Hi all,
I am just about to graduate from college and have some money saved up to invest in an overland rig. This will be my introduction to overlanding, so I don't have a ton of perspective but I've always loved spending time in the outdoors (camping, backpacking, surfing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing) and overlanding seems like a great way to do that in community and while covering greater distances/seeing more of the world than I would be able to on my feet. I would be using this car as my daily driver during the week and taking weekend trips to the mountains/beach and camping in/on it. If I drive to work I have calculated that I will likely drive 20k miles over the next year including a few long trips on the weekends. I don't expect to have a ton of time for expedition-like travel, but I would like to have the option of pursuing it in the future.
With that much driving, it is hard to ignore gas milage, but even if I'm getting only 12mpg with an FJ80, I would only save $1500 over the course of the year by driving a newer SUV that gets closer to 18 MPG so I am not sure how much weight that will play. I also have the option of taking the metro in to work, and If I were to do that It would take my yearly milage down a ton and save me quite a bit on gas. (I know my bio says I am in Jacksonville, but I will be moving to northern VA and working in MD in august so the metro is a solid option)
I think I have narrowed my choices down to 4 options:
1) My Parent's1993 FZJ80 - I actually grew up driving this truck. It is really solid structurally; no rust or dents and the paint is nice (white). The seats are beat up pretty bad but the rest of the interior is in great shape. The axels need to be rebuilt and it will likely need at least a top end rebuild as it burns A LOT of oil. We're talking like 1L/500 miles or more. It seems like it could be more work than its worth, but given the condition of the body/frame and the fact that I know the history of the vehicle, I am not sure. BTW: I would be buying it from my parents for $3500 then investing whatever is necessary to get it to reliable DD status. *Terrible MPG
2) Somebody Else's FZJ80 - If it turns out that the '93 is not worth saving, this would be the next most affordable option. Not really sure what to budget for a good one of these cause prices are all over the place. Ideally would be looking for "low milage" and/or a recent top end rebuild. *Terrible MPG
3) 5th Gen 4Runner - This would definitely be the most expensive option here and not leave much left over for immediate mods but they look fantastic built up and It would be nice to have the amenities of a modern vehicle, although thats definitely not a requirement. I have seen some higher milage ~2010 models for $16-20k. I would likely get a loan for this and make a 50% down payment, saving a few grand for tires and a 2.5in lift if needed. Downside here is the cost and not having a ton of $$ left over for mods. *Decent MPG
4) FJ Cruiser (2007-2014) - The FJ confuses me. From some angles it looks great, from others it looks like a 4WD balloon that someone over filled. They do look pretty great built up and they are still new enough that there is still quite a while before major repairs on worn out parts are needed. $14 - 20k keeps the Cruiser on the upper end of my budget so I would likely put 50% down on one of these too while saving a few grand for tires. *They get decent MPGs and are still newer reliable cars.
I think this decision is really going to hinge on the value of the '93 FZJ80. If at $3500 it is still worth dumping some money to get it running strong, that would be my preferred option since I know the vehicle's history and after a rebuild I'd feel good about getting another couple hundred thousand miles out of it. I like the look of the FZJ80 and the fact that its basically a classic that is also extremely capable and has a decent amount of creature comforts (AC, Radio, relatively quiet on road etc. ). I also like that it is relatively affordable compared to my other options which leaves lots of $$$ for mods.
However, I just don't know what a reasonable amount of $ is worth spending to get it in good running shape.
*I have about $10k saved up currently for a down payment/vehicle purchase and have budgeted about $500/mo of disposable income that I could commit to investing in mods or a car payment (24 mo. max). If a vehicle costs $20k and I put 50% down, that equates to about $440/mo and eats up most of my mod budget. A $17500 car will leave me with a payment of $330/mo - a bit left for mods but not a ton.
Where is my money best spent? I like the idea of being able to mod the 80 right away - depending on the fair purchase price of someone else's 80 or repairing my parent's. However, it would definitely be comforting to have a newer vehicle from a reliability standpoint and they just look sweet (but would stay mostly stock for a while).
Hoping you guys can offer me some advice! Thanks!
