Why you choose a Landcruiser over _______

[Bluetribal]

If your not really going to wheel then none of the vehicles you mentioned are correct for your needs. I would look into a 2000-03 Tundra, slap a camper shell on it and put the dogs in back. It will tow and be reliable. If you are set on an SUV then keep the 80 in consideration but you are going to hate towing that much weight.

 

[Eicca]

I'll just say this: 3FE, 300k miles, original engine and headgasket, almost nothing but preventive maintenance. (Not mine I'm afraid, but mine will get there just as easily )

 

[LINUS]

Because everything else just sucks.

Bluntly put, but very true - by comparison I've never had such a drean vehicle to own long term.

80's are excellent/superior for offroad capability, even 150K ones still have great reliability, and they are excellent for versatility. The only downside is the fuel useage, but made up for in total cost of maintaining & safety in my eyes.

Also, we have unquestionably the best possible situation for parts (and knowledge!) in Dan / Onur / American Toyota.

I was a senior in high school when the 80 series came out, and I knew then I would own one someday - check that box.
I turned 16 & got my drivers license the year the '88 BMW M3 came to America & I coveted that automobile & swore I'd own that one day - check that box too.

I guess I'm still a teenager at heart because those 2 & a '69 International Travel-all are my rigs - stuck in the past maybe too, makes me happy & no car payments though.

FUNNY STORY - Landcruiser vs. Land Rover Discovery ownership:


A not-so-close friend & I bought our 4wd vehicles (him 1st) within 2 months of each other back in '02.
I obviously got the Landcruiser, he bought a Land Rover Disco -- (cough, POS, cough)
Mine had >120K on it & was ~$15K - his Disco was well over $20K & had ~45K

Within ~2 months, his transfer case grenaded (truely, as in lost the fluid all over the pavement! I saw this since I went to go fetch him & bring him to work) while driving in 2wd on pavement on his way to work.
3 weeks & a HUGE amount of cash later, he's back on the road

Say another ~4 months down the line, his reverse (AT) simply quit working - no warning, no nothing he said.
4-5 weeks later & another pile of cash - back on the road

All the time he complained of leaks in the sunroof(s?), getting the 'check engine' light routinely, the ABS acting up, the driver seat control/motor died intermittantly, and for some reason or another he replaced the radiator.

I think he sold just under 2 years of owning, there was something going wrong & he was sick of fixing things & he was getting horrible service at some Rover dealer (whoever is closest to Mount Vernon) - because they wouldn't warrenty their work & so much of what he had were intermittant things.

My Cruiser wasn't perfect either in all fairness. I had the following:

-Headgasket blew ~15K after buying - replaced myself & it was $1200 with a TON of other stuff, like I bought a brass 3 row radiator from Dan (why I remember Brian/Disco guy changed his-we both did this)

-Replaced my starter (~<$150 - Dan price)

-Still have mine & really nothing else has gone wrong in the last 6-7 years, at all.

---I wasn't even remotely knowledgeable about Land Rovers (before Brian's), and I really like the looks of Defender 90's, Range Rover Counties, the old 110's --- so I'm far from a 'hater' when it comes to these things, but if Land Rover didn't/doesn't bring up the quality of the build, then I'd be amazed at any marketshare they have. Based on Brian's experience & how badly he was treated by whatever Land Rover dealer is in Seattle area - I'll never buy one.

 

[pmccumber]

Honestly, I don't "need" a Land Cruiser. I just "want" one. If was only about reliability, cost, offroading, mileage I'd probably get a 4th gen 4Runner and build it a little and live with the trails I couldn't do.

Our '04 4Runner is pretty much better at everything except offroading. I think that 4.0 V6 will run forever.

But I'm not gonna deny the vanity or the cachet or the fact that I can and will keep it forever and it will be mine. When the 4Runner gets 10 years old, we'll sell it and get another one.

 

[1972FJ55]

I have some direct experience with two of the vehicles. I owned a '95 Grand Cherokee (Orvis) 5.2, for 10 years. Bought it with 65K and sold it (6 mo. ago) with 139K. I now have a '97 Land Cruiser that I bought last Oct. with 210K on it.

Grand Cherokee positives:
1) way more power than the 80
2) much better mileage (I could get 20+ mpg on the freeway)
3) Nicer factory amenities-Infinity stereo, Command center, cubbies, etc.
4) Not much ever went wrong, just routine maintenance for the most part.

