NEED ADVICE: Considering Buying 1997 FZJ80 Land Cruiser

[ekp0527]

I'm considering purchasing a 1997 FJZ80 Land Cruiser. Originally purchased and owned by my father-in-law and now owned by the brother for the past several years. Well maintained with all service records kept since new. All service was done by the Toyota dealership when my FIL owned it and by Toyota dealers or independent Toyota shops since my brother has has owned it. It has approximately 203K miles on it and he's asking $4250 for it.

Pros

• Engine and trans in good running condition
• Rust free aside from rust on running boards (which I would probably remove)
• Overall good condition

Cons

• Needs paint on roof and a few areas near hood and sides due to clearcoat fade
• Front seat leather beginning to crack

I want to use this for a weekend driver and for taking camping trips and possibly longer roadtrips to different OHV parks around the US. I feel confident that this would be a good vehicle for that purpose given the size an d the expected reliability. But does this seem like a good price to pay for it given that it will need paint probably in the next year or two?

Some pictures at the following link:

1997 FJZ80 Toyota Land Cruiser

View attachment 1798536

 

[Jgrauman]

I'm considering purchasing a 1997 FJZ80 Land Cruiser. Originally purchased and owned by my father-in-law and now owned by the brother for the past several years. Well maintained with all service records kept since new. All service was done by the Toyota dealership when my FIL owned it and by Toyota dealers or independent Toyota shops since my brother has has owned it. It has approximately 203K miles on it and he's asking $4250 for it.

Pros

• Engine and trans in good running condition
• Rust free aside from rust on running boards (which I would probably remove)
• Overall good condition

Cons

• Needs paint on roof and a few areas near hood and sides due to clearcoat fade
• Front seat leather beginning to crack

I want to use this for a weekend driver and for taking camping trips and possibly longer roadtrips to different OHV parks around the US. I feel confident that this would be a good vehicle for that purpose given the size an d the expected reliability. But does this seem like a good price to pay for it given that it will need paint probably in the next year or two?

Some pictures at the following link:

1997 FJZ80 Toyota Land Cruiser

View attachment 1798536

Paint wouldn't even be a consideration of a negative for me on a camping vehicle. If the axles have been serviced and maintained, and you can easily yell at your brother for anything he didn't tell you about after the purchase, I'd give him 4k and be happy with it

 

[Red Merle]

It's a solid if not good deal, for sure. If you want a nice 80, that would be a buy for me.

 

[1911garand]

For that price, in that condition - YES. If that were for sale here in MN, it would $2-3K more because of the lack of body rust.

 

[Bludozer]

Just in case you pass, tell him to DM me.

 

[TossYoda]

This is totally a YES. Buy it immediately.

 

[ZackR]

Click buy it now before he changes his mind.

 

[FolsomTony]

Compared to the last two "should I buy" threads, this one is a yes. Today.

 

[ekp0527]

Compared to the last two "should I buy" threads, this one is a yes. Today.

Thanks the feedback. I hate to put this type of thing on a tech forum but I saw a few others so I thought it would be ok. I've never really priced these out and looking on the internet the prices are all over the place depending the area of the country/condition/etc. I'm really leaning towards buying it as I see a lot of potential for it in the future with a growing family and planning for roadtrips, etc. Now I'm just trying to figure out how well a reverse facing infant carseat would fit in the back...

 

[ZackR]

Thanks the feedback. I hate to put this type of thing on a tech forum but I saw a few others so I thought it would be ok. I've never really priced these out and looking on the internet the prices are all over the place depending the area of the country/condition/etc. I'm really leaning towards buying it as I see a lot of potential for it in the future with a growing family and planning for roadtrips, etc. Now I'm just trying to figure out how well a reverse facing infant carseat would fit in the back...

It fits just fine, I have an 19 month old who rides in it all the time. She came home from the hospital in the cruiser.

 

[allan man]

Ask if the head gasket was ever done, if not thats just something to consider down the road
Of ownership otherwise these are very reliable trucks if maintaned properly.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Buy for sure, lockers or not. Nice, clean rig with known lineage. No hesitation. I'd buy it, and I already have one.

 

[Cruzerman]

It seems like a fair deal but hard to say given only the one picture. It is nice that it has been in the family since new. Definite plus. And seeing how it has unbent running boards, it has never been off the pavement. From what I see, looks decent.

 

[ekp0527]

I have a link to the Imgur album showing more photos of it at the bottom of the original post.

Here's another for good measure... 1997 FJZ80 Toyota Land Cruiser

 

[graham5david]

Buy it

 

[Ocho77]

It fits just fine, I have an 19 month old who rides in it all the time. She came home from the hospital in the cruiser.

View attachment 1798756

Dude, she's adorable! Kids are awesome.

Hijack over.

 

[TT33]

Hope I find this kind of deal when I am ready to buy one

 

[tominboise]

It's a nice looking rig with known heritage. It has no rust or body damage, and the tires look good. I'd buy it. If you've been on this forum long, you will know what the known problem areas on these are. There is strong aftermarket and internet support for these, this place being the hub.

It helps to be a mechanic or to have a good paying job to own one of these.

 

[Red Merle]

It helps to be a mechanic or to have a good paying job to own one of these.

Let's be honest, neither one hurts with these trucks, especially if you catch the Mud OCD bug.

You don't have to really be a great mechanic or rich to own one of these. It's all just bolts for the most part and they will usually give you a chance to budget and plan for repairs without having a lot of "emergency" fixes needed. It helps to have a place to work on it, a decent set of tools and time though.

 

[clx16]

Looks nice. If that is a front hitch receiver I would avoid using it to tow in reverse. Your front seat doesn't look very bad at all, you should just try to condition it really well and see how much longer it lasts.