Fleet Musings... Or: pretty much the same post I've made six times already™ dot pee en gee

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
12/09/2018 at 20:05 • Filed to: I miss it when he posted his inner most thoughts and feelings. Who let this vehicle content on our forum?!?!

i wish...

After crunching the numbers... Again... (projected disposable income, house stuff, other financial stuff NSFOppo, and so on), I still cannot find a way to justify a purchase a Big Boi vehicle in the near future. They say insanity is doing the same thing over again, expecting a different outcome against all logic and history. Well, I am one crazy bastard.

As a brief refresher, I am basically looking at a 2UZ-equipped vehicle for some potential towing and a lot of glamping. This includes the old Tundra, 100-series LC, V8 4Runner, and a GX470.

The Tundra makes the most sense because it’s got a bed and such, and is typically the most affordable of the bunch thus the better value with it’s higher utility. But I can’t seem to talk myself out of a Land Cruiser.

It’s by far the most expensive option, tows less (I really don’t see myself towing much but my wife seems to think we will someday), and gets the worst fuel economy. However, it is also a Land Cruiser!

I’ve driven a 2004 Tundra Limited and thought very highly of it. Maybe I should drive a Land Cruiser soon and just hope I hate it... But we all know I’m not gonna hate it.

Two years ago I bought a Tercel. Now I’m trying to figure out how to get a 2006 Land Cruiser. Life is strange.

DISCUSSION (39)

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:14

Why u no Sequoia? 2UZ, Cruiser size, Tundra prices, not a 4Runner..

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:18

Did you know other brands exist?

gmctavish needs more space > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:19

I want a Tacoma, but with prices the way they are it would make much more sense to get a Tundra. One of the buyers who’s in my work often just got a 4th gen V6 4Runner, blue. It’s nice.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:23

4runner is all you need

dogisbadob > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:32

A Matrix should be able to do what you need to do with it, or possibly an RX hybrid :o)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/09/2018 at 20:32

Of course I do — I also own a 100%-American Pontiac * and a Lexus!

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:34

The grass is always greener, eh? My 2-cents: FJ Cruiser.

Captain of the Enterprise > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:35

I would test drive a Landcruiser maybe that will get the choice out of your head because you’ll be able to decide what you prefer. Personally I’m dreaming of this 4Runner:

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1d872d0f

First I have to pay off my Camry, graduate undergrad, graduate a masters program, start working as a social worker, get a living situation and start making savings first. So it’s good that I’m wasting time browsing for cars at the moment lol.

dogisbadob > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/09/2018 at 20:37

Yeah, but Toyota makes the best cars and trucks

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dogisbadob
12/09/2018 at 20:38

This is Dr. Z shopping, not Mrs. Z shopping!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB
12/09/2018 at 20:40

Hey, unrealistic goals never hurt anyone. No wait, that’s not at all true.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:41

At least you aren’t wasting money on expensive shower doors like me.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:43

As someone who took seven years to buy a car, unrealistic goals always hurt.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/09/2018 at 20:43

I would if I could. Of course mine would cost considerably less.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:45

Tercel > everything, obviously. When you don’t need it anymore , it’ll evaporate into rust and disappointment, and its soul will drive on into the Automotive Afterlife .

As for a ‘yota, maybe the better choice will be from the one with an L on its forehead.

Kinja'd!!!

You get the cushy interior combined with the towing capacity. Make the miles disappear underneath your mighty wheels.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB
12/09/2018 at 20:47

Shoot for the moon and land amongst the stars

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:48

4runner??

ToyotaFamily > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:49

It’s hard to resist the Toyota’s. I went from having an Integra & RSX at one point to a 4Runner.

Do I need the space or 4wd? No, but it sure is nice to have it.

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 20:52

The stars are literally thousands of times harder to get to than the moon

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > vicali
12/09/2018 at 20:53

Because the Tundra would always beat out the Sequoia. I still need a bed. In theory.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
12/09/2018 at 20:53

No u

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Future Heap Owner
12/09/2018 at 20:54

Take it up with the dead guy who popularized the phrase, boi

MUSASHI66 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:04

My buddy had a land cruiser, 80 if I’m not mis taken, with 250k miles or so. It was pretty shitty. Land Crusier is an amazing vehicle, but very expensive if you get one in good shape and low miles. If you’re on a budget, you won’t find one with low miles and in good shape.

I think that 2006 Tundra double cab is the best size pickup ever created. My 2000 Tundra access cab would have been perfect with extra 4-6” of rear leg room. That V8 is spectacular, there are plenty to be found in a good price range. Aftermarket is not huge, but you can get plenty of parts if you want to. Tacoma/4Runner wheels fit, so you can get decent wheels, including OEM TRD Pro parts. Obviously, superchargers exist, but even used are $2500-4000.

