Who Drives A Landcruiser Around Here?

"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
10/20/2014 at 10:35 • Filed to: Ask Oppo, Land Cruiser, 4Runner

As I have mentioned before, for the 2 of you who care/pay any attention, I have been looking for a vehicle that I can drive from Ohio to Virginia to visit my family. The last 2 miles are up a one-lane, gravel mountain pass, so I need a vehicle that I know can handle that in any weather.

I think I've narrowed my list down to a couple of vehicles:

Toyota Land Cruiser and 4Runner. I really like the idea of a super-reliable vehicle that I need not worry about. I already have an automotive Poodle (2002 SVT Focus) that needs constant attention.

I had considered the Saturn Vue with the 3.5L Honda V6 since I know that engine would run forever, but I am concerned with the less-robust nature of the Vue. My Dad had a Buick Rendezvous for a while and he popped a front shock through the strut tower on their road, so a more road-oriented unibody vehicle makes me nervous.

Any other ideas? I want at least 6 cylinders, no premium gas, ~16-18+ highway MPG, 4WD/AWD, 4 doors, and legendary reliability. Budget is ~$7k; and I do not want to have to deal with any timing assembly replacements or diff seals for at least a couple years after purchase.

DISCUSSION (27)

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 10:41

I have an 80's series land cruiser - 260,000 miles and no major issues so far. Great truck love it to death, extremely capable offroad (has factory locking differentials). The one big down side is fuel economy. In stock for you are looking at ~13 MPG highway. Let me know if you have any other questions. The 100 series seems like it might be a better vehicle for your situation. Not as off road oriented and came with a V8.

Money Hustard > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 10:45

I'm having this problem right now. I want an 80, but everytime I shop them I end up looking at ones made after around 2005, because they are also in my price range, then I realize that I've missed the point of what I really want, which is an 80. Then I go back to looking at 80s, and I'm missing all of the amenities of a more recent one, then I start looking at Sequoias, and then I give up.

I'm trapped in a vicious loop.

Rock Bottom > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 10:59

Buy a Jeep XJ. They're like 1/3 the price of a Toyota anything and can go everywhere, all the time.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:02

Hammerhead does. I almost bought a green 1995, but it sold out from under me :(

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 11:02

I was hoping for closer to 20 highway; 16-18 would be acceptable. What years are the 100 series? My budget is ~$7k, and I don't want to have to deal with a timing assembly or diff seals for a couple years.

Admittedly, these are actually far more truck than I really need. I don't tow. I don't off-road. I just want reliability, and the trust that I know it won't get stuck.

My parents have a Jeep GC with the 4.0L I6 and like it. I could get one as well, but wanted something different.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Money Hustard
10/20/2014 at 11:04

What sort of amenities do you want? I feel like most things can pretty easily be added.

Money Hustard > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 11:12

That's just it though, I've had such an abysmal track record, of modding vehicles. I've dumped thousands into multiple audio installs, for example, and never been as satisfied with them as shitty paper-coned speakers from the factory. That's a real issue with the 100's too though, you can't feasibly replace that head unit, so you're stuck with no ipod integration or even an Aux cable (from the looks of it, I'm not 100% on that).

I don't know what my problem is, really, it may just be that I'm bitter I didn't hop on the 80-series wagon 15 years ago.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:13

The 100 series was 1998-2007. You can get one for 7k but it will have over 150,000 miles. Not that that should necessarily deter you. I believe the 100 series has a timing belt whereas the 80 series has a chain. Not sure MPG on the 100 series - I bet you could get 16 though.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Money Hustard
10/20/2014 at 11:17

I have an after market stereo in mine and I am perfectly happy. I certainly didn't spend thousands on it. No idea about replacing the head unit on a 100 series (why cant you?). The 80 series doesn't have the best sound and wind deadening so highway speeds are a bit loud.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 11:21

Yeah, I'm not worried about mileage so long as all the required maintenance has been done.

I'll do some more digging. Have any forum links for people selling their LCs? I am hesitant to buy from anything but a large branded dealer, but a private seller with paperwork is okay as well.

