Should I sell my 200 for an 80?

[duganrec]

OK hear me out. I have a 2016 200 series, 2.5 inch lift on 295/70/R17s, snorkel, onboard air and a rear air locker. 107k miles, runs strong. I would say we do occasional moderate wheeling, plenty of other adventuring, and tow a small square-drop trailer (2500-3000 lbs all loaded) around the western US (live in UT). I’ve loved it, but I have a serious love for cruisers of old. I also miss driving something small and exciting.

I’ve started to entertain the idea of selling the 200 and buying an 80. Looking at one that’s triple-locked, excellent condition, lifted and well-built, 175k miles, well-maintained. Then I’d look at getting maybe an F80 or E46 M3 (has long been a dream car of mine, assuming the wife doesn’t lose her mind).

Yes, it’ll be slow. I’ve accepted that. But the 90’s child within me can’t stop thinking about this rig.

Crazy? Or send it?

 

[clrussell]

Keep the 200 and buy the 80..

 

[CT3]

IMO the 80 is a high water mark for near-vintage (depending on who you ask) 4x4s.

That being said, it’s going to struggle compared to a 200 when it comes to daily driving, towing, working at elevation in UT/CO, etc.

A couple of questions:
1. In the future would the 80 or the BMW be the daily driver? I would argue that will be a major change for you day to day. And not necessarily for the better.
2. Are you capable of working on or servicing either/both of these proposed new vehicles? Again, I expect your cost of ownership overall to double, at least.
3. Is there anything “wrong” with your 200 or are you just yearning for an 80/BMW? If the 200 is in good shape, I will suggest as other have that maybe you should add one of these cars you want rather than replace a great car for one or two potential headaches…

YMMV

 

[bloc]

Had an 80, rolled it, put a new(er) body on it, built it, swapped in a v8 (it was awesome), sold it, got a 200, no ragrets.

In my case having to drive 900 miles to get to the good trails was a major factor in this decision making process; you won't have that. But, I also learned I wouldn't own an 80 without a turbo or v8. They are just way too under-powered to feel adequate with today's highway speeds, let alone at altitude or towing, even on stock tires. 315s just make this way worse. Like second gear up even minor hills at freeway speed worse. And yes this applies even if it wouldn't be a DD.

Not to mention what you need to shell out for a decent triple locked 80 these days. Mine was $3000 plus $1500 for the axles.

 

[ryanCA]

no

 

[residualboulders]

@ryanCA slow down, you're so verbose this morning.

Tough decision. I'm fortunate to own both and I don't think my 80 would fill the void if I were to sell the 200. They are quite a bit different in my opinion, but I get the yearn for a vintage cruiser. I use my 80 for local trails and remote WY roads. I typically take the 200 anytime I'm covering distance to get to trails (CO or Moab) because it cruises easily at 80 MPH, has no issues on mountain passes and it's just so quiet and smooth. I am picking up my regeared 80 this week - maybe my thoughts will change, but I kinda doubt it. So yeah, try and keep the 200 and buy the 80.

 

[duganrec]

@residualboulders yeah that’s my concern - would be interested to hear if that opinion changes!

 

[duganrec]

@CT3 some good food for thought.

1. Probably more so the BMW, maybe 75/25?

2. Yes, in theory. I recognize that sometimes as life gets busy that could be a significant annoyance, or even worse a very costly decision. Definitely an important consideration I’m probably not thinking enough about.

3. Mostly just yearning for the classic-ness of the 80 and a rippin’ 6MT that would be crazy fun to drive.

 

[residualboulders]

@residualboulders yeah that’s my concern - would be interested to hear if that opinion changes!

Hopefully picking the 80 up from Cruiser Outfitters tomorrow so I can report. It got considerably more sluggish than stock when I lifted and mounted 35s. It's for sure not going to improve it to 200 level. The more cruiser models I own the easier it is to understand why Greg Miller's collection got large enough to turn into a museum. They're all awesome rigs in their own way, you just need one of each. lol

 

[duganrec]

Hopefully picking the 80 up from Cruiser Outfitters tomorrow so I can report. It got considerably more sluggish than stock when I lifted and mounted 35s. It's for sure not going to improve it to 200 level. The more cruiser models I own the easier it is to understand why Greg Miller's collection got large enough to turn into a museum. They're all awesome rigs in their own way, you just need one of each. lol

I really don’t think that’s too much to ask for! I keep telling my wife that I need a quiver of cruisers to match bikes and skis…

 

[residualboulders]

I really don’t think that’s too much to ask for! I keep telling my wife that I need a quiver of cruisers to match bikes and skis…

exactly. You need different cruisers to pair with the bike or skis you need to use that day. I've been lucky, my wife is cool with it and even encourages it sometimes. Helps that our dating memories are in a cruiser

 

[M1911]

If it was going to be your weekend rig off-road toy, then sure. But as a daily? No thank you very much.

