[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help with Vehicle Selection (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/28/2015 9:10:26 PM EDT
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Older Jeep Grand Cherokee with straight 6 is finally toast and I need a replacement vehicle. Liked the Jeep very much for utility, light towing, and reasonable fuel economy.
I work in an area with 3rd world road conditions and intoxicated FSA careening around at high speed. So, vehicle must have a decent suspension and I prefer to be above the plane of most cars. Can't be a brand new vehicle or too nice. It's a ghetto commuter. Considering another Jeep, an XTerra, 4Runner, etc. Open to ideas. Figuring $5-10k Help and advice is appreciated. 
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How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range?
Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. |
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Quoted:
How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range? Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. Hadn't considered them. Surfing now. Thanks for input.
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Hadn't considered them. Surfing now. Thanks for input. Quoted:
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How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range? Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. Hadn't considered them. Surfing now. Thanks for input. Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. |
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How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range? Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. My recommendation as well. My wife drives an '03 Z71 Tahoe. |
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OP: click here and read... https://newtechdomain.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/good_cheap_car_chart.jpg 87 bajillion 4chan'ers and reddit'ers can't be wrong. ar-jedi |
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Quoted: What is that? ...$50-$60K for 2015 JGC Overland? You missed the part about the $5-$10K price range and: "Can't be a brand new vehicle or too nice. It's a ghetto commuter." . Quoted: Quoted: Get a 2015 JGC 4X4 Overland or Limited if you're tight on money. What is that? ...$50-$60K for 2015 JGC Overland? You missed the part about the $5-$10K price range and: "Can't be a brand new vehicle or too nice. It's a ghetto commuter." .  |
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Older Jeep Grand Cherokee with straight 6 is finally toast and I need a replacement vehicle. Liked the Jeep very much for utility, light towing, and reasonable fuel economy. I work in an area with 3rd world road conditions and intoxicated FSA careening around at high speed. So, vehicle must have a decent suspension and I prefer to be above the plane of most cars. Can't be a brand new vehicle or too nice. It's a ghetto commuter. Considering another Jeep, an XTerra, 4Runner, etc. Open to ideas. Figuring $5-10k Help and advice is appreciated. I'd suggest choosing between those two things if you don't want an awkward compromise. If you need towing capacity, I'd suggest a Suburban. Depreciation hits those particularly hard, and they're not as desirable as used trucks, so finding a good deal shouldn't be too hard. Fuel economy will suck, but if you get a newer 5.3L model, it will probably be surprisingly similar to your old JGC. If towing isn't really that much of a necessity and more fuel economy would be welcome, I'd get something on a car chassis with an engine under 4.0 liters. A Honda CR-V or Element, or if you really have no concern about looking cool, a minivan of some flavor. For maximum versatility, with $10k, you can get a decent Buick Park Avenue or Ford Crown Vic for daily use and a beater full size pickup for when you need to move something. |
| Has the entire vehicle given up the ghost or just the engine/trans. ?? I'd suggest an engine replacement for around $2500, maybe more if it needs a trans too. If the body/interior/suspension is still in good shape it would be the cheapest option and leave you with a vehicle you're already familiar with. Just my .02.... |
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01 Tahoe was passed down to my high school daughter recently. Wife drove it for 10 years before that.
Good rigs, dont expect magical Toyota stories where the car has 200k with only tires and oil changes, it will need some work here and there. But its never overwhelming, the issues are common among other vehicles so all the info is online and they are easy to work on. |
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How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range? Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. This also gets my vote. |
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In your price range, I'd suggest a 3rd gen 4runner.
