Discussion
I currently have a 2011 Freelander 2. Not the most exciting car but it's been 100% reliable (so far 
) and is just about the most practical car imaginable for daily use.
Every now and then I feel a hankering for a Land Cruiser, but not the new ones, the "Colorado" style from around 2000.
I'm really asking out of curiosity as financially it makes sense to keep the FL2 for several years, but are Land Cruisers of this vintage, which tend to have intergalactic mileage on them, really as reliable as daily drivers as the perception - which is that Land Cruisers never, ever, break?
) and is just about the most practical car imaginable for daily use.Every now and then I feel a hankering for a Land Cruiser, but not the new ones, the "Colorado" style from around 2000.
I'm really asking out of curiosity as financially it makes sense to keep the FL2 for several years, but are Land Cruisers of this vintage, which tend to have intergalactic mileage on them, really as reliable as daily drivers as the perception - which is that Land Cruisers never, ever, break?
Apart from this one apparently:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can`t remember which page it`s on but there`s a duff one on here!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can`t remember which page it`s on but there`s a duff one on here!
They are superbly designed and with proper maintenance they should go on forever. Unfortunately many examples have been badly maintained and abused off road but this equally applies to any proper older 4x4s. Buy a good one and it will be superb.
BTW I have found that parts prices from Toyota dealers are astronomically vast. Over £720 each for front CV joints I was quoted! Fortunately most parts are available from other sources.
BTW I have found that parts prices from Toyota dealers are astronomically vast. Over £720 each for front CV joints I was quoted! Fortunately most parts are available from other sources.
I've always hankered after a Land Cruiser, but new prices seem silly and the values of used cars seems to be unaffected by age or mileage - older leggier examples still command big money.
A reflection perhaps of how reliable and desirable they are?
Great if you're selling, not so good if you're buying!
A reflection perhaps of how reliable and desirable they are?
Great if you're selling, not so good if you're buying!
I've got a 1999 Colorado and never had a problem although when I bought it in 2008 it only had 70K on the clock and had been well maintained and never off roaded. Common problems seem to be cracked cyl heads on earlier models and radiators on the autos can apparently leak into the auto cooler and f
k the transmission. This can happen from around 90K onward on poorly maintained ones but I'm about to change the rad on mine (now 101K) to be on the safe side. Price for the rad from Toyotas is about £450 but I got one from a large factors for £115 and as with most parts they are obtainable from other sources a lot cheaper than Toyota dealers. The only downside I've got is that it's very heavy on diesel at around 19-22 around town up to 28 on a long run taking it easy.
k the transmission. This can happen from around 90K onward on poorly maintained ones but I'm about to change the rad on mine (now 101K) to be on the safe side. Price for the rad from Toyotas is about £450 but I got one from a large factors for £115 and as with most parts they are obtainable from other sources a lot cheaper than Toyota dealers. The only downside I've got is that it's very heavy on diesel at around 19-22 around town up to 28 on a long run taking it easy.Brilliant vehicles, can throw up some big bills if not maintained, but normally when looked after, things dont go wrong much.
Value wise, yes, they hold it better than most other vehicles of the same size/spec. Infact I think the older ones are still bloody expensive when you compare them with similar vintage LR products that cost more new!
Value wise, yes, they hold it better than most other vehicles of the same size/spec. Infact I think the older ones are still bloody expensive when you compare them with similar vintage LR products that cost more new!
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