Help! I have seen a CHEAP 94 Cruiser

[Blighty]

Hi all,

I am new homeowner, married with a wife in college, a full time and a weekend job, and, a phd to study for in the evenings. I have no time but most of all i'm broke!

I'm looking for a basic rig to build up as a rookie and cut my teeth in NC and eastwards. I currently have a 2002 Outback with 125,000 miles but have just see this puppy: http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/3552966302.html
For $1875


Wait! It has 357,000 miles on the clock!!!!!

What should I do? Keep the subie and use that or use the 5-6k i get from selling it and plumb it into this car?

I do not know anything about the history yet, but it is meant to run well and be trouble free (we'll see). What I do know is that it comes from a very affluent part of Charleston and is being sold by an older chap so maybe its been looked after.

I would like your help and guidance as to what I should do?

What I should look for?

What your other thoughts are?

Thanks and regards,

Blighty

 

[mtnbike28]

That rust looks deep! That is a great price (I think) for a running LC, but I think you would be throwing a lot of money into that one. I learned after my 40 series, engine work is cheaper than body work. Good luck!

 

[Blighty]

That rust looks deep! That is a great price (I think) for a running LC, but I think you would be throwing a lot of money into that one. I learned after my 40 series, engine work is cheaper than body work. Good luck!

Cheers for reply Jay, yes rust may be serious but being an South Carolina car it may not be too bad. I actually specialize in treating corrosion. This could be my next project!!

I'll at least give her a whirl and an inspection. It would be rude not to!

 

[stonepa]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat as long as the mechanicals are good. Who cares about that rust? Are you going to drive it and have fun with it or show it? Make sure the mechanicals are good as finishing your PhD thesis is more important than working on a car.

 

[Blighty]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat as long as the mechanicals are good. Who cares about that rust? Are you going to drive it and have fun with it or show it? Make sure the mechanicals are good as finishing your PhD thesis is more important than working on a car.

Damn right! The PhD will lead to more vehicles too! 357,000 miles, he must have been looking after it.

 

[constructeur]

This might help you out: http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

 

[Blighty]

Great resource, thank you.

 

[mtnbike28]

If you get it, I would love to see it, where are you located? I get to Orangeburg and Columbia somewhat regularly to see family!

 

[Blighty]

If you get it, I would love to see it, where are you located? I get to Orangeburg and Columbia somewhat regularly to see family!

Yes of course. I am going to see it in 2 hours. I'm in Charleston, well Mt Pleasant really.

Update on vehicle to follow.

 

[Blighty]

So I just got back...

First of all, the guy selling it was really honest and friendly. A very trustworthy chap. He had a new (old) Landcruiser sat next to the one he was selling.

My first question was "how much service history does the car have?"

Answer, "none."

Wait what! 357,000 and no history!!!!!

Well he has only owned the car for 6 months and bought upstate from a guy who used it for hunting....

The test drive was fine, shifting great, locking diffs were great, it had BFGs all around, rust was way better than anticipated.

The car did leak a lot of oil, it smelled fine though, and the coolant was clear. It currently gets 8 mpg! But what can you expect from a car that age.

It did need brakes and a new windshield too!

So all in all the test drive was fun and I LOVE land cruisers but I think i'd better wait a while longer fr one with a complete history.

I could have spent 1800 bucks on it and another 2000 on the little things but without history I'm a walker.

Anyway thanks all for your help.

Best,

blighty

 

[Danimal]

In my experince, $2,000 is minumum baseline expense when buying one of these rigs for most folks. 8mpg, leaking fluids, high mileage with no sevice history could possibly mean a large investment over the next few years. And all of that to still end up with a high mileage cruiser with rust! So resale would still be very low.

Dan

 

[Blighty]

In my experince, $2,000 is minumum baseline expense when buying one of these rigs for most folks. 8mpg, leaking fluids, high mileage with no sevice history could possibly mean a large investment over the next few years. And all of that to still end up with a high mileage cruiser with rust! So resale would still be very low.

Dan

Hey Dan, Cheers I think you're right. I did find another without an engine for $2500. I dont mind dropping in an engine but the old pennies are scarce right now!

 

[constructeur]

Glad to hear you gave that one a miss. I read the CL advert and thought," eh, that guy is trying to pass on a huge problem before that rig blows up on him." I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

Since you seem commited to the 80, and are on a budget, you might like reading over the FAQ section of IH8mud, to familiarize yourself with what services and PM's will be necessary, as well as whatever mods you'll be wanting.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-t...-dec-2012-added-cdl-wiring-modifications.html

 

[nuclearlemon]

good pass. what you have to consider is the guy has another cruiser, so he most likely knows about them (i'm guessing it's the 62 reflected in the window), so why is he getting rid of this one right after getting it?

 

[Blighty]

Glad to hear you gave that one a miss. I read the CL advert and thought," eh, that guy is trying to pass on a huge problem before that rig blows up on him." I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

Since you seem commited to the 80, and are on a budget, you might like reading over the FAQ section of IH8mud, to familiarize yourself with what services and PM's will be necessary, as well as whatever mods you'll be wanting.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-t...-dec-2012-added-cdl-wiring-modifications.html

Thanks, I will definitely look into it.

good pass. what you have to consider is the guy has another cruiser, so he most likely knows about them (i'm guessing it's the 62 reflected in the window), so why is he getting rid of this one right after getting it?

Exactly. In fact I know a friend of his I saw this weekend. He told me he was worried about the engine giving in and the fact it had no history. He also said that it was averaging about 8mpg. Holy moly thanks bad! Some may call it a bargain, others a TIMEBOMB!!!!!!