School me on 1997 Collectors Editions

[90WT]

I would've expected these two rigs in your area to be sold already. I've been following them for a couple of weeks. Both listed at $8k.

1997 White collectors edition The white one has a dent in the rear driver's quarter (next to the bumper). Looks like the front bumper is pushed in on the driver's side too. Driver's seat ripped, like usuall. It was oringally listed at 9 grand.

1997 Black collectors edition The black one is high mileage with unattractive, but new, seat covers.

So tell me, what is keeping these from selling?
Are they a grand over priced? or like two grand over priced?
School me on what I'm not seeing with these. I think in my area they would've been snatched up.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Good question. I’ll share my thoughts based on what I think other potential buyers are thinking about these rigs.

My initial thought is probably overall condition. People see torn seats and dents and maybe keep looking.
Second thought would be mileage. If a 1FZ has high mileage and hasn’t had a head gasket replaced, people may be leery.
Third thought, maybe the market is softening.

It seems, right now, that if you want an 80 series, you either have to fork over big bucks for a cherry rig, or find a decent one that’s going to need some work.
Obviously both of these trucks fall into the latter category. It doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the asking price, just that they are going to need the right buyer.

If I were to do it all over again, I’d find a 96-97 80 (Cruiser or LX450) with less than 300k miles and no rust. My preference would be to find a stock example, preferably owned by a little old lady.
I wouldn’t care about lockers because 1) unlocked 80s are super capable, and 2) “triple locked” trucks bring a premium.

Having a truck that wasn’t beat up by previous owners would potentially go a long way.

Good luck on your search. If you find one you like, have a shop do pre-purchase inspection. Have them do a compression test on the engine so you know what you’re getting into.

 

[Corbet]

Of the two the black one looks “better” but without more photos like undercarriage it’s really hard to tell. Both engines probably run fine but likely are tired. I pulled mine at 253K, dropped in a full rebuild. The difference was night and day even though my old engine felt solid, didn’t burn oil, make noise, etc…

My question is why do you want an 80? A solid 100 would be much easier to find and maintain moving forward. Drive much better on the HWY and wheel 90% as good.

 

[Johnny Utah]

My question is why do you want an 80? A solid 100 would be much easier to find and maintain moving forward. Drive much better on the HWY and wheel 90% as good.

Yep. ^^^

 

[90WT]

Thanks for the good comments and feedback. I'd prefer a grandma owned, unmolested, no 3x locked rig.

I have a 100 series already. I knew the previous owner and it was a soccer mom car. I bought it before COVID with low miles and no mods. It has been a fantastic rig to take down to CM the last 5 years, needing only light mods to enjoy trails. Pulls my camper trailer decently enough.

My son is getting to driving age and I'm thinking of adding an 80 to the fleet, either for myself or for him to enjoy. And I think I'm ready for another project. My neighbor has a lifted LX450 on 35s and it is truly beautiful. It is black with gray trim just like my LX470. I'd like an 80 with airbags, so that's where I'm focusing my search to 95-97.

I guess what I'm learning is the collector's edition doesn't necessarily command a premium, and that mileage and the usual wear-and-tear is what's holding these two rigs down.

 

[Hulk]

If I was looking for an 80, I wouldn’t be seeking a Collector’s Edition or 40th Anniversary Edition specifically. I’d mainly be looking for no rust and well maintained.

 

[Corbet]

The only option the Collectors and Anniversay editions gave you over a standard 80 was the auto climate control. LX450’s all had that. Otherwise the differences were all cosmetic. 40th Anniversary trucks have a two tone leather interior and were the only trucks available in Antique Sage Pearl paint.

At this point a clean starting point far outweighs any specific trim level. When I was shopping for mine in 2007 I could be far more picky with such things.

I’d strongly suggest reading the discontinued parts thread on MUD as well as Cruiser Dans discussion on cost of ownership for an 80. I feel like the 80 series will go down as the most expensive LC to maintain as it ages. Very little if any crossover to other Toyota vehicles and the beginning of luxury options that will fail with time and not be easy to fix without new/used parts. Grey interiors will be easier to maintain as pretty much all oak interior trim parts have long since been discontinued. Worldwide grey interiors were the norm.