V8 4runners cost too much money used. Lexus version of it is nice, but if you want to go off road, parts cost more than for the 4Runner. None of them can tow as much as the Tundra.

You know you want it. Access cabs can be had for under $10k in low 100k mile range. Maintenance at 120k miles should be limited to front and rear shocks, sway bar end links, spark plugs, fluid replacement, maf sensor cleanup, pcv replacement, throttle body cleanup, oxygen sensors - well under $1000 (if you do it all) total unless your sensors are seized like mine and you need new manifolds. I lucked out with mine - $100 for both, used with low miles - as they are around $600 for pair from Toyota. I’d just weld new bungs and wouldn’t replace them if I didn’t score the pair so cheaply. You might need new suspension pieces as well in control arms - I haven’t done mine yet so I’m not sure of the cost

Repairs have been simple - I did everything in my driveway, no lift, with my dad and just regular tools. Interior has help up really well as well - I’m about to clean mine with good cleaner, rotating brush attachement and extractor, but fabric is almost in new condition.

Tundra - you know you want it.

MUSASHI66 > gmctavish needs more space
12/09/2018 at 21:07

And if you want to tow, 1st gen Tundra is way better for it than any Tacoma because of the V8 torque. Size wise, they are almost the same, but 1st Gen tundra feels roomier than current gen Tacoma.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:16

For over 20 years, I was convinced I needed a bed. I ended up with a portable one.

Kinja'd!!!

punkgoose17 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:22

It is okay we are just trying to get $500 into the "new car" fund in case an accident happens and we can make up the deductible.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:25

This is in my garage right now. I’m borrowing it from a good friend because I can’t (read shouldn’t ) manual for a while due to a broken right scapula (I may or may not be ignoring my doctor) .

Kinja'd!!!

It’s a V6. It has 192k on it. It has lived in the dust of northern Texas and New Mexico and the owner has basically given zero shits about maintenance besides oil changes and tires. The interior is trashed. And yet it runs like a champ. The motor pulls just fine. I can only imagine how good the 2UZ would be. I’ve never driven his generation before and I’m amazed at how well it rides and handles. It’s seriously comfy for this size of body in frame SUV. Due to the shorter wheelbase it’s not as smooth as a Suburban but I think it would road trip just fine. And it has better steering feel and handling than half the crossovers I’ve driven. Find a good condition Limited V8 4th gen 4Runner and you’ll probably find it is plenty of truck for $7k less than a Land Cruiser of the same year.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:25

That's just a fancy way of saying 'I missed...'

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:25

yes u

i made one do a burnout today

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
12/09/2018 at 21:37

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/09/2018 at 21:40

That’s a nice one. My neighbor has a similar sized one he pulls with his Tacoma. This idea is on the table, although my IS can only tow “up to” 2000 lbs with the proper hitch.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > punkgoose17
12/09/2018 at 21:41

I used to have a separate account just for emergency vehicle funds. I think the most I had in it was $240...

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:44

Or that...

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:53

Sounds like you need a 79 series. Like the rest of us.

punkgoose17 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 21:54

We have 1 savings account, but a google sheet / excel file that divides all the money into different purposes. My Saab 96 fund is in the same account.

dogisbadob > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 22:22

Can’t the Matrix and RX hybrid tow? :p

Anyway, Toyota makes the best cars and trucks, so you can’t go wrong no matter what

Ev en an LS430 with the 3UZ might have some to wing capability

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 22:32

Thanks. It was purpose-built for hauling a small lawn tractor which is no longer in the family. I added the plywood to make it more functional for hauling dirt, mulch, and rocks for the lawn, and debris and junk to the landfill. I’d like to upgrade to slightly wider flatbed with stake holes so I can haul my mower when I need to, then put the walls on for hauling loose materials.

Kinja'd!!!

I’m surprised at the low towing capacity of the IS. Even our Outback is rated for 2,700 lbs.

Nothing > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 22:35

Dealer I bought the 4Runner at had 2 100s, both 2006, and both with 180k+ on them. They want 25k for one, and 30k (!!!) for the other. Absurd. Obviously overpriced.

I love 1st gen Tundras. If I was given 15k to but a 2UZ equipped vehicle , I’d pretend I was going to get a 100, and ultimately buy the Tundra. And then I’d doubt my decision every time I drove by a 100. I guess I should buy 1 of each.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/10/2018 at 09:08

Just finance it over 96 months and then you can afford it!

/jk