I am new to the site and read a lot about all of the amazing modifications and there are some incredible 80's on here. How many people choose to use their 150k plus LC as daily drivers, and at what point do most people consider them better suited for adventure than daily driving?
However, the mpg cost is becoming an issue. I called a VW dealership last week, looking for a diesel. No more into the country until march/april 2008 due to diesel emission regs. VW diesels get crazy mpg, like up to 45+/gallon.
lawdawg- I used my 80 as a daily driver for 5 years, until I realized I'd be better off financially and in terms of wear on the vehicle if I got a beater for commuting. I now drive a Benz 240D most of the time, and take the Cruiser out once a week on the highway and to hit the trails. 27MPG on the Benz saves me $ at the pump, and this puts a lot less wear on the Cruiser since it is only doing highway miles vs. the 60/40 city/highway split it was doing before.
This, of course, is to hold me over until my planned diesel conversion in a few years. If you are asking about the reliability of a 150k+ 80-series, I would not be concerned about daily driving one as long as everything was kept up on the maintenance.
I use to drive my truck full time for work. But like others with the rising fuel cost I got a beater Camry for 8 months of year. The truck gets around 15 mpg while the Camry gets 36 mpg (4 cyl 5 speed). Where talking around 125.00 a week savings for the mileage I'm asked to drive.
Bought the Camry for 2500.00 and have done about 1000.00 in repairs which included a set of new tires this year and have put on 44k miles. If you do the math I'm way ahead right now and if I brake something off road I'm not down and out for traveling for work.
Drive mine every day to and from work. I have to fill up every 10-14 days, so @ $3/gallon X 3 fillups per month = $180/mo in gas.
This is much better than a car payment, additional insurance, additional maintenance on another vehicle, depreciation, etc etc etc. All that said, I wouldn't mind having a commuter car.
In my case there's not too much adventure between the office and home, however, I'm also on the Fire Department in town , therefore, when I respond directly to the scene, I have utilized the winch, the suspension, definately the ARB, and the tires to get to some remote locations.
The last time was 2 weeks ago when I hunter fell off his ladder stand in the woods. I unloaded the back, drove to his location, we loaded him on the backboard in the back, and drove out. Then put him into the ambulance.
The off road capabilities also get used on brush fires for mainly personal transport to the fireline. Our department prefers to not have responders in the bed of pickups, therefore, the LC is a perfect off road taxi also.
I've had my LX450 for a couple months now and drive it daily. My daily usage is usually under 25 miles, so not too bad. However, even I am thinking about buying a beater to save some gas $$.
My commute is what kept me from buying an LC. I drive about 100mi round-trip. No way I could afford to fill up every other day. I bought a '04 VW Tdi. 52mpg if I'm conservative, 48mpg if I'm in a hurry.
I'm putting my "gas savings" toward the purchase of a weekend only LC.
I drive mine as a DD, but I work from home, so the drive is very short.
My wife was in a LX450 for a while, but we sold that and she is now back in a small mini van.
I also have a FJ40 and find my self driving it more because it gets a little better mileage, and is just a blast to drive.
We own all these cars, and have no car payments - so if gas is all Iam paying for, I would drive my FZJ80 every day.
My 80 is about to top 100K and it's my daily driver. The wife's Solara get's used a little more often since fuel prices fluctuate. But she wants a LX450 for herself since we're looking at parenthood in the near future.
