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Should I get an 80?

RichC4

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I've been looking at 120s this week but it has occurred to me that maybe an 80 would suit me better.

I'm new to 4x4s and large vehicles in general it would be fair to say, but we are in the market for a "holiday" car - something that can do a bit of green laning and overlanding in the UK and Europe (possible trips in mind; Pyrenees, Iceland). Ability to run large things around as a secondary consideration, any LC will do this without issue.

As it would be a second car rather than a daily, I don't mind something that needs work from time to time. I'm pretty handy spanners wise so not too worried about that side of things either. That said, I can't weld, though not averse to learning.

Things that concern me vs a newer model:
Parts availability, it feels like these are getting harder to find now, can you just rock up to a Toyota dealer and get parts, or is it fabrication or salvage only?
It might be a bit gruff compared to a newer model. This seems hard to judge without trying one, but there are not many about to even look at let alone drive.
Finding something that's not a complete wreck in budget. Prices seem strong, which makes me a little nervous about the cheaper end of the market. Budget is circa £12k.

Fuel economy is not a massive concern as this would not be a high mileage vehicle.

I'm mainly interested in diesels but maybe an LPG conversion would be reasonable? That said, I imagine getting LPG anywhere off the beaten track is going to be a chore, so then you just have a petrol with a load of dead space, so maybe not.
 
I think you will find a 120 and even an exccellent example of an 80 very different vehicles. I've not driven a 120 but having tried a couple of petrol 100's found them much more refined than my diesel 80 and because of that, maybe "better" for road use. Many parts are still available new, certainly service parts are easily obtained but things like interior/exterior trim are hard to get. With the age difference in the two models the biggest factor to consider will be condition, rust being probably the biggest killer in the UK of neglected models, some VGC imports to be had though.
 
As above agree very difference vehicles. Having driving a 120 once 2006 model diesel their nice to drive as all Land cruisers are just different. The 80 is classed as top end model and is based on a heavy duty platform whereas the 120 on a medium duty, None the less if know what and how you gonna use it that matters then you can better make the right choice. As always UK rust is the main concern and 80's and 120's are no different even with the age difference. Finding a clean well looked after example is like joining the queue at the local unemployment office. Its pot luck and can be tiresome searching and traveling to find one. So my advice is drive them both, learn all you can about them but also be open to all things being the main aim is to get something you will be happy with down the road.
 
I think you will find the same issues when buying an 80, as you have trying to find a decent 120...... My 120 was great to drive, quiet, smooth,.... But i just didnt like it, Simple fact... There are some very good condition 80s and 120s out there, But you have to part with big money...... I much prefer my 80 for what i use it for.... But saying that My old P reg Colorado was a better drive than both the 80 and the 120..... But trying to find a decent Colorado,!!!!! Well here we go again scenario..
 
Yes.
Just make sure it’s a good one.
Diesels are superb but not super refined as such. I’ve driven mine for over 18 years now and I still get a smile on my face when I jump in. Fabric seats are comfy and mine have lasted 27 years so far. Imports are no big deal. I was able to get parts for mine locally until I discovered Amayama.
They’re big and heavy. A bit daunting at first but you get used to them. You’ll feel the road and get feedback from every twist and turn. They’ll go round corners like they’re on rails and squeal the rears if pushed with an import limited slip diff in the back. The permanent 4x4 works well keeping them balanced and planted. Auto boxes are made by Aisin. According to Chris, they are bomb proof. I love mine.
I’ve never before driven a vehicle that has attracted so many positive ‘in awe’ comments from young and old alike.
I love my 80. Drive it every day.
Sliding rear windows leak and the electric windows go slow in winter, whatever you do with them. You’ll be scratching along the green lanes as the widest vehicle but you’ll enjoy every minute. I’ve done 100mph all day long on the autobahn with roof tent and camping gear aboard and climbed slopes that made my eyes stand out on stalks.

