I’m so lost to which land cruiser to buy (1 Viewer)

[digmyrig]

Hi,

I’m hoping this “post” should belong here if not please let me know and I’ll move it right away.

I’m a long time follower or to be specific a lurker, well the reason is I owned couple sports car that doesn’t required forums specialty but I’d come here to seek answer if there’s some off road questions that stay in my head for awhile. Anyway, to make a long story short I got married then move to Seattle from Hawaii and in the process I sold all my toys to fund our moved. I’m always been a person who make ends meet so when I made my decision I would make tons of research before I pull the trigger.
My wife, daughter and I love fishing, camping and we would drive far to get a nice spot sometimes dirt or grassy area. Our 2011 Toyota Prius is the only rig we have at the moment and I can’t complain because that car is insanely defendable. However, the Prius is getting small for our needs so now I’ve been seeing myself lurking here more often to get a land cruiser and I think it’s time if not then never. There are three land cruiser series on my list one of em is 100 and the other is 200 but the only thing that hold me off to get one is the fact that those rigs eats hella gas and looks plain for my wife. In Seattle there are couple imports that sale 70 and we both like the looks and gas mileage but I’m extremely concern about the maintenance of 1KZ engine because most of you watch of the heads. I would be be keeping this purchased probably forever and I want to make the right decision for the family.
If you have thoughts that you would like to share please let me know and I will take notes of what’s best for us.
Thank you and god bless, from Seattle Digmyrig

 

[sogafarm]

Welcome to Mud! Unless you get a foreign diesel version, all Landcruisers get low MPG's ranging from 10-15 mpg's at best. All with exception to the newest (200 series) will have maintenance requirements, so good mechanical skills are recommended. Having a shop do the work gets expensive, and more importantly, is the shop a landcruiser specialist? Good luck with your decision.

 

[digmyrig]

Welcome to Mud! Unless you get a foreign diesel version, all Landcruisers get low MPG's ranging from 10-15 mpg's at best. All with exception to the newest (200 series) will have maintenance requirements, so good mechanical skills are recommended. Having a shop do the work gets expensive, and more importantly, is the shop a landcruiser specialist? Good luck with your decision.

Thank you for your comment. Is the 200 series a headache free? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

 

[sogafarm]

Thank you for your comment. Is the 200 series a headache free? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

They are just newer which means less initial maintenance. The older you go back in the line up, the more maintenance, unless you get something that the maintenance has been done correctly already. Parts are more difficult to find the older the cruiser. Having said that, the older cruiser's have more personality and are simpler mechanically(less electronics to fail). They are all great vehicles though. Very durable and heavy duty compared to most other vehicles on the road. It all depends on your needs and which one fills those needs.

 

[digmyrig]

They are just newer which means less initial maintenance. The older you go back in the line up, the more maintenance, unless you get something that the maintenance has been done correctly already. Parts are more difficult to find the older the cruiser. Having said that, the older cruiser's have more personality and are simpler mechanically(less electronics to fail). They are all great vehicles though. Very durable and heavy duty compared to most other vehicles on the road. It all depends on your needs and which one fills those needs.

I have some knowledge in mechanics but I don’t have a garage so when I do oil change or rotate the tires of Prius I normally go to local garage and rent the shop for $45 an hour. I couldn’t trust jiffylube, grease monkey or other local shop to do simple maintenance I always do it myself.
I really dig the late land cruiser series it has that classic personality that others don’t have. I’m drooling so bad looking at clean 62 series at classified adds but at the same time I’m so terrified if something goes wrong. I live in a condo and I have zero garage and tools in hand.

 

[Mud Skipper]

So have you bought your dream cruiser yet?

 

[GW Nugget]

Time & money are the main questions.
4 door Tacoma with a camper shell might just do the job also.