine. It is high mileage for what I was looking for but I have confidence on its mechanicals. The interior did not have any tears and was taken care of except for the dog hairs and 3 small scratches not seen. Definitely get one with lockers. I was so eager to have an LC that I was willing to get one unlock if it was in good condition -ARB locking it in the future.

Thanks for the input. Looks like #3 is the option to go with. I will have to post another thread in the forum on "Dog Proofing" an FZJ80. I don't mind scratches and don't really plan on many but I can live with battlescars.. LC's are my new mistress and I'll do my best to wait for the right one to come my way...

 

[e9999]

well, for your described use, the best would likely be a 100 ( ), but OK, the 80 would do fine if $$ are limited. Given what you describe, mods would not really be necessary, esp. if you have lockers. It'll go anywhere. So go for the fewer miles and forget the mods, these can come later if at all necessary.

Enjoy!

 

[elum]

well, for your described use, the best would likely be a 100 ( ), but OK, the 80 would do fine if $$ are limited. Given what you describe, mods would not really be necessary, esp. if you have lockers. It'll go anywhere. So go for the fewer miles and forget the mods, these can come later if at all necessary.

Enjoy!

Don't say that!!!! No mods! "EAR MUFFS!!!" What kind of world do we live in? but yeah.. I hear you--definitely the beauty of the LC.. good to go straight out of the box.. Maybe a few years from now I might get a fzj100.. till then an fzj80 will more than suffice..

 

[landtank]

buy Rogue's, he is here on the forum and unfortunately needs to sell it. it has some of the mods done and has been properly cared for as far as i know.

 

[elum]

buy Rogue's, he is here on the forum and unfortunately needs to sell it. it has some of the mods done and has been properly cared for as far as i know.

I tried finding it in the forum.. does anyone have any more info on it?

 

[robbie]

Get what ever 80 you want and get a millford barrier and keep the pooch i the back at all time. then get a good floor mat. should keep the pooch from doing too much damage. The Lx sound great for your needs, expecially if it has lockers. later robbie

 

[ryanjl]

I tried finding it in the forum.. does anyone have any more info on it?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=46616

 

[Fly Rod]

I just went through the same process. Here is how I prioritized, any 80, my prefference was 94-97, no damage, clear title, clean and low miles. Plan on adding the mods yourself, its more fun that way.

I have 4 labs and have resorted to using kennels in the back of my truck. Helps to keep it clean and the smells down. The dogs are also more comfortable when triving winding or rough roads.

Good Luck!

Fly Rod

 

[MaddBaggins]

If you get the LX make sure you get the pink panties with it! They come standard with them but Norcal Doug likes to hoard them all

 

[Jim_Chow]

Since you say your wife is driving it on most days and you don't plan to do any hardcore wheelin' with it, have her test drive a 80 and 100. I bet she'll pick the 100, hands down, even w/o having to tell her it gets better fuel economy and has more power. '98-99 USA LC's were available with rear diff locks, '99 w/ rear A/C optional.

 

[NorCalDoug]

You guys suggesting 100 series rigs are not off base, but elum might be on a budget...and 80s are still less expensive than 100s

You can count on easily spending between $4k and $6k on front bumper, rear bumper (with tire carrier), lift (shocks, springs), sliders, and new tires. You might want to factor this in when considering pre-built vs. bone-stock. Granted the cost will likely be spread over several months/years, but it's still part of the investment.

That said, I'd go with the one in the best condition with the lowest miles. Mechanical and cosmetic condition first...mileage second. Meaning I would go with the pre-built w/160k if it's in better mechanical shape than the stock LX with 120k. However, if all things are equal between the two, I'd go with the LX.

If you get the LX, you can register as a Lexus owner on www.lexus.com and get a free owners manual sent to you (and have access to it online). I'm working on getting them to send replacement pink panties, but that effort doesn't seem to be going as well as I'd hoped.