Looking for a daily-driver/mild trip rig

AdventurePig

AdventurePig

TJ Enthusiast
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OK, so we're on the lookout for options for another vehicle.

Here's some requirements:
  1. Automatic
  2. 4door
  3. AWD/4WD
  4. Long-trip comfort for 4-5
  5. Reliable
  6. Don't care if high-mile, as long as it's reasonable to maintain (22RE, 3.4, 4.7 toyota engines, 5.0 ford, 4.0L jeep, etc.)
  7. Mild mods available (winch mount, sliders, 1-3" lifts, etc.) but the TJ will remain our heavy-duty rig.
  8. MPG's not super important - 15-20-ish average, would be fine.
  9. Budget: Cheaper the better.... Sub-$5000, preferably, but definitely sub-$10k.
  10. Not huge. Sequoia is the biggest rig we're looking at, and it's honestly probably too big. :D

What kind of rig does this describe to you? Prices for used vehicles are surprising in 2024. Also, only looking in SoCal - rust is not an issue here.
 
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AdventurePig said:
OK, so we're on the lookout for options for another vehicle.

Here's some requirements:
  1. Automatic
  2. 4door
  3. AWD/4WD
  4. Long-trip comfort for 4-5
  5. Reliable
  6. Don't care if high-mile, as long as it's reasonable to maintain (22RE, 3.4, 4.7 toyota engines, 5.0 ford, 4.0L jeep, etc.)
  7. Mild mods available (winch mount, sliders, 1-3" lifts, etc.) but the TJ will remain our heavy-duty rig.
  8. MPG's not super important - 15-20-ish average, would be fine.
  9. Budget: Cheaper the better.... Sub-$5000, preferably, but definitely sub-$10k.

What kind of rig does this describe to you? Prices for used vehicles are surprising in 2024. Also, only looking in SoCal - rust is not an issue here.
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I'd look for an F150 with that criteria.
 
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Apparition said:
I'd look for an F150 with that criteria.
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haha, good choice - our other car is a 2015 f150 2wd. It's been a great car, but it absolutely sucks in the snow/dirt/mud, even in with the rear locker. We have some long road trips planned with specific trips into 4x4-required areas/climates.

Might definitely consider a 4x4 version.
 
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Sequoia's, 4runners, XJ's, ZJ's, land cruisers are all on the radar, too. Anyone have experience with Xterra's?
 
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AdventurePig said:
Sequoia's, 4runners, XJ's, ZJ's, land cruisers are all on the radar, too. Anyone have experience with Xterra's?
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I was looking into them before I got my TJ. From what I remember, all the engines they used were woefully underpowered until the final few years when they starting putting the 4.0 v6 with VVT in it. I was only looking for those models.

I had a 92 pathfinder with a 3.0 v6 and everything they used until the 4.0 in the xterra was basically the same mediocre engine. The supercharger they added on the 3.3 I think only added a measly 20hp or something like that.

Also to add, I couldn't get in one for around 5k 5 years ago. Whether or not they are cheaper or more expensive than they were then is hard to say.
 
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AdventurePig said:
Sequoia's, 4runners, XJ's, ZJ's, land cruisers are all on the radar, too. Anyone have experience with Xterra's?
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Avoid 05 - 08 Xterras and Pathfinders. Those and the Frontiers were on our list of candidates when looking for a car for my daughter a few years ago and I remember reading a lot about catastrophic transmission failures due to a design flaw that allowed coolant to get into the tranny. A buddy who was a service director for a Nissan dealership confirmed to stay away from those years for Nissan trucks and SUVs running the V6.
 
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DaveC said:
Avoid 05 - 08 Xterras and Pathfinders. Those and the Frontiers were on our list of candidates when looking for a car for my daughter a few years ago and I remember reading a lot about catastrophic transmission failures due to a design flaw that allowed coolant to get into the tranny. A buddy who was a service director for a Nissan dealership confirmed to stay away from those years for Nissan trucks and SUVs running the V6.
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I think the 4.0 came out in 09 too. So more reason to stay away from the older ones.

The Pro-4x ones had a rear locker which I thought was cool. The rear seats are supposed to fold flat too
 
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Ok, thanks - the ones i'm seeing in our price range are earlier models in the 00-02 time frame. I don't know much about them overall. Jeeps (all of them,) and Toyota 4runners/pickups (85-2019ish) are the core of my knowledge.
 