Youll be able to get an 01-02 4wd with low miles. (avg price is around 6-8k) Don't be afraid of one if it has 150k miles on it, the drivetrains on this model are good for 300+ if maintained. Just make DOUBLE sure that you test drive it first, and after cooling down, check the coolant color. If it is milky, PASS. The reason for this is one of the only weak points on this vehicle. The transmission cooler is inside the main radiator, so when there's a leak, the fluids could mix causing all kinds of damage. Not an extremely likely occurance, but it does happen. Find one that has good clean color of coolant, and then do the external trans cooler install for around a $100. It'll save you from having to replace the transmission later. I've been doing a ton of research on these, It will be my next daily driver. Just taking my time looking for that perfect one. |
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Older Jeep Grand Cherokee with straight 6 is finally toast and I need a replacement vehicle. Liked the Jeep very much for utility, light towing, and reasonable fuel economy. I work in an area with 3rd world road conditions and intoxicated FSA careening around at high speed. So, vehicle must have a decent suspension and I prefer to be above the plane of most cars. Can't be a brand new vehicle or too nice. It's a ghetto commuter. Considering another Jeep, an XTerra, 4Runner, etc. Open to ideas. Figuring $5-10k Help and advice is appreciated. 4-Runner, older Pathfinder/XTerra maybe a Mitsubishi Montero. |
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Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Quoted:
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Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. |
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Quoted: Has the entire vehicle given up the ghost or just the engine/trans. ?? I'd suggest an engine replacement for around $2500, maybe more if it needs a trans too. If the body/interior/suspension is still in good shape it would be the cheapest option and leave you with a vehicle you're already familiar with. Just my .02.... Might be lower cost to find a shade tree that works for cash, or HTF ARF members that do gear head stuff and get the jeep fixed. I also just went through this with my 1st Gen Exploder. In my case, I loved the truck so I'll keep it and fix it myself and drive a replacement (and probably trade off fixing the pair  ) |
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In your price range, I'd suggest a 3rd gen 4runner. ... Thanks for input. I didn't have any specific year range or drive train info on them. I thought some of the V6's had perpetual head gasket problems. In TX you have a different set of options. We dump gigatons of salt on the roads here and it eats cars. Anything 10 yrs or more needs to be scrutinized strongly. Being in the rust belt sux for vehicles. |
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Kind of what I would look at first as well. Might be lower cost to find a shade tree that works for cash, or HTF ARF members that do gear head stuff and get the jeep fixed. I also just went through this with my 1st Gen Exploder. In my case, I loved the truck so I'll keep it and fix it myself and drive a replacement (and probably trade off fixing the pair )
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Has the entire vehicle given up the ghost or just the engine/trans. ?? I'd suggest an engine replacement for around $2500, maybe more if it needs a trans too. If the body/interior/suspension is still in good shape it would be the cheapest option and leave you with a vehicle you're already familiar with. Just my .02.... Might be lower cost to find a shade tree that works for cash, or HTF ARF members that do gear head stuff and get the jeep fixed. I also just went through this with my 1st Gen Exploder. In my case, I loved the truck so I'll keep it and fix it myself and drive a replacement (and probably trade off fixing the pair )
Ordinarily this would be my default position. I've been stringing it along for a while and knew this was coming. Had an accident today. Drives perfectly fine, but the windshield pillar is distorted enough that I can put a new windshield in it. I was hoping to drive it another year, because I recently did the front end, catalytic converter, O2 sensors, and tune up. There's a chance that a body shop could straighten it enough to get a seal and keep me on the road, but ....... it just seemed like a good time to cut my losses and jump to something newer. |
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Quoted: Thanks for input. I didn't have any specific year range or drive train info on them. I thought some of the V6's had perpetual head gasket problems. In TX you have a different set of options. We dump gigatons of salt on the roads here and it eats cars. Anything 10 yrs or more needs to be scrutinized strongly. Being in the rust belt sux for vehicles. Quoted: Quoted: In your price range, I'd suggest a 3rd gen 4runner. ... Thanks for input. I didn't have any specific year range or drive train info on them. I thought some of the V6's had perpetual head gasket problems. In TX you have a different set of options. We dump gigatons of salt on the roads here and it eats cars. Anything 10 yrs or more needs to be scrutinized strongly. Being in the rust belt sux for vehicles. The 3.0s did, but the 3.4 is a fine and long lasting engine, even if it is a bit weak by todays standards. My 1999 SR5 is fantastic, but my Prius can run circles around it, if that type of thing means anything to you. The primary 3rd generation weakness is a stock radiator that sometimes cracks at the AT cooling tank. Thus, you send coolant to your transmission, and it destroys it quickly. The solution is to replace the radiator with a good aftermarket one before it ever happens. I swapped my radiator quickly after I heard that my year suffers the highest incidence of this failure. Obviously, not a manual trans issue... If you see a used 3rd gen that advertises a new radiator and transmission, that's what likely happened. |
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If emissions isn't a big deal, the Xterra can be had for very little money, but that check engine light will be on throughout most of your ownership.
