Another T100 post... Or, potential drastic measures.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
10/23/2018 at 23:40 • Filed to: ramblings of a bafoon

What you’re all thinking right now when you read my crap.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I’ve kind of been in a “simplify my life” mode. And unfortunately, you good folk get to suffer because my wife hates it when I go into my vehicular existential crises rants and won’t indulge my ramblings... “Whatever you want to do, I support you. I don’t care. ” she replies with raised eyebrow and a slighted head shake. Smart lady. And she does NOT care.

I’m almost talking myself into pulling the plug on everything — fleet-wise.

Here’s are the thoughts I’m up against:

- the longbed turns 39 years old soon. It’s really showing its age.
- the IS is a great car, but it hasn’t been cheap and I barely drive it
- the T100 will be cheaper insurance than either of the above vehicles
- the regular gas plus lower MPGs (T100) vs the premium gas and better MPGs (IS) makes the fuel costs a complete wash
- backseat in the T100 not much worse than the IS. Much less comfortable, YES, but not much less room.
- good affordable trucks are harder and harder to find as time passes
- the T100 also is very camp-able.
- I’d have extra cash after selling the IS
- I’m increasingly drawn to a “swiss army knife” vehicle as I age
- the acquisition of the T100 does not necessitate the sale of the longbed. I could keep it as a project car, use the bed as a trailer, hang on to it like a crazy person.

Here are the counter- arguments:

- having driven both long term at different times in my life, the IS is superior in EVERY way as a driver’s vehicle. They feel a decade apart (math nearly checks out).
- the devil you know versus the one you don’t. The IS has 95k miles and is fully serviced and smoother than butter
- I won’t get back every penny I’ve put into the IS. I’m not too confident I’d get 80 cents on the dollar. Not a unique complaint but the thought is there.
- I’m worried I will regret letting go of the IS. I foresee zero opportunity ever finding another an Sportcross in that good of condition. But I’m kind of a man of regret in general, so hmm.
- Will I camp enough to justify the purchase? I can bet with two hands I would certainly camp more, though...

Obviously, there’s a elephant in the room — well, more like a cricket. Why can’t I have both? When I was 27, my dream garage was — no joke - a T100 and an SC400. I also imagined living deep in the woods on a winding road to a house on top of the hill. Instead I moved from downtown Everett to downtown Everett. So stuff happens. When you consider I drive maybe 3,000 miles a year in my personal vehicles, owning a not-cheap IS plus a not-cheap T100, insuring them, and then just having them sit around isn’t a good use of money. But then it’s kind of a wash, because if I wait a long time and get a Tundra, it’ll just mean more money but later. There’s no good answer, I swear...

Well, anyway. Thanks for the listen.

DISCUSSION (46)

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:51

Could the IS become the Mrs. Zoidberg car? That could open up some options...

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion
10/23/2018 at 23:55

I like the way you think.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:55

I propose a complete household overhaul. Sell it all and go 4Runner for her and T100 for you.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:55

What enjoyment do you get out of the IS? Would you be able to get that same enjoyment, or a different type of enjoyment, from a new truck?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion
10/23/2018 at 23:55

She could have it, but it would cost much more to run than her current car. Plus, she wants the next car to be a bigly big crossover (MARRIAGE). She’s a nice lady, but she’s not... gentle with her vehicles. The IS does not suit her lifestyle.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
10/23/2018 at 23:57

Can’t get much more drastically overhauly than that.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB
10/23/2018 at 23:58

It wouldn’t be the same, but in a way the IS doesn’t match the *type* of joy I get from the longbed. There’s something I really love about pickups. The feeling I get from the IS is, “I never knew until this moment that every car I’ve driven before this sucks.” It’s a certainly a level of excitement that a pickup doesn’t duplicate.

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
10/23/2018 at 23:59

I pitched this idea to my Mrs. with my Suburban because I don’t really want to sell it. Shocker: my wife doesn’t want to drive an 18 year old 3/4 ton gas-sucking behemoth.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:59

So, it sounds like it’s more a keep the longbed issue rather than the IS, because you seem to love it.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:59

So, it sounds like it’s more a keep the longbed issue rather than the IS, because you seem to love it.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2018 at 23:59

But it would work on so many levels. You’d lose out on the sporty aspect of having a car but you’re capable and relatively reliable all around.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB
10/24/2018 at 00:01

Sure I love the longbed, but like I said it’s 39 years old, and hmmmmmmmmm not the... safest of safes. It’s just a product of time. I’m not gonna throw thousands at another rusty Toyota. Been there, done that.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:01

My take: keep the IS. put 15” wheels and AT tires on the long bed. Voi la dirt bag camper truck.

ttyymmnn > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:03

“Whatever you want to do, I support you. I don’t care.”