I am just about to graduate from college and have some money saved up to invest in an overland rig. This will be my introduction to overlanding, so I don't have a ton of perspective but I've always loved spending time in the outdoors (camping, backpacking, surfing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing) and overlanding seems like a great way to do that in community and while covering greater distances/seeing more of the world than I would be able to on my feet. I would be using this car as my daily driver during the week and taking weekend trips to the mountains/beach and camping in/on it. If I drive to work I have calculated that I will likely drive 20k miles over the next year including a few long trips on the weekends. I don't expect to have a ton of time for expedition-like travel, but I would like to have the option of pursuing it in the future.
With that much driving, it is hard to ignore gas milage, but even if I'm getting only 12mpg with an FJ80, I would only save $1500 over the course of the year by driving a newer SUV that gets closer to 18 MPG so I am not sure how much weight that will play. I also have the option of taking the metro in to work, and If I were to do that It would take my yearly milage down a ton and save me quite a bit on gas. (I know my bio says I am in Jacksonville, but I will be moving to northern VA and working in MD in august so the metro is a solid option)
I think I have narrowed my choices down to 4 options:
1) My Parent's1993 FZJ80 - I actually grew up driving this truck. It is really solid structurally; no rust or dents and the paint is nice (white). The seats are beat up pretty bad but the rest of the interior is in great shape. The axels need to be rebuilt and it will likely need at least a top end rebuild as it burns A LOT of oil. We're talking like 1L/500 miles or more. It seems like it could be more work than its worth, but given the condition of the body/frame and the fact that I know the history of the vehicle, I am not sure. BTW: I would be buying it from my parents for $3500 then investing whatever is necessary to get it to reliable DD status. *Terrible MPG
2) Somebody Else's FZJ80 - If it turns out that the '93 is not worth saving, this would be the next most affordable option. Not really sure what to budget for a good one of these cause prices are all over the place. Ideally would be looking for "low milage" and/or a recent top end rebuild. *Terrible MPG
3) 5th Gen 4Runner - This would definitely be the most expensive option here and not leave much left over for immediate mods but they look fantastic built up and It would be nice to have the amenities of a modern vehicle, although thats definitely not a requirement. I have seen some higher milage ~2010 models for $16-20k. I would likely get a loan for this and make a 50% down payment, saving a few grand for tires and a 2.5in lift if needed. Downside here is the cost and not having a ton of $$ left over for mods. *Decent MPG
4) FJ Cruiser (2007-2014) - The FJ confuses me. From some angles it looks great, from others it looks like a 4WD balloon that someone over filled. They do look pretty great built up and they are still new enough that there is still quite a while before major repairs on worn out parts are needed. $14 - 20k keeps the Cruiser on the upper end of my budget so I would likely put 50% down on one of these too while saving a few grand for tires. *They get decent MPGs and are still newer reliable cars.
I think this decision is really going to hinge on the value of the '93 FZJ80. If at $3500 it is still worth dumping some money to get it running strong, that would be my preferred option since I know the vehicle's history and after a rebuild I'd feel good about getting another couple hundred thousand miles out of it. I like the look of the FZJ80 and the fact that its basically a classic that is also extremely capable and has a decent amount of creature comforts (AC, Radio, relatively quiet on road etc. ). I also like that it is relatively affordable compared to my other options which leaves lots of $$$ for mods.
However, I just don't know what a reasonable amount of $ is worth spending to get it in good running shape.
*I have about $10k saved up currently for a down payment/vehicle purchase and have budgeted about $500/mo of disposable income that I could commit to investing in mods or a car payment (24 mo. max). If a vehicle costs $20k and I put 50% down, that equates to about $440/mo and eats up most of my mod budget. A $17500 car will leave me with a payment of $330/mo - a bit left for mods but not a ton.
Where is my money best spent? I like the idea of being able to mod the 80 right away - depending on the fair purchase price of someone else's 80 or repairing my parent's. However, it would definitely be comforting to have a newer vehicle from a reliability standpoint and they just look sweet (but would stay mostly stock for a while).
Hoping you guys can offer me some advice! Thanks!
