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Need advice on a reliable 4x4 DD for the wife

sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
My wife totalled her 4runner, and I'm looking to replace it. I'll probably end up getting another 4runner or a fzj 80, but I'm open to other ideas as well.

Insurance will give us $10-12k to spend. If I can find a suitable vehicle for $4k, even better.

Criteria:
Decent MPG (13-20)
very reliable (250k miles without any major problems)
Must be safe (dual airbags a must)
Must be 4x4
She doesn't wheel much, so it doesn't need to be big
easy to drive
4-door. Hopefully we'll have kids one day, so having 4 doors is a must.

Nice-to-have's
I'd love something that I could throw a little 2-3" lift on in a few years and drive some easy trails with. This is not a criteria, nor a deciding factor, it'd just be nice.

What do you recommend?
 
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sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
i was going to delete the other thread, but I figured it might help someone out. copy your post here and I'll reply to it. A subaru is a great suggestion, I just think the prices are a bit high for what they are, especially in Utah. Most people want a subaru, so demand drives them up (just my theory)
 
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sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'm def a toyota guy, so that's my gut reaction. Just wondering if there's anything else worth looking into. The two best vehicles I've had were my tacoma (still have it) and my wife's old 4runner. Just wondering if there was anything else out there worth looking for.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
those are sweet! i'd love a diesel one. I was hoping you'd chime in Kurt. This'll probably double as my expo rig for a while.
 
I Lean

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Screw all these guys telling you Toyota is the way to go. You've been down that road, time to try something else.

How about a VW Touareg? The older ones are coming down in price and they're getting very affordable. They're roomy, nice looking, capable offroad in stock form, and the TDI gets great mileage. Lifting it might be a problem, but it can handle this already:

[YOUTUBE]mboMIsqLMaw[/YOUTUBE]

Or, like Kurt said, if you're in the mood for something where your wife sits higher, how about a Mercedes G-wagen? Mileage won't be as good as the VW, but it has the same awesome German engineering, and is very stout and capable offroad.
 
Max Power

Max Power

Bryce
Location
Sandy
I would get another 4runner. They are reliable and safe. Or you could go big and get her a Nissan Armada or a Toyot Sequoia. With a big v8 it could double as your tow rig and you could buy your 81 back.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
a g-wagen is going to be out of the price range I'm afraid. I'm impressed with the toureg video, I know that trail well. For some reason I've always equated vw's with being hard to work on, with lots of electrical gremlins. But maybe the newer stuff has gotten better.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
VW technology is great, German engineering is word-class IMO! Those Touareg are amazing, I've heard good things about them.

VW builds amazing TDI engines, my Jetta averages 46 MPG, has tons of power and 230k miles on it. The only work I've done to the engine is frequent oil changes, changed the glow plugs and a recent timing belt change. The shop that did the timing belt told me he'd see me at 300k miles, when it's due for the next timing belt!
 
I Lean

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Greg has a TDI Jetta, maybe he has some insight on the VW's for ya. I just know they're SWEET with some 20" rims and Toyo tires.

Edit: dangit, posted 1 minute too late. :(
 
lewis

lewis

Fight Till You Die
Location
Hairyman
sixstringsteve said:
a g-wagen is going to be out of the price range I'm afraid. I'm impressed with the toureg video, I know that trail well. For some reason I've always equated vw's with being hard to work on, with lots of electrical gremlins. But maybe the newer stuff has gotten better.
Click to expand...

No. worse to work on.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I Lean said:
Greg has a TDI Jetta, maybe he has some insight on the VW's for ya. I just know they're SWEET with some 20" rims and Toyo tires.

Edit: dangit, posted 1 minute too late. :(
Click to expand...

Haha... beat ya!

I used to make fun of my friend that loved VW's, until I broke down and bought my TDI Jetta. I've driven that car across the country repeatedly and it's done it all very well. I'm honestly very impressed with VW's build quality after owning one.

My wife REALLY wants a TDI Touareg, it's her dream vehicle. I think the TDI's are more spendy than a gas engine though, like any good diesel... but 550 ft/lbs of torque!! Damn, I'd love to drive that!
 
Coco

Coco

Well-Known Member
Location
Lehi, UT
Something WAY off those lines, but maybe a chevolet avalanche, or a tahoe? They got lots of room, are OK with gas mileage, and yes will double as a tow rig. We got a buddy of ours that goes with us, and he tows his built YJ with his avalanche (he is in search and resque, so he uses it often for just about everything) that is my .02 cents, if you are serious on trying to get your 81 back.

otherwise, maybe even a nissan pathfinder?
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
A diesel tuareg is going to be out of my price range too... keep 'em coming. Right now I'm leaning towards a FZJ80
 
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