I must say, I'm surprised that I generated so much talk.
I'll be honest. If I get lucky, and get the job I'm looking at, I'll be working for $10 an hour (on the lower end of the spectrum) for 15-16 hours a day, 6 days a week, 9 weeks straight. What will I be doing? Working as a prep cook in one of the best restaurants in town. I had my Junior internship there, and worked my *** off for three days. I feel like I proved myself to the Chef, and he liked me. I can legally work there, and it's just a matter of working out the kinks. If I'm lucky I'll make over $15 an hour, but I'm staying conservative here. So I'll make right around $9k, not counting what I'll make working weekends before my summer break. This will either fully cover the vehicle, be a good down payment, or cover the vehicle with a remainder left over to pay for tools and parts.
I am willing to compromise on gas, if it gets me a more reliable and capable car. I have no dependents, no girlfriend (which I'll get to here soon), and my "friends" (more like the people I associate with at school) never call me to do anything. This vehicle's main use (if it ends up as my DD) would be to and from school during the week, to work on Saturday, and every other weekend to my father's house. There would, of course, be the weekends I'd go with an old friend out to his hunting ranch, on the off chance I want to go to the beach there are a few around that I can drive on, so I'd throw some plywood up on the roof rack, secure it, and once at the beach I'd set up my chair up there, and I'd try and swing a trip out to Arizona or New Mexico for some Dessert action. I plan to use the "convenient red light" move to get people to pay me for gas ("It's either $5 now, or you get out here") if I drive them.
I would really enjoy having a Land Cruiser, even though I know they're a pig on gas. I've done my research, and there is, in fact, a reason that they are used in some of the harshest places in the world. They don't break down. End of story.
Well, of course they do, but it's fixable, and you can find parts basically anywhere in the world.
The Land Rover Defender was tossed out a long time ago. They're impracticable for someone my age. They're just as bad on gas, and they take the premium stuff. No thank you. Also there is preventative maintenance that is required, and I won't have the budget for that. They look cool though. Now keep i mind that I am 17, so I have plenty of time to own all of the aforementioned vehicles.
Next we get the Mitsubishi Montero. I really like the way they look, and I'm sure they're good 4x4's. But the lack of components and aftermarket parts is a factor that has to take it off the list. If I were better at doing my own stuff I'd pick one up in a heartbeat, because they look like they can tear up the trail, and come out just fine.
Now it's the XJ's turn. I'm getting mixed responses with this one. Some love it, others don't. I like the way it looks, and by my research (Yay Google!) they are the cheapest to purchase. This would allow me to upgrade everything from the axles and wheels to the radio. But it sounds as though the tools I'd buy for this wouldn't fit a Toyota.
I'm assuming that has something to do with metric v. imperial. (I've helped out in my neighbor's shop, and his house, and we'll talk about this sorta stuff)
Then we get the Toyota 4runner. I really like these. Kinda like a baby Land Cruiser (okay, maybe not really... but humor me). They should be pretty cheap to buy ($5-$6k), and the tools for it will (or should) fit a Cruiser. While the particular aftermarket parts may not, I can at least sell those off and make some money back. Tools look like they're coming in to be a deciding factor. I've also done my research here. Gen. 2 4runners seemed to have some issues with drive side collisions and rollovers. So Gen. 3 might be the ticket here.
So far, I find it the be a three horse race.
The Land Cruiser is still in here. I like it. I want one. This is my thread, and I am still 17. Fuel economy is a problem here, but not reliability and capability.
The 4runner is much like the Land Cruiser, but with better gas consumption. Capability might not be the same as in a Cruiser, but at the same time the Cruisers are world renowned for their abilities.
The XJ is cheap. It's easy to work on (so it seems). It has a lot of aftermarkets out there. It seems pretty reliable as well. It's fuel economy is pretty good (relative to the other two contenders). But it's lacking in capability, and I'd have to do a lot to bring it up to par with the other two. But I'd have the money to do so at an XJ price point.
Another factor that might seem unlikely, because it is, is the potential for my father to surprise me with a crappy front wheel drive car he picked up at the auction. Again, it;s unlikely, but a factor. Should this happen I'll go with the Cruiser. That's an end to that, should I get a '93 civic.
Now I'd like to thank all of you for the compliments on my maturity, I get that a lot when I'm talking with adults. I guess I just saw the way most of my peers were going, and just didn't like it.
As for my ex. Well, I loved her, and still do. She was my first love. Firsts of anything you don't forget. I'd take her back, if she'd understand and wanted me back, and didn't hate my guts. Her mother was psycho too. She was a great gal, and did a lot for me. She's missed, but not forgotten.
I hope this helps narrow stuff down for you guys.
