Possible new LX450 owner with questions

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

NateYaro

NateYaro

10 Year
Joined
Sep 24, 2015
Threads
1
Messages
8
Location
Fort Wayne Indiana
Hey everyone thanks for checking out my post.

I'm new to the LC/LX world and I'm looking at trading someone my car for a 1996 LX450 with 105k original miles on it.

The LX seems to be in good shape. The body is clean, the interior is pretty decent.
It does have the lockers and good leather seats.
It appears to be missing a center console (not the one with the sub in it) and the factory stereo.
currently I don't think there is a stereo at all.

I've been reading what I should be looking for when purchasing one by doing some searching on this site.
I guess my question is with it having that low of miles are there other things I should be looking for?

I've owned a slew of other vehicles before (BMW'S, VOLVOS, SUBARU'S, TOYOTA'S, VW'S).
I know there are sometimes vacuum hoses or rubber parts that go out and cause unusual symptoms.
Before I go look at this thing I'd like to know which of those type of things I should be looking for due to it not being driven as much as many others out there.

I'll take any advice I can get!

Thanks guys!
 
DSRTRDR said:
here is a good buying guide: Slee - 80 Series Land Cruiser Newbie Guide
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I had actually found and read that. It seems to be a great comprehensive guide to the typical things to look for. I guess I was wanting to make sure there aren't unusual things I should take note of also.

Often when a car is driven that little 5k a year for its lifespan, I know hoses can crack and things can leak that don't happen if the vehicle hasn't been driven much. If there aren't these types of things on a LX that's great!

I just figure its best to check before I go through the list of things on that site.

Thanks!
 
105K that's low. Snag it up. Run the vin though. Make sure it's not 205K. etc.
 
Make sure it actually has lockers. I've heard of people installing the switch but when you actuate - no lockers.

There's a recent thread on here regarding troubleshooting posted by @toyotaspeed90 that is focused on the 1993 but still good info. :meh:

Great find! Good luck!
 
I have a 96 with 106k miles and do not have the cracked hose syndrome that you are speaking of. As a matter of fact, I changed the factory PHH because of all of the fear on this forum and it was still flexible and like new. Glad I did it for a piece of mind.
 
AMX390 said:
I have a 96 with 106k miles and do not have the cracked hose syndrome that you are speaking of. As a matter of fact, I changed the factory PHH because of all of the fear on this forum and it was still flexible and like new. Glad I did it for a piece of mind.
Click to expand...
I have a 40th with about the same mileage. The hoses are In some places, like new. Nothing Is bad. My 95 with 165K had several cracked hoses and like a rock Intake boot. Good Luck..!
 
Just ran a carfax on it. Its always hard to spend $40 dollars on something that isn't yours yet.
In this case, I'm glad I did! They are original miles but its a Salvage title due to a totaled accident the truck was involved in.

Thanks for chipping in and letting me know your thoughts on the cruiser. I'm still on the hunt for one.
Eventually I'll be back with a cruiser all my own :)

Thanks guys!
 
Run. You won't like the 80 Series Land Cruiser at all.

Ft. Wayne, hmmm, that's only about 6 hrs from Iowa...

Buy it and figure it out. Nothing on these rigs is that hard. Plenty of information out here for anything that could happen.
 
LS1FJ40 said:
Run. You won't like the 80 Series Land Cruiser at all.

Ft. Wayne, hmmm, that's only about 6 hrs from Iowa...

Buy it and figure it out. Nothing on these rigs is that hard. Plenty of information out here for anything that could happen.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of figure it out as we go.

There were a few more things with this situation that leave me a little curious. The guy kind of seemed like he was hiding something the whole time.
I finally ran the carfax. Also, he didn't want to meet unless we were meeting to trade vehicles. (he lives about 1.5 hrs from me)

I'm all for doing some work and getting to know a vehicle. In fact thats part of the idea of what I like about the fj80. They seem pretty straight forward and like you can generally sort things out.

I just want to find a good platform for my first LC experience.

Anyway, thanks again guys for all the input. I look forward to tracking down one to call my own and be able to come back here and participate in the group.
 
Sorry, I hadn't seen the totaled car fax. My original comment was a joke. I didn't see your comment about the car fax. Seriously run. No chance in hell I'm buying a salvage title vehicle unless I know the specific history of it.

There are plenty of good 80s out there. Just be patient and have cash in hand, if you can. It makes it a hell of a lot easier to negotiate. The Hoosier Cruisers club is a good club in Indy if they are still around. Great group of guys. I lived in Fishers from 1999-2005 and 2009-2010. I won't go in to detail now as I'm tired but they literally saved my 80 and made it road worthy so I could drive to chemo. Incredible human beings.
 
