Agree with @ZackR - If you're down to spend that much and aren't rushed you should take a little time to think outside the box.
The classifieds here are a great start
You can find lots of well maintained cruisers on here. At that price point I'd personally go for:
a) a well documented, maintained rig here, even if it isn't the lowest mileage
$23K: For Sale - CA - 1997 FZJ80 40th Anniversary - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ca-1997-fzj80-40th-anniversary.1321939/
$18.5K: For Sale - 1997 LX450 FJ80 Llano TX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1997-lx450-fj80-llano-tx.1326016/
b) a Bring a Trailer cruiser - there's enough of an active crew of commenters over there that can help you decide if the truck is a good deal, or rusty, or sketchy whatever. There are some ultra clean ones that come through there for 25-30K. Just be wary of fees
- in the comments on this one, people are warning about the radiator
c) imported Japanese diesel cruisers with the understanding that in exchange for lower miles and a legendary engine you might have to do a lot of baselining. This one is cool, with a 5 speed.
*EDIT I just noticed you're in CA, you probably can't buy a diesel, my bad
d) spend about 15K on a decent cruiser (with no rust of course) and plan on dumping another 10-15K in from valve cover gaskets to coolant hoses to bushings to tires to suspension etc etc even if it's low mileage. That stuff just wears out
Here's one local to me - probably rusty if it's a UT car unfortunately
The classifieds here are a great start
FJ80 | FZJ80 | LX450 | HDJ81
Classifieds : Toyota FJ80 / FZJ80 / HDJ80 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX-450
forum.ih8mud.com
You can find lots of well maintained cruisers on here. At that price point I'd personally go for:
a) a well documented, maintained rig here, even if it isn't the lowest mileage
$23K: For Sale - CA - 1997 FZJ80 40th Anniversary - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ca-1997-fzj80-40th-anniversary.1321939/
$18.5K: For Sale - 1997 LX450 FJ80 Llano TX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1997-lx450-fj80-llano-tx.1326016/
b) a Bring a Trailer cruiser - there's enough of an active crew of commenters over there that can help you decide if the truck is a good deal, or rusty, or sketchy whatever. There are some ultra clean ones that come through there for 25-30K. Just be wary of fees
No Reserve: 1997 Lexus LX450
Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1997 Lexus LX450 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #127,507.
bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80
Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #127,771.
bringatrailer.com
c) imported Japanese diesel cruisers with the understanding that in exchange for lower miles and a legendary engine you might have to do a lot of baselining. This one is cool, with a 5 speed.
For Sale - 5spd 1992 HDJ81
Im posting my 1992 HDJ81 for sale. It currently sits around 203,000km and runs great with no blowby. In my ownership the maintenance items/mods below have been done Front knuckle rebuild New CCT Stage 1 turbo New OEM hoses Timing Belt BEBs Valve cover gasket Water pump Glow plugs Fire...
forum.ih8mud.com
*EDIT I just noticed you're in CA, you probably can't buy a diesel, my bad
d) spend about 15K on a decent cruiser (with no rust of course) and plan on dumping another 10-15K in from valve cover gaskets to coolant hoses to bushings to tires to suspension etc etc even if it's low mileage. That stuff just wears out
Here's one local to me - probably rusty if it's a UT car unfortunately
Lexus LX | $16,995 | Ogden, UT | KSL Cars
1996 Lexus LX for sale in Ogden, UT on KSL cars. View Lexus LX and other new and used cars, trucks, and SUV’s for sale.
cars.ksl.com