Exactly my thoughts
Had a good laugh at the photos. Thanks. Good to see the truck's storage capacities. Thanks.
Had a good laugh at the photos. Thanks. Good to see the truck's storage capacities. Thanks.
Double Cab Tacoma vs 4Runner
- Thread starter bluecollarjock
- Start date
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I had a pickup once. I will probably never have another one. The open bed was useless most of the time. You will become everyones best freind when they constantly want you to haul everything for them for free. I use my atv trailer when I have things to haul. Much better than a pickup because you do not have to worry about scrathing it up. Check the length on that DC. I would imagine it is a lot longer than a 4runner. Will that be an issue?
bluecollarjock
New member
Ive always had trucks, and yes especially in LA until I sold my ttruck I was the go to guy for every friend and friend of friend that needed to go to Home Depot, move, or buy something big....
Ive always owned 4x4s....never owned a car in my life...just dont know if I can do that, I want to get something Ill keep for 10 years or more....after another masters here is done in 2 years, PhDs im looking at are in Rockies or WV or other more rural or mountain areas which I prefer....Im a hunter (well not now in LA!), and love the outdoors, and usually live and want to live again soon somewher eit snows often and be in the woods often....if I get a car Ill sell it in two years, and oddly enough the only time I had an SUV (Jeep Grand Chereokee Columbia HIgh output V8), I still drove my pickup or Jeep Wrangler more (or my take home police car before I was medically retired). So Ive always just liked trucks (pickups or the old K5 Blazers), and Jeeps....a car would be more practical yes, but I dont know if Id enjoy it at all or use it much at all other than commute, and would want to sell it as soon as this masters was over and I moved back to somewhere it snows alot (hopefully!).
I really do want the 4Runner, as I know it would be nicer, better seating, ride better, etc...I want the V8 too, Im a power snob...and yea 17mpg-20mpg would be better than the whatever Im getting in a 2005 jeep Rubicon, lifted, 33s, full steel bumpers, winch, full skidplaters underneath...Im looking at $100 in gas this week just to grad school and back home....hell the gas will cover a new car payment and from anything Ive ever driven 18-20mpg would be economical! haah....like I said Ive only had mainly full size big V8 GM/Chevys and Jeep Wranglers...and the one V8 HO Jeep WJ....as far as noise and ride Im used to lifted stuff with aggresive tires, I imagine even a DC Tacoma 4x4 would feel like a smooth road cruiser to me!
My thinking was in this home stretch, is that Ive been looking hard and going to look at 4runners that are so disapointing.....it looks like in my area a nice 4runner is going to cost probably $18k-20k for a 2004 or 2005 V8 4x4 with 60-70k miles.....to me that seems steep....a sticker price of a brand spanking new DC TRD Off Road is $30k! So part of me is like hell if its this hard to find a nice low mileage 4runner, why not get something brand new, full warranty, zero miles, longer life, maybe a service plan and better financing than Id get on a 4runner....for only $10k more? Thats why I started thinking back to pickup trucks, is that in my area finding a good 4runner 4x4, V8 or not, is kinda flipping hard! I mean look at LA Craigslist, people are asking $16-18k for a 2004 4runner with 120k miles or more! That seems to be the going price, if a 4runner has 120-150k miles around here and is 4x4, its in the $13-16k range depending on model and options.....something with 60-70k miles thats not beat, is going to be $17-20k at best.....and the 06-08s are mainly at dealers and they are asking $25k or more....which puts me in the gosh buy a brand new DC TRD Off road for a few grand more...thats been my thinking....
Yea at this point in life, Id so much rather have the V8 and comfort of a 4runner, especially if I stay with this girl and add another baby to the mix in a year or two in addition to her 4 (nearly 5) and 7 year old boys. Even if I didnt stick with her, a 4runner would be nicer to cruise long commute with, and especially when its bumper to bumper..and Id love the V8 power....but, I can deal with pickup trucks for sure, and a brand new truck to me would feel a million times better than a lifted Jeep TJ thats for sure! The V6 in the DC has to feel like it has more balls than a lifted Jeep, and has to get way better mpg....either vehicle I can do a mild leveling kit and slightly larger tire size in the future, and use if for my hunting rig, camping, family vacations to the great outdoors...the TJ Rubicon is great beach town vehicle, and harder off road trips with boys, and if I move somewhere more to my liking in two years, really get to off road it more often....
hope Im making sense......Im pushing my late 30s and just started graduate school full time for round #2, its been 12 years since I finished another masters, and my brain is fried...and Im emptying some serious cash at the gas pump commuting back and forth to school everyday, and just want to g et into a Toyota sooner than later!
