$26,000 & morning thoughts: How old would you go for a family truckster?

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond) 12/15/2016 at 11:19 • Filed to: None

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For a supposedly 20-year life design, the used Landcruiser looks like a great deal. They are fabulous for sure, however, for the money, Is there a better option? A 2006/7 Landcruiser seems to go for this price with not that many miles on it. Usually, in that age, they’re approaching 100k if not already way over. So, instead of a 100k mile Landcruiser, what wold be a great deal for that 26k?

[I’ll edit a bit more with another thought added] So the overkill off road ability notwithstanding, it’s an incredible luxobarge with reliability and build quality even at 100k miles. It brings to mind a point: is anything else newer a better vehicle for the price given how well built this is? am I oversimplifying? I don’t know. We could get a 4motion golf wagon, or a lesser used SUV or AWD thingy of some kind. Highlander/4Runner? Not necessarily a Toyota fanboy here, but I appreciate things that only break when it’s convenient for me. Thoughts?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:22

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1993 Typhoon

CalzoneGolem > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:24

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I wouldn’t go very old for a family truckster. I’d be fine driving myself around in an air bag free tin can but I’d like my family to have a better chance in an accident.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:25

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Get a Yukon. reliable and cheap to fix. You can probably get one newer with less miles and more necessities. And as this would be a family truckster, you don’t really need the off roading abilities.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:25

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I would look at an earlier one and save the 12k.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/15/2016 at 11:28

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your screen name, tells me you might be bias. lol

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:29

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How much utility do you really need? Are you actually going to be driving off-road much? Or is this simply a family hauler?

I’m a big fan of 4Runners, having owned a 5th gen that was excellent,and of course I’ll always support Land Cruiser purchases. But those both offer a lot more utility and off-road capability than most people need in a family hauler.

Grindintosecond > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 12/15/2016 at 11:29

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You would go even older than 10 years on a LC?  

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:30

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I’m typically more willing to put myself in the older cars and keep my kids and wife in the newer stuff.

A heads up on the LCs , they didn’t have roll-over curtain airbags for a long time after most competitors had them. This is why many people were buying the Sequoia Limited instead.

Bonus, they’re roomier and have a roll-down rear window.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 12/15/2016 at 11:31

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so what

#sytyisalwaystheanswer

#burnthemiatas

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:34

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Honestly, I wouldn’t go for a Land Cruiser or ANYTHING with a V8 unless you’re going to be towing something, it just seems like a waste otherwise. Since you mentioned the Golf Sportwagen you’d probably be better off with a Subaru Outback or Forrester, since I would be weary of VW’s reliability.

OR since you’re looking at a 10 year old truck, why not get a 2006-2008 Honda Pilot? They’re cheap and nearly bulletproof.

Grindintosecond > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 12/15/2016 at 11:36

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I agree with that. It’s an unbelievable all-around vehicle in the end. The attraction is the impressive comfort, the impressive reliability as it’s crazy overbuilt, and although others have good AWD, well the 4x4 would be just as good. So the overkill off road ability notwithstanding, it’s an incredible luxobarge with reliability and build quality even at 100k miles. It brings to mind a point: is anything else newer a better vehicle for the price given how well built this is? am I oversimplifying? I don’t know.

E92M3 > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:38

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Save $10k, and get a 2007-09 Acura MDX

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:40

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Are you going to be needing to use low range and locking diffs? If not, try a GMT800 (01-06) Yukon Denali. Stronger 4L65-E so it has a much lower chance of issues, 6 litre iron block LS truck motor WITHOUT cylinder deactivation up front, AWD (not 4WD) sending the power continuously to all 4 wheels, and as many toys as you really want. Noticeably cheaper than a good condition Landcruiser of similar vintage, too.

HammerheadFistpunch > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:45

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Find one that’s already had the 100k service (timing belt) for sure

HammerheadFistpunch > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 12/15/2016 at 11:47

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Boo to yukons, the latest generations have been trouble for everyone I know with one

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:55

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Sequoias are pretty damn nice for the money, kinda like the “poor” man’s baby-Land Cruiser. I imagine for creature comforts that the older Land Cruiser will be about on par with most newer vehicles in that price range, give or take a little bit on either side. I think it’s a smart cross-shop at least.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:56

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My LS is a ‘98 with 305,000 I drove for 3 hours to Knoxville then back yesterday afternoon. I wouldn’t be worried about doing that every day. The older ones also have less to break electronically which is the “weakest” part. Don’t get Nav, don’t get Air Ride, and you’re Land Cruiser may need a Water Pump, Alternator, or Timing Belt and that’s it.

My citroen won't start > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 11:58

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Arrivederci > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 12:08

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Do you need off-road prowess? A Lexus LS460 has the same number of real seats (flip-fold don’t count), a big trunk, mythical build quality and can be had for much less. Lots of nice 2007-09 models for $15-20k.

vicali > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 12/15/2016 at 12:11

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I would recommend Sequoia as well, for a family truckster. LC is great if you plan on the Expo life, or your kids soccer game happens to be in Ushuaia.. But the Sequoia seems to do 90% of the same job.

I like the looks of a first gen myself;

Nothing > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 12:28

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Part of me still wants to get a LC. They’re just built to a much different standard than my Taco. I don’t doubt at all that the Taco will last as long as a want it to, but it obviously doesn’t have the same “solid” feeling a LC does. Built to much different price points, of course, but I would trust an old Cruiser all day long.

And you know what, to people saying it’s overkill...so what? They’re a big comfy vehicle that also has capabilities. The fact that it is overly capable is a bonus.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 13:43

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I own not one but two FJ80 Landcruisers (one Lexus, one Toyota) with over 200k miles. Both of them have been totally bulletproof in the mechanicals department.

But for on-road family hauling I think it’s a bit overkill.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2016 at 13:49

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What about the previous versions? I always liked the boxy Z71 from the late 90s

HammerheadFistpunch > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 12/15/2016 at 13:53

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We had an 89, a 91 a 95 and a 97. They were all, to some degree, troublesome.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2016 at 14:02

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I’ve heard good things about Gen1 Escalades

DipodomysDeserti > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 14:10

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I would prefer to go over 20 years on a LC.

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 14:28

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Brand new Outback or Forester?

Steve in Manhattan > Grindintosecond 12/15/2016 at 16:15

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a Range Rover with a “bumper-to-bumper” CarMax warranty!

scmcna > Arrivederci 08/31/2019 at 01:36

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Did you mean the GX 470? Aka Toyota Prado ( outside USA) smaller than the LC or LX. Equal or better performance V8 to 4R or Tacoma’s V6. Exceptional ride comfort and amenities. Next edition GX 460 2010 & forward j ust n ot the same truck. Used 07-09 around $13-15k with 100M (and 150-200M use  left)