I'm wondering about the older ones here. Not the old, classic FJ-40s, but the late 80s to mid-late 90s models.
I like these things and believe them to be solid and reliable. How is the ride and the noise level (overall driving experience) and is the fuel economy as atrocious as the EPA estimates show it to be?
Not serious about buying one (yet) but wanted to start the early stages research. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

I bought a 1988 new came with I-6 gas motor automatic. back seat passengers could hardly speak understandably from bouncing. new mind you.
It got such terrible fuel economy while towing my 21' boat or 2 snow mobiles. I pulled engine and trans and dropped in a 350 Chevy & 700 R-4 overdrive transmission. used adapters from Australia it is a bolt in used LC transfer case
it all worked well both hauled ass & boat & snowmobiles. actually got better fuel economy. That I-6 drank fuel in prodigious quantities. thw wiring was a handful. It was a multi week ordeal due to all the smog stuff on Calif car.
After getting car running and EVERYTHING WORKING EXCEPT DOME LIGHT
i HAD A BUN DLE OF UNUSED WIRES THE THICKNESS OF A POLISH SAUSAGE TAPED UP AND HANGING TOGETHER IN ENGINE BAY. I drove that LC for the next 4 years this way. used LC radiator and electric pull fan to cool off.
Those LC's are some sturdy beasts. I bought a new 2000 LC in 2000 came with a V-8 but it wasn't of the same durability of earlier version I beat it to near death with a mere 100,000 miles towing a 29' off shore hot boat. pretty & comfortable but lacked the sand of earlier LC. Bill

The LC wagons of that vintage, especially the 90's ones, are pretty luxurious, incredibly durable and long lived. On the down side, they do in fact get horrible mileage and are monstrously expensive when serious engine problems finally show up. I know several people who have them from 88-95, and all report 12mpg on a good day. On the other hand, the 40K dollars you save off the price of a new one will buy a bunch of gas. A replacement motor for a mid 90's LC is way more than the value of the truck. That's why you see so many that have Chevy conversions, which apparently are pretty easy to do.
my 2cents, I'd buy a good one in a heartbeat.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I've got an 84 FJ60. Built like a tank, drives like a truck and drinks gas faster than congress can spend money.

It has always been reliable and capable off road. Not an ideal highway vehicle, as you need to pretty much redline it to maintain 75. Also slows down on long climbs.

All that aside, I love the truck and have gotten many years of faithful service from it.

Plan on using it as the learning vehicle when my girls get older. Won't go fast or far (unless you have $$$ for gas) but will be quite safe.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Got a 1994 80 Series. 12mpg around time is about right. I've gotten 17mpg on the highway. All of the FJZ (or is that FZJ?) series will eventually blow a headgasket. Cost me $1500 to get mine replaced. Power steering pump will eventually leak. Very robust and dependable though. I'd buy another one. I've owned a couple of FJ55's in the past. They were not highway vehicles. The 80 series is a highway vehicle as well as an off-highway vehicle.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks for the quick and helpful responses. Sounds like I don't need to do any further research. I don't really have the time or money for another toy and I was thinking about this for a DD. Judging from the comments (mainly with respect to fuel non-economy and highway manners) the LC wouldn't be the best for my 20-25K miles per year on 70 mph roads.
I keep looking for reasons to replace the 240D and something suitable to replace it with and I just can't seem to justify anything else.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

I love my '95 FZJ80. It feels like driving a tank which is fun, but am thankful that it's not my daily driver - she likes fuel...

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

They make great daily drivers, IF you can afford the fuel. I had an FJ80, with the pushrod engine. It hit around 300k before needing rebuild. Not as much HP as the twin cam, but simple to work on. Chevy conversions will improve HP and fuel economy. They are heavy beasts that fare well in crashes and have excellent bad weather manners due to the AWD. Luxurious and reliable. Took mine across country and the only issue was its inability to pass by a fuel stop...