Again, thanks thanks thanks for all the input, and I like all of the feedback even if its telling me Im a jackass for wanting two 4x4s and am a hillbilly stuck in LA
Ive always owned 4x4s....never owned a car in my life...just dont know if I can do that, I want to get something Ill keep for 10 years or more....after another masters here is done in 2 years, PhDs im looking at are in Rockies or WV or other more rural or mountain areas which I prefer....Im a hunter (well not now in LA!), and love the outdoors, and usually live and want to live again soon somewher eit snows often and be in the woods often....if I get a car Ill sell it in two years, and oddly enough the only time I had an SUV (Jeep Grand Chereokee Columbia HIgh output V8), I still drove my pickup or Jeep Wrangler more (or my take home police car before I was medically retired). So Ive always just liked trucks (pickups or the old K5 Blazers), and Jeeps....a car would be more practical yes, but I dont know if Id enjoy it at all or use it much at all other than commute, and would want to sell it as soon as this masters was over and I moved back to somewhere it snows alot (hopefully!).
I really do want the 4Runner, as I know it would be nicer, better seating, ride better, etc...I want the V8 too, Im a power snob...and yea 17mpg-20mpg would be better than the whatever Im getting in a 2005 jeep Rubicon, lifted, 33s, full steel bumpers, winch, full skidplaters underneath...Im looking at $100 in gas this week just to grad school and back home....hell the gas will cover a new car payment and from anything Ive ever driven 18-20mpg would be economical! haah....like I said Ive only had mainly full size big V8 GM/Chevys and Jeep Wranglers...and the one V8 HO Jeep WJ....as far as noise and ride Im used to lifted stuff with aggresive tires, I imagine even a DC Tacoma 4x4 would feel like a smooth road cruiser to me!
My thinking was in this home stretch, is that Ive been looking hard and going to look at 4runners that are so disapointing.....it looks like in my area a nice 4runner is going to cost probably $18k-20k for a 2004 or 2005 V8 4x4 with 60-70k miles.....to me that seems steep....a sticker price of a brand spanking new DC TRD Off Road is $30k! So part of me is like hell if its this hard to find a nice low mileage 4runner, why not get something brand new, full warranty, zero miles, longer life, maybe a service plan and better financing than Id get on a 4runner....for only $10k more? Thats why I started thinking back to pickup trucks, is that in my area finding a good 4runner 4x4, V8 or not, is kinda flipping hard! I mean look at LA Craigslist, people are asking $16-18k for a 2004 4runner with 120k miles or more! That seems to be the going price, if a 4runner has 120-150k miles around here and is 4x4, its in the $13-16k range depending on model and options.....something with 60-70k miles thats not beat, is going to be $17-20k at best.....and the 06-08s are mainly at dealers and they are asking $25k or more....which puts me in the gosh buy a brand new DC TRD Off road for a few grand more...thats been my thinking....
Yea at this point in life, Id so much rather have the V8 and comfort of a 4runner, especially if I stay with this girl and add another baby to the mix in a year or two in addition to her 4 (nearly 5) and 7 year old boys. Even if I didnt stick with her, a 4runner would be nicer to cruise long commute with, and especially when its bumper to bumper..and Id love the V8 power....but, I can deal with pickup trucks for sure, and a brand new truck to me would feel a million times better than a lifted Jeep TJ thats for sure! The V6 in the DC has to feel like it has more balls than a lifted Jeep, and has to get way better mpg....either vehicle I can do a mild leveling kit and slightly larger tire size in the future, and use if for my hunting rig, camping, family vacations to the great outdoors...the TJ Rubicon is great beach town vehicle, and harder off road trips with boys, and if I move somewhere more to my liking in two years, really get to off road it more often....
hope Im making sense......Im pushing my late 30s and just started graduate school full time for round #2, its been 12 years since I finished another masters, and my brain is fried...and Im emptying some serious cash at the gas pump commuting back and forth to school everyday, and just want to g et into a Toyota sooner than later!
