toyota 80 series ----> 300td
 

Hello, I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I currently own a 80 series land cruiser and I'm ready to replace it. The 80 is nice but it's more then I need and the mpg is killing me. .my wife owns a 2009 tdi and love it but I need something that I can haul lumber in take out backpacking and camping. I also want something different and dependable. Anyway I have settled on 300td wagon and am on the search. I'm sure I'll have ton of questions so please bare with me.

Thanks

Cole

Just keep in mind, these cars are not very dependable when first bought....they take a lot of time and anywhere between 700$-3000$ to make dependable again.....they typically have been very very neglected in the maintenance area....and because of their age....things start giving out.....they are very dependable after they are brought back up to power and you are very mechanically inclined.....but if you have to pay out of pocket, don't know what a glow plug is.....you'll be regretting the purchase......

Thanks for the response. Land cruiser are kinda the same way I bought mine with 197k on it and had to spend a few k to get it in reliable shape. I did pretty much all the maintenance myself and liked that I got to know the truck. That being said I don't much about diesel but I'm willing to learn.

That's good, I guess the main points to look out for and avoid like the plague is any rust issues and veggie burners.....they will cause a lot of grief.....pre 1981 models are usually non turbo and have the expensive to repair climate control.....SLS problems can be expensive to.....my advice, is if you find one you like.....post the ad here or as many photos as you have and we can give a good yes or no on it....

Sweet. Thanks for the help. Ugh rust! I grew up in the Midwest and lost many a great car to rust. One of the advantages to the 80 was the ih8mud forum, it's great forum and the people are great and it seems the same here.

welcome to the forum!
you need to edit your userCP and put in your location so more specific help can be given.
MANY of us are in the cheap wagon club, (under $1K purchase price) so start hitting craigslist, and see what you can see!
we'll critique the ads, and help you find that diamond in the rough, and help you weed out the super expensive vehicles. heck, if you see one for sale and can post it's location, many members here can go inspect it for you! (I've done it for several members)
our site is great for choosing, fixing and getting help with ALL the issues these cars have.
the wagon is great for a utility vehicle, it's load handling capabilities are just amazing.

Havent you got a spare TD or 2 you could sell him? ;):P

You don't need a wagon to haul lumber, I brought home 45 studs (twice!) in my 300SD a couple months ago! :D :D Just lay down the passenger seat....and begin filling it up. :D Then I hitched up my trailer and brought home 1,200lbs of drywall a week later. :D

Actually, this forum doesn't get into ad critique, but we'll do it for you :P.

I also have a 80 series, rather, it's a Lexus pink panty version LX450:D

Having owned several 300 turbo diesels, I would keep your 80 and find a more fuel efficient car for daily driving.

Flame suit on, but a W123 is a total pos compared to a Land Cruiser.

A W123 turbo diesel won't get more than 24 mpg, and diesel fuel is pretty pricey. The towing capacity is much less than your 80, and the transmissions were never designed for that kind of use.

Also, get used to sky high parts prices, a oddball self leveling rear suspension that uses really expensive fluid, and piss poor air conditioning.

no he di'int:)

We've got both an 80 Series and and TD. Love them both. My TD was dependable right from the get go. Ed must not have had his morning coffee. Both vehicles are equally fit and comparable vehicles but designed for different things. I've been using my TD as a truck for over 10 yrs. I also have a hitch on it for towing. The SLS is not an 'expensive oddball system--its magical--the best designed rear suspension I have ever had on a vehicle. My AC doesn't work on the TD.

The sls system is great, and you have owned your car for a long time and have properly maintained it I'm sure.

In today's world, they are old clunkers, and who knows what fluid has been dumped in the system and the deferred repairs that are lurking. Parts are way too expensive to justify major repairs on the average condition wagon.

It's going to be a real shock for any Toyota owner when he realizes that Mercedes parts cost a small fortune and these cars have numerous quirks that most people won't deal with.

Not to mention, finding a qualified service center for an old MB is hit and miss these days. The 80 was designed for the third world, with quality of subsystems that Mercedes could only dream of.