Hey guys, first week with the S down and I LOVE it, but it doesn't love the streets of Houston very much. I started looking around and found some decently priced super used 4runners and it got me thinking. I called my insurance company and if I listed another car on my policy as my daily and only had liability on it, It would save me $1500/ year. Sign me up!!

I've really fallen for this girl:
http://www.mainlandinvestment.com/in...Toyota-4Runner

Paint was real good, she drove strong but the interior was reallllyyyy rough. Def smoker and had burns etc. I'm wondering what you guys think of this as a DD. Gas mileage isn't great but I feel like I would enjoy this over say a Camry or a Civic. Any of you guys rock a 4runner? I'm trying to get him down to $3,000 OTD. Good deal? Is the mileage too high? I mean it is a Toyota.

 

Why would you enjoy it over a Camry or Civic? It's slower, handles worse, gets worse fuel economy, has very high mileage, has a badly worn interior and is a few years older than what you'd get for the same money if you put it towards a Civic or Camry (or some other car). You don't need a big SUV or 4WD for daily driving in Houston.

Also, with higher mileage and age, you don't have to just worry about the motor or transmission. Think tie rod ends, rubber/seals/belts/hoses, air conditioning going out, bearings needing replacement, etc, etc. I've done it and it is a never-ending money pit.

 

Valid points for sure. I doesn't get the best mileage, but its not bad either, low 20's on the highway. And you're right I don't need a large SUV or 4WD for Houston and this is really neither. But I think I'm going to continue looking. I'm finding some Camry's that are decent and they are a little better on that gas mileage, but the car its self is about $1,500 more.

What about this guy?
http://www.motoblastluxury.com/vehic...2#.T0rt__Gm8s8

 

I'd take that Camry any day of the week!

 

What about a 1st gen CR-V?

 

I would tend to agree with all of this. What worries me about any older car (like 15 years old) is you are starting to run into age related issues. As good as a Toyota might be (and they are generally very dependable) their rubber hoses aren't inherently better than other rubber hoses. IF the can has been serviced or if you don't mind running after those little problems then a Camry would be OK. However, for Camry money I think I would pick a more interesting car. Loads of interesting cars out there (Protege 5, Focus SVT, Focus with SVT suspension, Civic Si, Sentra?, SAAB 93 (OK DIY service cost but more of it, has hatch and great seats), Saturns (not bad but CHEAP feeling)) I'm sure Hyundai has some stuff as well.

I would think about what you want out of a beater. A while back I went looking based on the idea that my beater had to be a utility car. That ruled out all sedans and most small hatches (rare at the time). I had wagons, SUVs, and small trucks on my list. I wanted to carry a washing machine if need be. Sedans can't do that.

 

I actually have a beater 2000 4runner with the 3.4 liter V6 4WD. This truck is so reliable. I had a CEL once, I changed the plugs and the wires and it was good to go.

 

Why not buy a civic or camry? Well because those 4runner are easy one of the best suv ever built hands down. They are very very solid trucks with outstanding resale value. I wouldn't trade any that truck for any old civic or used Camry. If you knew anything about trucks you would know what these truck are capable of.

 

No one argued that they aren't great trucks. They're just...trucks. In a place that doesn't require a truck. There is zero advantage to buying a big SUV in Houston over a moderately sized car, aside from getting a little more "vehicular respect" on the road.

If you knew anything about Houston, you'd know that.

 

I know of one advantage to having something like this in Houston. There is an S2K group in Houston that also does some really sweet trips in their 4WD toys. Last year they did a week of off road camping in CO. Some of their trucks are much older than what he's looking at. The point being is that there is a good S2K/old 4x4 support group available to him in Houston.

Now, if he's not interested in taking advantage of the trips and meets with that group, then I agree with you almost 100%.