Again, thanks thanks thanks for all the input, and I like all of the feedback even if its telling me Im a jackass for wanting two 4x4s and am a hillbilly stuck in LA
JohnsD90
New member
I'm not a big car person, but the diesel Jetta's are good fun even if you dont like cars, just sayin, go test drive um, I like long distances in it better than my 4runner. Plus you can keep your current Heep if you choose too.
If you want a pickup, why not a 05ish Ram 2500 Cummins that gets 20+mpg? Then you get the economics of it, the 4x4 you want, and a big a$$ bed and interior...
If you want a pickup, why not a 05ish Ram 2500 Cummins that gets 20+mpg? Then you get the economics of it, the 4x4 you want, and a big a$$ bed and interior...
bluecollarjock
New member
hmmmmm a big Ram diesel wouldnt be good for beach parking or parking on campus...but would be pretty bad ass!
Ive driven a Jetta recently when my garage door wouldnt open and a neighbor lent me a high end new Jetta...hauled ass, yea it was fun to drive it was smooth and hauled ass!
wouldnt be good for beach parking or parking on campus...but would be pretty bad ass!Ive driven a Jetta recently when my garage door wouldnt open and a neighbor lent me a high end new Jetta...hauled ass, yea it was fun to drive it was smooth and hauled ass!
Thai
Elite Member
hmmmmm a big Ram diesel
Ive driven a Jetta recently when my garage door wouldnt open and a neighbor lent me a high end new Jetta...hauled ass, yea it was fun to drive it was smooth and hauled ass!
hauled ass to the dealer constantly for repairs....
Given your circumstances (e.g. lots of schooling left), the last thing that YOU want is a maintenance nightmare! I would stay away from anything like that, including VWs, high-mileage vehicles (e.g. 4runner), etc.. (An old Jetta is almost financial suicide.)
You will have 2 instant "parasites" (that is how i call my kids!) when you do get married...and you guys want another one down the road. Your financial situation will be tight to say the least for next several years. You will have school loans to be paid.
I do agree with John about buying a cheap commuter car. Your future wife already has a SUV...and that thing gets around mid-20 mpgs at best. Your Wrangler gets bad mileage. A new Tacoma (or Frontier) gets 20 mpg at best (!!). Although a new Tacoma will improve mileage a little bit, the new financial payments will more than offset that small advantage.
Now, if you are already financial well, then go for whatever vehicle you want. But, if you're not, then this is NOT a time to make bold car purchases. The economy is bad. The fuel prices are going up. You're still in school. You have mouths to feed. You buy a Tacoma now...and you will lose badly if you ever need to trade it in. You will probably get next to zero for your Rubicon for these very reasons...same with your GF's SUV.
Personally, like what John said, you may want to buy a cheap commuter car. Forget your ego or what you have been used to, this is not the time in your life (and economy) to buy a new fuel sucking truck...or possibly a high maintenance high mileage used SUV. With 2 kids already (and more on the way), you will likely end up selling your Tacoma (and/or your GF's SUV) very soon...because neither one will fit 3 or more kids! In other words, what you buy today won't be enough for your future family plans. Any cheap reliable commuter car nowadays will give you good mileage, enough room for 2 car seats, and stable resale value down the road when you are better off financially to afford a car of your choice.
Simply put, this is not a good time for what you want to do. This is just useless internet advice from someone who don't know you. So, if this came across badly, then i am sorry.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
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chucknorris
New member
Not trying to rub it in, but I just picked up an Certified Pre-Owned 05 SE 4runner 4x4 V8 w/60k on the clock for $18,175 (advertised as $22,125 with a internet price of $19,811).
It sounds like you are in a bit of a hurry to get a new vehicle, I looked for a solid 6mos. before finding mine. It was well worth the wait!
My situation is a bit different from yours. I went from a 97 Cadillac Deville 5.0L V8 to a 2010 Scion TC because of cash for clunkers. Biggest mistake ever! The Scion was very economical, but it was small, boring to drive, and just not comfortable even on my daily 50mi roundtrip commute. So, I started looking for something that I really wanted, hence my 4Runner.
