A year ago
Would you buy a 1997 Land Cruiser for this much money?
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a symbol of off-roading, and fans often long for the FZJ80, which debuted in 1990. If you are one of them, you will be thrilled to learn that this pristine example is available for purchase on Bring A Trailer. Furthermore, we truly mean spotless. This is the closest thing you'll likely get to a brand-new model, with only 4,660 miles on the odometer.
But it will cost you money. At the time of writing, there are still five days to go and a bid of $105,700 for this expensive classic SUV. But does it make sense? Let's look at it.
Completed in Pearl White, the first proprietor determined this 1997 model with the gold badging bundle, an exceptionally normal extra during the 1990s. Despite this, the Land Cruiser appears extremely restrained, particularly when contrasted with something like the brand-new Sequoia. The exterior is a little bit exciting thanks to the 16-inch alloy wheels and gray-painted bumpers, but overall, it is as functional and straightforward as a Land Cruiser ought to be.
A 4.5-liter inline-six engine with 212 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque can be found under the hood. That's not a lot of power, but the 1FZ-FE is known for being extremely durable and dependable. In fact, many make it to 300,000 miles without major issues. The easy-to-use four-speed automatic transmission transfers power to each of the vehicle's four wheels.
The FZJ80 can reach any destination, but the Land Cruiser may take some time to get there. This particular model features a locking center differential, a dual-range transfer case, and chunky 75/70 Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires.
The interior, as one would expect, is packed with multiple-occupant seating and all of the luxuries of the 1990s. The front pews are power-adjustable, and the leather upholstery in all three rows is Oak-colored. A CD/cassette audio system, air conditioning, cruise control, and faux wood trim inlays are additional luxuries. A sunroof likewise frames part of the bundle.
We anticipate that the final price will exceed $110,000, which is a significant sum for an off-roader with 26 years of experience. The winning bidder's use of this Land Cruiser or preservation of it as a time capsule would be interesting to see. The latter is our wager.
Unfortunately, Toyota USA decided not to introduce the new LC300 locally, stating that the new Sequoia would fill the void left by the previous Land Cruiser generation. The iconic off-roader has been the subject of numerous rumors, and Toyota has recently confirmed that it will make a comeback. However, it is unknown whether we will receive the actual vehicle or a rebadged version of the Lexus GX that is referred to as the Prado in other markets.
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