GC negatives:
1) A real pain to replace almost anything in the engine compartment-How'd they get that distributor cap back there?
2) The ride is choppy on anything but smooth pavement.
3) That's about it.

Why I bought a Land Cruiser with a bunch more miles on it:
1) Ever since I had a 55, I've admired the ruggedness and durability.
2) When I was having the Land Cruiser gone over by a mechanic, he asked how many miles I had on the Jeep and when I told him, he said "get rid of it"
3) When he asked how much they were asking for the 80, his reply "buy it!"
4) When I got the 55, I discovered MUD-what a great resource!

My impressions of the 80 so far:
1) I made a decision that I won't regret, even if something breaks down the road.
2) I have made two 800+ mile trips without a hiccup, including towing a car and trailer back from Vegas. I would have been reluctant to try that in the Jeep.
3) It is really solid.
4) So far, working on it has been easy by comparison, although I've just been doing baselining/routine maintenance/tune-up.
5) After having the 55, two 60's and now the 80, I can safely say that this is a keeper.

 

[Theycallmenica]

Discovery is probably the worst choice of the 3, the grand has weak front axle you must carry spares as my friend does, The LC is built like a tank, I've abused them, never changed the oil, over heated them, turned them over and never had to see a mechanic over it and they all still running. LC's are expensive in the gas department but otherwise the best for 4x4 and for towing well just buy an old diesel.

 

[Eicca]

I'm coming up on 190k on my 3FE and the only "big" things that have been replaced in order to actually keep this thing running are the radiator, alternator (there's quite the story behind that, always buy OEM), and starter. Everything else has just been preventive maintenance, and EVERYTHING in my truck except the power antenna and power mirrors works.

I look at all my friends' vehicles (not necessarily 4x4s) and see how fall-aparty they are and count my lucky stars that I have a Land Cruiser. Regardless of gas mileage. I will NEVER sell it

 

[EMT80]

Reasons for my 80 purchase:

1. dont have the $$ for maintenance on the discovery or w/ being a volunteer firefighter and fulltime emt have to have something reliable.

2. planning on starting a family w/ my soon to be wife and worked to many accidents w/ jeeps and there's no way in heck my children/lovedones will be caught dead in one (no pun intended)

3. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.

 

[timer00]

I always said to myself when I started buying my own cars after high school that I would never get the everyday stuff that everyone gets. Friends were financing 18k on a Cavalier ?? wtf .. I started off with a 93 Camry XLE V6 that I sold with 194k miles, then my 99 Lexus LS that I sold with 68k miles on it, then saved up to by an 80 out right and got my 94 to replace my wife's Explorer (Exploder as I called it) though it never did explode

So far so good.. I like having something no one else has within at least a 6-10 mile radius. Someone in a lake community nearby has a 100 series but its an old lady so I don't count that

I was at a community day party for my company I work for and a bunch of people from the HQ always comes up to it every year and some guy saw me ride in with it and was asking me all about it and said nice choice...

 

[TEXLEX450]

When I lived in East Africa as a teenager they had a saying - " If you want to go somewhere drive whatever you want, Land Rover, Isuzu, Nissan, Land Cruiser, etc . If you want to get back home - drive a Land Cruiser. "

These vehicles have proven their reliability on the harshest roads around the world. If you give your TLC the necessary TLC ( preventative maintenance ) - it will last forever.

15 years in Africa and I can't think of a single time we were ever stranded due to mechanical issues on our Toyota. Can't say the same for many friends driving something else.

 

[jafo9]

I always said to myself .... I would never get the everyday stuff that everyone gets.

that was part of the decision for me between a 100 and an 80. i never even considered a jeep or a land rover product. you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a 100. i was always partial to the 80 so i looked for about 6 months till i found mine. i'm amazed at how many comments i get on my 97.

 

[john_eckels]

The towing part would make me consider the 100 series over the 80. I personally have never towed anything with mine, but I have read a number of threads about other people's experience. If you encounter any steep hills, there is a possibility that you may be passed by people on bicycles, SmartCars, etc. If you do decide to tow, the temp guage mod or Scangauge II is a must.

YC...If you can find a 100 series or lx 470 for $6k with a reasonable amount of miles on it, let me know. I'd like to buy one for the and get rid of that stupid TrailBlazer. The cheapest one I've seen recently was around 9K for a 98 LC.

