Why you choose a Landcruiser over _______

[gotmud]

Why you choose a Landcruiser over _______

Because I want to make it back home!

I've owned several brands of 4x4's, including Jeep, Suzuki, Nissan and Toyotas (4Runner, Tundra, & LC)

Most reliable have been the 4Runner & LC and the Samurai's. Least reliable were the Jeeps ('01 XJ and '04 GC)

 

[idaho fzj]

I have run Land Cruisers for 20 years and I have never walked home. I also appreciate that there is a loyal group of fanatics to bounce ideas or problems off of. Though the parts can be pricey they are no more expensive than the jeep and way cheaper than the Discovery, and you don't need near as many.

 

[Lc80series]

My Dad bought an 83 FJ60 brand new in 83 and I've loved LandCruiser (and Toyota in general) ever since. That was his daily driver up until about three months ago when he bought a 2010 V8 4WD Tundra. He put the 60 on the corner and sold it same day for $5500.00. It was one of the nicest 60s around and I wasn't pleased he just got rid of it like that but the Tundra is really sweet so I can't blame him. Sure he put a lot of $ into the 60 over the years, but that tank never let him down for almost THIRTY years.
My brother had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was a POS. He got rid of it pretty quickly and went back to Toyota.
Never had experience with LandRover although I know an older guy with one who loves/swears by his. I've also heard the LandRover is prone to electrical problems due to Lucas wiring. The joke I've heard about Lucas is that they are the inventors of darkness. Ha! It has already been said before, but you can find a 2004 (for example), low mileage Discovery for about five grand and I think that speaks to the overall quality of the vehicle.
I got my 93 FZJ80 with 138k in August 09 after selling my first gen. 4Runner. No regrets and I plan on keeping it a long time. Good luck! Hope you find a nice Landcruiser!

 

[crawlin40]

Why an 80 over a Disco

I bought my 80 7 years ago when my Tacoma Double Cab was not going to cut it for my growing family. My wife drove it for 4 years. The following reasons are why I bought it:

Safety: Once when traffic was at a standstill on a highway, me wife got hit in the 80 by and RV and pushed into Ford Ranger. Luckily my wife and our daughter who was with her were both OK, My wife had a concussion but the paramedics could not believe it due to how little damage happened to the vehicle, the 80 sustained relatively minor damage front and rear, bags did not go off ,and I had at a quality body/frame shop eval after the accident. My body guys was amazed at the build quality and what it could take.

Reliability: As is said often on here baseline and maintain and you will be good to go, preventative maintenance goes along way. Things will happen it is a machine remember 1 year of $400 car paymnents on another rig can do alot of maintenance or a major repair on what you have with now with no payments.

Aesthetics: Let’s face it, it looks good and has an ageless beauty as far as vehicles goes. It does not look obnoxious or dated even 13 year after the last one rolled of assembly lines at least to be shipped to the USA. Think of some other vehicles in that time era (1990’s) Hope this does not offend anybody: Aztec, Square headlight Wranglers, Ford Probe, Cadillac Cimarron etc.

As far as Rovers go, Defenders look really neat, test drove one and it felt like driving a school bus that was really expensive, 40 with OME ‘s rides better, “kitted out” Discos do look really neat in IMHO, but the reliability is horrible. IE:5 years ago I had a buddy that wanted to get either an 80 or a Disco. I searched for him and found a great ’97 Anniversary Edition, Lockers, 58 k, ETC. NICE RIG. We went and checked it out. It was well worth the asking price. He wanted to also stop by the Rover dealer nearby. We did. They treated us really nice, took us on the offroad course outback which was surprisingly pretty rough, steep, off camber and that sold him. I said nothing at that point as he knew what the 80 could do. As he was going in to do the paper work I pointed out to him and the salesman that the rear air suspension just took a DUMP, AS WE STOOD THERE! IT dropped about 4 inches) He bought the Rover (IDIOT) and was upside down in payments when he wanted to trade it for a FJC 2 years later.

 

[galandcruiser97]

The 80 is reliable. Toyota makes very good I6 motors. My sister actually persuaded me to just get the 80 since it was just sitting in our garage and it has been good to me. My sister drives a 94 Lexus SC 300 and she refuses to get rid of it. She loves her 2JZ motor. I like it too. Anyways, I was considering the Nissan Armada but i said Heck no after i went to the plant and seen some people putting it together that were dummies in when they was in high school. Thats why any Nissan made in Canton Mississippi I will not touch with a 500 foot pole.

 

[abrumley]

I just picked up a flawless 96 lx450 with 160k on it lexus sevice records from day one factory lockers and all for $6,000 if you look you can find one just take your time. And good call on the 80 choice i had a disco once and have never been happier to get rid of a vehicle!