I initially was looking @ used Nissan Frontiers/Xterras because of cost. But, after much research, I decided against Nissan even though my buddy has an 05 Nismo thats rock solid.
From what I found, certified/nice condition used Taco's and 4Runners are rare
because of the vehicle reputaion of reliability and re-sale value. They are out there, but patience is a virtue.
If your credit is good (Tier 1, 720+), Certified Pre-Owned Toyotas qualify for new car 2.9% financing @ 60mos. right now (which is what I got).
Have you thought of out of state? Im in Phoenix and a one way flight from LA is $49 on Southwest.
Good Luck in your search!
It sounds like you are in a bit of a hurry to get a new vehicle, I looked for a solid 6mos. before finding mine. It was well worth the wait!
My situation is a bit different from yours. I went from a 97 Cadillac Deville 5.0L V8 to a 2010 Scion TC because of cash for clunkers. Biggest mistake ever! The Scion was very economical, but it was small, boring to drive, and just not comfortable even on my daily 50mi roundtrip commute. So, I started looking for something that I really wanted, hence my 4Runner.
I initially was looking @ used Nissan Frontiers/Xterras because of cost. But, after much research, I decided against Nissan even though my buddy has an 05 Nismo thats rock solid.
From what I found, certified/nice condition used Taco's and 4Runners are rare
because of the vehicle reputaion of reliability and re-sale value. They are out there, but patience is a virtue.
If your credit is good (Tier 1, 720+), Certified Pre-Owned Toyotas qualify for new car 2.9% financing @ 60mos. right now (which is what I got).
Have you thought of out of state? Im in Phoenix and a one way flight from LA is $49 on Southwest.
Good Luck in your search!
bluecollarjock
New member
Def good-GREAT advice and I appreciate your feedback. Ive been reading it to the girl to let her know there are some sensible guys in my 4x4 world
Financially I am sort of ok, Im a medically retired cop with a full tax free pension. However I had to move to LA for doctors, so my cost of living is so ridiculously high that it chews much of the pension up. School is cheap here, and Im also taking out federal loans so I wont have to pay any interest on tuition until Im done with school, and if I roll into a PhD that will be many years from now. By then I will be the hell outta Cali and my pension anywhere else Id be living high on the hog, or rather live simply and be socking away money for my real "retirement" down the road, kids futures, etc. Plus Im a payment or two away from paying off the Rubicon. So whatever I get will just be same financial situation as Ill replace the monthly Rubicon payment with whatever i get.
I doubt Ill ever let go of the Rubicon. I got so much wrapped up in skids, driveshafts, winch, all the off road gingerbread, its a toy I can use forever if I take care of it (or dont run up the miles commuting in it!). I plan on keepin the Rubicon until it falls apart or rots out if I move somewhere back where snow is a big issue.
Yea, Im a hillbilly...the ego is in the way for sure on this one, I love driving trucks and to me even an SUV is a compromise on being too domesticated hah....and Im always daydreaming of being someplace I can go wheeling every weekend, and hunting or shooting in the outdoors a few times a week like I did growing up, but its not going to happen here in LA the next two years thats for darn sure...I do have friends in Utah, Colorado, Montana, and AZ I want to road trip and visit and do some camping and light scenic trails, and if I did have a 4runner or DC it would be nicer than traveling in the Rubicon (especially if I had the kids with me).
Going to try to not rush into anything...and for the following post below yours, yea Ive been shopping since like December honestly, and the good deals on 4runners go bye bye fast around here. Dealer prices are way higher. Id love a Toyota certified with warranty and 2.9%, and thats why I drove 1.5 hours to Ventura last Sunday and 2 hours back, only to see a total beat down, wrecked, damaged interior, 06 4runner. Walking to my Jeep off the lot i saw sticker prices on DC TRD OFF Roads, and was like what the heck maybe just get one of them, with warranty, service plan, and it will be clean and good mechanically because its new!
