Shopping for a newer rig.

[Naches Sportsman]

I am starting the process in looking for a new rig. I currently drive a 91 Toyota and like it due to the fact that it's never failed me getting from point A to point B and for its good gas mileage.

However, it is nearing 300,000 miles and it is almost 30 years old. I'm looking for a newer rig (2000-2010) to get me places throughout the west. I have driven fords, dodges, and chevy's the last few years and know they get poor gas  mileage. I don't want nor have a need for a big truck. I want something with relatively good fuel economy.

That being said, I am looking at Tacomas, 4runners, nissan frontiers, Colorados, and subaru foresters. I have up to 12k cash to spend and do not want to go debt for a newer vehicle.

Any recommendations on looking other rigs I am not thinking of? Pros/ Cons of these rigs. Certain areas around the west to look for a rig? Decent used car dealerships? I am looking at Craigslist as well, but am kind of hesitant to buy a rig from a private party seller.

[kselkhunter]

Love my Toyota Tundra, and our Subaru's were good as well.  Regret selling my 1991 Toyota pickup to a friend, and keeping my 2004 Tundra forever.  Bought a new Ford Explorer last year (wife's grandma is 96 and still has the really old Z plan so had to pull that trigger).  But hard to beat the Toyota pickups for long life reliability.  My buddy I sold the 1991 to sold it to his gardener a few years back and I still give him a hard time for not selling it back to me (I sold it to him for his kid to go to college with in 2003).

[chester]

Why not just throw a new motor in that Toyota and save the headache?

[Scheindogg]

I would go with a mid 2000's tacoma as you've listed if that's you're price limit. The never Tacomas seem to have tranny issues but in the 2000s those trucks were/still are great.

[PlateauNDN]

Why not just throw a new motor in that Toyota and save the headache?

  get different tires for different seasons for fuel economy and utilize the funds to get some accessories, like a winch.

[Fl0und3rz]

If you don't need extra room or towing capacity, just rebuild it.  I'd still be driving my 1991 if I didn't need extra seats.

[hollymaster]

I regret getting rid of my 96 Tacoma. Find one with a 2.7 4 banger and drive forever.

[jdb]

Pm sent

[jackelope]

He can put a new engine in, but he'll still have 300k miles on everything else.

[jackelope]

Watch for head gasket issues on the Subaru's. It's super common.

[yorketransport]

He can put a new engine in, but he'll still have 300k miles on everything else.

That was my though. I have a couple of work trucks with over 200K on the engines, but 400K+ miles on everything else. At a certain point, you end up rebuilding everything but the frame and body.

[blackpowderhunter]

I'd just get another tacoma...4 runner if you don't need the bed and want the extra inside space.
was finishing up the wiring for my winch at my buddy's when his dad came over to replace some shocks on his 01 4runner...i think it had just turned over 260k.
I've had a 93 toyota pickup with a 22re (still wish I had that), a 2001 tacoma trd, a 97 tacoma trd, and now an 06 tacoma trd.  only reason ive gotten new ones is to get a newer, shinier one.
i've started looking at 2017 tacoma, but this one's paid off, and i'll likely try to keep another 4-5 years.

only reason i'd leave owning a tacoma is if I had to tow a lot.

regarding where to look.
i'd look outside of WA if possible.  wa seems to have an added toyota and subaru tax when buying either of those used.  i bought my 2001 trd tacoma in shasta california for a solid 4k less than they were trading hands for in seattle at the time.  i drove it for 3 years i think, and sold it in seattle for the same price i paid for it.
all i had done was put new tires on it once and change the oil every 5k.

[bigsads]

I would consider looking at the 2002-2006 tundra,  little more room,  same fuel economy as a Tacoma v6

[Antlershed]

I drive a 2011 Silverado. If I didn't have a boat, travel trailer and two car seats to accommodate, I would have loved to get a newer Tacoma. 

[Wa hunter]

I would consider looking at the 2002-2006 tundra,  little more room,  same fuel economy as a Tacoma v6

agree on the gen 1 tundra getting hard to find at reasonable prices

[andrew_in_idaho]

Stay away from Nissan, serious transmission issues with the frontiers due to a built in transmission cooler in the radiator, typically fails right around 100,000 miles


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[fish vacuum]

I could just say +1 for every post here except for replacing your current motor. I thought I might put a new motor in my 4runner if the time comes...until I priced new ones. Not a job I want to do myself and I won't trust a junk yard motor.
I really like the toyota 2.7 and 4.0 motors.

[HntnFsh]

Here ya go.
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=14027793#post14027793

[Fl0und3rz]

I could just say +1 for every post here except for replacing your current motor. I thought I might put a new motor in my 4runner if the time comes...until I priced new ones. Not a job I want to do myself and I won't trust a junk yard motor.
I really like the toyota 2.7 and 4.0 motors.

There are benefits to replacing an engine in a 25+ year old Toyota that is otherwise solid, regarding taxes, RTA fees, saved payments, emissions checking, and insurance.  My 91 SR5 extracab was the best mountain truck I have owned, bought it for approximately $4K, sold it for roughly the same about 12 years later with only basic maintenance, tires, and a center carrier bearing.  A new engine would have easily penciled out for me.

[Timberstalker]

Here ya go.
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=14027793#post14027793

That's a great deal at first blush.  Fairly low miles to boot.

[shadowless_nite]

Watch for head gasket issues on the Subaru's. It's super common.

Couldn't agree more! Any day, any year, any model, any condition.... my first thought that comes to mind about subarus....head gasket eaters. 2nd thought is portland hipsters lol.

On another note. I drive a 2000 tacoma extra cab daily and recently just sold a 2000 tundra I repaired. I do have to say with a 11 and 6 year old, the extra room and v8 power seemed a lot more comfy. MPG is relatively the close between 3.4 v6 and 4.7 v8. But if you need the extra mpg or 2 and need interior space then 1st gen taco double cab if you need a truck or a 3rd gen  4runner for a suv type (4runner would also be a bit cheaper in puchase cost on average). If occasional power is necessary then the tundra would be better suited. And if space, power and bed is necessary then a 2005-06 tundra double cab wouldn't be bad

[cooltimber]

Stay away from Nissan, serious transmission issues with the frontiers due to a built in transmission cooler in the radiator, typically fails right around 100,000 miles
That's a fact, never buy another Nissan again.

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[andrew_in_idaho]

Stay away from Nissan, serious transmission issues with the frontiers due to a built in transmission cooler in the radiator, typically fails right around 100,000 miles
That's a fact, never buy another Nissan again.

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Nor will I. Learned that lesson


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[blackpowderhunter]

when are you looking to buy Naches?
If the timing works out when I start making trips that way as the snow recedes, I'm more than willing to meet up and let you check out my Tacoma (06 TRD 4x4 with a small 2 inch lift and 32s) to see how you like it.
Might save you time from dealing with the yahoos at a dealership.