Looking at a LC

[Badmoterfinger]

Hello,
First off you have an excellent forum I've been lurking here for a bit and I'm really impressed. Anyway I'm in the market for a Landcruiser. I want an SUV that I can haul my 4wheelers with and have some offroading ablility as well. I'm technically competent so keeping it up myself isn't a problem, but I don't want a maintenacne hog, and I'm not going to do any excessive mods either. I'd like to spend $10,000 or less and came across this bad boy:
91 LC for sale

What do you guys think? Should I hold out for something better? From what I've read I would rather nickle and dime someone down on a '95 or newer, but price is a big factor. So I hope you guys get back to me, and hopefully I'll be posting some pics soon.

 

[tea LC]

I was in your situation a few weeks ago -

My budget was in the same range but decided to push it a bit and was able to find a clean 97 with 118,000 for $12.5K.

From my reviews of consumer reports and edmunds.com, it seems the 97 was one of the best technical years for the LC (i'm sure i'll get flamed for that comment) so I spent some weeks targetting that particular FJ80 -- and found on ebay.

If you search ebay, or some other used car spots, ull see an ave. price of around $14.5, but keep a close look for sellers in the south east US, they seem to have more reasonable price points.

As for the vehicle you found, CDan can probably help with all the technical questions.

Hope you find a good rig,

p.s. since your good with tools, heres my vote for first mod:

 

[Badmoterfinger]

Thanks for the reply. I had read that the '97 was probably my best bet, but LandCruisers are pretty marked up around here (Oregon) so it's hard to find one locally. As far as EBAY goes, I would only buy one that I could drive to and check out first, so it limits my options...

A friend did try to turn me on to shopping in Canada. I guess they go a little cheaper there and you can get a Diesel 62 manual transmission, but I didn't seriously think about it. Any thoughts?

 

[semlin]

you can get a diesel BJ 60 here in Canada but the 62 was strictly gas powered. A nice BJ60 will cost you at least $10K canadian and probably $14k. Forget Canada for an 80. It will cost you more here than in the US because they were never sold here and have been imported so add duty, import fees, inspection fees, federal and provincial tax, plus the cost of bringing them here from somewhere where they are cheap... I went to Salt Lake City to get mine and there seem to be a lot there in utah for a better price compared to Washington and Oregon. It was scary flying in with the one way ticket... My suggestion is that you hunt on autotrader for a good deal somewhere then post here and see if anyone can check it out for you.

 

[tominboise]

Here in southern Idaho, they must be a rare beast - I just paid $16800 for a 97 LX 450 (Lexus equivalent of the TLC) with 82K miles. It seemed like too much to pay, but the alternatives were older 93-94 80 series with a lot more miles, for only a couple or htree thousand or so less.

 

[Beowulf]

>> I'd like to spend $10,000 or less and came across this bad boy <<

That "bad boy" is an FJ80 (91-92) with the 170hp 3FE engine, 15" wheels, rear drum brakes, and semi-floater rear axle. The factory diff-lock option was not available.

For $10k you should be able to get a 93+ FZJ80 with the DOHC 4.5L 212hp 1FZ-FE engine. A 93+ will likely have rear FF axle, rear disk brakes, ABS, and you can search for one with the F&R diff lock option. There are some other differences between the 91-92 models and the 93-97's, but those are the ones that come to mind. Don't underestimate the value of that +42hp because it's a huge difference.

If you still want a FJ80 then you should be able to get a good, clean, 91-92 for $6-7k, tops.

-B-

 

[Rich]

It wasn't so long ago I saw '96 with 80K miles offered for $11K on the west coast.

 

[calamaridog]

I'm also looking and I agree you should stay away from the 91-92's and opt for the larger motor especially if you have some designs on towing anything.

There are tons of 93+ FJ80's in Southern California and they are very reasonably priced. Worth a look.

 

[Badmoterfinger]

Thanks for all the replies. I just convinced myself to sell our commuter car and just get an newer '97-'00. That means I'll be spending a hell of a lot more, but....screw it. Now I just have to find one.

On a lighter note, the dealer of the aformentioned '91 wouldn't let it go for less than $11K. (It has 188K+ miles and has had no maintenance on it. I don't think they even changed the belts...) I laughed and laughed over the phone till he got pissed and hung up on me.

 

[Beowulf]

Badfinger,
You need to become familiar with the later Land Cruiser versions before you start shopping. The '97 is vastly different than the later models. The '97 is an 80 Series; the 98 up are 100 Series.
-B-

 

[semlin]

calamaridog - there is no reason to avoid a 91 or 92, just pay less.

 

[calamaridog]

calamaridog - there is no reason to avoid a 91 or 92, just pay less.

Don't get me wrong, their are pros and cons I just think the stronger motor is a major pro in the later models. I'm still looking for my perfect 80. Patience is a virtue they say...

 

[aamiggia]

If you want to get the most bang for your buck look at a LX450 ('96 - '97). They tend to be the same price or less than the equivalent year FZJ80. They are exactly the same with more frilly options and most have electric lockers.

They have probably never been offroaded and most are dealer maintained. Granted the most are in Texas, CA, and FLA, but a two day trip to that part of the country and you should see a lot of them.

Don't pay more money because the dealer has heard about the Landcruiser name and has market up the price. I'm sure he didn't give the guy trading the thing in a better deal because of it.

 

[maxnharry]

I found my 96 LX-450 on the web. It was a used dealer (www.carsearchusa.com) in Florida that only did Landcruisers, LX's and 4-Runners. I flew from California. Picked out a car, drove it for two hours, had it inspected, did the paperwork and had it shipped. Even with the shipping and airfare, I saved around $5000 based on the LC's that I looked at near my home in California. I have no connection with the dealer, except as a satisfied customer.

 

[semlin]

Harry you are going to have to tell us more about your experience with John. Did you get the 26,000 mile truck?

 

[maxnharry]

The experience was good. As a used car dealer he was better than average. I really wanted an LC, but he only had 450's on the lot. I picked one that was cashmere metallic with about 85K on the clock. I've got 115K on it now and have had to only do routine maintenance stuff. The only disappointments were that the leather on the drivers side had been patched and that the OEM stereo had been replaced with a POS JVC (which I've since replaced). I was living near Carmel, CA at the time and couldnt find any LCs at anything resembling a decent price.

 

[Badmoterfinger]

Got one!

So we just bought a '98 (I know it's a 100). Thanks to everyone on the board for their responses and great threads. I'll now be moving over to the 100 series forum...

'98 LC maroon/burghundy 103K miles $15900.00 out the door! Link to my new truck

 

[MTNRAT]

Does it have the factory rear locker?
Cheers,
Sean

 

[calamaridog]

So we just bought a '98 (I know it's a 100). Thanks to everyone on the board for their responses and great threads. I'll now be moving over to the 100 series forum...

'98 LC maroon/burghundy 103K miles $15900.00 out the door! Link to my new truck

That seems like a good price... How do you like it so far?

 

[Romer]

Congrats on your new purchase, even if it is a 100.