Ive been looking though for a long time, 3rd Gen 4runners, 4th Gen 4runners, around here with low mileage they are insanely high...or if decent price go fast.
bluecollarjock
New member
My credit is top tier......Ive thought of out of state, but with grad school full time started this week, no way I have the time....for this area you got a steal of a deal on a certified 4runner, you stole that thing!
chucknorris
New member
:thanks:
just pull an all nighter, leave class fri night, jump on the next flight to PHX, go to the dealer (they are open till 9-10pm here), put on your boxing gloves and go a few rounds with'em til you knock'em out, do some homework while you wait for them to figure out how they are going make up money from the loss they are taking. Then drive that bad boy back home. You'll be home by sat morning. Done and Done
. If you have financing already, the transaction will be even quicker! Took me 4hrs after work to complete the deal. 3.5hrs of that was sitting around waiting for them to figure out that I had them beat. I played Angry Birds on my phone the whole time. :thumb3:
bluecollarjock
New member
amazing a salesman drove 1.5 hours to me tonight to show me a 2008 DC TRD Sport...had total chaos upper control arms, Icon suspension lift, Bilsteins, thing was mint and gorgeous....best used vehicle I have seen or driven....couldnt believe he offered to drive it all the way to me?!?!? On a friday night in LA traffic??!?! Ive been dealing with tons of jerks, and this guy even brought sandwiches from a sub shot to give me an my girlfriend!
Great deal on the truck...but its a trade in at a Ford dealer...guy was so dang honest he told me if I wanted good mpg, I wanted balls in an engine, and way more room, to get a new F150 crew cab 4x4 with V6 ecoboost engine.....low 20s mpg on highway, 365 horsepower......just looked at some youtubes, holy smokes.....thing does some major burnouts...stopped at a Ford dealer to look at them, they are BIG.....wow...
Great deal on the truck...but its a trade in at a Ford dealer...guy was so dang honest he told me if I wanted good mpg, I wanted balls in an engine, and way more room, to get a new F150 crew cab 4x4 with V6 ecoboost engine.....low 20s mpg on highway, 365 horsepower......just looked at some youtubes, holy smokes.....thing does some major burnouts...stopped at a Ford dealer to look at them, they are BIG.....wow...
Thai
Elite Member
bluecollarjock
New member
Ok Ill check that out. My thoughts this morning coming back from doctor are...that F150 looks like it hauls a$$, nice...tons of room nice....just what Id want if I were living in the Rockies, or midwest, or in West Virginia where I hope a PhD program fits in a few years...but right now parking on a college campus, LA/Orange County traffic, and parking it in my beach town, man could be a pain in the a$$....plus when I started out with all this I wasnt looking for new, I was looking for a $16k-18k range used vehicle (4Runner) that would fit my commuter needs, comfort needs, and ease of zipping in and out of traffic and parking needs....so this morning I was really confused thinking what the hell to do hah...if I could find a 4th Gen 4Runner Id be happy, same with the chance of finding a good 3rd Gen with a locker but around here heck a 3rd Gen and locker with 200k miles they might still be asking $8k who knows its a joke...or get the commuter car thing and just hammer on it for two years and dump it on my way out of SoCa....but 365 horses and mid 20s mpg on highway with tons of interior room does sound awfully nice...
Let me check out that link you posted...
Any hey have you wheeling in the Rubicon? Man I only have 3" lift and 33s...and I can hang with folks with 35s and big lifts, Detroits in rear that chirp like hell on street, etc....but straight from factory youre looking at Dana 44s (half ton truck axles), 4:10s (no need to regear with 33s), extra low transfer case gearing, limited slip to push button rear locker, and push button front locker....its amazing, folks beat on their 4x4s going over obstacles and I can lock in the front and rear and crawl over them easy...plus those dang Jeeps fit anywhere...I love it for wheeling,and Im a fresh air guy so even in the winters in so Cal I have the half doors on and t shirt and happy as can be...if I end up in WV a few years from now the Rubicon and a crew cab pickup of some sort might be the perfect combo I dont know where Id throw a deer or bear in the Jeep other than over the hood which would do, but maybe some trips to Canada or other long drive hunting trips, a crew cab truck would be nice, and when you are doing alot of hunting, or have ATVs/dirt bikes, or living a more rural lifestyle a pickup truck is sweet....but right now, Im just a commuting little LA wimp hahah...
thanks so much for continued feedback
Let me check out that link you posted...