To stay on target here, the 80 or lx 450 will do all of the points that were bulleted

Somewhat comfortable - absolutely
Somewhat reliable - without a doubt the best reliability out there
8 mile daily commute - yep
400 mile road trip once a month with two dogs etc. - dogs love 'em
Tow a 2600lb racecar on a 1200lb trailer with 200lbs of tools etc. for 50 miles once or twice a month - can't attest to this one, but I'm sure someone else can.

AND, you will stay within your $6k budget if you wait patiently for the right one.

 

[forrest]

I never thought I'd get this level of feedback from my first post on this forum. I have to thank you all for your feedback and input. I am still currently looking for the best rig for the job and believe I have it narrowed to an 80 series, specifically a 93+ LC or LX450. 99% of my driving will be without a racecar and trailer, so I'm ok without 400+ lb/ft.

Again, thanks for all the help, I look forward to more of the same. This is truly a great forum.

 

[thestallionq8]

My story for choosing my 80 is as follows. The first SUV I ever took a ride in was a Chevy Suburban in the 80s and is broke down. After that in 1991 when the 80 first came out my dad got one and the entire family loved it! Since then we traded the 91 for a 93, then traded the 93 for a 95, and after that the 95 when back to the dealership for the 40th anniversary 97 edition. The 1997 once was the first SUV I drove when I got my license too! We had the 40th anniversary edition till 2003 when we traded it in for a 100 series, which now belongs to my brother.

In 2006 I was invited by a co-worker to travel with him to his hometown in Yemen and when I went there I saw all the 80s that were there and it brought fond memories of the ones my family had. Therefore when I went back to Kuwait I just had to get one and luckily I found a really clean 97 GXR and I've owned and modified since then.

In the middle east there only 2 SUVs that are known to be the most reliable and the ones the out perform the rest, especially since spare parts are readily available and there are many garages that can work on your vehicle. Those 2 are the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan Patrol/Safari. For me the Patrol looked too small compared to the Land Cruiser and didn't seem to be as "heavy duty" looking. The Patrol was a lot lighter than the Land Cruiser and in my eyes that was it's only advantage. The Land Cruiser had more space, better engines, better suspension from the factory, oh and before I forget better AC capabilities.

Well, there you have the reasons for me buying an 80. Fond memories of the family vehicle, reliable durable, lots of places can repair it with spare parts available, great performance, size, and I failed to mentioned cost of owning one here in Kuwait isn't that bad. I was the owner of a Range Rover and I never wanted to do anything to it so that I don't have to see the maintenance bill.

 

[2garfields]

Three reasons for me to buy a LC.

For the look.
What the LC can do for me
What I can do when I safely got home.

 

[forrest]

I'm test driving this one today, Craigslist link: 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 LOADED 3rd ROW

The wheels and tires are horrible, but other than that it looks ok (other than the paint starting to fade on the hood and the cloth interior having a few imperfections). I can have it for $2500 which would leave about $3k for maintenance and upgrades but I am still concerned about the lack of power in the 4.0. It is cheap, but I'm wondering if I should hold out for a nicer example.

It is one option out of several in my area, I need to drive a 93+ now. Again, thanks for the words of wisdom.

 

[AshNZ]

1996 Lexus LX450

I can have a look for you if need be. I just picked up a 97 LX450 from Virginia and drove it back to Houston. I'm new to Cruisers so I can't give you a mechanics opinion but I can take a camera and have a look

If that rig is in good condition, that is a SERIOUSLY good price for a locked LX. I'm tempted to buy it!

Ash

 

[Walking Eagle]

I'm test driving this one today, Craigslist link: 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 LOADED 3rd ROW

The wheels and tires are horrible, but other than that it looks ok (other than the paint starting to fade on the hood and the cloth interior having a few imperfections). I can have it for $2500 which would leave about $3k for maintenance and upgrades but I am still concerned about the lack of power in the 4.0. It is cheap, but I'm wondering if I should hold out for a nicer example.

It is one option out of several in my area, I need to drive a 93+ now. Again, thanks for the words of wisdom.

Looks really nice, for some reason I really like th 91-92's, and that engine. But it's dog. It will pull like a tractor. A really slow tractor. But it will do it.

 

[lolo62]

silly question

 

[marcovgv]

only truck I know of that has this much luxury, comfort and kicks ass offroad.

oh and i forgot.... you can fit 7 people....FTW