Why used Land Cruisers so cheap

[M1Accord]

I am looking for a used 4x4 that is of body-on-frame design and known for its reliability and off-road capability, in addition to being able to transport 5 people comfortably without being super large. That boils down to a Land Cruiser as Suburban, Yukon, and Expedition are too big and no longer have the ground clearance to do beach driving. During my search, I notice that Land Cruisers run about the same price as Accord used for the same trim and model year as well as miles. Sometime, a Civic or Tacoma are more expensive. For example, many L/C from the mi-90's cost about $5k. That is around the asking price of Tacoma 4WD 4D V6 and Accord EX V6 of that era.

Are L/C good buy used or they are high maintenance once past 10 years mark? We have state-inspection around here, is it a good idea to take it to the shop that normally do state inspection for a quick look-over? A local shop charges $37.5 for the pre-purchase inspection.

I really want an L/C because it is safe, reliable, and tough for 4x4. While the gas mileage is horrible, I don't plan on driving it a lot so that doesn't bother me as much. I just don't understand how a vehicle costing so much new can be so cheap used, especially when it is not a boutique vehicle such as Land Rover or Jaguar.

 

[Shannow]

Tell me what LandCruiser you are looking at, age and powertrain.

Diesel 5 speed, select hubs will drive, at low maintenance costs until you either beat the body to death, or sell it.

 

[Hokiefyd]

A friend of mine bought a mid-90s LC last year. He says that the entire thing is completely over-built. If you looked at the front axles of those things, you'd think they'd survive under a dump truck. The straight-6 is nearly indestructible as well. He has the rare Toyota supercharger kit on his. Makes it somewhat quick, too.

 

[caravanmike]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
I just don't understand how a vehicle costing so much new can be so cheap used, especially when it is not a boutique vehicle such as Land Rover or Jaguar.

i believe its because old luxury vehicles have the same problems if not more than their peers at that age.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I wish Land Cruisers were cheap here. It's the only 4WD that REALLY retains resale value. A friend was looking at a 2003 model 100-Series with the 4.5L I6 1FZ-FE engine a few months back, which wasn't exactly very clean, but the price was a firm $21,220.

The 80-Series you seem to be considering ('89-'97) is rock solid. You won't regret it.

 

[Spazdog]

I'm surprised you are finding so many.

I just don't see that many. Nothing wrong with the design. Certainly more reliable than the Lucas plagued, reverse polarity, Buick derived V8, Range Rovers. I think that Toyota used a variant of the Chevrolet Stovebolt L6 into the late '80s (it could be a completely different 6 by then.

)

Down here, they have probably all been gutted, camoflaged, and left to rot on somebody's deer lease. Abandoned when the hunters got a side-by-side UTV or 4X4 ATV. That seems to be what happened to all the 5-speed 4 cyl Isuzu Troopers. (another good sized 4X4. It's slow and the body is made from Capri-Sun pouch packages but it'll get you wherever you want to go)

 

[LeakySeals]

Older Land Cruisers may be cheap because of a tendency to rust early. On another note, they are called Land Cruisers for a reason. Best use is off road. My friend almost died in a Land Cruiser highway rollover. Minor avoidance of a lane changer, over it went. 10 times. Top heavy.

 

[01rangerxl]

One of my friends had a '96 that was reliable except for the automatic transmission. Towing killed it, but otherwise no major issues.

The Land Cruiser is like any other luxury vehicle over here...at some point it's just another used car. Really clean low mileage ones probably sell for a lot to enthusiasts, but average ones are going to cost about as much as any other SUV in average condition.

 

[Need4racin]

The parts are expensive and almost every repair is labor intensive due to their [censored] design. That's why they're cheap.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Need4racin
The parts are expensive and almost every repair is labor intensive due to their [censored] design. That's why they're cheap.

Yes, the market has a way of sending a message about things. Toyota, at least, won't break that easily.