Any hey have you wheeling in the Rubicon? Man I only have 3" lift and 33s...and I can hang with folks with 35s and big lifts, Detroits in rear that chirp like hell on street, etc....but straight from factory youre looking at Dana 44s (half ton truck axles), 4:10s (no need to regear with 33s), extra low transfer case gearing, limited slip to push button rear locker, and push button front locker....its amazing, folks beat on their 4x4s going over obstacles and I can lock in the front and rear and crawl over them easy...plus those dang Jeeps fit anywhere...I love it for wheeling,and Im a fresh air guy so even in the winters in so Cal I have the half doors on and t shirt and happy as can be...if I end up in WV a few years from now the Rubicon and a crew cab pickup of some sort might be the perfect combo
I dont know where Id throw a deer or bear in the Jeep other than over the hood which would do, but maybe some trips to Canada or other long drive hunting trips, a crew cab truck would be nice, and when you are doing alot of hunting, or have ATVs/dirt bikes, or living a more rural lifestyle a pickup truck is sweet....but right now, Im just a commuting little LA wimp hahah...thanks so much for continued feedback
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I think the Tacoma would suit you just fine. I currently have an 07 with the rear locker and it has not let me down yet. Limitations? sure..........but it does well for me. Resale value is still exceptional on these. I'm looking for a 4runner and have had trade-in offers as high as 19-20K as a starting point.
bluecollarjock
New member
Resale value is amazing on any Toyota 4x4 around here! Thats for sure....
Yea the DC Tacoma I drove was great, liked it alot, and it was mint...might be just expensive enough at $26k that with a friend as a sales manager at a Yota dealer I can get a new one just a tad more....F150 is tempting...wouldnt be as good a trail vehicle, but tempting gas mileage and balls in an engine with tons of room..
Long shot say a prayer, found a 1998 4runner with 150k miles for $6k around here which is cheap for this area....its a 5 speed, so maybe why it hasnt sold yet as Im sure thats not in demand in SoCal traffic...hell Ill deal with a stick and probably gets better mpg, saves the brakes with downshifting, and they are fun to me to drive...and if I could score a $6k vehicle I wont care as much about ragging it in rush hour traffic, parking it in tight places on campus, and if I do take it to the mountains taking it on trails and if I scratch it up and dent it, so be it...thats one nice thing about a cheaper 4x4, I dont have to be as anal retentive and worry so much about it Just a long shot though but will check it out tomorrow early morning...otherwise pricing out the DCs from friend, the F150s, and still doing the searches for 4th gen 4runners...keeping all options open!
Yea the DC Tacoma I drove was great, liked it alot, and it was mint...might be just expensive enough at $26k that with a friend as a sales manager at a Yota dealer I can get a new one just a tad more....F150 is tempting...wouldnt be as good a trail vehicle, but tempting gas mileage and balls in an engine with tons of room..
Long shot say a prayer, found a 1998 4runner with 150k miles for $6k around here which is cheap for this area....its a 5 speed, so maybe why it hasnt sold yet as Im sure thats not in demand in SoCal traffic...hell Ill deal with a stick and probably gets better mpg, saves the brakes with downshifting, and they are fun to me to drive...and if I could score a $6k vehicle I wont care as much about ragging it in rush hour traffic, parking it in tight places on campus, and if I do take it to the mountains taking it on trails and if I scratch it up and dent it, so be it...thats one nice thing about a cheaper 4x4, I dont have to be as anal retentive and worry so much about it
Just a long shot though but will check it out tomorrow early morning...otherwise pricing out the DCs from friend, the F150s, and still doing the searches for 4th gen 4runners...keeping all options open!bluecollarjock
New member
Well as insane as it is, Im getting the 3rd Gen 4Runner I gave up looking for months ago....I randomly the other night just before bed typed in a search for a 4runner with locking rear diff, and low and behold one had just been posted...
