3rz Taco vs. 80 series Land Cruiser: Long Term

So I'm still trying to sell the LC and I'm gonna go look at the Tacoma when/if I do.

Assuming the leakdown/compression test is good and the frame isn't full of rust chips, is there any other reason to be wary of a 250k mile truck for $11.5k?

 

If you're talking about fuel economy, I hope your expectations are realistic. My stock 4cyl/5mt 4x4 standard cab 1st gen gets ~23mpg on a good day. With the extended cab, 33s and gears (you never said what gears, but I assume it's geared for power over efficiency) you'll almost certainly get less than that--I'd guess around ~20mpg. It will still probably be better than the Land Cruiser, but it's not like it's a Corolla.

 

Oh yea, that might as well be a Prius compared to my Land Cruiser.

I'm more wondering if the price of $11.5k is a rip off, or just fair value these days for a first gen this clean..

 

Unless he provides a reliable maintenance history showing that it's been done recently, you'll want to replace the ball joints immediately upon buying the truck. They're a known failure point.

At that age/mileage there's potential for lots of other parts to be due for replacement... hoses, bushings, shocks, fluids. These are facts of life with a 20 year old 250k mile vehicle, so they shouldn't deter you, but you should be prepared to put in some work and/or money after purchase.

 

Yeah I thought've the LBJs. The miles didn't scare me that much since they're mostly highway, but I see your point.

I'm looking for something in better shape and les maintenance-intensive than my tired old 80 series LC in fact.

The fact that it looked so clean that I thought it mist have been cared for well, but trust and verify and all that

 

To me it seems a touch high for a 4-cylinder. Not ridiculously high, and he can probably find a buyer who will pay that much, but you could also find a good (maybe less clean, but still good) truck for less. In my mind, a Tacoma should have a v6 and e-locker to be over $10k, but the condition, lift, tires, and gears might be worth the difference.

If I were you, I'd ask about the mods that were done. What's the gear ratio? Gears can be tricky, so receipts from a reputable shop would be nice to see. What kind of lift does it have--shocks, springs, UCAs, etc? If the mods were done well, that's great. If not, you might be buying somebody else's problems.

In the end, though, it's your money and your happiness. If you've got $11.5k available and the truck will bring you joy... send it.

 

The thing is he has it as a 3rd vehicle and doesn't necessarily want/have to sell, but he told me he'd do $11.5k, which is actually the fair CarFax value in this market.

Still, it is a stripper model with no locker. I don't mind the 4 cyl, but the long wheelbase and open diffs might not be the best recipe off road. I got away with open diffs on my single cab, but that had a 103" wheelbase.

I'm really looking for a vehicle I can keep for a while. I thought it'd be the LC, but I'm getting tired of the 4-speed auto and how bog and heavy it is. Also the issues are jus piling up too fast.

 

I only recommend the 3rz as a reg cab. Better to get the 5vzfe. I would pass and wait for it to come up.

 

A 97 Land Cruiser just sold for $52k today on BAT. The LC is a much more refined vehicle. Also costs more to maintain when things go wrong. I'd keep the LC. I went from a 2018 Tacoma to a 2001 100 series LC, it wasn't a downgrade.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-toyota-land-cruiser-123/

 

Yeah mine is kinda rough though and I’m not in love with the vintage slush box.

It’s nice to have the beefy frame and solid axles though.

 

I looked at a 99 TRD V6 but it had a rubberised coating on the frame applied by Toyota some 10 years ago.

Apparently it was a Texas vehicle before going to Ohio for 6 years where it got the treatment. I felt inside the frame holes by the rear wheels and felt a few flakes. Not sure if it was rust or the rubberised stuff coming off though.

I’ve been reading about those rubber coatings and they’re generally frowned upon, but maybe they caught it before any rust started.

 

Just get a mechanics camera, I got one of Amazon for 60$ and I could see inside a frame my sister bought and I was seeing if it was worth fluid filming and it was. Personally all Tacomas are great but if you want most of the stiff get an 01-04 one theyre more refined.

 

Funny seeing this thread as I almost sold my tacoma for a 80 series land cruiser. Personally id keep the cruiser put a small kift 35s and put a locker in it and it be a pretty capable truck.

 

Yeah the Cruiser is tougher and more capable off road stock for stock but a Tacoma with a 5 speed makes a way better DD.

 

I had a regular cab 2.7 and that was a great truck, but occasionally lacking on long uphill climbs. I can see why it might struggle with the extra weight of an Extra cab.

The main reason I'd prefer the V6 is so I don't have to worry about top end issues as much as the 4 banger. Although the 4 cyl is easier to work on and no timing belt, so it's kind of a toss up I guess.

 

I rather keep the 80 series vs buying a 20+ year old tacoma. And if you sold the 80 already, buy something else and not a first gen tacoma.

First gen tacoma lacks everything from power to in cab storage and space.

I owned a '94 80 series, a few first gen toyota pickup/4r to a few first gen tacoma, '19 sequoia, '14 tundra, '08 gx, t100s, among other yoda vehicles and I think I dig the 6.7 diesel more.

People cry about big truck having poor fuel mileage and all but I guarantee if you get into a bad wreck, the larger vehicle will wins all the time.

 

Yeah I don’t really get that excited over trucks made after 2004. They don’t make light mini trucks like the first gen anymore.

Also the LC is a bit rough cosmetically and has a fair bit of deferred maintenance to catch up on.

 

Tacoma included are also no different. Every single one will require maintenance, but that's all vehicle.

Good luck on your quest...

 

Right I’m just trying to get one with all the major maintenance items already done so I don’t get nickel and dimed to oblivion like I did with my old trucks

 

Keep the LC, buy the Tacoma