I'm right there with you. It's when I started driving and for some reason I like the body style of vehicle from the 90's.
I want my 80 to last forever, but...
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C6H12O6
SILVER Star
Not to keep this thread going even longer past the dead horse stage, but I'm having a crisis of faith with my 80 and I haven't heard anybody address this issue.
While I would love for my 80 to last forever, the maintenance time/effort/$$ required to make it last is not insignificant. My seats are shot and downright painful (no cheap fix), she's in need of several too-long-deferred repairs (brakes, bushings, tires, peeling paint, etc.) and with 235K on the clock on the original motor and HG, on an almost 20-year-old truck, I have a lot of work and expense and time under the hood ahead of me. Would I prefer my 80 in tip-top shape over a Tundra, or an FJ, or a Tacoma, or a ? Absolutely. Unfortunately, it isn't in tip-top shape.
My main issue (and I would think many of us share in this), is that while I would really rather drop $15-20K into the 80 to bring it back to glory, I don't have the cash to do that. Financing repairs for a 19-year-old Cruiser isn't on my credit union's list of acceptable loans. Yeah, I could spread the repairs out and save up until I have cash for each and just take them down one by one, but I've let too many things go for too long. Yes, the 80 is paid for and while financing a new truck of some sort seems like a horrible waste of money for a downgrade in vehicle from the 80 (and everything out there is), spending several thousand dollars on the 80 doesn't seem like a very wise long-term investment either.
So conflicted. One minute I'm ready to order $1K worth of foam and leather for the seats, start in on my long list of needed repairs and just keep the 80. The next minute, I am REALLY ready to quit wrenching and just go buy a new FJ Cruiser. Then, I think about all the 80-ness I'll be losing and I'm right back where I started.
While I would love for my 80 to last forever, the maintenance time/effort/$$ required to make it last is not insignificant. My seats are shot and downright painful (no cheap fix), she's in need of several too-long-deferred repairs (brakes, bushings, tires, peeling paint, etc.) and with 235K on the clock on the original motor and HG, on an almost 20-year-old truck, I have a lot of work and expense and time under the hood ahead of me. Would I prefer my 80 in tip-top shape over a Tundra, or an FJ, or a Tacoma, or a ? Absolutely. Unfortunately, it isn't in tip-top shape.
My main issue (and I would think many of us share in this), is that while I would really rather drop $15-20K into the 80 to bring it back to glory, I don't have the cash to do that. Financing repairs for a 19-year-old Cruiser isn't on my credit union's list of acceptable loans. Yeah, I could spread the repairs out and save up until I have cash for each and just take them down one by one, but I've let too many things go for too long. Yes, the 80 is paid for and while financing a new truck of some sort seems like a horrible waste of money for a downgrade in vehicle from the 80 (and everything out there is), spending several thousand dollars on the 80 doesn't seem like a very wise long-term investment either.
So conflicted. One minute I'm ready to order $1K worth of foam and leather for the seats, start in on my long list of needed repairs and just keep the 80. The next minute, I am REALLY ready to quit wrenching and just go buy a new FJ Cruiser. Then, I think about all the 80-ness I'll be losing and I'm right back where I started.
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
They stopped making FJ's for a reason they suck.. do your self a favor and invest it in your 80 Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
Take the $500-$700 a month a new Tundra would cost you and put it into your 80. It'll be in top shape in no time.
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It depends on what you want to drive really. If you want to stay in the body on frame/solid axle SUV market, you are still in the 12- 15 mpg bracket, plus payment and you still have to buy tires and brakes etc... My wife has an Acura MDX at $45k with all the bells and it bores me to death to drive it.
To upgrade your interior total cost should be around $3300. including a new steering wheel. Clean the carpet when you pull out the seats and door panels for upholstery .If you replace with oem the guarantee is pretty good you will get 15 years out of that part, hopefully.
If you plan out your projects most of the work can be done in a weekend. I bet once the truck is up to specs. it could be worth $11-15k. to someone who knows these trucks when buying.
To upgrade your interior total cost should be around $3300. including a new steering wheel. Clean the carpet when you pull out the seats and door panels for upholstery .If you replace with oem the guarantee is pretty good you will get 15 years out of that part, hopefully.
If you plan out your projects most of the work can be done in a weekend. I bet once the truck is up to specs. it could be worth $11-15k. to someone who knows these trucks when buying.
As long as there is still international air freight there will always be 80 parts available, as there were many more sold in other markets than here. Look how many 40 LCs are still on the road! Sure we might have to dig a little harder for parts but they will still be available. Imports from Oz and the rest of the world will keep us going as long as we want. Don't despair, folks! We are not alone!
I was just thinking about this the other day. If all the folks in Central & South America, Africa, and Oz didn't depend on their 80s I'd be more concerned sourcing parts. Sure they will be more expensive, but shouldn't be obsolete. Just my humble opinion.
sterling
SILVER Star
x2 on this. For the above mentioned reasons.
I keep thinking of selling mine, but have way too many hours of love poured into her. I think the only rig I would replace it with would be a 100, even then I would still miss the 450.
My .02
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
Sometimes you would feel overwhelmed by the repair list .. trust me been there ( most of us I bet ) .. the important note here is, while your list is still there, your 80 will keep going.
My 80 have about 6 or 7 years of pure love, at least couple of hours 2 times a months to fix, improve, change, replace, or add something ..
it's that something that keep me interested, in love with her, it could be a bolt or new turbo it does not matter .. what matter it's being constant un your list and keep driving it along the way ..