 

[timer00]

I think one of the funniest (though endearing things) is people on here talking about buying a used vehicle with 130-190k sometimes 200k+ miles and not thinking twice about it.. I think that speaks for itself.

Now imagine saying "I just bought this used (insert many vehicles here) with 150k+ miles and it runs great and needs minimal maintenance

 

[Albright80Cruiser]

Dude don't let an 80 series land cruiser fool you. There off road capabilities are insane. They are better than most stock 4x4s. The biggest competition in terms of stock vehicles is the jeep rubicon, and the ford f150 rapter. The Land cruiser is a fraction of that price and is so much more luxurious. Toyota has a good name behind it.

 

[Wanderlust]

I am committed to an 80 Series being my next vehicle. I don't own one, but the more I read, the more it seperated itself from the pack. My pack included Discovery, Grand Cherokee, and 80 Series as well. My main contributing factor, as desperate as it initially sounds, is courting females.

I need something luxurious because I like to get dolled up and do nice things. All three are great at it.

I need something adventurous because I like outdoor activities, and she should too. Which involves some off road terrain. All three can be great with few modifications, but only one you can get with factory front and rear lockers. Differential work can be expensive. Discovery traction control is nothing close to a locker.

I need something reliable, rugged, and repairable. I don't mind a hike, can't blame a lady if she doesn't appreciate it though. This is where the 80 Series really seperated itself. My exposure to british manufacturing jokes rules out the Discovery (they are funny because they are true). Grand Cherokees just lack rugged. The availability of Toyota parts, manuals, mechanics, as well as knowledgable and enthusiastic owners is unparalleled.

The choice is really clear for me. I'm not rushing myself to purchase, but I am very much looking forward to ownership. Those are my thought processes. Many thanks to this forum for help in solidifying my decision as well.

If routinely towing a race car around were in my list of needs I don't think any of the three would be on the list. I would more than likely be setting my eyes on a Wagoneer(SJ) if I were pinned down to the idea of an SUV.

 

[Slowleak]

FWIW, I bought mine exactly 1 year ago today. It had 170K on the ticker. Now it's up to 193k and I've had no major problems other than having the starter rebuilt 3 months ago. And yes it was the original starter. I drive this 70% of the time and can say that it doesn't burn oil. TLCs are awesome!

 

[Bjohnston115]

If you are going to buy a LR, buy a defender, its the only option.

Amen to that. I jsut sold my range rover becuase it failed me one to many times. I have a 3fe 80 now and so far i love it. I find myself being scared to drive it because im so used to being let down by my rover. If i could find a defender for cheap i would have 10 of them.

 

[lt1fire]

I just kind of fell into it.

Now with what i'd know i'd choose it with out a seconds hesitation

Back then I was looking at a Grand Cherokee, Suburban (older solid axle diesel) and land rover.

My criteria were need to be reliable and have room for at least 7 so the cherokee and rover were out. The size of the burban for trails kind of put me off and I just happened to see my cruiser in an auto trader so I went to loook at it and said.... what the hell and bought it not knowing one simple thing about land cruisers.

 

[tromz]

Hmm lets see Leather seats, ac, power steering, coil springs , solid axles ,locking differentials, decent ground clearance , reliable , easy to maintain using your own driveway, for the family man/woman it seats 7, It makes it home 99 percent of the time. Most things can be rigged using the tool kit to limp back if something breaks. Its over engineered an way more durable than any other suv on the planet.
All of this right from the factory!!!!
add a little armor and a slightly more agrressive tire /lift combo and it will leave the others behind pulling winch lines

 

[Dave 2000]

I had a Discovery tdi before the '80' and it was brilliant!! It was used for airport runs as well as the usual daily stuff, at weekends it was thrown into competition and did really well. Super reliable motor and cheap to maintain, parts are cheap as well. Off road due to the shorter wheelbase and suspension travel it was as good if not better than the 80 however, you are not off road every day and it is on the tarmac that the 80 excels. It is quiet and comfortable and surprisingly frugle (diesel) for such a big vehicle.

I avoid the later 'electronic' vehicles which are big money to repair (both Toyota and Land Rover) but it appears the japanese offering is more reliable not so much in breaking down and leaving you stranded but more 'oh s*** another little leak' sort of maintenance. My driveway was rarely dry when I had the Discovery, if it was not the front axle leaking then it was the tranfer box ect, again not pouring out but just niggly continual maintenance. I do not use the 80 for comps but in the short time I have had it it really has been great with just usual servicing and the repairs to the things that were wrong with it when I bought it over a year ago.

Have a look at https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/365673-my-lc-80-thread.html to see my experience with this great car.

regards

Dave