 

[Exiled]

Man, I think after driving the 5.7 engine in the 200, that 1FZ-FE is going to eel underpowered (even though it's a great engine), but that also depends on how modified that 80 series is.
To me the only reason to make this change is if you're going to significantly increase the difficulty of the trails/obstacles you're tackling. An 80 series with front and rear lockers, a good suspension, decent armor and the right size tires can REALLY cook on tough trails, and even though dimensions are similar they can squeeze into tighter spots than a 200. If you plan to stay on similar trails as what you're doing with the 200, then I don't think it's worth switching unless you're absolutely intent on getting TWO vehicles out of the trade and daily driving the other one. I daily drive my Land Cruisers so I can't help with that last argument.

 

[Heckraiser]

Cross-posted from the 80 section (copy and paste):

I totally get this. I'm an 80 guy and I'm constantly thinking about picking up another one. Things to think about:

You do not want to tow your camper in the 80. Yes, it can technically do it, but it will suck especially on the highway. The 1fz is powerful enough to move the truck OK, but any extra weight or aero drag and it quickly becomes very unpleasant. I had a couple small trailers (Hiker and A-liner) both were awful to drag across Wyoming on I-80, but were fine on ~50mph country roads.

The 80 will need a lot more baselining and maintenance. It's always something cropping up, just a symptom of age.

The 200 is a really well-rounded rig. It's a decent wheeler and it can get back on the highway and rocket you home at 90mph if that's your thing. The 80 is superior off road and much easier to manage on the trail due to it's size and ground clearance, but then you'll be putting home at 65mph in 2nd gear with a lot of noise and high RPMs. I had a turbo on my 80 for a while and it kept up on the mountain passes much better, but still had to keep vigilant for leaks, smells and surprises, so it wasn't a total "peace of mind" solution. @SNLC is right, a V8 swapped 80 really is the best of both worlds. Still not as civilized as a 200 on the highway, but capable of doing most of what a 200 can do on pavement and much more than a 200 can do on the trail.

For me in my life now, the 200 is the logical choice. Every time I re-assess (which is frequently) I come to the same conclusion. But I don't feel the same way about my 200 as I did about my 80 or 60s or hilux for that matter. It doesn't give me the feels, it just quietly does it's job.

 

[Sandroad]

I often wish I had not sold my 80, or my 100, but for my use case I would NEVER trade my 200 for either.

 

[skymast]

Before I bought my 100, I looked at a few 80s. The cool factor is there but way too underpowered for me and I also never found the right one. Loved the 06 100 for a few years and traded it for an LX570. Very happy with it.

 

[PDoyle]

For the most power in the 80 you just have to push the little button under the shift.

 

[desmocruiser]

I have been an 80 guy since 2004, love them!

Since the majority of my driving had been localish trips in those years (less than 40 miles, typically 5-10 miles) office, errands, kid sports, cabin weekends, I daily drive an 80 more than any of my other Cruisers because it is truly a modern vintage vehicle.

All being said they have limitations; towing, long 75+ MPH highway trips in comfort (family complaints), and somewhat increasingly limited parts availability to keep them 100% Toyota to name a few.

If any of those are critical and frequent, I probably would not trade my 200 for an 80, however having an 80/200 duo would be far more likely than adding an M3 for me. I have made 9 trips to or from the MTN West- TN in both 200’s and 80’s in the past 5 years, the 200 wins hands down unless you need the off road ability of an 80 when you arrive.

I love sports cars, but for my use they are second only to motorcycles and boats if real world usage is measured, but man they are fun if you have the time for Solo enjoyment.

 

[Cruisin911]

80 with a Cummins conversion, assuming you dont live in a smog certification county...

 

[doru]

[edit removing irrelevant info about self]

I have a few questions for you:
1. how old are you?
2. what do you actually want?
3. have you really experienced an 80 recently?

#1 we do not live forever, everybody young and old knows that, and like it or not, we do go through midlife crises when you actually realize we do not live forever - knowing is not enough. There are many much worse things that you can do during this crise than buying the wrong car. With buying the 2 cars, the worse might be that you have to sell them and get back into a 200. Nothing irreversible and no people are hurt.

#2 because of #1 you should find out what you *really* want. You know, sometimes getting the high school dreams come true 20 years later is not a good thing. That applies to sex symbols but also to cars. When I got my cruiser I went out shopping for a nice FJ Cruiser (yellow if possible) while in the back of my mind there was a Hi-Lux quad cab that I first saw in 1992 in Europe while in college. I found a gray FJ and test drove it and there were things that I liked but decided to pass. On the other hand, I did try to get what I wanted instead of keep dreaming, even if it didn't work out, and in the process, I found out that I want a 200 and then that I really like the LX. Yes, I did try the 4R, a few Tacos in the process.

#3 is actually a consequence of #2: make sure that you do not dream too much and get your ass into an 80 and see how it is, for you, now.

Good luck finding your best fit!