Recommend a Cruiser for my father?

[peterdouglas]

Hey everyone in the 80 series forum! I usually hang out in the 60 series or Diesel Tech forum (I have a 1984 BJ60). But now the time has come where my father is thinking of selling his 1991 GMC Sonoma 4x4 and asked me what I thought he should get. He wants something with a bit of space to be able to haul things around, diesel would be nice, but not essential. He's retired and doesn't do a lot of driving, but wants something reliable. Here's a short list I compiled:

• Lexus LX 450 (a little more luxurious than a LC and likely led an easier life, possibly all on-pavement)
• FJ80 or FZJ80 (a bit more refined than my diesel 60, but like the LX450, has a healthy appetite for fuel)
• Mercedes 300TD wagon (I know, not a LC, but bullet proof like our trucks, still has cargo space and is classy and retro at the same time (would be early to mid 1980s as that's when they finished selling these in North America). Best fuel economy at about 30 MPG.

My father is worried the Merc is too old and parts will be expensive. But, I've seen some near mint 300TD's on eBay for $6-7K, even as high as $10k. Also saw some nice Lexus LX 450's but for $10k to $12k on eBay, mostly in the south or west USA. If I got a Land Cruiser, it would be a JDM HDJ81. Love that turbo diesel! But my father doesn't want RHD or to pay $20K or more for a 15 year old vehicle (we're in Canada and could import a JDM vehicle).

He thinks it's better to get a newer vehicle - in many cases for the same or less money. I was able to convince him that an older Toyota with more miles is better than a newer Jeep. But now he's leaning towards a mini van like an early 2000's Sienna or Mazda MPV. He thinks the newer, the better. My choice would be an LX 450, classy, and reliable, though a gas guzzler. Next choice, Mercedes 300TD, even though it's not a truck. Third choice, FZJ80 in nice condition that's been owned by a soccer mom and only gone to the mall, if such a truck exists.

 

[Joe Egolf]

Hyundai santa fe 10 years 100,00 guarantee good space and mileage, I just bought an azera and love it.

 

[RWB0481]

My dad has 2 old Mercedes diesels and they're great. Parts aren't too bad. www.performanceproducts4benz.com has most parts he would ever need plus used parts are fairly easy to find elsewhere as well. My dads '78 300CD has 275,000 miles on it and he's currently driving it around on vacation in the southeast. The a/c blows cold and even the power windows and sunroof work. The Mercedes diesels are slow if you get the non turbo engine, but reliable, easy to work on and economical. The turbo engines are great. Good pickup and mileage.
You have some good choices.. I'm partial to my FJ80 but the MB is a good choice too. I don't know how the fuel prices are in Canada but I've been feeling the pain at the pump lately but I willingly bought my 80 knowing it gets crappy mileage. So in the end I have no good answer but check out the MB parts website and see if that sways your vote any. There is also a good forum at www.mbca.org which can use to get some more opinions on the MB side of it.

 

[Grolar]

Best of both worlds: Mercedes 300 GD. 4WD and an überreliable 3-liter Merc engine. Good luck if you want to secure one, though.

 

[peterdouglas]

Hyundai santa fe 10 years 100,00 guarantee good space and mileage, I just bought an azera and love it.

My father had briefly considered a Hyundai Santa Fe, not sure why he's taken it off his list. Might be worth looking into again. Personally I don't like the styling, but it's not going to be for me.

My dad has 2 old Mercedes diesels and they're great. Parts aren't too bad. www.performanceproducts4benz.com has most parts he would ever need plus used parts are fairly easy to find elsewhere as well.

I don't know how the fuel prices are in Canada but I've been feeling the pain at the pump lately but I willingly bought my 80 knowing it gets crappy mileage.

I've generally heard only good things about those old Mercs. After researching them for my father, it almost makes me want one now! But I need another vehicle like I need a hole in the head. ;p Unless I don't buy out the lease on my Matrix in 2.5 years, maybe I'll look at one for myself. Thanks for those links - there's some more good reading for me! Back in the day, parts were expensive, but it looks like they're more reasonable now that the vehicles are a bit older.

As for gas prices, if my fuel tank were bone dry in the BJ60, it would currently cost about $82 CDN to fill with diesel (90 liter tank, diesel price is about 91 cents per liter where I live). Regular unleaded fuel is about 95 cents per liter. My friend with a 1991 FJ80 is always crying about spending $20 a day on gas, but he likes to floor it all the time too. The US and Canadian dollar is almost the same now - IIRC 95 cents US buys $1 CDN. But fuel prices vary across the province and country. If interested, try http://ontariogasprices.com/ for a rough idea.

Fuel consumption is a bit of a concern, but since my father doesn't drive much now, he's willing to settle for a gas hog. Good fuel economy is a definite bonus though.

Best of both worlds: Mercedes 300 GD. 4WD and an überreliable 3-liter Merc engine. Good luck if you want to secure one, though.

For me, I'd love something like that! But it might be a bit too hard core for my father.