Owner was kind enough to drop by this morning...checked it out top to bottom, long test drive....I know its not a steal but in this area its at least a decent price $6500 with 150k miles....1998 4runner 4x4, 5 speed, rear locker (heck YEA!), Racerunner coilovers in front set at 2" (I googled them they look pretty expensive), OME rear coils and Bilsteins, 265 BFG ATs on Tundra rims (looks nice), 4.30 gearing from factory, and not that I care but some fancy sound system with new head unit Sirius and iPod capable, big woofer and amp. Leather drivers seat has seen better days with some holes in it but Ill throw a cover on it. New brakes, service records, the guy owns 4 3rd Gens and is a freak about servicing them. Paint is not great but Im more concerned with mechanical. Drove great on the highway so should be perfect for me. A/C was cranking and worked well.
Pros to this...I save a ton of sales tax (9% in Los Angeles on a newer 4runner or truck figure that out!), and over the next two years the registration fees where they gouge you high property taxes. The kids can eat, drink, and be merry in the back and I wont give a darn if they spill or make a mess...I can be parked on the college campus and if anyone backs into it or door dings it I wont care....and if I take it to the mountains, I might just be tempted to take it on the same trails I take my Jeep and if there is any brush rash or minor rock rash so be it, its a $6500 truck not a $20-35k truck or SUV! In two years if she still runs strong and isnt a hassle, Ill take it wherever I move to. So my two vehicles with be a Rubicon with lockers front and back, and a 4runner with a locker, Ill be a happy hillbilly for the times I do get to hit the trails or go hunting. WIth the money I save on rent/mortgage from not living in SoCa someday, I can keep both those rigs and still afford a newer truck or SUV payment if I need something fancy...but I dont really, I kinda like older things with more wear on them so it means the less I stress about them, and the more Im willing to use them as intended, in 4 wheel drive.
Owner was kind enough to drop by this morning...checked it out top to bottom, long test drive....I know its not a steal but in this area its at least a decent price $6500 with 150k miles....1998 4runner 4x4, 5 speed, rear locker (heck YEA!), Racerunner coilovers in front set at 2" (I googled them they look pretty expensive), OME rear coils and Bilsteins, 265 BFG ATs on Tundra rims (looks nice), 4.30 gearing from factory, and not that I care but some fancy sound system with new head unit Sirius and iPod capable, big woofer and amp. Leather drivers seat has seen better days with some holes in it but Ill throw a cover on it. New brakes, service records, the guy owns 4 3rd Gens and is a freak about servicing them. Paint is not great but Im more concerned with mechanical. Drove great on the highway so should be perfect for me. A/C was cranking and worked well.
Pros to this...I save a ton of sales tax (9% in Los Angeles on a newer 4runner or truck figure that out!), and over the next two years the registration fees where they gouge you high property taxes. The kids can eat, drink, and be merry in the back and I wont give a darn if they spill or make a mess...I can be parked on the college campus and if anyone backs into it or door dings it I wont care....and if I take it to the mountains, I might just be tempted to take it on the same trails I take my Jeep and if there is any brush rash or minor rock rash so be it, its a $6500 truck not a $20-35k truck or SUV! In two years if she still runs strong and isnt a hassle, Ill take it wherever I move to. So my two vehicles with be a Rubicon with lockers front and back, and a 4runner with a locker, Ill be a happy hillbilly for the times I do get to hit the trails or go hunting. WIth the money I save on rent/mortgage from not living in SoCa someday, I can keep both those rigs and still afford a newer truck or SUV payment if I need something fancy...but I dont really, I kinda like older things with more wear on them so it means the less I stress about them, and the more Im willing to use them as intended, in 4 wheel drive.
stanleybb50
New member
Not insane! Savin a bunch, so even if issues arise, you can fix and still b ahead.
The 3rd gen forum has a lot of good info on things to look for/do. For instance, you might as well change the radiator, coolant, and tranny fluid as soon as you get it for piece of mind. (Very cheap to do all 3 things).
Then just enjoy! Likely lots of life left in that thing, and the 3rd gen body style is still so timeless.
- Sent via Tapatalk for Android
The 3rd gen forum has a lot of good info on things to look for/do. For instance, you might as well change the radiator, coolant, and tranny fluid as soon as you get it for piece of mind. (Very cheap to do all 3 things).
Then just enjoy! Likely lots of life left in that thing, and the 3rd gen body style is still so timeless.
- Sent via Tapatalk for Android
