| Author | Message | |||
     John Davies (John_davies2) New Member Username: John_davies2 Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2003 |
Well, I guess I am out of here. I was originally planning on buying a new '03 or '04 Disco II S, but yesterday I drove home my new absolutely cherry 1996 Series 80 Lexus LX450 (tarted-up Land Cruiser). I had looked at a few Toyota Cruisers and did not find one that had locking diffs and was in a decent condition. This one has 83K miles, solid front axle, F and R electric diff locks, center diff lock, full zoot 7 speaker stereo with CD changer, Lexus integrated car phone, rear seat heater and all the upgraded Lexus stuff like better seats, wheels, fit and finish. The car has a clean CarFax report and a decent maintenance record. It lived in AZ and UT before recently coming to WA, so there are no corrosion problems. The body is pristene, with only a couple of minor scuffs on the bumpers. The interior has no nasty odors or stains and the seats are soft and supple. The truck has never been off-road from what I can tell of the chassis. No water leaks, no rust. Everything, except one dash indicator light and a couple of lazy shoulder belts, works like new. The engine is clean, leak-free, quiet and runs strong. No weird drivetrain noises or vibes. The brake pads and rotors are brand new front and rear, the windshield is new and the thing just looks like it came off the showroom floor. I could not pass up this kind of a find, so now I guess I will go hang out at the Land Cruiser Owners On Line forum (yes, they do let Lexus owners join, but they make fun of them). I paid a little more than I really wanted (US$19,500), but I think it's still a great deal considering the shape it is in and the typically high Seattle used car prices. The seller was a small specialty car dealer, and he has kindly offered to order whatever accessories I need, like OME suspension, off-road bumpers, sliders and such, at his cost plus 10%. I appreciate all the wisdom I have found at this site, and the entertaining repartees. Ta ta, and keep the smooth side up. John | |||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Member Username: Ron Post Number: 220 Registered: 04-2001 |
Nice choice Ron | |||
| ART RAMANATA (Art_rolover) New Member Username: Art_rolover Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
John, Good choice.We had 97 Land Cruiser 40th Anniversary with f and r difflocks,OME,ARB bumper.We love it until my wife rolled it in an accident.Because of its size my wife and my 13 month old baby were unharm.(not a scratch)Guess what my wife's next vehicle would be?Land Cruiser baby! Check out this site!All your Land Cruiser need!(and Lexus too) http://www.sleeoffroad.com/index.html Art | |||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 468 Registered: 08-2002 |
Why the fuck does Lexus have front, rear, and center locking diffs and we with Landrovers are fighting just to keep at least the CDL?!?!?! I bet there are far fewer off-roaders in Lexus LX450s than even the new Range Rover! What is wrong with LR manaagement on this issue! Sheeesh. John, glad to see ya got a good ne there. I'm just jealous of the locking situation! Good Luck! | |||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Senior Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1391 Registered: 02-2002 |
One Word Randy: FORD | |||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 473 Registered: 08-2002 |
I don't buy that Paul, BMW was in charge when I bought my 1999 D2. No CDL! | |||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 194 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes , stop smoking that crack Kermit. I think Fords reputation in the truck market would contradict that. Dont forget that there are many many more Ford Trucks out there getting it done every day then there ever was Land Rovers here doing the same. Kyle "Blow me" | |||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 477 Registered: 08-2002 |
Kyle, just curious, of the many concoctions to access the CDL in the early D2s that have them, which makes the best sense to you all things considered? (cost, ease of application, functionality, reliability, etc) Sorry if you've already answered this elsewhere in the past. | |||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Senior Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1396 Registered: 02-2002 |
Ford's reputation in the F Series truck market is a completely different concept than the US perceived luxury market of LR. BMW may have been in charge, but I guarantee there were some Blue Oval folks behind the scenes. | |||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 132 Registered: 01-2003 |
Don't forget, after 97 those LX450/fjx80 lexus cruiser things went to IFS and lost the option to get front and rear lockers. I'm pretty sure you can still get the CDL, but I think thats only a option. Don't bust on rover, Toyota made the US spec cruiser even worse that just taking away the cdl lever. To get the optional front and rear lockers you had to get a 92-97, the only years for those options. Also, a 97 for $19,500? They are nice trucks, and that sounds like it was a good deal, a 97 D1 would probably be cheaper even with buying the truck and installing arbs front and rear with hd axles. Hell you could even put on sliders and a winch and bumper. That said, I have cruiser envy, nice find Jon. Before my disco, I wanted one of those real bad, I just didn't have the money to get one. I once and a while see one of those LX450's here in SLC, guy that owes it is real nice, its all done up, ARB with 12k winch, Safari snorkle, Kaymar rear bumper with jerry can spare tire holder, and sliders. I meet him on a trail one day, I thought I was wheeling in luxury with my leather seated disco, but his Lexus put my truck to shame. He said he gets lots of strange looks driving a lexus on trails. | |||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 263 Registered: 08-2002 |
John, Welcome to the dark side, looks like I'll be seeing you on www.IH8mud.com  As far as Ford is concerned...look at one possible bright side, maybe they would consider putting a Powerstroke in the spot where our diminutive little Buick 215 occupies space. | |||
| David Morin (Sporin) New Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 23 Registered: 02-2003 |
That is a very good price from what I've seen. You'll love that truck, I envy you. btw.. I bought a 4Runner and I still hang around here, no reason to run away. | |||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 52 Registered: 03-2003 |
The Dark Side is not all that bad.
Stacey | |||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 53 Registered: 03-2003 |
A..... that did not work right |
PURE EVIL