My 80 have about 6 or 7 years of pure love, at least couple of hours 2 times a months to fix, improve, change, replace, or add something ..
it's that something that keep me interested, in love with her, it could be a bolt or new turbo it does not matter .. what matter it's being constant un your list and keep driving it along the way ..
I get what you're saying. Never really thought of my truck as a long term investment. It's a vehicle that will be used in conditions not necessarily taken by other vehicles. And there are consequences that come with that. Meaning my vehicle may not be so desirable to many after x amount of trips and years. I say fix the 80 and enjoy. Repeat as necessary. And I enjoy the NOW with my cruisers. Not what's to come in x amount years. Not worried about parts and whatever. I drove it to work today and enjoyed every second of it.C6H12O6 said:
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ElPolloBlanco
SILVER Star
fr-s is no Supra sir and the LFA I would say falls in the Super Car category as it costs over a 300k. Bottom line is Toyota needs to get their s$it together.. Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
Could it be that this is what you're looking for?
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/toyota-ft-1-concept-revealed-2014-01-13
If they can concept this beauty why can't they do something for the off-road crowd. Maybe it's just the people I surround myself with but I know a lot more people that go off roading and wheeling than I do people that set up track days and drag days.
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EPB,
watch the Chicago autoshow for off-road trucks.
Or go to ispot.TV and search for toyota TRD pro for a teaser.
we have some nice vehicles coming out.
Also, to clear the air, FJ Cruiser was cancelled because it drags down fleet emissions.
Finally, a lot of guys on here don't give Toyota enough credit for the off-the-lot capability of Toyota Trucks lately.
You won't find terrain here which can even compare to the environments LC and its little brother IMV are designed for DD use.
I know the requirements because I work for Mr. T as a chassis engineer. We design an amazing product.
watch the Chicago autoshow for off-road trucks.
Or go to ispot.TV and search for toyota TRD pro for a teaser.
we have some nice vehicles coming out.
Also, to clear the air, FJ Cruiser was cancelled because it drags down fleet emissions.
Finally, a lot of guys on here don't give Toyota enough credit for the off-the-lot capability of Toyota Trucks lately.
You won't find terrain here which can even compare to the environments LC and its little brother IMV are designed for DD use.
I know the requirements because I work for Mr. T as a chassis engineer. We design an amazing product.
I can definitely relate to the issue with shot seats. I drive our 80 for work, ~ 700 miles / month and by the end of most days, I want out! Im not convinced (but would love to be convinced!) that refurbing the seats would do it for me. And I've starting to think I wouldn't mind just owning something that I don't want to change or improve. With a young kiddo, my days of weekend-long, DIY truck projects are looooong gone. FJ an obvious choice for me, but dropping 30k ain't gonna happen right now, and spending less just improves the odds that whatever I buy will need more time, or money in repair or maint. I also spent some time in a Cummins pickup lately and LOVED everything about it - the ride, THE SEATS (oh my, so spacious and comfy) not to mention the power and the mpg. I could do everything I want to do off (and on) road in the FJ or the Dodge (except parking garages w/ the Dodge?) but can't seem to get over plunking down the coin for another used (lesser quality - in the case of the Dodge) vehicle. With the cruiser, at least I can pay as I go. Can't skip a car payment one month, but I can put off doing an axle rebuild if I needed to. Considering depreciation of a newer vehicle (plus the payments every month), keeping my cruiser in good running order and sucking it up when it needs improvement probably costs much, much less than replacing it.
The trucks are approaching 20 years old. If you want new parts you want to start buying them soon. Seat cushions are still in stock. Might as well buy a leather kit and do the whole truck. Toss some wax on it and call it new at 200k miles.
There isn't many options available to replace an 80. The only 2014 SUV with a box frame is a Toyota 4 Runner. I think they are in the $45 k range. So $2k or so a year to maintain an 80 doesn't look too bad.
There isn't many options available to replace an 80. The only 2014 SUV with a box frame is a Toyota 4 Runner. I think they are in the $45 k range. So $2k or so a year to maintain an 80 doesn't look too bad.
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RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
Good point and no 700$ a month payment
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financing a vehicle is pretty much always a waste of money no matter what you get - there's a reason the auto dealers like financing so much - GM used to make ALL their money in financing, not on the cars
take the financing out of the equation and then ask again what you want to do (or can do) - while you are not paying the money now when you finance, you pay even more money than needed in the long run
a vehicle isn't an investment (unless you are talking Barrett-Jackson material), it's a tool for the purpose you use it for
ask yourself whether the cost fits the purposeSorry but dealers will take cash over financing any day of the week. Cash is king.
Do banks even give you a loan on such an old vehicle anyways? If you're having to finance $15k on something that is bound to rack up additional mod and maint costs you def should be reassessing your hobbyist decisions.
Don't forget about the $80k highlander. Toyota is pricing itself out of the backyard garage guy market. But so is everyone else.
Do banks even give you a loan on such an old vehicle anyways? If you're having to finance $15k on something that is bound to rack up additional mod and maint costs you def should be reassessing your hobbyist decisions.
Don't forget about the $80k highlander. Toyota is pricing itself out of the backyard garage guy market. But so is everyone else.
I disagree with this, I have tried to buy a new vehicle with cash before and had 2 Toyota dealers in Denver tell me they won't do it. They both told me to just finance through TMC and then pay it off when I get the first bill.
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RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
Car dealership don't really make money off the actual sale of the car. The money is made on the sale of the loan, warranties and add ons such as accessories or weather packages. They make even more money off used cars. My wife worked for a Toyota dealership in Tucson for 7 years. Cash buyers just move inventory. Oddly almost every LandCruiser purchase was cash
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