Yer Daily Driver - If Not T4R ?

[zzdocxx]

I drive my ‘03 Prerunner for 14.5 years, until getting my wonderful 2017 4Runner, which I would like to keep 4Ever. It almost seems like a waste to be putting miles on it driving to work every day. Plus, the more mods I make, eg suspension lift, tires, etc., probably the worse it is going to be driving in town.

So I was thinking about getting something else for the daily commute. Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Wish I had kept my Prerunner.
2. A colleague has a Subaru Forester (standard stick transmission) on lease for $250/mo, so he’ll “always be driving a new car.” Not sure about the lease aspect, but fuel economy is pretty good, not great, but the driver sis “up” a little bit, which I am used to and prefer nowadays.
3. Subaru Outback. Sits lower but actually bigger the the Forester, ie more cargo space.
4. Mazda CX-5 - I had one as a rental car in jolly England, pretty decent to drive even though it was on the wrong side of the road, that was interesting.
5. Lexus RX-350 or other RX, it seems like about 90% of these I see are driven by affluent women, so is this a chick car? Thing is, I just read that they are about the most reliable car on the road currently, which counts for something in my book. Other problem is they are so dang expensive, definitely would not buy new !!!

To summarize:

1. What’s your daily, if not your ‘Runner ?
2. Lexus RX: Chick car ?
3. Other suggestions ? (Nissan Rogue, Acura RDX, something else ? ? ? )

One final note, I heard it on the radio today — today is NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY.

So a happy PB&J Day to everyone!

:hatsoff::hungry:anda:

 

[Daikon]

I just picked up a 14 SR5 4X4 w/ 35k Miles on Saturday.

I am still driving my 02 Tacoma 2.7L. I just hit 310,000 miles last week

 

[tristero]

I wish I kept my old Tacoma

1. GX460 is our commuter
2. RX is ok, but NX F-Sport would be my pick
3. Had several Rav4s on work trips, and I liked them. Nissan Rogue was horrible.

 

[Kunimatsu]

I wish I kept my old Tacoma

Me too... all of them.

 

[Jetboy]

My wife's car is an RX350. It's the safest SUV on the road - statistically based on actual empirical data. It's comfortable, reliable, and low maintenance/cost to own. Great for road trips. Can haul 4 full size adults comfortably for long distances. It doesn't have the poor manufacturing or assembly issues you'd have with a Land Rover/BMW/Mercedes or the high maintenance costs. An oil change is $50, not $500. It's a vehicle you basically don't ever have to think about. Gas, tires, oil, and drive. That's basically it. IMO it's literally the perfect vehicle for a non - car person. My wife is exactly that. I suspect that's why you see a lot of older women and men driving them. Plus it comes pre-programmed with driving directions to the closest country club and independent living community already on the presets for navigation!

The down side - it's not particularly sporty or exciting to drive. It *feels* a lot faster than a 4Runner, but it's not much faster or more powerful in reality. It's just tuned better for throttle response and shift logic. Gas mileage is less than you might think ~20 city and 25 highway. Cargo space behind the 2nd row is limited if you do have more people along.

I would not buy one as a second car for me having a 4Runner already. I would drive one if I didn't need the 4Runner utility of offroad, snow plow duty, tow vehicle, etc. If I were buying a car for daily driving to replace the 4Runner - I'd probably swap the 4Runner for a Tacoma and then maybe buy a Tesla or some other electric car.

 

[Dillusion]

99 Honda Accord only 80K miles.

Don't remember the last time I had a car payment.

 

[shrub1]

05 Tacoma PreRunner is my DD.
198K and going strong. 4 banger stick w/ crank windows!
100% stock.

 

[mlnhtrang]

2002 cl600 71k miles. drove a 2001 s2000 before. sold the s2k w/ 66k miles back in 2008. still want another one ever since.

 

[BobsTrail]

99 Honda Accord only 80K miles.

Don't remember the last time I had a car payment.

2000 Chevy Astro, with 70K still going strong. MPG about the same as the T4
No car payment for 17 years.

When the pavement ends, it's 4Runner time.

Did a joke reply to a similar post, showed my '59 Datsun and a Cat D6.

 

[Rmyers]

2003 Toyota Corolla S. Owned since new. 300k and still running strong.

 

[slprciv]

'13 Tacoma is my daily driver:

 

[Hadelson]

Above 50 Degrees and sun shining, this is my DD. I just finished waxing and put back in garage. Roush Stage 1 6-speed. Lots of mods 500HP of fun and lightening fast.

 

[luderiffic]

Toyota Prius - 50+mpg

 

[Kyotea]

I also drive a Prius when not in the runner. 56 mpg on my commute lets me buy more stuff for the runner.

 

[Fern]

2015 Ford Transit is my daily.

 

[alcomedic]

2002 325ci 5-speed with 240k miles. 26-28mpg for my 90 mile round trip commute to work. Planning for at least 300k out of her

 

[zzdocxx]

Guess I should put Prius on the list.

Just sold my old 740i, only thing about BMW is that they can be expe$ive to maintain. I mean to repair actually.

 

[Tejas]

The misses drives it most days but lately the 4Runner is only used on weekends and excursions, 16K in the last 7.5-8 months is starting to add up. I'd like to pick up an efficient commuter for work and split the ladies commute between the LX and 4Runner if possible.

 

[alcomedic]

Guess I should put Prius on the list.

Just sold my old 740i, only thing about BMW is that they can be expe$ive to maintain. I mean to repair actually.

agreed. Luckily a buddy is a BMW mechanic and takes car of me. I much prefer toyota or honda as a commuter when it comes to maintenance etc. Gonna ride the 3 series into the ground then pick up another cheap commuter

 

[Jetboy]

I suppose the open question that's a big factor is how long your commute is. My commute is ~ 5 miles. Half the year my commuter is a bicycle or my sample size motorcycle (CB300f). If I were in traffic for an hour or two - having any modern car that can drive its self in stop and go traffic would be on the top of my list. Right below moving closer to work.