- A stunning 1998 Land Cruiser with just 7,100 miles on the clock is up for sale on Cars & Bids.
- The unmodified 100-Series SUV has had just one owner from new.
- First of the V8 Land Cruisers, its 4.7-liter motor is rated at 230 hp compared with 326 hp for a 2024 Land Cruiser hybrid.
Trucks and SUVs like the 100-Series Toyota Land Cruiser were designed tough to withstand all kinds of abuse. But the odd example, like this spectacular 1998 Land Cruiser get no abuse at all. It’s covered only 7,100 miles (11,400 km) from new and could pass for a year old.
Currently up for grabs on the Cars & Bids auction site, the classy Desert Bronze Metallic model has lived its entire life in California in the hands of just one owner, so it looks almost as good underneath as it does on top. It certainly doesn’t look like the owner has investigated the all-wheel drive system’s diff locks and low ratio mode. There’s not even a tow hitch on the back.
Related: Which Classic Toyota Land Cruiser Reigns Supreme?
But even more impressive than the condition of the exterior, which has only a few scratches to spoil the illusion of newness, and the dent and dirt-free underside, is the cream, ruched leather interior. It, like the oatmeal carpet, is close to perfect and scream 1990s luxury. Equipment to match that luxury demeanour includes heated and power adjustable front seats.
Under the hood lies a 4.7-liter V8 that Toyota rated at 230 hp (233 PS) and 320 lb-ft (434 Nm) of torque – figures which seem laughable today when the 2024 Land Cruiser can crank out 326 hp (331 PS) and a beefy 465 lb-ft (631 Nm) of torque from its turbocharged, 2.4-liter inline four and consume a heap less gas in the process.
Though the latest Land Cruiser’s wheelbase measures the same 112.2 inches (2,850 mm) as this 25 year old SUV’s, only the vintage Toyota gives you three rows of seats. But it looks like they might be worth similar money.
Prices for the 2024 SUV start at $55,950 for the entry level, retro-themed Land Cruiser 1958 and stretch to $74,950 for the First Edition, while bids for this 1998 model are at $52,500 at the time of writing with over two hours of the auction still to go. Which would you pick? You can check out the full auction listing here.