At this point I have a parts truck that was purchased for the rolling chassis but also a 40th so I can strip all kinds of parts to keep my 80 on the road long term. If I can keep my 80 another ten years I’ll be happy and if still running strong will give it to my son or cash out to another Cruiserhead. By then my 40 build should be done and take over trail duty. Which will definitely goto my son in time.

 

[Corbet]

I’ll also add, if I were looking to enter the 80 market today I’d be searching for the cleanest body/chassis I could drop an LS into. But that would absorb lots of cash upfront to get on the road before any trail mods.

 

[60wag]

Based on my experience with a couple of new drivers in my family, let them get several years of experience with a vehicle you dont care about before moving to a land cruiser. The side scrapes and bumper scuffs are easier to swallow. The worst is the high school parking lot, even if your drivers don't hit anything, there are still scrapes.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I’ll also add, if I were looking to enter the 80 market today I’d b searching for the cleanest body/chassis I could drop a TURBO into. But that would absorb lots of cash upfront to get on the road before any trail mods.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Johnny Utah]

My son is getting ready to get his learners permit. I agree with the sentiment stated by others regarding vehicles. I don’t think I could handle seeing an 80 get bashed up in a school parking lot. I’ll probably get him a rav4 or a 4Runner.

 

[Corbet]

Fixed it for you.

I don’t disagree obviously, but to do it right still requires a full rebuild of a high mile truck. Yes you could force feed an old tired engine 7psi but that is going to expose any weak points quickly.

And I also agree on the young driver, mine gets an Impreza assuming he passes his test next month. No way a nice Cruiser is sitting in the DHS parking lot even though it would admittedly have good company.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I don’t disagree obviously but to do it right still requires a full rebuild of a high mile truck. Yes you could force feed an old tired engine 7psi but that is going to expose any weak points quickly.

And I also agree on the young driver, mine gets an Impreza assuming he passes his test next month. No way a nice Cruiser is sitting in the DHS parking lot even though it would admittedly have good company.

I was just being funny. But you are absolutely right.

 

[HDavis]

No one mentioned how these are both outside of our major metropolitan areas. It's going to take half a day to go drive and look at the one in Florissant and the one in Gearing would take a whole day. They just dont check the boxes that others have mentioned that would make it worth the effort.

 

[90WT]

Just closing the loop. Both show as sold now.

 

[Lastresort576]

since you mentioned the potential of getting an 80 for the kid. I personally would steer clear of getting a solid front axle for a new driver and honestly on the fence about an suv all together. But ifs all the way will be more forgiving to maneuverability on the streets.

 

[90WT]

The drama continues. The white one is re-listed for $6900.
1997 White collectors edition

 

[rover67]

That kind of 80 will be desirable in another 10 years. For now ther are nicer ones for people to fight over. they probably both leak engine oil somethin' feirce both have hoses and radiators about to explode and def lack the curb appeal. Also 300k miles is like engine rebuild terriroty especially with the age.

That said a strategy would be buy one of those cheaper ones and let the kid drive it and fix it up as he goes. We had a very tired 80 for a while and it was fantastic. Great space and interior utility, tough as nails, comfy.. It was a "runs pretty good car" for daily duties. People parked AWAY from US. It needed pretty constant little stuff but it was a great third/4th vehicle. And side a benefit is that they they seem pretty safe. Make sure the brakes steering and shocks are the first projects... old trucks can be a handfull to drive and dont like to stop.

But... you'd be wrenchin'. Either will need ALL the work so it'd be a great teaching tool. Just be ready to go on a potential rescue mission.

 

[Crash]

My son is getting ready to get his learners permit. I agree with the sentiment stated by others regarding vehicles. I don’t think I could handle seeing an 80 get bashed up in a school parking lot. I’ll probably get him a rav4 or a 4Runner.

Yup. Gave my 16 year old nephew a tired, but straight, 62 that I had baselined, front axle rebuild, etc. that was totaled six weeks later. Lesson learned.

 

[rover67]

Not gonna lie I wrecked a lot of trucks as a kid.... watched one literally burn to the ground in front of my eyes at 16. Rolled one (one year old tundra) over almost into the Mississippi river. You gotta be prepared for a total loss. That being said my brother has never wrecked a car. and he's a nut.