Three 80s to choose from - which one?

[richmondbob]

After getting feedback on my original post,
I love Jeep (but I want an FJ80 on the side), I've managed to find three Landcruisers that might work for our family. It would be used for roadtrips and some light offroading (such as forestry roads). To recap our buying criteria:

• 1996 or 1997;
• good condition and maintained with no rust;
• low mileage (20,000km/year is average here, so hoping for an LC with 185,000 miles or less, considering they're 15 year old vehicles);
• white or black exterior with tan leather interior;
• either modded for overlanding or left completely stock;
• factory lockers a bonus.

The three Landcruisers:

• 1996 with 158,000 miles; completely stock; nicest interior/exterior of the three; only 1 owner; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $9,000.
• 1997 with 178,000 miles; completely stock; second nicest interior/exterior; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $10,000.
• 1997 with 171,263 miles AND has the factory differential lockers; completely stock; close second nicest interior/exterior (missing floormats); clean carfax and title (noted in ad); would have to fly there for this California state LC asking $10,000.

We're in Richmond, BC so we'd be buying sight unseen - no inspection until after we'd pay to fly/drive down. Obviously, if the truck fails I've then got to fly/drive back ($$$). Keeping this in mind I'd appreciate all your input. Thanks.

- Bob

 

[profro]

Have prices been going up? I paid $7600 for mine a couple years ago. Bone stock 1997 with lockers and 178k miles and in really good shape.

 

[richmondbob]

Have prices been going up? I paid $7600 for mine a couple years ago. Bone stock with lockers and 178k miles.

Seems to have gone up for the '96 and '97s - there are some for less but they're typically higher mileage (190,000+) or older. This could end up becoming the wife's DD so we'd like one that's in better condition, too. Keep in mind these are the asking prices.

 

[jcardona1]

All 3 of those sound overpriced, but out of those 3 I'd take the '97 with lockers. Lockers are nice to have and it really helps with the resale value if you ever decide to get rid of it. Seems to be the #1 option that buyers are on the hunt for.

 

[MattL]

I would personally choose Option #1:
1996 with 158,000 miles; completely stock; nicest interior/exterior of the three; only 1 owner; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $9,000

My reasoning would be that you could talk it down to around $8,000, it's had one owner and a one owner vehicle with that sort of mileage most likely means it has been taken good care of and may have full maint. records.

 

[richmondbob]

All 3 of those sound overpriced, but out of those 3 I'd take the '97 with lockers. Lockers are nice to have and it really helps with the resell value if you ever decide to get rid of it. Seems to be the #1 option that buyers are on the hunt for.

Thanks for that. Yeah, I have no idea why the asking prices are so high now. I've checked Craigslist, Autotrader, Cars.com, etc and it seems any '96 to '97 with 180,000 miles or less in good condition is asking $8,900 or higher. Maybe someone else knows why.

 

[jcardona1]

Thanks for that. Yeah, I have no idea why the asking prices are so high now. I've checked Craigslist, Autotrader, Cars.com, etc and it seems any '96 to '97 with 180,000 miles or less in good condition is asking $8,900 or higher. Maybe someone else knows why.

Yeah I'm not sure. I paid less than that 3 months ago for a '96 with 163k and lockers (and lift, wheels, tires, sliders, etc) in California.

 

[richmondbob]

I would personally choose Option #1:
1996 with 158,000 miles; completely stock; nicest interior/exterior of the three; only 1 owner; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $9,000

My reasoning would be that you could talk it down to around $8,000, it's had one owner and a one owner vehicle with that sort of mileage most likely means it has been taken good care of and may have full maint. records.

I was thinking that, too until the one with lockers came up for sale with only a $1,000 price difference. It's one of those things where I may never use them but if I eventually use the 80 more and more offroad it'll suck paying almost $3,000 to install aftermarket ARBs knowing I could've had lockers for under a grand.

Having said that, the low mileage, single owner was my top pick. Maybe I can put the same questions to all three: how many owners? do you have up to date maintenance records? do you have a clean Carfax and Title? was it a non-smoking vehicle?

 

[86tuning]

The Cali car can go to a Toyota dealer for a pre purchase inspection and you can phone to talk to the tech.