The 4Runner is a valid choice, a lot of people like em, but I hate em. They don't have shit for power and get horrible fuel economy, but they're reliable. GM K-Series Sub/Tahoe/Yukon/etc. are decent choices as well, 4.8/5.3/6.0 are all the same engine with different displacements. Fuel pumps go bad on these often, cost is around $300 for parts and labor is about an hour. Water pumps also crap out frequently, but it's an easy fix albeit kind of an expensive pump for an American car. What I'm going to suggest is going to sound like pure blasphemy, but I think they're okay options if all you're doing is driving down bumpy roads. I would go with an 03+ CRV, a Toyota Highlander, or a Lexus RX. These are not offroad vehicles, the Highlander/RX is basically a Camry in disguise with higher ground clearance and the CRV is an AWD Accord with a taller roof and more ground clearance. These CRV will go to 300k miles with almost no maintenance (a serpentine belt and fluids), the Toyota will do the same with 3 timing belts/waterpumps, they both get excellent fuel economy, and the resale value is pretty damn good regardless of mileage. Other option if you really need offroad capability is a TJ Wrangler. You just can't go wrong with a TJ. |
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Quoted: Ordinarily this would be my default position. I've been stringing it along for a while and knew this was coming. Had an accident today. Drives perfectly fine, but the windshield pillar is distorted enough that I can put a new windshield in it. I was hoping to drive it another year, because I recently did the front end, catalytic converter, O2 sensors, and tune up. There's a chance that a body shop could straighten it enough to get a seal and keep me on the road, but ....... it just seemed like a good time to cut my losses and jump to something newer. Quoted: Quoted:snip Ordinarily this would be my default position. I've been stringing it along for a while and knew this was coming. Had an accident today. Drives perfectly fine, but the windshield pillar is distorted enough that I can put a new windshield in it. I was hoping to drive it another year, because I recently did the front end, catalytic converter, O2 sensors, and tune up. There's a chance that a body shop could straighten it enough to get a seal and keep me on the road, but ....... it just seemed like a good time to cut my losses and jump to something newer. But the list of shit that needs to get fixed outweighs the money already spent (rebuilt tranny, all new wear parts I.E. Starter/ Alternator etc). Sounds like at least you have a winter beater/ off road toy project/ BOV project if you keep it. I've set my goal at if I don't have the expo on the road within a year it's getting sold, scrapped or donated (Which kills me as I have a strong emotional attachment to it) |
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Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Quoted:
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Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Or maybe there's an actual difference. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1710364_Long_Term_Quality_Index___An_Automotive_Industry_Study.html&page=1 |
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When in doubt, 4Runner. This is always the correct answer. Source: Owner of a gen 2 and a gen 3 and will be buying more. ETA: And btw, I live in the rust belt too and both 4Runners are DDs and especially in winter and so they've both seen plenty of salt. But neither one has ever given me any real problems (if maintained) and are real dependable. I got this gen 3 (2003 model) a year and a half ago for 5K and it runs like a champ. 
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Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Quoted:
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Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. My last three cars have been Toyota's. A 4runner, a Lexus, and a Camry. Traded the 4runner for the Lexus. I sold the Camry in December and bought a Tahoe the same day. Wife and i both like it. About the only GMs I like are full size SUVs and trucks. Good luck. |
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Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Quoted:
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Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Jap cars Because even when the steering wheel comes off, it still gets you from point A to point B 
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Quoted: Jap cars Because even when the steering wheel comes off, it still gets you from point A to point B http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--uv74qGQA--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18l1h1bpkzm78jpg.jpg Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Jap cars Because even when the steering wheel comes off, it still gets you from point A to point B http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--uv74qGQA--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18l1h1bpkzm78jpg.jpg Actually, that really is the route I went...  No V-tec... but I have more valves than a pipe organ. |
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OP: click here and read... https://newtechdomain.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/good_cheap_car_chart.jpg 87 bajillion 4chan'ers and reddit'ers can't be wrong. ar-jedi That's an interesting pictogram. I disagree with the K5's. The price of those used is kinda retarded. Definitely price is going up on them. |
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Plus, v-tec kicks in yo! Actually, that really is the route I went... https://scontent-1.11404.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10373794_10155153796020346_5409553577833711743_n.jpg?oh=1419bf74ec60f7fe0b0d15e2f30b53a8&oe=55583D3F No V-tec... but I have more valves than a pipe organ. Quoted:
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Just got a 02 Suburban for $5500 otd and we love it. Came from a 4runner that we loved. Surprised that a Toyo owner would be happy with a GM. Convinced me to look a little harder at them. Thanks. Perception is a bitch, man. People buy an American vehicle, they'll take it to the dealer and whine about it on the internet if they so much as hit a pothole and the CD player skips. People buy a Jap vehicle, the damned steering wheel could fall off and they'll still be telling everyone what a great car it is. Jap cars Because even when the steering wheel comes off, it still gets you from point A to point B
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--uv74qGQA--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18l1h1bpkzm78jpg.jpg Actually, that really is the route I went... https://scontent-1.11404.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10373794_10155153796020346_5409553577833711743_n.jpg?oh=1419bf74ec60f7fe0b0d15e2f30b53a8&oe=55583D3F No V-tec... but I have more valves than a pipe organ. Nice Supra. |
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If passenger space isn't a big deal a Taco with a canopy is cheap and great.