LS1FJ40 said:
Sorry, I hadn't seen the totaled car fax. My original comment was a joke. I didn't see your comment about the car fax. Seriously run. No chance in hell I'm buying a salvage title vehicle unless I know the specific history of it.

There are plenty of good 80s out there. Just be patient and have cash in hand, if you can. It makes it a hell of a lot easier to negotiate. The Hoosier Cruisers club is a good club in Indy if they are still around. Great group of guys. I lived in Fishers from 1999-2005 and 2009-2010. I won't go in to detail now as I'm tired but they literally saved my 80 and made it road worthy so I could drive to chemo. Incredible human beings.
Click to expand...

No worries!

That's an awesome thing to hear about the Hoosier Cruisers club. I'm glad they were able to get you going!

I've only lived in Indiana for about a year now (transplant from Seattle Wa). I've been pretty amazed at the quality of people that live out here.

I'm currently working on selling a couple cars in an effort to have cash in hand for a cruiser.

The one thing I'm seeing is there are quite a few around the 200k mark. The next question will be, how many miles are too many miles...

Thanks again guys!
 
If you moved from Seattle --> Corn Town, Indiana you've been bamboozled once, and we need to prevent this from happening again.
The reality is these trucks have a pretty good reputation, so if it's too good to be true it prolly is.

Figure out how much you wanna spend (financing is foolish for an extra, but that's personal) and start looking.
The best way to do this is make the Cruiser your 2nd car. There is a myriad of reasons, but this will give you time, which you can not buy.
Don't let lockers be the end all. You can always add a lunchbox locker to the rear for ~$300 and be double locked instead of triple.

If your strictly a pedal pusher, have someone look the truck over for you. This is where the clubs are truly priceless.
The only thing I knew of Land Cruiser was their Legendary Heritage when I bought mine. I have auto background and these trucks are mostly mechanical (not electrical) so working on them is pretty straight forward. There is about a 99.9% chance nothing you will encounter will not have already been seen by someone on Mud.

If you do get a LC you have to put a Mud sticker on it or your head gasket will fail you. The sticker has provided protection for me for over 3 yrs. Good insurance for less than $10.
Get AAA too, since flatbed tows are expensive.
 
Hornd said:
If you moved from Seattle --> Corn Town, Indiana you've been bamboozled once, and we need to prevent this from happening again.
The reality is these trucks have a pretty good reputation, so if it's too good to be true it prolly is.

Figure out how much you wanna spend (financing is foolish for an extra, but that's personal) and start looking.
The best way to do this is make the Cruiser your 2nd car. There is a myriad of reasons, but this will give you time, which you can not buy.
Don't let lockers be the end all. You can always add a lunchbox locker to the rear for ~$300 and be double locked instead of triple.

If your strictly a pedal pusher, have someone look the truck over for you. This is where the clubs are truly priceless.
The only thing I knew of Land Cruiser was their Legendary Heritage when I bought mine. I have auto background and these trucks are mostly mechanical (not electrical) so working on them is pretty straight forward. There is about a 99.9% chance nothing you will encounter will not have already been seen by someone on Mud.

If you do get a LC you have to put a Mud sticker on it or your head gasket will fail you. The sticker has provided protection for me for over 3 yrs. Good insurance for less than $10.
Get AAA too, since flatbed tows are expensive.
Click to expand...


Haha.. Thanks for that!

Yea... I moved to Indiana because my wifes family was here. Its definitely a lot different. Much more... Flat.

I plan on paying cash for whatever I get. The only other challenge is I really don't have room for an extra car. Whatever I end up getting will most likely be my DD. I'm not planning on doing a ton of off road action. However I don't want to cut out the option.

Up until this point my history with vehicles have all been on the road. I've stuck to more modifiable vehicles going for speed and handling rather than capability. The more that I've been around the more I've realized I really prefer capability and utility far over speed and handling.

In the past I'd end up spending a bunch of money to make it go faster or handle better then I found I never really used that side of it.

Not that I want to consider anything else, but for what I'm looking at doing is the LC the best option or would you point me toward a 4runner or sequoia or something of that sort?

To me the 4runner seems small and narrow, and the sequoia seems really vanilla. Its not to say they're bad options.

Anyway, I don't know that any of you care where I'm coming from I guess. I'm just trying to make a good choice.


In whichever case, it sounds like i need to get me one of those Mud stickers!