The closest car would be my pick, add a rear lockrite for $350 and that will get you almost anywhere you want to go. Plus some 315 tires and you're golden.

 

[alia176]

Bob,

This is a tough call indeed but finding one with a locker is a bonus. Unfortunately, none of them has had the head gasket replaced and that to me outweighs the locker feature.

This board is full of guys who will go check out vehicles on your behalf so I wouldn't be too worried about that. If you found couple of rigs worth checking out, post up a request for checkout in the appropriate clubhouse from that state.

Since this will be your first 80 ownership, why not hold out for the perfect one if you can swing it? Lots of them are coming up for sale for variety of reasons and some of them has had the HG replaced, along with a host of other PMs that only mud OCD types do on these high mileage vehicles.

Neither of mine came with the factory lockers and I was ok with that. Most family friendly wheeling trips can be accomplished w/o the need for lockers IMHO. Just a 2" lift, sliders and a set of 285s will do ya.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Townsend]

Pricey options! I got my one owner 97 a few months back for only $6000 - 128k miles no locker near perfect exterior and interior

 

[Duiser Offroad]

Those are all way too much money, are you using craigslist?

There are plenty of nice 80's in WA and OR to pick from. Just keep looking.

Maybe your Ext/Int color choices are preventing you from finding the right one at a decent price.

I bought a 1996 in January for $5,800.00 156k miles.

After getting feedback on my original post,
I love Jeep (but I want an FJ80 on the side), I've managed to find three Landcruisers that might work for our family. It would be used for roadtrips and some light offroading (such as forestry roads). To recap our buying criteria:

• 1996 or 1997;
• good condition and maintained with no rust;
• low mileage (20,000km/year is average here, so hoping for an LC with 185,000 miles or less, considering they're 15 year old vehicles);
• white or black exterior with tan leather interior;
• either modded for overlanding or left completely stock;
• factory lockers a bonus.

The three Landcruisers:

• 1996 with 158,000 miles; completely stock; nicest interior/exterior of the three; only 1 owner; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $9,000.
• 1997 with 178,000 miles; completely stock; second nicest interior/exterior; driving distance to us in Washington state LC asking $10,000.
• 1997 with 171,263 miles AND has the factory differential lockers; completely stock; close second nicest interior/exterior (missing floormats); clean carfax and title (noted in ad); would have to fly there for this California state LC asking $10,000.

We're in Richmond, BC so we'd be buying sight unseen - no inspection until after we'd pay to fly/drive down. Obviously, if the truck fails I've then got to fly/drive back ($$$). Keeping this in mind I'd appreciate all your input. Thanks.

- Bob

 

[Young Bull]

All seem overpriced by about $2500-3000, IMO. BUT I would go with the 1996 one owner.

 

[richmondbob]

Muhahahahahaha! My buddy's a local car broker and is helping me get an 80. We had the CA 80 down to $9,000 and called back to get the paperwork sent over only to be told someone walked in and bought for the full asking price of $10,000. Now my buddy's pissed and convinced someone on the board picked it up. I'm laughing because I'm more zen about it, if it sold, it sold, if I got it, I got it.

 

[rushglen]

Good Landcruisers are currently selling fast, recently a 1996 80 gold edition advertised for $9,500 on Kijiji sold in less than 24hrs - I had arranged to see it the next day and the seller sold it to the first viewer who paid cash and took it away - I never even got to see it !
I even had an appointment - when I phoned for directions he told me he had sold it....

 

[86tuning]

I paid around $8k for my 97 LX450 with 56,000 miles in 2010. No rust, no service history, no leaks, no lockers, smelled like wet dog, and had a few dents and scratches.

 

[neal0124]

Are you specifically looking for an OBDII car? If so you can expand your search for 95's as well, you just have to confirm that they are OBDII's before purchase.

 

[Duiser Offroad]

That's right, why 1996? Many 95's are OBDII

Are you specifically looking for an OBDII car? If so you can expand your search for 95's as well, you just have to confirm that they are OBDII's before purchase.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I got my 97 with lockers for 6K last November. I still look at CL and they are still in the $4,500-$7,000 range for the same. Keep looking.

 

[Schwein]

I'll sell you mine for 10.5k it's mint inside and out and has only 104k!!