Advice time: Keep the Cruiser or move on

"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud) 11/26/2018 at 14:48 • Filed to: None

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So here’s the dilemma. I have a 2004 Land Cruiser that I DD. It has about 196k miles and is a 10 footer appearance wise. People are generally surprised when I tell them how old it is. Few mods, TJM skids, Fox 2.0 shocks, 40mm spacer/T-bar crank.

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Basically, I see a number of expenses coming in the near future including timing belt/waterpump, new tires, likely bushings, etc. These could easily surpass $2,000-2,500. Not to mention I get about 16-17 mpg on my commute at best.

The upside? Its completely paid off, super reliable, perfect for exploring national forest roads, and still has decent amenities. Not to mention its got great interior space and isn’t unwieldy in parking lots.

So that’s my dilemma. I usually don’t keep vehicles past 200k miles, and something made in the last 10 years with better MPG would be nice. So I can either repair my Cruiser and buy something to commute, or sell it for a more modern 4wd.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:08

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Uh, you are aware that 200K+ on those is nothing, right? And that literally nothing more modern will match the longevity and capability of your LC. Except for another LC/LX/GX.

Keep it. Fix it. Budget for a cheaper more economical daily?

Tristan > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:14

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You’re in Wisconsin, so I assume there’s got to be rust. If no, keep. If yes, move along.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:18

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It comes down to whether or not you still want it and are comfortable with it. It’s still a baby in LC terms, but if you want to move on, well, move on. You’ll be able to get like $12k as it sits  on the private market, which can get you into a lot of different things.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 11/26/2018 at 15:26

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You’ll be able to get like $12k as it sits on the private market

I started looking into Land Cruisers since my wife wants a larger vehicle...holy crap...I can’t believe how much they hold their value. You can’t touch anything for under $10k unless it has over 200k miles and is over 15 years old.

BJ > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:28

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How much does 16-17 MPG cost you per week/month? I assume you want to get another offroad- y vehicle and have it set up properly , so what do you realistically expect to get for mileage? Maybe 20-22 MPG? Calculate the savings from the difference, and see how long it’d take you to get to recoup the equivalent of $2500 in repairs.

Don’t forget that a lot of buyers for that type of vehicle will also know that there are certain upcoming service items, and will negotiate appropriately. You’re not selling a beater Camry...

The timing belt service can be pricey if you get the dealer to do it, but an independent garage will likely do it for much, much  less. And if you’re the kind to DIY, you can get all the parts for something like $400.

WiscoProud > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/26/2018 at 15:30

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I am aware. I’m also aware that by living in the land of winter-time salt, the clock is ticking. I already have a few spots in common areas, which are only going to get worse, despite my best efforts.

I would love a 200 series to replace it, but due to the limited sales, the prices are still holding high on them. 

WiscoProud > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 11/26/2018 at 15:32

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The northern midwest is particularly rough on vehicles thanks to the salt we use, so even with frequent washings, they don’t last as long as their southern counterparts.

I do still like it, which is why I’m having the debate. It fits me well, and literally does everything I want a 4wd to do. Some more rear leg room would be nice, but that’s not a deal breaker. 

WiscoProud > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 11/26/2018 at 15:33

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The 2003+ land cruisers have fared well thanks to the 5-speed transmission . Not as good as the 200 series, since they made a lot more, but better than normal vehicles.

WiscoProud > BJ 11/26/2018 at 15:39

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I fill up about once a week, thanks to my 250 mile a week commute. Just being able to move from 16 mpg to 18 mpg would be a 12% improvement. Obviously a car that can get into the upper 20s or low 30s, would be a huge saving on fuel, which is why I was looking into that. 

I figure the timing belt and waterpump should cost about $750-1,000 from an independent in my area, tires about $800-850 mounted due to the size and type, no idea on the other stuff. 

WiscoProud > Tristan 11/26/2018 at 15:40

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Its minor, but spots are starting to appear at known areas. I wash it pretty regularly in the winter to mitigate that, but its a inevitable. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:44

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The pre-facelift GX460s are edging into sub-20k territory if you want something that’s a teeny bit better on gas and much more modern. 

WiscoProud > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 11/26/2018 at 15:51

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I have looked at them. Based on looks I still prefer the GX470 though. The higher roofline helps me sit upright as I’m 6'5". I honestly like the width of my cruiser a lot. I can fit three adults comfortably in the back seat

Tristan > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 15:56

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In my past life as a Minnesotan, I learned that if you give a car a good oil coat in all the crevices, nooks and crannies in the fall and don’t wash it all winter, it’ll last longer. Frequent washing just forces the salt deeper and gives it a clean surface to immediately corrode. I never saw a car deteriorate faster than when I washed it twice a week in Minneapolis winters.

BJ > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 16:06

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I mean, if you’re planning on getting a car to save on fuel, then get anything you like that’ll return a reliable 28+ MPG and you’ll save tons of money.

But if you’re planning on replacing this beast with a newer beast, the reality is that you’ll not get great fuel economy with anything similar. Maybe better economy, but not great.

This truck a known entity, you like it, and since there seems to be nothing genuinely wrong with it, I recommend keeping it for now . You might not be accustomed to owning an high-mileage vehicle, but I doubt you have much to worry about if you keep up on the maintenance.

WiscoProud > BJ 11/26/2018 at 16:12

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That’ s the direction I’ve been leaning as well. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 16:15

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1. $2,000 -2, 500 is still cheaper than most monthly car payments.

2. You know what it needs, a luxury you won’t have with another used vehicle.

3. Buying used is always a gamble. You may get lucky, or you may drop $10k only to have it need another 2,000-3,000 in repairs shortly down the road.

WiscoProud > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 11/26/2018 at 16:16

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That is very true. There is always uncertainty, and my truck is a known entity. 

HammerheadFistpunch > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 16:18

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im exactly zero help because im stuck in this same loop with my flipping back and forth between sell and NEVER! pretty much daily.

WiscoProud > HammerheadFistpunch 11/26/2018 at 16:45

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Yeah, I get the itch for a new vehicle every few years, but can’t find anything I like as much as my cruiser. If the tahoe wasn’t so road oriented, it might fit, but they don’t do much for me as is. I really don’t want to deal with the size constraints of a full size truck (length) or a mid-size (width).

The colorado for example has a decent length for a truck, but its interior shoulder room is 5" less than my land cruiser. Thats very noticeable.

HammerheadFistpunch > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 16:57

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bingo

mattc993 > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 17:04

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Keep it and keep driving it . That cruiser has another 100k in it with those maintenance items.

They’re great, reliable, capable vehicles and you’re never going to save enough money on gas or maintenance compared to how much you’re going to spend to replace it.

nermal > WiscoProud 11/26/2018 at 17:33

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Trade it in on a new Power Wagon! 

pip bip - choose Corrour > WiscoProud 11/27/2018 at 04:50

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keep it 

WiscoProud > nermal 11/27/2018 at 10:26

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I’d be lying if I said i hadn’t debated it. The extra 45" of length would take some getting used to. 

nermal > WiscoProud 11/27/2018 at 16:50

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It’s not bad once you get over the initial shock. Parking can be a hassle sometimes, but it’s not terrible. Just don’t forget to take a chainsaw and a shovel if you go offroading anywhere especially tight.