Apologies for the unashamedly biased review. My only experience of a 120 was looking at the AC on it, and it looked immaculate, until you looked underneath where the best description was the underside of a pier. Any car can rust. Pick a good one. You’ll have a grin a mile wide.
Rich
 
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One consideration is how far do you want to go and how comfortable do you want to be? As an 80/100/120 owner I reckon I can offer a comparison.
In 97 when I bought my first 80 ( 2 years old) I thought I'd bought the best thing on the planet. This was due to the fact its competition was a RR P38, Mitsi Shogun and probably the woefully slow G Wagen. For 16 years I had it I thought it was great till I bought my first 100 and realised things had moved forward a good way.
Having a couple of Collies inbetween ( a D4D and a V6 ) I fancied the practicality of a 120. Around 2 1/2 years ago the search was on, they all look good till you look at them don't they?
Having found a good one ( 10th attempt) I baselined it and started using it. I love it, its quiet, comfortable, handles and steers nicely, and goes very well with a chipped up 200 bhp.

Driving a good 120 is not really an event though whereas driving a good 80 is, both have their plus's, for a hobby/ camper/ tourer I think I'd choose an 80 for the job, prefeably an auto but if I wanted to do a 500 mile round trip in the day I'd choose the 120 out of the three.

Re. Higgy's comment about the Collie being a good drive I'd say the V6 Collie was the best/ most comfortable drive of them all.
 
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ill give you the short version.

an 80 is the best all round 4x4 you will ever own. it can be a car for life, they are insanely reliable, very easy to work on.
you can get lots of power out of them easily and reliably. they look awesome. a standard 80 is comfortable, imo. as rich said its an involving drive with feedback from the road. i like that. ive drove mine for 10 hour sessions at 80-90.
they have power steering, cruise control, heated electric leather seats, electric windows, rear heat. aircon. some have a fridge and electric folding mirrors! what more do you want man!

double DIN aperture so the ICE can be more up to date than a 5 year old 200 series.

parts availability is good.

you will be used to the size within a month, there not really that big.

rust on the 80 is due to age. they dont have an inherent rust issue like the 100/120. they are actually very good.

you need to drive one, a standard one if you can. 35" mud tyres, 3" lift, 3" side exit straight through exhaust, snorkel, roof rack and rtt, 3 tyres hanging off the back, RSJ bull bar with dustbin lid sized spot lights and a dead horse on the bonnet can give a bit of a warped view of how good they can drive...

they start almost telepathic.

you can hear the engine. i hate cars where you cant hear the engine. hard to shift gear well.

if you like how the vehicle drives and feels, i guarantee it will become one of your more reliable best mates. after a long journey to a destination, just before you get out, you will pause and reflect for a moment. give it a pat on the top of the dash and whisper; "cheers pal"..
 
Only thing to add to the above is they are the ultimate dual purpose Landcruiser you will buy in the UK without finding an import 79 series and TBH they probably beat them for on road use....
Finding a good one is a bit like finding a Unicorn .... and once you do have one no other vehicle will replace it....
They used to be a giant 4x4 back in the day....park one alongside a 150 series and they're similar size... and a 150 is the small light duty current Landcruiser ...... a bit like a Ford fiesta now being bigger than an old escort .
As for driving experience..... as I said it has the dynamics of a 30 plus year old design.... but it was the best in the world 30 year old design so not as bad as you might think
 
Lots of interesting views, thanks all. I feel like I need to find one close enough to give it a test.

In terms of cornering and road manners I'm 100% sure it's not going to equal my car (a modified Toyota gt86) which is absolutely sublime for feedback and driving experience... As long as you're on a smooth road. 4" ground clearance is definitely limiting at times.
 
yeah. but the 80 was best and still is for so many reasons. next best 100 series. check for rust.
if your doing loads of car miles id have a well sorted 100 tbh, they are comfier. If your doing more extreme terrain plus car miles get an 80. oh and id go auto for best compromise between daily driver and worker they are just so easy to drive. trouble with 80s they are getting difficult to find in good order. Id allow a bit in your budget to spend on either of them. I personally wouldn't bother with a 120 series but thats just me. ive driven them and worked on them they dont really impress me that much. They are ok but.......... bit lightweight, id rather have a Colorado tbh but the rusts had most of them.
 
