Daily Driver Vehicle Recommendations

AssBurns

AssBurns

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About 2 years ago I picked up a 2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 with the E-Locker. The plan was to keep it a daily driver and use it for camping. But one thing led to another and it's becoming a offroad only rig once I get a new vehicle. I would love to keep it as a DD but I just beat on it too hard while out offrroading to keep it a DD. I am always fixing it and replacing parts which is fine but when it is something major and i have work the next day, it really becomes a PITA.

I don't really need anything fancy or nice but I need enough room for my family and something with somewhat decent gas mileage and reliability without paying a lot of money. I just need 4 door and reliability mostly. So I was thinking of trying to find a cheap but clean 3rd gen 4runner. I don't need 4wd or even a 6 cylinder since it's only going to be a DD and i have a capable 4wd V6. I was also thinking maybe a Camry or Lexus ES300 since they are cheap and reliable but not much space, like a 4runner. This vehicle will only be temporary until I can afford to buy my wife a nice, newer 4th gen.

Any other recommendations for something in the $2,500 - $4,000 price range?
 
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04-06 Hyundai Elantra, 2.0. Can be had in 5 speed or auto, nice, simple reliable engines, decent interiors, decent to drive, and can be had incredibly cheap. I've seen fully spec'd GT models with decently low miles (around 130-150K) for around 2K regularly.

My Sister has an 06 she bought new, no major issues in nearly 200K miles. One timing belt replacement, a new radiator and general maintenance and upkeep.
 
UnderFire said:
04-06 Hyundai Elantra, 2.0. Can be had in 5 speed or auto, nice, simple reliable engines, decent interiors, decent to drive, and can be had incredibly cheap. I've seen fully spec'd GT models with decently low miles (around 130-150K) for around 2K regularly.

My Sister has an 06 she bought new, no major issues in nearly 200K miles. One timing belt replacement, a new radiator and general maintenance and upkeep.
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Thanks for the response [MENTION=90352]UnderFire[/MENTION]
The Elantra is too small of a sedan for my needs. I need at least a mid-size or preferably a full size sedan. Never been a big fan of Hyundai either. Nothing wrong with them, just never appealed to me. I've always been a Toyota guy.


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I loved my 2000 Toyota Camry. Great gas mileage and a decent amount of space. Pretty much the same interior as a 4Runner. F'in deer took that out 2 years ago. I bought it from an old lady(original owner) for $2000 in 2011 with 85,xxx miles and it died with 140,xxx on it. Still miss it.
 
AssBurns said:
Thanks for the response [MENTION=90352]UnderFire[/MENTION]
The Elantra is too small of a sedan for my needs. I need at least a mid-size or preferably a full size sedan. Never been a big fan of Hyundai either. Nothing wrong with them, just never appealed to me. I've always been a Toyota guy.


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You're already right on the money in that case. Late-90's to early 2000's Camry/ES300 is what you need. You could also consider the Avalon, or possibly even a GS300 depending on how far you're willing to stretch your choices.
 
GS300's are cool cars. Has the same 2JZ that came in the MK4 Supra. I think they look pretty good when they're well taken care of too.
 
[MENTION=106706]MN4runnerman[/MENTION] good to know you really liked your Camry. Bummer to hear that it's gone.
[MENTION=90352]UnderFire[/MENTION] I am definitely willing to stretch my choices. Anything from a mid-size sedan to a mid-size SUV is what I'm looking for. I'll have to check out the Avalon since it is even bigger than the Camry. Is the GS300 the V8 model? I'd rather stick with 4 or 6 cylinder for MPGs and maintenance costs.


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AssBurns said:
[MENTION=106706]MN4runnerman[/MENTION] good to know you really liked your Camry. Bummer to hear that it's gone.
[MENTION=90352]UnderFire[/MENTION] I am definitely willing to stretch my choices. Anything from a mid-size sedan to a mid-size SUV is what I'm looking for. I'll have to check out the Avalon since it is even bigger than the Camry. Is the GS300 the V8 model? I'd rather stick with 4 or 6 cylinder for MPGs and maintenance costs.


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GS300 is the 3.0 Inline Six, 2JZ-GE. You're thinking of the GS400 with the 1UZ. A healthy non0turbo 2JZ can easily cruise in the Mid-20's as far a MPG goes. So not quite the mileage a 4 cylinder camry will get, but way more power and quite a bit more room as well.
 
The GS300 looks pretty nice. Not into the looks but I'm not trying to buy something for the looks of it. I like the size and added power would be a bonus. What years would be good to look for or stay away from?


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AssBurns said:
The GS300 looks pretty nice. Not into the looks but I'm not trying to buy something for the looks of it. I like the size and added power would be a bonus. What years would be good to look for or stay away from?


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Early models are starting to not look so hot, they're really showing their age as far as Toyotas go. I'd look for something early in the 2nd generation, like 97-2000. I see them around 3500-4000 for a decent one quite often locally so it should be possible. They are also a whole lot nicer inside. Kind of like the difference between a 2nd gen and 3rd gen 4runner.
 
Just showed the wife the ES & GS300's and she approves haha. I still would like a 4runner but very open to the Lexus' since they are a little nicer for the price. The Avalon isn't a bad option either.


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95-12 Avalon : Grandpa Car
13+ Avalon : I really dig it.
Old Lexus ES : High school/college stoner chick car
New Lexus ES : Grandma car
1st Gen GS : Those did not age gracefully.
Any other gen GS : Pretty good all rounder.
 
T4R2014 said:
95-12 Avalon : Grandpa Car

13+ Avalon : I really dig it.

Old Lexus ES : High school/college stoner chick car

New Lexus ES : Grandma car

1st Gen GS : Those did not age gracefully.

Any other gen GS : Pretty good all rounder.
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I feel like you are pretty much spot on. None of them are particularly good looking but they all seem like nice cars and should have the Toyota reliability that I'm looking for. I only plan to keep this car for a year or two until I can afford to pay cash for a newer 4runner for my wife. Then I can drive her current car as a DD then get myself a truck later on.


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Why not the Crown Vic? Ford manufactured them with very few changes for nearly 20 years. After the cops get finished beating on them they often wind up as taxis, getting beat up for a few hundred thousand more miles before finally getting put out to pasture. They're cheap to buy, cheap to fix (parts everywhere), roomy/comfortable plus think about how fun it'd be? Check out those spotlights!

Disclaimer: Way back when I was in college I drove an '87 Chevy Caprice. It was an ex cop car. I LOVED that thing!
 
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