Reliability of 80 series cruisers?
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 14:56
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TWCAmpbell
I'm upgrading to a proper 4WD after a few years with a Rav4 (starting to range further afield now my little ones are a few years old). Budget of $10K - $14K and it looks like an 80 series cruiser is the best bet in this budget.
Got a friend of a friend who is selling a 1991 model for $10K. Done 420,000km, regular service history, decked out with bull bar, spotlights, second battery, extra 12V sockets, etc. Hardly been offroad. Price seems good for what else is selling in
Perth.
Was hoping for something with a lower milage as I have heard that cruisers of this vintage normally need a lot of work once they get to ~500,000km. Any thoughts on this? I'm hoping to get a vehicle that will last ~5 years and will likely be doing ~50,000km/year on it. Any
feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Reply By: furph - Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 15:49
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 15:49
Could be a good buy, but when it is from a "friend of a friend" it always pays to be wary.
Not too difficult to have it checked out by a profficient mechanic (if you can find one).
From recollection the constant AWD seems to have been the Archilles heel in the 80 series.
The motor goes forever with regular
services. Gearbox noise could be a concern.
At $10g. you would have a few $'s to remedy things. Any red cancer?
furph
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Follow Up By: TWCAmpbell - Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 18:03
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 18:03
Am seeing it for the first time on Monday (coming up to
Perth from Bunbury). It's actually the sister of a friend but I am definately going to get it checked out before making a decision. We should be able to get about $12K for the rav, so am planning to keep a few $ aside for any problems that come up in the first few months.
What kind of problems were there with the AWD? Being a 91 model, I'm pretty sure it was the first year AWD was introduced and would expect more issues with than with later years if they were an issue.
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 17:06
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 17:06
Just a thought: consider exactly what type of off-road capability you _really_ require rather than deciding upon the vehicle first.
In my experience most people who own "serious" 4WDs seldom (if ever) go to
places that a Rav 4 (or maybe a bit better :) could not get to. Also, if you have
young children you may be a little less adventurous (read incautious or silly :) than those of us who no longer have such a responsibility.
Whilst you can get excellent buys in the ~$12k range you can also purchase a _heap_ of trouble too.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: TWCAmpbell - Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 18:09
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 18:09
We're already being limited by the Rav (been almost stuck a few times when it's gone from amn AWD to a 1-wheel drive very suddenly). Love driving the Rav mostly but don't want to get caught out with 2 kids in the back.
We have also just bough a block in the wheatbelt and will be needing a larger cargo capacity for ferrying equipment and seedlings out there. Once you get the Engel in the back of the Rav, there ain't much space! A bit more range between servos would be nice too...
I'm definately undecided between going for this vehicle and paying the extra $3-4K for one from a dealership, which has a limited warrently and has already been checked over.
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Follow Up By: madfisher - Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 20:51
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 at 20:51
If buying from a dealer than be twice as carefull.
Pete
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