what land cruiser to pick from?

[maxamillion2345]

Came in here to post exactly this. Don't beat yourself up on a highschool budget. 3rd gen 4runner is a great all-around truck and much easier on the wallet. Can be had with factory locking rear diff and 5-speed which is a great combo as well (I've owned two like that)

Came in here to post exactly this.


I have two 80s and a 97 4runner. I daily the runner for a lot of reasons but mostly it makes the most sense. It makes a lot more sense for a first vehicle for a 16yo.

Oh also, Ive had to work on my 3rz but the minimal amount of problems I have with that 4runner amazes me. I beat on it and it loves it. Its amazingly reliable. Theyre super simple, parts are cheap, and everywhere.

 

[maxamillion2345]

I have a 92 and a 97 80 series. Theyre both really cool. I have a 97 3rd gen runner with a 2.7 I paid 1000$ for and rebuilt the engine. Ive probably put a couple thousand into it over many years now. I also have a 60k dollar super duty that mostly sits. I love all of my vehicles but I daily the runner. It just makes the most sense. Not to disparage those who daily 80s, I think thats great and I could totally see running the 97 daily if I didnt have a 3rd gen but I’m at a point in my life I can do stupid s*** like that. As a 16 year old, save your money and enjoy being a kid. 80s are money pits.

 

[LINUS]

G3 T4r. All the way.

Don’t buy a stupid VW, they **always** need work & will nickel & dime you worse than an F(z)J80.
There’s a ton of 4runners & my bro-inlaw still ran his until just ~3yrs ago (he’s almost 50), because his son is a pig and my niece drives by braille (she’s 17, boy is almost 20).

The beauty of the 4runner was it wasn’t so nice the kids couldn’t beat he interior (boy) or bump crap with teh exterior (girl) - he just shrugged it off.

Unless you get some family hookup or a screaming deal, you’re better off having $$$ to date chicks, go to concerts, do sporting events, generally live the social life of a teen.
An 80 will make you a broke hermit who only lives for school, work, and 80 parts.

I DD disposable s-boxes (mainly those stupid VW’s that always needed something fixed) -all thru HS & jr college, I don’t regret it at all because I had $$$ for a fun early adulthood life.

Don’t start down the LC rabbit-hole until you shag a few babes & live an awesome teen life

 

[LandLocked93]

Don’t buy a stupid VW, they **always** need work & will nickel & dime you worse than an F(z)J80.

An 80 will make you a broke hermit who only lives for school, work, and 80 parts.

I DD disposable s-boxes (mainly those stupid VW’s that always needed something fixed)

Don’t start down the LC rabbit-hole until you shag a few babes & live an awesome teen life

I think we've all learned something here. I for one feel better as a result.

 

[ZackR]

Whatever you do buy a vehicle in cash, pay for parts in cash and avoid getting in the debt trap at a young age.

I cringe every time I see a 18-25yr old kid driving around in a $50k lifted pickup truck that he has to work his ass off for just to stay on top of the payments.

If you buy a $5k cruiser in cash you can drive it for 5 years and still sell it for somewhere around $5k.

 

[Cruzerman]

Kids must be way richer these days. I had to work lots of after school hours just so I could afford a VW bug (along with money for mods) back in the 70s.

 

[BILT4ME]

I bought a 21 YO car that needed an engine and rear axle and brakes.

I then bought parts cars for $50 each to get tires or engines, or whatever, I just had to put it all together.

BTW....I still have that car and I drive it a lot!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

If you buy a $5k cruiser in cash you can drive it for 5 years, put $10k in parts and maintenance, and still sell it for somewhere around $5k.

I fixed it for you.

 

[LINUS]

I cringe every time I see a 18-25yr old kid driving around in a $50k lifted pickup truck that he has to work his ass off for just to stay on top of the payments.

+1
A guy I respect told me “there’s no such thing as a good car deal” - and aside from cheap cars that need a repair this is 100% true.

Alot of people forget sales tax, certain states registration is value-based, insurance, devaluation.....list goes on.

That guy I learned alot about $$ from still drives the same ‘72 pickup he bought a couple yrs old, has had the paint & motor refreshed a few times.

- and when he retires soon he’ll be sitting on $3.5+ million just in 401K & 2 houses that are paid off.

Look like Lil’ Abner — squirrel away $$$ like Scrooge McDuck

 

[ajordan1975]

I daily a 3rd gen and my 80 is for wheeling.
3rd gen maintenance is way cheaper than the LC's maintenance

 

[BILT4ME]

My newest car is a 2009 that I purchased from the estate of my MIL last year. Prior to that, my newest car was a 1998........

I don't have car payments. I do get a great discount at O'Reilly's.

You guys play golf. I work on old cars. That's my hobby and way to get away from the wife for a while......

 

[4xFletch]

Find a 3rd gen 4Runner with rear locker and 5-speed. In 5 years It will be just as coveted as the 80 series is now.

 

[Scottys80]

I’m 19 now. Got my 80 after high school. My first truck was a 1997 4runner (3rd Gen) and that’s what I recommend, cheap cheap cheap to maintain and put gas in it. Cruisers are a whole other story. Unless you’re a trust fund ofcourse.
But I agree with everyone else, 3 gen 4runner