----------------
Last edited:
Looking for Daily Driver
- Thread starter azcromntic
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
This is why I have never owned, and still don't own an 80 series.
They are all high mileage and so expensive to fix that sooner or later you have to make a tough decision about what you're going to do when it wears out. Finding a reliable vehicle with good safety features and two year durability for 1,500 is a dream. you'll find a unicorn first. That's just reality, not being rude. Have you thought about selling that 80 and buying something a little newer that can be used for light to moderate family wheeling adventures? I really think a 3rd or 4th gen 4runner would be a better suited vehicle for your interests. They are extremely capable, and you can still find them with very low miles, and they get way better gas mileage.
I hate to see you throw a fortune into that 80 and then have the engine or tranny puke on you. If you sold it now, you could take that money and buy something a little newer...then use the 1,500 for some cool upgrades. Maybe a lift and a bumper, then be smiling all the way.
Just a thought.
They are all high mileage and so expensive to fix that sooner or later you have to make a tough decision about what you're going to do when it wears out. Finding a reliable vehicle with good safety features and two year durability for 1,500 is a dream. you'll find a unicorn first. That's just reality, not being rude. Have you thought about selling that 80 and buying something a little newer that can be used for light to moderate family wheeling adventures? I really think a 3rd or 4th gen 4runner would be a better suited vehicle for your interests. They are extremely capable, and you can still find them with very low miles, and they get way better gas mileage.
I hate to see you throw a fortune into that 80 and then have the engine or tranny puke on you. If you sold it now, you could take that money and buy something a little newer...then use the 1,500 for some cool upgrades. Maybe a lift and a bumper, then be smiling all the way.
Just a thought.
Whatever Luke, you know you want an 80. You're just trying to talk him into selling it so you can buy it.
Just joking.
I've spent less on my 80 in 2 years than any two year average on my 4runner and I've learned they aren't more expensive to fix if you do it yourself, just having the time is the hard part
But to the point, my friend just found a 99 saturn for $1200. Dont know about ABS but if you're picky it makes it harder. Hang in there on the 80 and don't resent it and use it for what it is good for... bad weather and camping.
Just joking.I've spent less on my 80 in 2 years than any two year average on my 4runner and I've learned they aren't more expensive to fix if you do it yourself, just having the time is the hard part
But to the point, my friend just found a 99 saturn for $1200. Dont know about ABS but if you're picky it makes it harder. Hang in there on the 80 and don't resent it and use it for what it is good for... bad weather and camping.
How many miles on your 80?
I think i got lucky on mine.. lots of highway miles, not much abuse, and previous owners who liked expensive mechanics.
I think i got lucky on mine.. lots of highway miles, not much abuse, and previous owners who liked expensive mechanics.
That's why you need a used Lexus, they got pampered
Agree with Ryan, some parts are more ,some are a lot more but all in all, not horrible. Really it's just basic maintenance.
BTW, I know of a built 4Runner you may be able to get a deal on, but dang the owner has dumped a bunch of $$ into it.
Come on, you had to see that one coming buddy!Yeah Leon, my 4runner has too much money in it...hence me trying to keep someone from making the same mistake. I still have less into my runner than most people have in their STOCK 80's though. bought that thing for 900 bucks. Notice I did not mention 2nd gen 4runners. I don't recommend anyone buy a 3.0 2nd gen 4runner.
I still hold my own about the repair costs. Price a long block for a 3.4 and a 4.5 and I bet the differences are high. Not to mention the Viscous coupling , and the transmission, and all the oxygen sensors that will need to be replaced. I have been in and out of junkyards for almost 20 years and have ever only seen 1 FJ80 in a junkyard...so if you break a tail light, door handle, antenna, all that stuff is harder-- and hence more expensive to come by. THAT is why I don't have an 80. Granted I did just buy an FJ40, but I intend to baby it, whereas an 80 would not get that treatment from me...
BTW, Lexus's are to foo-fu for my taste.
I still hold my own about the repair costs. Price a long block for a 3.4 and a 4.5 and I bet the differences are high. Not to mention the Viscous coupling , and the transmission, and all the oxygen sensors that will need to be replaced. I have been in and out of junkyards for almost 20 years and have ever only seen 1 FJ80 in a junkyard...so if you break a tail light, door handle, antenna, all that stuff is harder-- and hence more expensive to come by. THAT is why I don't have an 80. Granted I did just buy an FJ40, but I intend to baby it, whereas an 80 would not get that treatment from me...
BTW, Lexus's are to foo-fu for my taste.
I have my Honda Civic for a daily driver. That's the only way I can use the 60 for the weekend worrier.
I do drive 70 miles round trip for work. Really depends on how much you drive if you need a gas sipper or not. With the Honda getting 40+ mpg I'm not concerned what the price of gas does.
I do drive 70 miles round trip for work. Really depends on how much you drive if you need a gas sipper or not. With the Honda getting 40+ mpg I'm not concerned what the price of gas does.
Come to think of it I paid $1500 for the 60 back in 2005 and I have yet to fix anything major yet. 
I think your $1500 price point may be a little optimistic - I spent $2K on my Accord DD 4 years ago, and that was a fairly rough 93 with 165K on the clock. And it seems with the crappy econmomy that used car prices have stayed high. Lots of demand with less people buying new cars.
I just got rid of it a few months ago when the water pump went - it was also long overdue for a timing belt, and the front end was about to fall out But it did me well for $2K - 3.5 years and about 45K miles. And I got $700 back when I sold it.
On 80s - I haven't found mine to be that expensive to maintain ... knock on wood. The only thing I've had go out in regular use (as opposed to abuse) in 7 years/90K is the O2 sensors/exhaust, front end repack and a sticky locker actuator. But yea, if/when the engine or tranny does go it's $$$
Well, other then swapping out the entire drive train
I just got rid of it a few months ago when the water pump went - it was also long overdue for a timing belt, and the front end was about to fall out
But it did me well for $2K - 3.5 years and about 45K miles. And I got $700 back when I sold it.On 80s - I haven't found mine to be that expensive to maintain ... knock on wood. The only thing I've had go out in regular use (as opposed to abuse) in 7 years/90K is the O2 sensors/exhaust, front end repack and a sticky locker actuator. But yea, if/when the engine or tranny does go it's $$$
Well, other then swapping out the entire drive train
I guess I would consider tires a major thing to replace based on cost.
I want 39 x 13.5 x 17 KX BFG Krawlers but can't afford them at $550 each plus 17" wheels to put them on.
Funny, I got my 60 for $1500 also--must be the going rate.
And like chuck, I haven't put anything into it since.....at least compared to Chuck.....
And like chuck, I haven't put anything into it since.....at least compared to Chuck.....
Then you haven't been in the right junkyard.
I've gotten a few things from them (Oleg and Yuri)Irbis Offroad
So what is it?