Should I buy an 80, costs of ownership?

[OGBeno]

Bump.

Talked someone out of buying an 80 today and referred him to this thread. He called back and said "thanks for keeping me married."



The shaman would be happy that the truth has been spoken and transmitted.

An LC is not for everyone.

It is for some.

To quote the Shaman himself:

"The care and feeding of a top-end luxury vehicle DOES NOT depreciate like the vehicle does. Parts and labor costs only go up.

The only way to really be able to afford one is to enter into the relationship with eyes wide open and the commitment to learn to work on it and care for it yourself. Or, have the resources to pay somebody WHO KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS the vehicle to look after it on your behalf.

It should further be mentioned that to morph an 80 into what ammounts to the most capable production 4WD vehicle ever offered by any manufacturer will cost at least 6000 bucks, if you supply the sweat. This only takes into consideration the mods, not the PM's to get the vehicle up to speed.

That being said, my relationship with my 80 has been one of the most satisfying parts of my life.

 

[devildogcruiser25]

Bump.

Talked someone out of buying an 80 today and referred him to this thread. He called back and said "thanks for keeping me married."



The shaman would be happy that the truth has been spoken and transmitted.

An LC is not for everyone.

It is for some.

To quote the Shaman himself:

"The care and feeding of a top-end luxury vehicle DOES NOT depreciate like the vehicle does. Parts and labor costs only go up.

The only way to really be able to afford one is to enter into the relationship with eyes wide open and the commitment to learn to work on it and care for it yourself. Or, have the resources to pay somebody WHO KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS the vehicle to look after it on your behalf.

It should further be mentioned that to morph an 80 into what ammounts to the most capable production 4WD vehicle ever offered by any manufacturer will cost at least 6000 bucks, if you supply the sweat. This only takes into consideration the mods, not the PM's to get the vehicle up to speed.

That being said, my relationship with my 80 has been one of the most satisfying parts of my life.

Thanks for bumping this onur. I keep feeding my LC new parts, but I can't describe the attachment I have to this machine. Every day that I get to drive it is a privilege.

Sent from my iPad mini

 

[Delancy]

Talked someone out of buying an 80 today and referred him to this thread.

Yet, have only perpetuated the steady stream of funds out of my account.

His wife must have better "lose moraled" friends.

Bahahaha.

 

[GXO]

My 80 was cheap compared to the GX. I think the general rule is: If you wheel, you had better be able to afford it or put the sweat equity in, because you will probably be doing both.

 

[justbecause]

My 80 was cheap compared to the GX. I think the general rule is: If you wheel, you had better be able to afford it or put the sweat equity in, because you will probably be doing both.

Your gx is more as far as broken parts that need to be replaced? Cost of accessories? Or what?

via mobile app.

 

[Impreza]

No regrets. I don't even drive mine but will sit in driver seat making brum brum noises. These things are cool!

 

[NM Frontier]

This was an excellent read thanks for the bump!

 

[GXO]

Your gx is more as far as broken parts that need to be replaced? Cost of accessories? Or what?

via mobile app.

No market so most is either imported (Australia, Israel, etc) or custom fabricated.

I use Toyota parts as much as possible as well, Lexus has a 600% markup on most crap.

 

[ecolon]

Wowwww good tread.

 

[MoeGasim]

great thread...after reading about other 4x4 and the MASSIVE positive feedback on the 80 series here on IH8MUD....i just bought a 94 vx limited 1HZ with a history of 5 previous ABUSIVE owners with over 500k km on it..for a little above US18k...its still running and i hope to get it back in shape....love the sheer power in this car and how everything is STILL available in the market....this just shows how popular this car is ....if u manage to put a little time and effort (and cash of course) into it....this car will probably be part of inheritance for generations to come

 

[redstrider81]

18000? Or 1800? For 18000 I would have sold mine and drove it too you. I paid 7000 for it and have fix and mod it towards 15000 now. But if I ever sold it I could only get 9000 if I was lucky. Most of the 15000 is fixing what others broke. Still love it though hauls everything kid dog trailer junk. Can't beat it.

 

[mickeyt]

What can you buy nowadays for $20k any ways?

 

[Riley]

Funny day to see this thread bumped back up.
It was another one of those days in the life of 80s ownership.

My wife needed to drive the 80 into town (rare event as I reserve the truck for only when really needed like fishing trips and boat towing)... anyway she gets back the driveway and there's a guy who's followed her for god knows how far... wanting to know if she wants to sell it.. he's looking for an offroad/fishing vehicle.

Wife's response.. NO, it's my hubby's fishing truck. he'd never sell it.

btw - this happens about once a year at least...

I love my 80 and hope I never have to part with it.

 

[MoeGasim]

18000? Or 1800? For 18000 I would have sold mine and drove it too you. I paid 7000 for it and have fix and mod it towards 15000 now. But if I ever sold it I could only get 9000 if I was lucky. Most of the 15000 is fixing what others broke. Still love it though hauls everything kid dog trailer junk. Can't beat it.

looool redstrider81.....would love just to SEE a forum member...let alone come deliver me a cruiser.. ....here we have INSANE customs and TAX...literally a rip off.....the customs ALONE is 100% of car value.....as if we manufactured ANYTHING except vegetables and livestock.....but this was GREAT offer in comparison...a Hyundai Accent 2010 would cost me around US$20,000....just this week they added US$50 car registration 'WAR' Tax.....its ridiculous....but, our parents love the 'homeland'...so we must stick close by...

