Would you pay this much for a 1997 Land Cruiser?
The Toyota Land Cruiser is an icon among off-roaders, and enthusiasts often hanker after the FZJ80 that was first introduced in 1990. If you're one of them, you'll be delighted to know that this pristine example is being offered for sale on Bring A Trailer. And we really do mean pristine: with a mere 4,660 miles on the odometer, this is the closest you're likely to get to a brand-new model.
However, it will cost you. With five days to go (at the time of writing) and a current bid of $105,700, there's no denying this is an expensive classic SUV. But is it worth it? Let's take a look.
Finished in Pearl White, the original owner specified this 1997 model with the gold badging package, a very common add-on in the 1990s. Despite this, the Land Cruiser looks incredibly restrained, especially when you compare it to something like the new Sequoia.
Grey-painted bumpers and 16-inch alloy wheels lend the exterior a bit of excitement, but overall, it's as functional and simple as a Land Cruiser should be.
Under the hood lives a 4.5-liter inline-six engine that produces 212 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. That's not particularly powerful, but the 1FZ-FE is known for its incredible durability and reliability. In fact, many reach 300,000 miles without any major issues. Power is sent to all four wheels via the relaxed four-speed automatic transmission.
It may take the Land Cruiser a while to get places, but there's no destination the FZJ80 can't reach. This particular example has a dual-range transfer case, a locking center differential, and chunky 75/70 Michelin Defender LTX M/S rubber.
As you would expect, the interior is filled with seating for multiple occupants and all the appurtenances of luxury '90s motoring.
All three rows of seats are trimmed in Oak-colored leather upholstery, and the front pews are power-adjustable. Other luxuries include cruise control, air conditioning, a CD/cassette audio system, and faux wood trim inlays. A sunroof also forms part of the package.
We expect the final selling price to exceed the $110,000 mark, which is a big amount of money for a 26-year-old off-roader. It would be interesting to see if the winning bidder uses this Land Cruiser for what it was designed to do or preserves it as a time capsule. We're betting on the latter.
Sadly, Toyota USA chose not to introduce the new LC300 locally, stating that the new Sequoia will fill the gap left by the previous generation Land Cruiser. Various rumors have suggested the iconic off-roader would return, and Toyota recently confirmed it will make a comeback – but it remains to be seen whether we will get the real deal or a rebadged version of the Lexus GX, known as the Prado in other markets.
Keyword: Pristine Toyota Land Cruiser With Ultra-Low Miles Will Sell For Six Figures