Reality Check for (this) Newbie — where is my blind spot for getting an HDJ81 5-speed? (1 Viewer)

[Seneca]

I’ve been trying to get a HDJ81 5 speed for years, but finally solicited the help of an importer over a year ago after little success in tracking one down.

Yet, after a year, I’ve had as much success with an importer as I had myself. In fairness, I *hear* things are weird with imports and obviously there are various artificial and natural pressures on the logistics systems and market, but… over a year?

Am I approaching this wrong, or has it always been a snowball’s chance in hell of actually getting one?

Furthermore, the prices for HDJ81s have essentially doubled in the past ~18 months, and $40k for a ~27 y/o high mileage, stock truck feels insane. It seems like I’ve missed the boat despite being on the dock for years.

Is my experience the norm?

 

[SNLC]

You can still get them decent priced out of Canada.

@joekatana had/has a real nice LHD HDJ80 listed in the for sale section.

Cheers

 

[joekatana]

You can still get them decent priced out of Canada.

@joekatana had/has a real nice LHD HDJ80 listed in the for sale section.

Cheers

Mine just drove off to Colorado today . I see plenty of rhd HDJ81's on Craigslist from time to time.

 

[gilmorneau]

If you want LHD (HDJ80), there's usually a dozen or more of varying quality available at any given time in Europe. If they're over 25 (which most 80's are now) importing one yourself isn't difficult--no importer required. Re: prices, figure for about 12-16k Euro you'll usually get a running, driving project. Over 20k Euro is where the nicer ones start, and they go up from there. Sometimes way up. Under 10k Euro and you'll probably need a trailer to get it home from the port. Maybe US$4-5k all in to get one from a seller's driveway in Europe to your driveway in the US.

 

[sedonut]

Most cars run in a value cycle. Right now Land Cruisers are the flavor of the month.

If gas goes to $10 a gallon, I have a feeling gas guzzler prices will drop.