Your thoughts on buying a 80 series in 2025 (3 Viewers)

[cruiserdan]

I'm 32 years in with mine.

My service log has 270 entries and my fuel log has 950 entries.

I don't have a dollar total in the service log but my fuel bill stands at $47,056.26

 

[mudgudgeon]

Agree with all you said. I’ll just add that these issues are not limited to 80s. There are a bunch of people in different forums (Patrols, Pajeros, Land Rovers, Jimnys, etc.) that are discussing the same thing as we are. The condition of the vehicle you receive will largely affect your views of its reliability.

Definitely.

I would expect all the same things with any 30year old car, and probably alot more with a lot of lesser quality vehicles

 

[fjbj40]

Bought mine in 2019 and would buy it again today.
I’m able to pretty much fix most things, don’t pay people to fix it for me. I love working on it and it’s not my DD all year long, only in the summer.
Since my baseline I just put in fuel and drive it, 5K miles per year.

 

[KYLXFJ]

You survived owning an LR3 among many other brits. My 80 series has been dailied off and on until as recently as about two years ago, and it is currently the "back up" to my wifes LR4 that enjoys consistent extended vacations to the mechanic. You have other toy cars you can use if the 80 is down, which will be far less frequent than many other vehicles youve owned. I also owned a 60 series before the 80 and they are night and day when it comes to feasibility as a true daily. Best of luck; I'd say any 80 is a completely effortless daily so long as you pay for materials and someone elses patience to install them.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

I think the age of the platform is changing the barrier to entry. If you want a vehicle that feels like as close as possible to a modern vehicle you need to to buy a high end, well maintained and updated vehicle from the the enthusiast community. If you are buying a vehicle from "Gen Pop" you really need to think about changing the idea of "Baselining" to "Overhauling" otherwise it is going to be a long slow bleed on maintenance. I'm 17 years ownership on mine and knowing what I know now, if I was to go out and buy another one today I would plan for a full overhaul of the engine and suspension and interior. To be honest though IMO it's totally worth the effort.

 

[manofthewoods]

I think the age of the platform is changing the barrier to entry. If you want a vehicle that feels like as close as possible to a modern vehicle you need to to buy a high end, well maintained and updated vehicle from the the enthusiast community. If you are buying a vehicle from "Gen Pop" you really need to think about changing the idea of "Baselining" to "Overhauling" otherwise it is going to be a long slow bleed on maintenance. I'm 17 years ownership on mine and knowing what I know now, if I was to go out and buy another one today I would plan for a full overhaul of the engine and suspension and interior. To be honest though IMO it's totally worth the effort.

Basically, that's what I did.
I looked for a rust free high mileage, clean vehicle. @372k miles it ran great, didn't use oil. It did dribble from the PHH.

All that didn't matter since I wanted a pull the engine rebuild project.

In essence I "reset" the beast to new. I have a vehicle I trust anywhere.
Cheap? NO!
Easy? Not as tough as people think it is. Pulling the engine makes everything SO easy. The PHH is a nothing job with the engine on a stand!

Wouldn't trade it for a new 250, seriously. A GX550? I'd have to think about it.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

So back to the question. 2025, buying an 80 series as a DD/ camping/ any rig. Concerns, issues, worries, am I completely crazy for even considering this. Should I be institutionalized??

Do it. Don't worry, be happy. Report back here with the results of your search.

 

[SNLC]

I think the age of the platform is changing the barrier to entry. If you want a vehicle that feels like as close as possible to a modern vehicle you need to to buy a high end, well maintained and updated vehicle from the the enthusiast community. If you are buying a vehicle from "Gen Pop" you really need to think about changing the idea of "Baselining" to "Overhauling" otherwise it is going to be a long slow bleed on maintenance. I'm 17 years ownership on mine and knowing what I know now, if I was to go out and buy another one today I would plan for a full overhaul of the engine and suspension and interior. To be honest though IMO it's totally worth the effort.

Add in some other things like body mounts. They are all hard and dry rotting at this point. I just did mine and can feel a difference.

I got my latest 80 for $5k in about 2018. Bad engine but only 200,000 miles. Good paint, good interior, zero rust and diff locks. I paid to much but it was part of a “deal”.

I put a brand new engine in it when I got it. Everything is pretty well dialed on it inside, out, top and bottom. It drives like a new 80.

Cheers

 

[tampacruiser95]

Just do it, you won't regret it. And you are too far along in the thought process to not do it. Just expect to spend some money to make it a DD in 2025.

 

[Kabanstva]

I wouldn’t daily drive one because of how much I’d have to spend on fuel but besides that there’s no reason to not get an 80

 

[Kernal]

FWIW, I still drive either one of my 80's daily, one I keep one in top condition, all pm done to factory spec with new parts and wouldn't hesitate to head out tonight and drive it across country and back. The other 80 needs some preventive maintenance caught up so I use that one locally but even then I'm sure it would also make it across country with just a few basic items attended to before-hand (radiator, belts, rear brake pads, some fluids replaced,---).

 

[Willard]

So yes now the hunt is on for one. I plan to not rush into this and find the right 80 for me. Couple in my area I already passed on. I agree, I would rather have a higher mileage 80 that has had maintenance done on it vs a low mileage one that I will end up having to replace anything soft or seal related. I will let you know what I find and If I have questions this forum is and always has been the best place to ask! Thanks everyone....Stay tuned....