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AdventurePig said:
Ok, thanks - the ones i'm seeing in our price range are earlier models in the 00-02 time frame. I don't know much about them overall. Jeeps (all of them,) and Toyota 4runners/pickups (85-2019ish) are the core of my knowledge.
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Didn't @rasband just get one that era? Maybe he'd have some good input.

Personally for your requirements I'd be looking for either a Tahoe or suburban, but that's just me. You could probably find a 5.3 4wd tahoe or suburban with like 150k for $5k fairly easily and GMT800s run for freaking ever.
 
I appreciate the comments on big rigs - i'll have to update my first post - was thinking about it - I'm realizing that it needs to fit in normal (small) city/school parking lots. the sequoia, f150, big chevys are actually probably TOO big. 4runner/xterra/Ford explorer is probably more realistic size, with the XJ being on the smaller side for 4 passengers.
 
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lBasket said:
Ah ok. It might be hard to fit 5 in comfort in something smaller than a Tahoe or Sequoia unless you guys are little.
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Yeah, no, for sure - I think 4 is probably more realistic for what we'll be using it for, anyways. Our kiddo's and their friends are all smaller tweeners/teenagers. With 1 off at college, we'll likely only need to be able to fit 4 for longer trips (5 in a pinch, for local stuff).

Our 2wd F150 still carries all 5 of us well (6 for short trips with 2 bench seats) so that'll probably need to serve the "all-hands" needs, if all of us are going.
 
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AdventurePig said:
Yeah, no, for sure - I think 4 is probably more realistic for what we'll be using it for, anyways. Our kiddo's and their friends are all smaller tweeners/teenagers. With 1 off at college, we'll likely only need to be able to fit 4 for longer trips (5 in a pinch, for local stuff).

Our 2wd F150 still carries all 5 of us well (6 for short trips with 2 bench seats) so that'll probably need to serve the "all-hands" needs, if all of us are going.
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What about an AWD volvo wagon with the optional 3rd row seating in the cargo area? That'd be as comfy as it gets
 
lBasket said:
What about an AWD volvo wagon with the optional 3rd row seating in the cargo area? That'd be as comfy as it gets
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Yeah, I was looking at those and Subie's, too! I think the XC90's and V70's are in the price range? I know NOTHING about them..haha. My wife loves Volvo's, tho.
 
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AdventurePig said:
Yeah, I was looking at those and Subie's, too! I think the XC90's and V70's are in the price range? I know NOTHING about them..haha. My wife loves Volvo's, tho.
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XC90s are SUVs, no? Do they come with the 3rd row? I believe they're fairly reliable. I think the big deal with the early 00s volvos is doing the timing belt? But I only looked into them briefly, no real experience.

I've never met a person that owned a subaru that didn't have constant problems with it.
 
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AdventurePig said:
I appreciate the comments on big rigs - i'll have to update my first post - was thinking about it - I'm realizing that it needs to fit in normal (small) city/school parking lots. the sequoia, f150, big chevys are actually probably TOO big. 4runner/xterra/Ford explorer is probably more realistic size, with the XJ being on the smaller side for 4 passengers.
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Ranger or Bronco
 
lBasket said:
Didn't @rasband just get one that era? Maybe he'd have some good input.
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My Xterra is an 02, and overall it's great. Comfortable (enough), japanese reliability, spartan interior that I don't mind making a mess with. And the best part is if or when it dies, I probably won't care beyond having to find another one or shove some new power plant in.

Power wise it definitely is lacking, and the supercharged one wouldn't make me sad (though I don't want to mess with reliability). I will say the 3.3 v6 is much better in the 02 Xterra than the 98 pathfinder I had, because the axle gearing is better. Supposedly the rear axles in these first gens are also rivaling the Ford 9" axle in terms of strength.

I need to decide if I am going to shove 33s under it though, as that will really change the power feel.

5 adults in it would be pretty tight - but doable. Though roughly the same as the other options that aren't full size trucks or large SUVs.

I got a sweetheart deal on mine for $500 (running rough, as is shape). So far under another $500 into it in order to daily drive the thing (and am planning to take it on a hunting trip in October).
 
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