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
10/24/2018 at 00:04

It’s true. I could also do:

(His/Her)
- Tundra/4Runner
- Tundra/RX
- T100/RX

And so on. She actually suggested I buy the work Taco from my employer and use that as a pickup. I explained to her that I need to tack on another 100,000 miles before it becomes affordable -_-

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ttyymmnn
10/24/2018 at 00:04

Yeah, there’s certain conditions in place. Like no 80's Toyotas and no missing airbags. MARRIAGE.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/24/2018 at 00:06

But longbed cannot take doggo and wife (single cab w/ bucket seats)

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan
10/24/2018 at 00:06

What’s your current garage looking like anyway ?

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:08

In the alternative, would a reasonably modern, comfortable and not bigly truck suit her lifestyle better?

ttyymmnn > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:09

Kinja'd!!!

Marriage.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
10/24/2018 at 00:10

Compared to IS, absolutely. But getting “her” a car that’s really for me, hmmmm m, plus she likes my work Taco or a V8 Tundra more than the T100 (I don’t know why, but it is what it is).

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:11

Option 2 sounds expensive

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
10/24/2018 at 00:12

A man can dream. And drink.

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:15

Sell the IS and the T100. Get a 4Runner or Quad-Cab Taco as DD & Camper combo vehicle. Drive the long bed into the ground.

Oh, and when it’s time for Mrs Z’s new crossover, sell the Vibe to me

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:16

It sounds like there possibilities there. How much bigger is an early tundra than a T100 anyway... ?

Actually, ignore the peanut gallery. We’re all terrible influences with this sort of thing.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:19

That’s why I’m for some reason shopping FJ80’s

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1992-toyota-land-cruiser-fj80/6726774897.html

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:22

I know. My old lady is like "you can't have a 5th car!" Like, how unfair is that?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
10/24/2018 at 00:24

I really can’t believe that none of us bought RPM’s FJ80.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Future Heap Owner
10/24/2018 at 00:25

You want the Vibe?! You’d be the first person other than myself who wanted one.

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:35

Dude I’ve been pining after a Vibe ever since I learned it was made at NUMMI and is secretly a Corolla hatchback.

RPM esq. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:38

it sounds to me like the longbed is the one to replace with a T100, not the IS, due to its age and similarity. Bittersweet, sure, but I have to think you’d miss that Lexus luxury and would soon be shopping for a car to pair with your truck again.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq.
10/24/2018 at 00:42

Yes, the possibilities for unilateral regrets are INFINITE

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
10/24/2018 at 00:46

Same old stuff... Studebaker, Suburban and Jeep XJ. Plus the wife’s company-owned RAV that's probably going away soon.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:54

IMO, no number of cool trucks will substitute for a real nice road cruiser. Unless you can live a road-free lifestyle.

Not quite the same thing, but I went to test drive a Wrangler with my friend. I’d go nuts if I had to listen to that tire slap for every commute.

I don’t think one can do any better than your IS in the “offbeat Lexus” camp.

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 00:57

This is literally true

M.T. Blake > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 01:32

Go buy a brand new Tundra and call it a day.

JMKarstetter > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 01:40

Sure you can! Dog in the front seat and the wife in the bed. Subaru Brat style seats.

InFierority Complex > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 03:44

It’s not missing if it wasn’t sold with one to begin with, right? Technically?

random001 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 06:53

This killed my planned purchase of an earlier Montero. It must have airbags!

random001 > InFierority Complex
10/24/2018 at 06:54

I wish that was how it worked...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 07:19

Sounds to me like your having the same crisis I was a short time ago.

I’d suggest taking a step back, catching a breath, then looking at it again with a clear mind.

If I hadn’t done this I would have made a decision I that would have likely devastated me once the realization and regret hit.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 07:20

Wife in front seat.

Bed mounted dog carrier for doggo.

You’re really reaching for excuses to ditch the long bed aren’t you?

Quadradeuce > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 09:29

Sell long bed and IS. Buy minivan .

You can haul material in it, camp in it, it’s comfortable, your wife and dog will fit in it (as will your 2.5 kids in a couple of years), and it’s cheap to run. Problems solved!

(If I have to listen to BS about how full size pickup driver s should all be driving minivans, so do you)

MUSASHI66 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 09:35

Maybe I’ll call you when we’re ready to sell our 2000 Tundra. Acccess cab, V8, 130k miles, and it’s that blue-ish silver color they had and no one bought. Now that we got the new tundra, I think I might start playing a bit more with the old one - plate bumpers come to mind :)

Nibbles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 10:23

Keep longbed. Don’t get rid of it unless you get rid of it to me. But put it on storage insurance.

Buy T100. I don’t know why you want it but who am I to judge.

Sell S pertkrass. It’s been fun but you know it’s too nice of a vehicle anyway. Also consider the looming Lexus© Maintenance and Repair™ bills as it gets up in age.

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/24/2018 at 10:41

It sounds like the most logical thing is to sell the long bed, buy the T-100.