 

[UNC017]

Because the last truly great Toyota land cruiser was built in 1983. The "classic 40" series TLC was one of the most awesome 4x4s ever built, right up there with the original Land Rover, the Dodge Power Wagon, and open Jeeps of all vintages. It was true Kalahari-capable machinery. If you find a great example of one now, it WILL NOT be cheap.

The 80-series and later, while still solid Toyota vehicles (and yes, those of you who know me know I'm no Toyota fan, but these aren't junk- they're decent machines) are severely degraded in offroad ability. They're really just on a par with things like 4x4 Chevy Tahoes, Ford Explorers, etc. They're not really comparable to the ZJ and WJ vintage solid-axle Grand Cherokees or the XJ Cherokees when it comes to offroading.

So your answer to why they're cheap is: either you're looking at a great offroad but very OLD and rundown vehicle in a classic 40, or you're looking at a a luxo SUV that's not really offroad material and is probably becoming a maintenance headache to its owners.

Then there's the current FJ 40, which I like to call the "Fake Jeep 40." Truth be told, from the body shell downward, it *IS* a capable offroad vehicle, much more like the classic 40 than the luxo 80-200 series Land Cruisers. The bad news- the body shell is HORRIBLE. Visibility is so awful I'd never take one of those rock crawling. No intrinsic visibility, horrible mirror size and placement, and lots of plastic => totally undermines the good capabilities of the drivetrain, frame, and suspension.

 

[bepperb]

The purchase price might be the same but I bet total cost of ownership is double or triple. I bet you could drive an Echo for a year (gas and all) for the cost of four tires for a Land Cruiser.*

Would be cool though, to get something like that or an old Range Rover for cheap, wheeler-dealer it up and use it daily. Not in the cards for me... oh wait... in just a few years I suppose I will have a beater "suv".

 

[rjundi]

Older SUV's have really low demand especially Land Cruiser due to 13MPG. It is a hard sell as no one really needs such a vehicle for off road capability especially in your parts.

Small toyota pickups have a perception of infallible and high demand. 4 door sedans is what folks in this price range desire especially with Honda/Toyota name which carries a $1000-$2000 premium compared to domestic brands.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Older SUV's have really low demand especially Land Cruiser due to 13MPG. It is a hard sell as no one really needs such a vehicle for off road capability especially in your parts.


yup, the fad has moved on. Even clueless suburban dads aren't buying these for their 16 year old daughters.

If you're a true glutton for punishment, get a land *rover* discovery. Gadzoooks! These don't age well for many!

 

[hypervish]

They are probably so cheap because nobody wants to pay for the gas. lol

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Older SUV's have really low demand especially Land Cruiser due to 13MPG. It is a hard sell as no one really needs such a vehicle for off road capability especially in your parts.

Small toyota pickups have a perception of infallible and high demand. 4 door sedans is what folks in this price range desire especially with Honda/Toyota name which carries a $1000-$2000 premium compared to domestic brands.

+1. Around here a 02 Corolla with 100k still commands +-5k. My apartment parking lot has at least 10 approx this old. very few SUV's or pickup trucks left unless they are used for business.

 

[hattaresguy]

I'm surprised your finding them so cheap.

The Land Cruiser, G wagon, and Range Rover are about the three most capable SUV's you can buy. Look at what NATO uses.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Actually, the FJ80 is a VERY capable 4x4. Strong engine, good chassis, tough solid axles (I think even a rear full floater)...its only real liability is its size & weight.

 

[cptbarkey]

they suck gas really badly. for the vintage mid 90s i see them around 3-7k, which is too rich for my blood.

 

[Norm Olt]

The pollution control hose plumbing would baffle an experienced Toyota mechanic (and often did). Medusa's stylist would have been proud!

Lots of older LC's had 350 GM engine/transmission transplants, BTW.

When Lexus came out with their version with the 4.0L V8 it was a much, much better vehicle, IMHO.

Cheers!