Landcruiser for my wife?

[jzilla]

So just a bit of history...

My wife was in need of a newer vehicle because her other was a two door piece. Add to that we are expecting our first baby in July so she needed something with four doors and a bit higher up, well that is what she wanted and I agreed...

So after much searching and debating on what to buy I found her a 2004 manual Rav4, mint condition original owner all service performed at Toyota etc.
Paid $8000. After I buy it I find out that that particular 4 cylinder engine is prone to headbolts stripping out of the head (how I missed this I don't know). Of course I get all worked up and post it online for sale for 10,500 just for fun.
To make a long story short a fellow came today that will give me 10,000 for it...
So now I am thinking why not get my wife a Landcruiser! She does like them, not sure if she would like a 70 or 80 series JDM though, being right hand drive.

Is this a stupid thought or what? Should I look at getting an 80 or even a 70? 13bt would be a lot nicer than that rav...
Thoughts from family guys? Anyones wife drive one? Thoughts about engines? I have no idea about the 80's except that the 1HD-T I think it is needs the BEBs changed out...
Is that what all the JDM 80's have in them?
For example this one?
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...suv/567358427?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

The other thought is keep the Rav4 and forget the whole darn thing until we move back to Vancouver then maybe I can trade the Rav in on something, but so far it seems pretty good.
Ok Ramble over.

 

[speycaster]

If the guy does not know which side the steering wheel is on I would be very dubious of dealing with him. Picture shows a steering wheel on the right but he states left hand drive. L.O.L

 

[AJAEbj42]

You're trying to make a woman happy, are you out of your mind?

Don't believe everything you read on forums about vehicle 'issues'. You'll go insane. Goes for babies too, buy ONE book and ONLY ONE BOOK! (What to Expect when You're Expecting and then What to Expect the First Year)

You'll appreciate the Rav4 everytime you fill up at the gas station and also when you need to do the out-of-province, much easier (I would hope) on a newer vehicle.

Good Luck!

 

[sailor]

Keep the Rav. Lifting a kid into the back of an 80 gets old.

 

[kim]

My wife has a Can HJ60 which she has used for the last decade. Of late it is a winter driver for her. She has always liked it, even lifting kids in and out.

 

[canucksafari]

My wife has driven a RHD Safari for the last 4 years. Hieght only becomes an issue when you do a suspension lift and put on bigger rubber. Keep it stock and she'll be happy or wait until she decides she wants it lifted so she can go off wheeling on her own. Mine is getting there. She loves turning in the hubs and put it in 4WD when it snows a lot and the knowledge that she can still go where she wants without worry. But be sure that you will be the one responsible for all the maintenance. That is the down side of having her drive a 20 plus year old big Japanese diesel 4x4.

My preference would be something that in indirect injection - so a 1HZ or 12HT. Those two stage injectors are expensive to get redone.

Here is an HJ61 that looks nice.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/4329857388.html

 

[Granite Grinder]

Get a nice 80 series or LX450. If you find one for around 5K, the other 5K will pay for gas for years to come, especially if you keep it in AB for a awhile. You can keep maintenance costs down by doing your own wrenching, and in the end might have a nice platform for a diesel swap, if your heart desired
Try to find a 1FZ-FE model

 

[canucksafari]

Get a nice 80 series or LX450. If you find one for around 5K, the other 5K will pay for gas for years to come, especially if you keep it in AB for a awhile. You can keep maintenance costs down by doing your own wrenching, and in the end might have a nice platform for a diesel swap, if your heart desired
Try to find a 1FZ-FE model

This. After a while, the JDM thing can wears off. Being able to get parts easy are a plus. If she puts on a lot of kms, then may.......be....... a diesel swap.

 

[jzilla]

You're trying to make a woman happy, are you out of your mind?

Don't believe everything you read on forums about vehicle 'issues'. You'll go insane. Goes for babies too, buy ONE book and ONLY ONE BOOK! (What to Expect when You're Expecting and then What to Expect the First Year)

You'll appreciate the Rav4 everytime you fill up at the gas station and also when you need to do the out-of-province, much easier (I would hope) on a newer vehicle.

Good Luck!

Thanks! Yeah you tend to go crazy reading about the problems everyone has

We have that book, it has been a good one...

Nice to have some support from like minded fellas

 

[sailor]

At least a JDM with a North American equivalent with most body parts that match... Why anyone would use one of these for a DD is beyond me. The Dutchie proved he could rent a new small car for less than the fuel usage cost differential on his FZJ80... And a diesel swap? Only for the hardcore enthusiast. ANd what is the point of having a stock ride height on a 'big' 4WD? Boring. May as well keep the Rav...

 

[Ratpuke]

Get a Jeep. My Mom loves hers.

 

[jzilla]

This. After a while, the JDM thing can wears off. Being able to get parts easy are a plus. If she puts on a lot of kms, then may.......be....... a diesel swap.

Yeah I have never been too keen on the right hand drive thing...

Think I will just keep the Rav for now until we move back to Vancouver (should be a year and a half or so), then see what happens!