So far the land cruiser seems like the most appealing and enjoyable option. I love how distinct they are and how capable and dependable they are.

Thanks for all the help, and listening to my ramblings everyone!
 
If your not going off road look for something with Independent suspension, not solid axles like the LC.

The 3rd row in Cruiser is all but useless unless you hang with midgets (nothing wrong with this of course)
Depending on how much room you need the Pilot, Highlander, 4-Runner, Sequoia are all fine choices, albeit some are pricey.

The Cruiser is slow, and I mean annoying slow.
It also gets about 12mpg, so there is no sense using it to go to the mall and post office

I know Americans hate them but wagons are a great utility choice.
Get a AWD Subaru with Bridgestone Blizzaks and it will will outperform a LC in the snow.

Since your going to be on-road you really don't need a ton of ground clearance.

*I have a cabin rented at Chain O Lakes St Park this fall. Nice wknd getaway and cheap.
Your welcome to drive the LC when I'm in town.
 
Hornd said:
If your not going off road look for something with Independent suspension, not solid axles like the LC.

The 3rd row in Cruiser is all but useless unless you hang with midgets (nothing wrong with this of course)
Depending on how much room you need the Pilot, Highlander, 4-Runner, Sequoia are all fine choices, albeit some are pricey.

The Cruiser is slow, and I mean annoying slow.
It also gets about 12mpg, so there is no sense using it to go to the mall and post office

I know Americans hate them but wagons are a great utility choice.
Get a AWD Subaru with Bridgestone Blizzaks and it will will outperform a LC in the snow.

Since your going to be on-road you really don't need a ton of ground clearance.

*I have a cabin rented at Chain O Lakes St Park this fall. Nice wknd getaway and cheap.
Your welcome to drive the LC when I'm in town.
Click to expand...

I was kind of wondering that about the solid axles. Do they just make the ride more rough?

I have a long standing love affair with Subaru wagons. I've had a WRX wagon and a Outback XT wagon and have done exactly what you've said, ran blizzaks in snow and had a great time getting anywhere I needed to go. In fact, I think every car I've ever owned leading up to this volvo I have (97 850R) has been a wagon.

A little more light on situation is that I like the space a larger SUV can provide. I have recently purchased a house and now need something that can haul stuff to work on said house. I also do some woodworking here and there and need to be able to haul some decent size chunks of lumber.

Chain o Lakes is a fun place. it makes me slightly feel like I'm back in the northwest when I go there. You'll have to let me know when you're headed this way. If I am still on the hunt it would be extremely helpful to be shown what to look for (if that is still the route I go, i guess)

Thanks again!
 
If you need to haul, go get a bolt together Harbor Freight Trailer and stand it up when your not using it. Costs about $400 and said cars can tow it. They are super handy.
If you want to get real fancy have you local Muffler shop weld it out after you bolt it together, then build a tear drop on it when the house work is complete.
 
Ok. So here's my two cents. I love the 80 Series to the point of it being unhealthy. I bought my 1992 when I was 16. I've owned 7 80 series (currently own 2 and looking for a 3rd), 1 100 series, 1 70 series, 1 60, 1 62, 6 40s (I think that's all of them, but I swear I have owned 7 40s, s*** now I need to count again...). Anyway, the 80 series is the most capable all purpose vehicle stock from the manufacturer. It is incredible. It will go virtually anywhere and will do it in above average comfort.

Having said that, I've also owned 2 Gen 3 4Runners, 2 Sequoias, and 2 Tacos. I am buying a 2002 Gen 3 4Runner for my daughter. It is immaculate and has never been out of Texas. They are very capable vehicles off road and ride well on road, better than an 80. They get a little bit better gas mileage and are fairly easy to work on. Parts are readily available as they are a more common vehicle. Great vehicle but it is no 80 series. I like that my 80 rides like a tank. I can't imagine driving anything else.

People will say that 80s are expensive to own but that just isn't the case. My total cost of ownership is right at $60,000. Including the initial purchase price of $38k. $60k divided by 276 months = $217/month to own it. That includes all maintenance. Does not include fuel or insurance. A new Corolla has a cost of ownership of about $330 or something per month. Screw that I'll take my lumbering 80.

My 23 year old 80 is my DD. My wife drives a Hybrid Camry. My 80 has let me down one time in 23 years. My window switch went out and it started raining so I had to park her in the garage because the window was down. I could've jumped the window up but was lazy so I had to have my wife drive me to work. So my 80 didn't really let me down so much as I was lazy...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom