I am at a dilemma. I have a love for the LandCruiser, they are the only vehicles I have ever owned. However, with stock market and crypto in the dumpster, and cruiser prices still holding strong, I want to sell a cruiser and buy the dip. Not to mention gas and diesel prices have gone through the roof. It is hard to justify owning 2 trucks as a college student right now. Currently the 2 cruisers I own are a 1993 USDM FZJ80 and a 1997 JDM KZJ95. I will outline the pros and cons of each vehicle below. If you had to only keep one, which one would you keep? I need some help. In an ideal world, I would keep both and buy another! First world problems amiright? Photos below.
FZJ80 - Gasoline Land Cruiser
Pros:
- USDM, thus parts are a lot easier to come by and stateside Toyota mechanics are actually willing to work on it.
- Capability, Solid front and rear axles. My model does not have lockers however. I don't do any hardcore 4 wheeling and use these vehicles for daily driving, farm vehicles, and light off-roading and camping
- Durability, 80 series differentials and frame just seem beefier.
- Charm, The 80 series is just an icon here in the states. I feel like the king of the road driving it compared to the Prado. The 90 series feels like the ugly duckling of the Land Cruiser family. The 80 series is definitely the better looking vehicle.
Cons:
- Absolutely horrendous gas mileage. I drive an average of around 150 miles a week. Average gas price here right now is around 4.50. With the car getting around 12-13 mpg, it adds up very quick.
- Drives worse on-road. The Prado in comparison with IFS, feels more like a minivan on the road.
- Slow, with the Prado weighing around 800 pounds less, the 90 series is much quicker even with the smaller diesel engine.
KZJ95 - Diesel Land Cruiser Prado
Pros:
- Fuel economy is much better, even with diesel prices being so high. Average diesel price here is 5.40, with the car getting around 22-24 mpg. Still not the most economic, but pretty good for a light truck. Overall, I would say the cost to own the KZJ95 is much less.
- More comfortable, faster, and easier to drive. More practical as a daily driver.
Cons:
- Lack of Toyota diesel mechanics stateside. Both of these vehicles are very reliable, so this isn't too much of a gripe, but trying to find a mechanic that would change a Toyota diesel timing belt was located over 2 hours away.
- Parts, fortunately, this car shares the suspension and frame with the 3rd gen 4runner. But any engine, transmission, or body parts must be shipped from the Middle East or Japan.
- Too much attention. This goes both ways. A lot of stares driving on the right over here and people always want to talk. It's great sometimes, but all the attention gets old trying to go about my day. The 80 series for the most part just blends in with most large SUVs.
I have attached some photos of both of the respective vehicles below. Let me know which one you would keep and sell!
FZJ80 - Gasoline Land Cruiser
Pros:
- USDM, thus parts are a lot easier to come by and stateside Toyota mechanics are actually willing to work on it.
- Capability, Solid front and rear axles. My model does not have lockers however. I don't do any hardcore 4 wheeling and use these vehicles for daily driving, farm vehicles, and light off-roading and camping
- Durability, 80 series differentials and frame just seem beefier.
- Charm, The 80 series is just an icon here in the states. I feel like the king of the road driving it compared to the Prado. The 90 series feels like the ugly duckling of the Land Cruiser family. The 80 series is definitely the better looking vehicle.
Cons:
- Absolutely horrendous gas mileage. I drive an average of around 150 miles a week. Average gas price here right now is around 4.50. With the car getting around 12-13 mpg, it adds up very quick.
- Drives worse on-road. The Prado in comparison with IFS, feels more like a minivan on the road.
- Slow, with the Prado weighing around 800 pounds less, the 90 series is much quicker even with the smaller diesel engine.
KZJ95 - Diesel Land Cruiser Prado
Pros:
- Fuel economy is much better, even with diesel prices being so high. Average diesel price here is 5.40, with the car getting around 22-24 mpg. Still not the most economic, but pretty good for a light truck. Overall, I would say the cost to own the KZJ95 is much less.
- More comfortable, faster, and easier to drive. More practical as a daily driver.
Cons:
- Lack of Toyota diesel mechanics stateside. Both of these vehicles are very reliable, so this isn't too much of a gripe, but trying to find a mechanic that would change a Toyota diesel timing belt was located over 2 hours away.
- Parts, fortunately, this car shares the suspension and frame with the 3rd gen 4runner. But any engine, transmission, or body parts must be shipped from the Middle East or Japan.
- Too much attention. This goes both ways. A lot of stares driving on the right over here and people always want to talk. It's great sometimes, but all the attention gets old trying to go about my day. The 80 series for the most part just blends in with most large SUVs.
I have attached some photos of both of the respective vehicles below. Let me know which one you would keep and sell!