Xterras are shit and fall apart quickly, if you can find a low mileage one, it won't be 10 grand. 4Runners that run for 10k are usually terrible. You can always get a decent Cherokee, low mileage examples can be had for 7k and a 6 cyl. They're built like brick shithouses. |
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Quoted:Plus, v-tec kicks in yo!
Actually, that really is the route I went... https://scontent-1.11404.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10373794_10155153796020346_5409553577833711743_n.jpg?oh=1419bf74ec60f7fe0b0d15e2f30b53a8&oe=55583D3F No V-tec... but I have more valves than a pipe organ. I used to dream of that car back in the 80s/early 90s, but then I traded my car for one and that changed my opinion REAL QUICK. 10psi on the stock CT26 and the head bolts stretch. Go to change head gasket and there are more vaccuum lines in there than you'll every see anywhere, period. Turbo sits about 1/4" away from the strut tower, man what a PITA. If you look at any of the wiring or plumbing the wrong way, it'll wither away into a million little pieces of dust. 7M-GTE - Never again. 
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Quoted: I used to dream of that car back in the 80s/early 90s, but then I traded my car for one and that changed my opinion REAL QUICK. 10psi on the stock CT26 and the head bolts stretch. Go to change head gasket and there are more vaccuum lines in there than you'll every see anywhere, period. Turbo sits about 1/4" away from the strut tower, man what a PITA. If you look at any of the wiring or plumbing the wrong way, it'll wither away into a million little pieces of dust. 7M-GTE - Never again. Quoted: Quoted:Plus, v-tec kicks in yo! snip 10psi on the stock CT26 and the head bolts stretch. Go to change head gasket and there are more vaccuum lines in there than you'll every see anywhere, period. Turbo sits about 1/4" away from the strut tower, man what a PITA. If you look at any of the wiring or plumbing the wrong way, it'll wither away into a million little pieces of dust. 7M-GTE - Never again. But... yea, that vacuum layout... reminds me of similar year Jags. Also, mine has the most intake manifold I've ever seen on a vehicle! I almost want to put a low PSI turbo on it to clean up over the top of the head for better access. |
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Quoted: Nice Supra. Quoted: Quoted: snip https://scontent-1.11404.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10373794_10155153796020346_5409553577833711743_n.jpg?oh=1419bf74ec60f7fe0b0d15e2f30b53a8&oe=55583D3F No V-tec... but I have more valves than a pipe organ. Nice Supra. |
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Quoted: This is always the correct answer. Source: Owner of a gen 2 and a gen 3 and will be buying more. ETA: And btw, I live in the rust belt too and both 4Runners are DDs and especially in winter and so they've both seen plenty of salt. But neither one has ever given me any real problems (if maintained) and are real dependable. I got this gen 3 (2003 model) a year and a half ago for 5K and it runs like a champ. http://imageshack.com/a/img690/517/faap.jpg Quoted: Quoted: When in doubt, 4Runner. This is always the correct answer. Source: Owner of a gen 2 and a gen 3 and will be buying more. ETA: And btw, I live in the rust belt too and both 4Runners are DDs and especially in winter and so they've both seen plenty of salt. But neither one has ever given me any real problems (if maintained) and are real dependable. I got this gen 3 (2003 model) a year and a half ago for 5K and it runs like a champ. http://imageshack.com/a/img690/517/faap.jpg |
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How about a Tahoe/Yukon from about 2002-2006? Would that be within your price range? Around here the 5.3 engines go for nearly 300K miles. They seem to be near bullet-proof and very comfortable. My 2004 Z71 is reasonably quick and gets 13-17 mpg. The heated seats, Bose sound, sunroof, rear heat/air, 6 CD changer and leather are nice. A Z71 Tahoe is 4wd with a rear Gov-Lock and 3/4 ton suspension. It is easy to work on and parts are cheap. I don't think the 3/4 ton part is correct. Never seen one with factory 8 lug wheels. 12 bolt Gov-Lock I believe. Had one under an older K5. |
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Then he'd need to pay the Toyota tax. He can blow is budget by a huge margin or buy something with 200k+ miles on it. Quoted:
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Toyota for the win every time! Then he'd need to pay the Toyota tax. He can blow is budget by a huge margin or buy something with 200k+ miles on it. Yep. A Suburban will be much cheaper. More things will break and go wrong than a Toyota of similar milage and age, though, so I hope OP is handy with a wrench. |