I'm new...Opinions?

[Laxaholic]

Hello everyone, my name is Jack.
I'm 19 and I live in the southern U.S
Umm, not exactly sure where to start...so here it goes.

Right now, I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited....and after hearing how reliable jeeps are and how much fun they are, I got one. Now...I regret it.
Many repairs and dollars...as well as horrible wind noise on the highway have made me curious about another vehicle. I do like being to take the doors off and all that jazz. After learning that the 606 tranny in the jk is the same as the one in the "dodge intrepid"...I have turned in another direction..

So, I'm looking for another 4x4. It will be my DD.It must be reliable...decent looking (i really like the expedition look) comfortable, decent on gas (kinda like my jeep is) that kind of stuff....so what I've been looking at are 3rd gen 4runners, 4 door tacomas...i like rovers BUT my old man has this thought that they are the most unreliable DD's on the planet. any other vehicles that you guys think, please suggest them and i will read into them

So, I'm asking you guys in your expert opinions...what would you get? id like to spend 14k or less. Thanks, and I hope to hear from you

 

[Box Rocket]

4runner or Tacoma would be a great choice.

 

[Laxaholic]

are they as reliable as everyone says?
are there any mods that need to be done right away? axle breather?
i really put some mods on my jk and i feel like thats what lead to its downfall...

 

[Overland Hadley]

Tacoma.

 

[Laxaholic]

why?

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Toyota's reliable?
Coming from a former Jeep owner - yes.

But the main thing is, what do you want to do with your truck?
If you want to be able to take the top and doors off, well then you don't have too many options. With some work you can make the doors on anything removable... but you'd need to make sure that's legal in your state.

If you think the mods you did on your Jeep contributed to it's unreliability, the same is true of any vehicle. The question again is what do you really want your vehicle to do, and what's important to you. If you want looks, well, you're not going to get alot of input on that here. This is about functionality for the long haul. Welcome!

 

[Laxaholic]

as far as the looks thing go, I really meant thats why i stick to 4x4s...i just prefer them. but as far as what i want to do...i want it to ride well on the highway...i do alot of driving home from school...snowboarding..to dive sites...i want to be able to pull a small sailboat trailer.. i want to put a good stereo in it..stuff like that...i just want it to work and be reliable, unlike the new jeeps.

i really want to put an arb bumper on whatever i get. i still have my warn winch and highlift and some other stuff from my jeep. so that will go on.

 

[Applejack]

Ahhh yes...........the "Jeep thing". I know it too well and I feel your pain. I've owned 4 of them and every single one of them had issues that would be potentially life threatening and every trip was cursed with anxiety in the back of your mind, "Is it going to make it?".
I'm not sure you're correct on the transmission though. I thought the JK's auto was the 42RLE same as in the Liberty. Maybe just a rename, who knows?
With 126k on it I would trust my '99 4runner to take my family anywhere, dare I say, even around the world. I had an '03 Grand Cherokee with 39k miles on it that I didn't trust to take me to Canada! The Tacomas are like the 4runners but with more cargo space but perhaps less passenger comfort.
You may pay a little more for mods to your kit but you'll handily make that up with the money you save when you're not paying shop bills.:smiley_drive:

 

[Rigged]

I can feel part of your pain. I had a '97 Wrangler (as you can see in my signature) and the "Jeep Thing" was awesome. There's just something about it, but I agree with Applejack when he said

every trip was cursed with anxiety in the back of your mind, "Is it going to make it?".

This is very very true. I just got rid of my Jeep and bought a brand new Tacoma yesterday! Best decision of my automobile life. Now I don't have to worry about my fiance not being able to drive my vehicle (she hates driving a manual), and there is just some "Thing" about a Tacoma.

 

[corax]

are they as reliable as everyone says?

Yes - case in point, my 22 year old 4runner with 280k just got done pulling an overloaded 4,000 lb enclosed trailer cross country for the 3rd time (no doubts in my mind it would be a trouble free drive).

If you like a removable top, don't rule out the 1st gen 4runners (or older pickup and Tacoma). By now, age alone might have you fixing minor wear items here and there, but nothing major (also a good learning opportunity to get your hands dirty on any vehicle).

 

[Wilbur]

Ahhh yes...........the "Jeep thing". I know it too well and I feel your pain. I've owned 4 of them and every single one of them had issues that would be potentially life threatening and every trip was cursed with anxiety in the back of your mind, "Is it going to make it?".

I thought I was the only one that had that complex.

After moving from 2 Jeeps to Toyota FJ Cruiser, I never worry or have issues.

My suggestion is find out what your basic needs are or wants, and see what fits them the best.

 

[CA-RJ]

I'd suggest a 3rd generation 4Runner (96-02). They are large enough to fit 5 people and have a fair amount of cargo storage space in the rear. The V6 is rated to tow 6,000 lbs. They are very reliable, fairly inexpensive to purchase and maintain and there are a ton of aftermarket parts available for them.

 

[Laxaholic]

you guys have been an awesome help:victory:
i really love this forum. thanks for all the responses.

as far as the jeep thing, i was driving home from a dive site in florida...after a transmission repair...after just 417 miles the jeep left my stranded!! thats when i knew it had to go.

right now im looking at an 03 tacoma double cab, 4wd. for around 3000 dollars, the guy seems to have taken good care of it and has to sell it because he is deploying soon.


as far as tacoma vs 4runner, what would u guys say? i want a 4 door. 4 wheel drive, thats about all that matters. could u guys post some pics of yours? i like the early 2000's body styles in both vehicles.
i want to trust my vehicle. highway driving. snowboarding, diving, sailing. it will be my everyday truck...and it seems that every nat. geo show has guys in the outback driving toyota trucks...thats says somethin, dont ya think?

but again, u guys are awesome..i was kinda sad i was going to leave my jeep website when i got rid of "albert" but this forum is even better!!

 

[RallyHHRT]

I think that 03 Tacoma sounds like a good choice, all though it seems a little too cheap. Toyotas are as reliable as trucks can get, so stick with the brand. You won't be dissapointed.

 

[Box Rocket]

Why is that 03 Tacoma so cheap? $3000 is very low unless it has very high miles or other potential issues. Just for point of reference, I bought my '03 Tacoma DC last February with 80K miles and paid $14K and I felt like I got a pretty good deal.