Looking for a capable DD with support

[Ahoragi]

This caught my eye this morning:

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/cto/5925927205.html

VERY clean for that year. Wow. Almost too good to be true. I might check it out.

 

[UpperMI]

This caught my eye this morning:

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/cto/5925927205.html

VERY clean for that year. Wow. Almost too good to be true. I might check it out.

That's appears to be in pretty good shape. My father in law bought a 1993 for $3,000 about 3 weeks ago. It had 140,000 miles and came with a 5 speed. The 4Runner was owned by a guy since new that worked at a car dealership. It needed tires and a wheel bearing. So after another $1,000 he's got $4,000 total into it. So that's not a bad price at all if it's in good shape.

 

[JimT]

That looks pretty clean. For that price you could keep one of the jeeps? It would be nice to have something to work on.

 

[Chris]

That looks very clean for the price!

 

[Stinger]

autotrader.com/carofyourdreams

That's cruel!

 

[Stinger]

Damn......thanks for the effort in finding those but geez i cannot buy a truck in CA. Everything there is 1/3 or more expensive than here.

Where is "here?"

 

[Stinger]

A Ranger is a nice choice as well. Get a FX4 Level II for about 8-10k and that's a nice off road truck!

My 05 Ranger 4x4 has proven to be a great truck that would fit your requirement perfectly. It's actually my wife's truck because she won't let me sell it!

 

[Ahoragi]

Where is "here?"

Western PA

My 05 Ranger 4x4 has proven to be a great truck that would fit your requirement perfectly. It's actually my wife's truck because she won't let me sell it!

It's on my list.

Can you fit an ATV in the back of a ranger?

 

[Ahoragi]

So we called the guy who owns the 4runner. He appears to be a very nice Christian dude and the details he gave us are insane. The amount of maintenance this guy did to it is rare.

I am going to set up a time to go check it out.

 

[UpperMI]

So we called the guy who owns the 4runner. He appears to be a very nice Christian dude and the details he gave us are insane. The amount of maintenance this guy did to it is rare.

I am going to set up a time to go check it out.

Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Chris]

I hope it works out as well.

The 4 Runner is just as good as Tacoma. Pretty sure they are the exact same thing minus the bed on the Tacoma.

 

[Ahoragi]

I hope it works out as well.

The 4 Runner is just as good as Tacoma. Pretty sure they are the exact same thing minus the bed on the Tacoma.

Yeah and at that price I have funds leftover and can just scoop up a trailer to haul stuff instead of a bed. Maybe slap on an OME suspension......bumper......perhaps a winch? Stop me please! :llorona:

 

[Chris]

Yeah and at that price I have funds leftover and can just scoop up a trailer to haul stuff instead of a bed. Maybe slap on an OME suspension......bumper......perhaps a winch? Stop me please! :llorona:

I can't stop you, I'm the same way.

Whatever I end up with, I'll end up modifying. It's why I had to limit myself to only ONE cool vehicle (the TJ). The other is a Honda Odyssey minivan. There's no temptation to mod that, haha!

 

[Ahoragi]

I can't stop you, I'm the same way.

Whatever I end up with, I'll end up modifying. It's why I had to limit myself to only ONE cool vehicle (the TJ). The other is a Honda Odyssey minivan. There's no temptation to mod that, haha!

I would still stick some mud terrains on the mini-van!

 

[Chris]

I would still stick some mud terrains on the mini-van!

Haha, doubt they'd even fit!

 

[glwood]

Requirements:

Can't be too old, preferrably 00-09.
Good gas mileage 15-20+
Must be able to run a rear locker
Must have a common bolt pattern (aftermarket wheels and tires)
Must be reliable (no major common drivetrain issues)

I am most likely going to fly south and drive back so it's rust-free.

What would you buy?

Sounds like the 4Runner, if it's all it is claimed to be, would meet your list of requirements...

 

[Ahoragi]

Well the 4runner fell through.

I started to rethink my plan a little bit and include fuel efficient SUV's in the search.

What you guys think of Honda CR-V's? I been seeing alot of them and started researching the strengths and weaknesses. Seems very similar to the 4runner in reliability but with much better mpg.

I let my imagination run a little bit and pictured a red or black CR-V EX with basic steel wheels and 215/75/15 KO2's or AT-51's...:smoking:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runSteel&initialPartNumber=X66007&wheelMake=New&wheelModel=Steel Wheel&wheelFinish=Black Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=CR-V&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO2&partnum=175SR5KO2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...75R5AT51&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[Chris]

Well the 4runner fell through.

I started to rethink my plan a little bit and include fuel efficient SUV's in the search.

What you guys think of Honda CR-V's? I been seeing alot of them and started researching the strengths and weaknesses. Seems very similar to the 4runner in reliability but with much better mpg.

I let my imagination run a little bit and pictured a red or black CR-V EX with basic steel wheels and 215/75/15 KO2's or AT-51's...:smoking:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runSteel&initialPartNumber=X66007&wheelMake=New&wheelModel=Steel Wheel&wheelFinish=Black Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=CR-V&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO2&partnum=175SR5KO2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...75R5AT51&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

We owned a Honda CR-V for several years, so I can speak firsthand to the quality and reliability of that vehicle (as well as any Honda).

Ours was a 2000 Honda CR-V with 250k miles when we sold it. It had the original engine and transmission, and the ONLY issue at that mileage was that the transmission was gradually starting to slip (not surprising at 250k). It never had one single issue though the entire time we had it, it had plenty of room for us, and we drove it everywhere!

It got reasonable city mpg, and great mpg on the highway.

The only reason we sold it was because we had another kid and wanted the room that a minivan offered, so we sold it and bought a Honda Odyssey (we stuck with Honda obviously).

I constantly rave about Honda and how reliable they've been to me over the years. One things for sure, if I wanted 100% reliability, I wouldn't buy anything but a Honda or Toyota.

 

[Chris]

BTW, the CR-V might look good with those wheels / tires.

 

[UpperMI]

Well the 4runner fell through.

I started to rethink my plan a little bit and include fuel efficient SUV's in the search.

What you guys think of Honda CR-V's? I been seeing alot of them and started researching the strengths and weaknesses. Seems very similar to the 4runner in reliability but with much better mpg.

I let my imagination run a little bit and pictured a red or black CR-V EX with basic steel wheels and 215/75/15 KO2's or AT-51's...:smoking:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runSteel&initialPartNumber=X66007&wheelMake=New&wheelModel=Steel Wheel&wheelFinish=Black Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=CR-V&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO2&partnum=175SR5KO2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...75R5AT51&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Definitely an improvement in mpgs. Hondas (like toyotas) have great reliability. However; I would never want to take one on a two track due to the unibody construction. No flexibility and lower ground clearance. but If it's truly going to be a daily driver and never off road then it should be fine as long as it suits your needs.

My daily driver is a Subaru Forester. All wheel drive at 25 Mpgs. Almost 8 inches of ground clearance. Great for commuting and I've taken it up to Lake Tahoe and it handles the snow and ice pretty well. Also very reliable. And typically Cheaper to buy.