Highlights
- One previous owner
- Fantastic condition inside and out
- Seven-seater
The Appeal
Toyota’s renowned off-roader was first produced way back in 1951, (although the Land Cruiser name wasn’t used until 1954), and the model continues to this day. The Land Cruiser name was a deliberate attempt to benefit from the popularity of its UK-made near-namesake, the Land Rover.
Renowned for its off-road ability and durability combined with a level of luxury that its Land Rover and Range Rover rivals never quite managed, the Land Cruiser has always been one of the slowest-depreciating cars on the market.
Launched in 1998 to replace the dated 80-series, the 100-series Land Cruiser was sold in the UK and Ireland as the Amazon, and received a facelift in the 2002 model year. This example is in remarkable condition for its twenty years, having had only one owner from new until purchased by the vendor in September 2021.
The History and Paperwork
- Full service history
- Original folder with owner’s manual and other booklets
- MoT valid until October 2023
- Current V5 document
- Recent invoices
- Vehicle health check report from 2020
Purchased new in 2003 by a doctor in the north of England, who kept the car until 2021, the car comes with its original folder and all its paperwork – owner’s manual, sat nav manual, service record, Toyota assistance guide, dealer map and even the business card of the dealership that sold the car when new. The service record has stamps from Toyota dealers from new until 2019; subsequent invoices confirm that the service history is complete.
The vendor bought the car in September 2021. He’s a 4x4 and classic-car enthusiast and has other 4x4s, including Land Rovers and another Land Cruiser, but he feels that he doesn’t use the car enough to justify keeping it.
Please note that the registration number shown in the pictures is the vendor’s private plate, which he intends to retain; the car will be sold with its original number, LL 53 UBK.
The Interior
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- Modern ‘Tesla-style’ screen dashboard with Apple Play, video, Bluetooth and sat nav (Original is available if winning bidder wants to go back to standard)
- Seats seven
- Fantastic condition
- Leather seats
- Sunroof
- Rear stereo
- Cupholders in front and rear
- Heated front seats
It’s no surprise that Toyota marketed the Amazon in the US market with a Lexus badge on it; the interior is more limousine than off-roader. This one is in remarkable condition for its age – while the driver’s seat has some patina, the others have no signs of wear and no marks. The front seats are electrically adjustable and heated. The carpets have been protected by aftermarket overmats and are mostly clean and undamaged, (bar some small stains in the front passenger footwell) possibly suggesting that the car has seen little off-road use!
All four door cards are in first-class condition, as are their walnut insets and the sill guards.
The obvious non-original feature here is the large Tesla-style screen which the vendor has had fitted in the centre of the dashboard. Manufactured specifically for the Land Cruiser, this has Apple Play, Bluetooth, sat nav, video, radio and so on, and displays all of the settings for the dials it replaces – air con, compass, pitch, roll and so on. In the (huge!) rear load bay, there are two additional but removable seats, which unfold to make the car a seven-seater. In a side compartment here is the original jack, still in its case.
The Exterior
- Five doors
- Original dark green paint in great condition
- Spare wheel stowed beneath the car
- Witter towbar
- Wheels in excellent condition
- BF Goodrich All-terrain tyres all round
Again, there’s little here to suggest that the car has had a hard life of off-roading. The paintwork has no dents or scratches, there’s no evidence of rust, and bar a scuff on the nearside front bumper and a broken ‘Amazon’ badge on the rear, the whole exterior is in superb condition. Other badges and brightwork are in superb condition. All four wheels are in very good condition, with no kerb damage and only some superficial corrosion, and all have BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres fitted, all of which have good tread levels.
All the lights are clean and undamaged, as are the door handles and wing mirrors.
The Mechanics
- 4.2-litre diesel engine
- 5-speed auto transmission
- AHC automatic self-levelling suspension
- Starts and runs well
The odometer might read 132, 000 miles but in Land Cruiser terms that’s just getting started – there are plenty out there with much higher mileages and they still attract premium prices. This one starts readily and runs nicely, and the vendor reports that it drives really well, with no issues. There’s also the reassurance of that Toyota-dealer service history and recent invoices. Under the bonnet, the engine all looks good, with few signs of the car’s age and mileage beyond some superficial corrosion, and likewise underneath the car there are no signs of significant rust or leaks.
Summary
The RAC’s used car buying guide describes the Land Cruiser as: “…the best real-world 4x4 bar none” and says it “…has the beating of Land Rover. Jeep Cherokee, Mitsubishi Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Mercedes M-class; bring them all on...the Land Cruiser will see them all off”. That’s high praise indeed.
With high levels of comfort and refinement, including that modern Tesla screen, this is a capable and luxurious off-roader that has clearly been cherished and scrupulously maintained, and has the paperwork to prove it. With its reputation for robustness and reliability, this Amazon offers the prospect of many more years of on- or off-road adventures.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
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