Land Cruiser - Want

[FA-18C]

In the past 18 months, added the 88 Targa as my therapy and long term tinkering car. Sold my MB E350 and my wife moved to a new Toyota Venza Hybrid, which is like robots taking over. I gladly have been driving a 2015 Highlander with <100K and is in great shape. Car meets all my needs and can haul crap (like spare set of seats I don't need but plan to recover at SOME time...). BUT, I have always wanted a Land Cruiser.

So as I am prone to do, have off and on clobbered the sites for 100 series LCs.

Curious if there are any here that have any experience good or bad? I know the gas mileage sucks, and to avoid rusty chases - this was essentially that same for our old Sequoia. The Highlander is a great little SUV, but the swan song of the Land Cruiser gets pretty loud. Am I an idiot for wanting 2 old cars?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

In the past 18 months, added the 88 Targa as my therapy and long term tinkering car. Sold my MB E350 and my wife moved to a new Toyota Venza Hybrid, which is like robots taking over. I gladly have been driving a 2015 Highlander with <100K and is in great shape. Car meets all my needs and can haul crap (like spare set of seats I don't need but plan to recover at SOME time...). BUT, I have always wanted a Land Cruiser.

So as I am prone to do, have off and on clobbered the sites for 100 series LCs.

Curious if there are any here that have any experience good or bad? I know the gas mileage sucks, and to avoid rusty chases - this was essentially that same for our old Sequoia. The Highlander is a great little SUV, but the swan song of the Land Cruiser gets pretty loud. Am I an idiot for wanting 2 old cars?

Only 2 cars, lol.
I have a few friends into those and the Lexus version, they love them and swear by them instead of swearing at them.

[wilnj]

Paging @Seahawk. @Seahawk please pick up the white courtesy phone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[herr_oberst]

There's a guy in Montana who swaps Cummins diesel motors into 'em. Jeez, those trucks have a cult following. Of course, they were sold literally everywhere in the world and they were designed to be fixed and back on the road with the least amount of trouble.

You probably ought to get one now.

[911boost]

I have the last year 200, a Heritage Edition that I ordered from corporate Toyota.

It is ****** awesome and the last SUV I will ever own.

Buy one like Paul’s, if you want advice on the 200 let me know.

[craigster59]

I had a 60 series (my personal favorite) but I'm a sucker for 55's (Iron Pig). And wouldn't turn away a 40 but I'd love 45.

[wildthing]

As an outsider, this feels like the air-cooled market for off-roaders.

1980s-1990s still selling for $20K and up:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/antioch-1989-toyota-land-cruiser-fj62/7648304416.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/san-jose-1996-toyota-land-cruiser-4wd/7647203642.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/pacifica-toyota-landcruiser-1997-fj80/7645995933.html

Though I wouldn't mind having one like this as a bug-out vehicle. But where the heck would I go? I don't have a cabin in the woods:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/newport-beach-1997-lexus-lx450-tons-of/7644937773.html

[LWJ]

I have a 2000 in Oregon I am wanting to sell.

It is simply a spectacular rig. Drives like a Camry. Eats the snow. Never done anything radical off road but it should take more than I can dish out. Absolutely recommend your decision.

Had a 1991 Crusier long ago. It would be awesome for living in the bush. But s total slug on the road.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Paging @Seahawk. @Seahawk please pick up the white courtesy phone.

You rang?

Mine is a Series 80. The 100’s are a gen newer and somewhat more refined.

The PP of LC’s is https://www.ih8mud.com/

If you haven't already, join and check out the forums. Amazing stuff.

Good luck!

[Roswell]

'99 100 LC sitting in the driveway. Great truck, but...

Be prepared for the cost of getting it dialed in after the initial purchase. Timing belt is an immediate concern. Valve cover gaskets will probably need to be replaced. Power steering rack should be checked, and replaced if leaking. There is a coolant hose junction that is notorious for failing that should be replaced. Check to see if the truck has AHC suspension...and never buy a truck that has any rust on it.

Paul recommended the same site to me when I was looking. The 100 series forum on the site is excellent. There is a great post on doing a PPI and what to look for.

Best of Luck with your search!

[Eric 951]

I had an FJ62, over 200K and still ran like a champ, although it was slooow through the mountains.

I do have minor regrets I sold it, especially since it was right before their values exploded. I don't think they are worth what people are paying now. I am waiting to see the new LC Toyota is brining to market.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Roswell

Paul recommended the same site to me when I was looking. The 100 series forum on the site is excellent. There is a great post on doing a PPI and what to look for.

You rang, again



Also go visit the "Veterans Highway" thread. You'll get a great insight into the board.

Again, enjoy.

[FA-18C]

I have been on the mud site for years. Finally in a position where I can actually pull the trigger without feeling irresponsible about it. Would prefer an 80 series, but clean rigs are now collectible. 100 series makes sense, and I know the main issues are chasis rust and ride height, but this will be a daily driver -crappy gas mileage be damned.

[FA-18C]

Roswell - apparently eerily similar tastes in cars...

Putting this off until the winter, but I keep looking and my wife actually made the comment the other day asking if I had found a land cruiser yet. Hmmm, I have slowly worn her down again.

[Roswell]

^^^

we share great taste in cars...and my wife has claimed the LC as her own.

[IROC]

I had a 2007 LX470. Great vehicle. The 2UZ 4.7L V8 is a welcome addition over the previous inline 6s used in the US. Much more of a street vehicle than the older LCs with independent front suspension, etc., but still a full Land Cruiser.

We sold ours. Long story. I would have kept it (and modified it some), but it was nice:



My 80:



IMHO, air-cooled 911s and Land Cruisers are the greatest vehicles ever produced...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

...but this will be a daily driver -crappy gas mileage be damned.

Great that you have been on Mud, Chris...my advice has been rendered moot!

Mine is my DD. I have about a 200 miles radius of action and then I'll jump in the Tundra. Seat heat for the win

I fell into mine. It was a friend's who moved to Florida and was the original owner: 115k when I bought it over four years ago, over 165k as I type. I had Choc's 560SL and a mechanic friend of mine wanted the Mercedes for his wife.

He knows LC's so we did a cash and trade deal and I got the wear/age items fixed.

Again, enjoy the search...look forward to seeing how it works out.

[Steve F]

We had a FJ40 ,then a FJ55 and now for the last 22 years a FJ60 with only 156K on it! Bomb proof rides!!

[911boost]

Eric, it sounds like the new LC will be much smaller with only 4cyl powerplants and the Lexus will be the only J300 version, which makes sense. I think prior to 2021 Toyota was selling 2,500 of the 200 series per year. I wanted the Toyota version because it is not ostentatious and flies under the radar for most people.

As my DD it fits the bill perfectly and is very capable. I have a few cars I have to tinker with and why I wanted a newer one.

The old ones are cool though, thats for sure.

[FA-18C]

I guess I should not be surprised that many of the air cooled 911 guys also value the longevity of the LC. They are the definition of utility, and it is encouraging to see so many with 2-300K on them selling strong.

The 100 is the best fit for me, and agree with the Toyota vs. LX - I don't need a fancy wood steering wheel. Having said that, my goal is to find a solid cared for car with 100-120K miles for a fair market price. Hoping for recent timing chain and tires, no air ride, no frame rust and taken car of... Would be removing a 2015 Highlander AWD with 98K fully dealer maintained and driven by a 2nd grade teacher who was very picky. I will need to reconcile that the Highlander checks all of the boxes (AWD, reliable, comfortable...), just have the LC itch. It may be hard for me to turn away from free oil changes and inspections for life, and engine and tranny guaranteed for life as well.