Money Hustard > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 11:25

Whoops, I was thinking about the J200 I test drove recently. The 100's a doable, but I wonder how it'd work with the existing infotainment/nav. Obviously you can cram an aftermarket head unit in whatever, but at what cost to the look of the interior? And even still I can't get even $3000 worth of aftermarket equipment to sound like anything approaching my current factory bose system.

And this brings me to an even higher level of crisis, because damn it, you shouldn't be buying a Land Cruiser for these sorts of considerations.

Kinja'd!!!

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Money Hustard
10/20/2014 at 11:29

If I were doing it all over again I'd rip the nav and head unit out and put a 4G tablet in the dash. And yes, stereo just needs to be acceptable not symphony quality. Its a land cruiser, in reality the fact that the stero sounds so good in a 200 series is why I despise the 200 series and its unreasonable price tag.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:30

ih8mud.com

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:36

A 3rd generation 4Runner will fit your budget and will almost get you that 20mpg highway.

mjswee > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:55

I'm on my second and both have been great. I had a 1993 with 130k miles that I drove for 6 months and then sold for a decent profit. It was strictly city driving, and I probably averaged around 8 mpg. I now have a 1994 with 177k miles that I use for a winter beater and occasional light offroading. I get around 13 mpg with mixed driving. I got both of these for around $3500 each. If you don't need the third row or need better gas mileage, a 4runner or XJ is probably a better choice.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 11:56

no, but I'd like to.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/472210…

Also my borther in law has an FJ42 but it's not road worthy. It is a blast to drive tho. That slant 6 combined with the 4 speed stick. It even has side exit exhaust THAT SHOOTS FLAMES!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/20/2014 at 12:02

That is awesome. Sadly it is not what I need.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > mjswee
10/20/2014 at 12:03

I'll look into the 4Runner and XJ. Thanks.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 12:18

lol not the link I ment to share http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/471970…

Big Bubba Ray > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 12:37

Wait, you want something that huge just for two miles of a gravel road? Or do you plan on doing a lot more off roading in the future? You should look into an Outback with the H6. It meets all the requirements. 6 Cylinders, AWD, 4 doors, reliable, good highway mpgs and you can find one within budget easily.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Big Bubba Ray
10/20/2014 at 13:05

Looked at those. They need premium gas, and aren't as rugged. Seriously that road is a car killer. I don't like that they are unibody. I'd much rather have a frame.

That said, an Outback would be a much nicer drive on the highway out there. Though I've heard the seats are actually terrible.

I'll look at them again.

JEM > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 16:16

I was going to suggest an XJ as well. The redesign ones (98 onward) have improved NVH if that's a consideration.

Also, what about a Nissan Xterra? Those are pretty awesome little trucks.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > JEM
10/20/2014 at 16:25

I don't know anything about them. I am looking for legendary reliability. I would be very happy if I never needed to do more than change the oil in this vehicle.

gbohnstedt > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/20/2014 at 18:13

I've been shopping for a 100 series for a while. For $7K you'd better expect 250,000 miles.

ayaws > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/20/2014 at 21:45

You can probably find a 100-series within that price range. However, look at the Xterra (as another person mentioned.) Reliable, cheap (i.e.: they don't hold value well) and strong offroad. Avoid a Subaru for anything more than gravel roads.

I own a 2013 Land Cruiser ($81K) that I absolutely love. Yes, it's a vehicle that doesn't make any sense in today's market but I've never been known as the most reasonable person. With a 2.5" lift, it's crossed anything I've pointed it at and hauled my family, friends, and all our cargo wherever we've wanted to go. I'll drive it till I die.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/21/2014 at 23:07

I have an '05 UZJ100. 165k miles and on a really good day can get 16-17mpg on the highway.

Fun fact, the 100 series stock for stock has as much flex as the 80 series. And with IFS is more comfortable for washboard / overlanding duty. If your budget is tight try to stretch it and get a 2000+. If you can stretch it even further, get a 2003 or newer. Even better if 05+.

Look out for the brake master cylinder on the 2000 and older ones, as the abs module is built in the master cylinder and the entire unit must be replaced (equals $$$). The pinions were weaker on the early models as well.

Thing is a luxurious tank.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
10/21/2014 at 23:15

Kinja'd!!!

Here she is out at the job site.