 

[retrofive]

Funny day to see this thread bumped back up.
It was another one of those days in the life of 80s ownership.

My wife needed to drive the 80 into town (rare event as I reserve the truck for only when really needed like fishing trips and boat towing)... anyway she gets back the driveway and there's a guy who's followed her for god knows how far... wanting to know if she wants to sell it.. he's looking for an offroad/fishing vehicle.

Wife's response.. NO, it's my hubby's fishing truck. he'd never sell it.

btw - this happens about once a year at least...

I love my 80 and hope I never have to part with it.

Yep. Last week had fellow flip a uturn and come racing after me. He was in a pretty new fancy dancy Rover. Rolled down the window to see WTF, "Dude, I want your truck, how much?" me: "not for sale, but if you want a hand finding one I'd be happy too"

 

[Bobbert]

I'll go ahead and sign up for the walk of shame. I bought my LX450 "because I always wanted one" and found one within 20 miles of my house that was willing to part with for what I thought/think is a good price. Having never researched much about them..

96 LX450 no lockers , 4th owner, 2 accidents on carfax, 171,000 miles, Check engine light shining bright. I drove it around for about 15-20 minutes. It drove straight, stopped fine, idled quietly and everything sans power antenna worked perfectly. I wanted it. Autotrader ad was $5,500 obo.. I asked what he would take today "I have to get $5,000 for it.. I just cant take any less" I told him I had to think about it and would let him know. I went home and later that evening offered him $4,000 cash. He said come get it tonight.

Fast forward 48 hrs.. I'm leaking coolant.. green, sludgy coolant. Pop the radiator cap... finding what I believe to be stop leak - awesome! Take it to our awesome local Toyota mechanic and they confirm the system is full of stop leak and non Toyota red. They install a new OEM radiator and flush the system.. $1100 and I haven't even transferred it into my name at this point LOL.

While they replaced the radiator I had them inspect it further. Axle seals need replaced, valve cover gasket is leaking, driver side tie-rod needs replaced (did this with radiator) among all fluids need flushing.

At this point I am rambling on.. but, I do wish I had done my research first like this thread screams. All in all I love my 80..

 

[86tuning]

I wouldn't cry about it for $4k. Have the dealership tend to the engine/cooling system first. Top up the grease in the axles and drive it for a few weeks and buy some tools.

Replacing axle seals is tedious and will take a day, but unless you make $1k in a day at your dayjob, you're better off buying tools and doing it yourself.

General hand tools plus a jack and stands are all you need. The 54mm socket can be purchased from various vendors for about $15. You also need two axle seals and need to make a seal driver. Bring the seals to the hardware store and buy some pipe to fit. Pry out old seal and then tap in new one with a hammer and your new $2 seal driver.

 

[BrotherRob]

I'll go ahead and sign up for the walk of shame. I bought my LX450 "because I always wanted one" and found one within 20 miles of my house that was willing to part with for what I thought/think is a good price. Having never researched much about them..

96 LX450 no lockers , 4th owner, 2 accidents on carfax, 171,000 miles, Check engine light shining bright. I drove it around for about 15-20 minutes. It drove straight, stopped fine, idled quietly and everything sans power antenna worked perfectly. I wanted it. Autotrader ad was $5,500 obo.. I asked what he would take today "I have to get $5,000 for it.. I just cant take any less" I told him I had to think about it and would let him know. I went home and later that evening offered him $4,000 cash. He said come get it tonight.

Fast forward 48 hrs.. I'm leaking coolant.. green, sludgy coolant. Pop the radiator cap... finding what I believe to be stop leak - awesome! Take it to our awesome local Toyota mechanic and they confirm the system is full of stop leak and non Toyota red. They install a new OEM radiator and flush the system.. $1100 and I haven't even transferred it into my name at this point LOL.

While they replaced the radiator I had them inspect it further. Axle seals need replaced, valve cover gasket is leaking, driver side tie-rod needs replaced (did this with radiator) among all fluids need flushing.

At this point I am rambling on.. but, I do wish I had done my research first like this thread screams. All in all I love my 80..

It's only expensive once. You could have done it yourself for half the money. You'd have spent that much money on most any vehicle of that vintage, and it would still be a POS. Your LX will prolly outlive you.

 

[Chester]

This sounds like you folks are talking about your favorite gun or the best dog you ever had.

My Sep. '89 FJ62 has to be rejuvenated a bit,(daily driver for 15 years) so I bought a "97 FZJ80 to drive while the parts come in. I've only been driving it a month, but about the same number of low information wannasellit's approach, they're better dressed, better looking, and more often female. What does this mean Doc?

 

[bobthebuilder]

Really great thread. This should be stickied (didn't see it at the top) so it can be found readily and before the fun threads on lifts/bumpers/awesome tires

Going over some of the costs of parts, it seems to be on par w/ my 87 BMW 325is that I've been feeding parts (upgrades mainly) for almost 12 years. I have had every bit of that car apart and feel an almost familial bond to it. I imagine I will have a similar attachment to my soon to be LC