 

[jzilla]

But....I may go look at this for a winter beater for myself
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars...gon/563949124?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
Talked to the owner, problem is, is that it is not registered in Alberta, it is from BC,
and the rear frame is rusty (big surprise there...).
Was thinking of taking $2000 cash and if all looks good...
Thoughts?
This is what he told me
This wagon has been in the family since new. My sister had it last and let it get rusty. I know the frame is rusty around the rear end. I brought it back from B.C. . The truck drives great ! the only thing is the emergency brake cable, drivers seat belt and the rear wiper do not work. I was thinking of restoring it but I don't have a shop to do that kind of work.

I think the record were thown out, but I know Toyota did all the maintenance on it till 10 years ago. That's when my Dad gave it to my sister and then it has sat for about the last 3 years. I put 2 new batteries in it replaced the fuel filter and changed the oil and drove it home aprox 10 hrs of driving thru one of the worst snow storms I have driven thru and that thing didn't miss a beat.

Sorry for hijacking my own thread!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

It kind of sounds like you just have the itch to buy something.

Keep the Rav4 for the wife and new born, take the money that is itchy in your pocket and put it in a savings account till you have the kid then see if you want another project.

 

[Granite Grinder]

Get a Jeep. My Mom loves hers.

I drive my bro inlaws JK a lot, pretty nice truck, very utilitarian
I can get 13L/100kms on the highway with the Jeep, but it is quite gutless.
Daily driving anything can be affordable, I'm unemployed right now, working freelance DD my 62. Yes, my Honda is/ was better on gas, but driving the 62 isn't a hardship. In town I get 400-450kms to a tank, hwy I get 450-500kms to a tank. I fill up in Blaine, costs about $65.00. Right now I'm putting 300-350kms a week
If I lived in AB it would be about the same cost, but who the heck can live in AB, my girlfriend was in Camrose this morning, it was -42

 

[jzilla]

I am actually not even driving my cruiser here during the winter, I bought a 91 honda accord for $1200, have put 40,000 kms on it in 1.5 years. I had my cruiser insured for 6 months last year when the weather was good, basically just enjoyed it on the weekends.

Will be keeping the Rav4, in my mind I knew it was the best thing to do, but wanted that confirmation I guess. Yes, a savings account is a good plan for sure

I just like the old cruisers, if I can pick one up for cheap I might, but most likely I won't, hard to say until I see it, I have gone to look at a few in the past and usually when I start looking at them in person the dollar signs start going off and I pass...

Thanks guys for your feedback

 

[wrongway around]

I would have gone for the 81, safer better resale,and most that colour were locked. I notice you post adds that you want ,seems a lot of people not just club guys follow this post for the inside skinny. That truck is one that glen should be looking at being he's looking for low km only.

 

[Ratpuke]

I drive my bro inlaws JK a lot, pretty nice truck, very utilitarian I can get 13L/100kms on the highway with the Jeep, but it is quite gutless. Daily driving anything can be affordable, I'm unemployed right now, working freelance DD my 62. Yes, my Honda is/ was better on gas, but driving the 62 isn't a hardship. In town I get 400-450kms to a tank, hwy I get 450-500kms to a tank. I fill up in Blaine, costs about $65.00. Right now I'm putting 300-350kms a week If I lived in AB it would be about the same cost, but who the heck can live in AB, my girlfriend was in Camrose this morning, it was -42

I DD my BJ71 and put on 150 km x 4 days a week. Got it so I won't mile out my 77 and I save on fuel. I paid a fair price and am happy to have a spare 13BT for Orange. I like that I can fix it. This is 10th year DDng a RHD. The comments from others are the only downside of being on the right. Some day I'll get a summer only MR2 or FRS. Until then my cruiser will be just fine...

 

[BC40]

My advice, its her car, let her decide what will make her happy. Went through the same search for a family car for my wife last year. With our move to the kootenays she wanted awd, not too large a vehicle, automatic, decent fuel economy. We looked at RAV4's and subarus but she liked the earlier Honda CRVs best. Finding a good one was quite a task and I hope to never step foot on another crooked dealers lot ever again. Ended up with a very clean, one owner, dealer maintained 98 CRV with about 125,000km on it. She's happy, so am I.

So yes, I agree that if the RAV4 is a good fit, just stay with it. You can always sell it later if it isn't quite right.

Oh, congrats and good luck. I'm guessing your wife will come up with ways to spend a chunk of that 2k in 'necessities' for the baby, part of the nesting instinct I'm told. Truthfully you don't need all that much and most of it you can get later...

 

[canucksafari]

ANd what is the point of having a stock ride height on a 'big' 4WD? Boring. May as well keep the Rav...

My wife has driven three vehicles besides the Safari: a Carola, a Nissan Quest and the Camry. The only thing she likes about the Camry is how fast it gets up to highway speed. She likes how the Safari handles and its size. It just feels more secure to her. With no airbags, I doubt it is safer if she were to hit something bigger and/or planted in the ground. But if it is run in between something like the Camry or the Mini Van and a Safari, I too would rather be in the Safari or a full size Land Cruiser. She also likes the 4WD but so far just driving on the highway of easy gravel roads.

She doesn't have to do the maintenance or fix anything, so that is a non-issue for her. As a daily highway driver, I love the 5 spd Safari. I ve gone through road washouts and snow drifts that I would not have gotten through in a lower 2WD car. That saves me and my employer time and kms. A turbo would be nice, but so far it has been okay. I am use to gearing down and climbing the higher and steeper grades in 3rd.