The amount of times folk comment on the 80 is satisfying in a way, Strangers saying "Love That Truck mate".... In traffic once a Guy from the car behind got out and knocked on my window, (He was from Holland with his family), Just to tell me how much he loved my old Land cruiser... I never got that in the 120, And when im in the 'missus car' im just an Old man in a Skoda.... The old Gal is about to clock up 333,000 miles, Change the oil and filter every 5000 miles (without fail) and it will last for a long while yet.... And they have Bags of Character, Don't ask me how, There's just something about them,
 
Completely with everything said above but wanted to add personally I find my '80 (a UK spec petrol auto) one of the most comfortable and relaxing long distance vehicles I've ever driven. Pop the cruise control on at 70, sit back and relax......
If you're considering an 80 and are concerned about refinement, definitely make sure you get to drive a petrol one.
Mine is LPG converted and no more expensive to run than my old KZN185 Hilux surf
 
Never driven a Petrol 80 or 100 but they seem to fair up better in the condition and Rust areas, and always seem to be a bit cheaper on price.. But agree, I bet they are super smooth, Like the v6 petrol collie iv heard they are smooth and quiet... Andy Lomas can vouch for that
 
Compared with the 2 petrol 80's I've had, the V6 was like an electric motor, I really rate them, just the 19mpg goes against the grain.
 
To throw something else into the mix, I drove a diesel 90 today and quite liked it. The actual example was a bit rough (interior badly retrimmed, no head unit, exhaust blowing through a 3 inch hole), but it was a nice machine under that.
 
I moved from a 90 to an 80 a few months ago. Both V6 petrol auto.

Loved the 90 (had it for nearly 20 years). It was fast, very smooth to drive, reliable, and looked great.

My “new” 80 has similar switch gear but is less refined. Suspension crashes over bumps more. Fuel consumption is worse.

I’m also having a few teething problems with it and this leads on to the part I’m worried about: parts availability. I was unable to source things like electric aerial or air condenser clutch in the UK and have had to order from the Middle East. I hadn’t heard about Amayama until this thread however.

All things considered, I’d have the 80 though. It looks amazing and, as previously mentioned, driving it feels epic.
 
do you like beer, order your coffee black, and outback adventure?

or prefer soy latte frappuccino, chardonnay and going to shop for fashionable clothing?
 
it's got to be an 80 really, I did 580 miles last weekend, including wales's most technical lanes in complete comfort and with no issues whatsoever. they are expensive and they do have rust issues but that's all fixable, and once it's solid it'll last a lifetime. I honestly don't know what I'd replace this with if I had to. even the Mrs loves driving it too which helps!

if you're in the south east somewhere you're welcome to take this one for a spin, if it helps the decision making process.

rob

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Have a test drive mine and you’ll forget that 80’s ever existed :tearsofjoy: it’s awful, the steering box needs replaced, the injectors need an overhaul, it’s slow, noisy and loose, makes you feel like your driving an 80’s rear wheel drive rally car on marbles, albeit a very slow one…in the choice of keys every morning I always choose it and I have plenty choice. I’d agree that for the best experience get one that’s close to standard over one that’s fallen from the tree and collected most of the branches on its way down, you can make your own choices on how to ruin it!
You will love it once you accept they aren’t fast, they are thirsty, the choice of 4” speakers means the radio will always be crap and they aren’t the same as driving a modern vehicle, hurry up and get one while you can:thumbup:
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Looks like iv got its Twin brother, Mine shares all those common Attributes...Pure Class :thumbup:
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