Potential Owner

[collector_edi]

I am considering selling in my 93 pathfinder for a 97 Landcruiser. I read somewhere that if your concerned w/gas don't consider getting this vehicle. I have to ask the following nonetheless. What grade of gas is required? Our premium prices (91 octane) are at $2.35 per gallon. I understand that the tank is 25 gallons and most get 12 miles to the gallon. Does the manufacturer allow 87 octane and if so has anyone noticed a loss of performance? I really want this SUV however I don't want to end up with buyers remorse.

 

[Biff]

87 is fine. Going from a pathfinder to a 97 cruiser is worlds apart. Does the 97 have lockers?

 

[Junk]

Regular is fine. Those with a supercharger will require premium.

 

[roncruiser]

87 octane is adequate. You should be fine. Keep in mind that gas prices are going to hit $3 in some parts of the country during the coming summer months.

 

[NorCalDoug]

As others have said, regular is fine. If you have a supercharger installed, you'll need premium. The owner's manual states regular.

Welcome aboard

 

[stuck in GA]

Regular all the way. Premium is for the sissy's and riceburners or people who just want to waiste money on gas.

 

[woody]

I've been getting 14-15ish in stock fashion, even in mixed freeway/city driving (filled this morning, 19 gallons, 275 miles on the odo) Better if you maintain constant freeway speed, better yet if you stay in the 60mph range, worse if you like stop/go traffic.

Mine outta hold this mileage for another month, then the tweaks start.....

 

[stuck in GA]

I get about 10 mpg. It sucks but it's worth it for driving one of the coolest rigs in town.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Regular all the way. Premium is for the sissy's and riceburners or people who just want to waiste money on gas.

1. It's sissies, not sissy's
2. waiste is not a word -- waste or waist -- you pick the right one
3. Riceburners technically include our cruisers, by definition

Due to my policy of doing the opposite of everything you do, I will now need to fill the tank with premium and will need to recommend premium to everyone

Didn't you promise someone that you'd behave better in Tech?

 

[collector_edi]

87 is fine. Going from a pathfinder to a 97 cruiser is worlds apart. Does the 97 have lockers?

Thank you for the reply. Interesting you mention worlds apart. I never tested a landcruiser and feel that all indications reinforce this potential fact. The pathfinder has been very reliable however I am looking for improved craftmanship without breaking the bank and going new. The pathfinder is reliable but I am getting bored of it. It gets aproximately 16 miles to the gallon on a 18 gallon tank.

I also understand prices will increase during the summer. I live in Chicago and we have been notoriously known for high prices with the exception of California I believe.

Any other tidbits would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cruiserdan]

Doug,


If yer gonna buy premium you might as well get a blower to go with it...

 

[NorCalDoug]

Doug,


If yer gonna buy premium you might as well get a blower to go with it...

That's ALL I need

...and me sitting here with a 2nd 80 that will eventually be mine...with fairly low miles...NEEDING a blower...

You got a couple sitting on the shelf?

 

[MTNRAT]

Doug, I like the new self portrait.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[ace10]

i used to have a 98 infiniti qx4. same as a pathy but with a much better 4wd system. that being saidm the qx4 was fine for just about everything. it was comfortable, a little small, but overall a nice rig. both the 80 and the pathy are not exactly stoplight racers, but you will find the 80 to be a bit more ponderous.

what concerns me though, is that you are fearful of spending the $$ on gas. if a few pennies is going to put you over the edge (financially) then an 8 to 10 year old cruiser isn't the right rig for you. the maintenance required in substantial and the costs associated (provided you hire someone to do it) is quite a smack in the face. check out the costs for a front brake job, a new headgasket or a front end (big) service. these will set you back a pretty penny and deferring the service is only going to cost you more in the end. i'm not saying that the 80 costs more to run than other rigs with vast capabilities, just that if a headgasket job is going to force you eat ramen noodles for a month, then you may want to look elsewhere. i'm not trying to be an ass, i'm just trying to paint a bigger viewpoint.

don't just consider the day to day operating costs, remember the upkeep that lurks out there.

$0.02

 

[NorCalDoug]

Doug, I like the new self portrait.
Cheers,
Sean

Thanks. Turned out better than my earlier attempts

 

[LX_TREME]

Hahahhahheheeee...... I like that one better...

 

[Brentbba]

You've got waaaayyyy to much time on your hands right now Doug.

 

[MTNRAT]

STOP THAT there is food everywhere.
Sean

 

[collector_edi]

I appreciate everyone being forthright. This particular rig has less than 80k on it and I probably will not have many opportunites to go serious off roading. The maintenance you describe, is it a result of normal wear and tear or serious off roading?

 

[NorCalDoug]

I appreciate everyone being forthright. This particular rig has less than 80k on it and I probably will not have many opportunites to go serious off roading. The maintenance you describe, is it a result of normal wear and tear or serious off roading?

Most maintenance would be normal wear and tear type stuff.
Have you taken some time to review the newbie guide on the sleeoffroad.com technical section and the FAQs here? Less than 80k miles is very good. That said, it's usually a good idea to replace all fluids so you can start from a good baseline. What's the overall condition (interior and exterior)? Do you have service records? It might help to know what's already been done, if anything.