Should I buy an expensive Tacoma or settle with a 4runner or Jeep?

Which is the best deal?
Which is the most reliable and fun for a college student?

$12k for a 2004 4Runner with 66,000 miles
or $19k for a 2012 Tacoma with 62,000 miles
or $14k for a 2007 Jeep Wrangler X with 75,000 miles?

 

Tacoma

 

I bet if you ask this question in a 4Runner or Jeep forum you'll get a different answer.

 

What are your needs? Do you need a truck or suv? Space constraints vs lots of possibilities

 

1. Tacoma
2. 4runner
3. Id just Walk.

 

2002 VW Beetle Turbo

 

For a college student? Beater with a heater.

 

Tacoma. You could die a Tacomaless man tomorrow.

 

There are 2 kinds of people in this world. Those that own tacomas, and those that have spent their lives being idiots.

 

Quote of the year maybe? @tcBob

 

My perspective...

Your in college, you shouldn't be pouring cash into a vehicle. But you need transport and versatility.

IF you have kids or dogs; and no foreseeable need for a truck bed. Buy the 4runner. It's the most affordable and can still get you where the tacoma can. But also hauls the family. It's cost to own is close to the taco. But isn't gona run you a semesters worth of coin extra.

IF it's just you and maybe a gf. The taco. Similar reasons but as a bachelor and after college the access cab will be enough until your at a different crossroad. Plus you can do man stuff and get by with your truck where you couldn't as a married man. Ie; sleeping in the bed of the truck vs a hotel room with a road weary wife.

The jeep... judging by what's done to it, the fact it's an x, and the clear signs of rust and damage that can easily be cleaned up but hasn't been because the owner has no f*cks to give.. I would just pass all together on it. Yes it's a jeep, and jeeps are cool and fun to drive. It's also a money pit, has a higher cost of ownership, will depreciate more, it less versatile, ie truck bed vs... back seats? And has the old v6.. a complete dog.

My vote is to the 4runner or the taco. Comes down to needs, money and preferance..

Finish school and reward yourself with something nicer/ newer then. For now do what makes the most sense..

 

Do you need the bed? is it a DD? do you have kids & plan to run the wheels off it?

All important considerations, that is really low mileage for a 2004 (albeit the price reflects that), if nothing is wrong with it & it's the Limited, go for the 4Runner if you answered yes to the above, those 4th gen's are absolute tanks. Bring a cylinder compression tester with you though, early 1GRFE's have the occasional HG issue.

If you want a weekend warrior to build & crawl with, get the JK *spit*

For everything else, get the Tacoma.

 

The jeep is on the edge of costing you money to maintain; mall crawler or not.
Its a jeep thing...

 

Tacoma or 4Runner, I have both and both are awesome. I would walk before I get a jeep.

 

That's so weird that the newest vehicle on your list with the least miles is the most expensive.

You can't really go wrong with the 4Runner however, they are solid vehicles and made in Japan instead of Hecho en Mexico.

 

I've had all three, currently a 2005 Tacoma. Like previous posters say, depends on your intended use. I loved my '99 4Runner, had it 3 years and sold it for more than I paid for it. Had the 3.4L V6, never had any problems with it, rode more like a truck than the newer 4Runner's. Bought a '96 FJ80, wish I still had it. Had a Jeep YJ with the 4.2L straight six, and a 2001 TJ with the 4 banger (way underpowered). Both were fun but not great for longer trips, always fixing something on the Jeep - Not bad to work on, but you work on them A LOT! The 4.0L straight six in Jeeps was a work horse, and reliable. I'd only consider a Rubicon unlimited 6-speed manual with the 4.0L because it has Dana 44 axles front and rear with selectable lockers. I'd pick a Tacoma TRD Off Road 4X4 long before the Jeep for durability and drivability and reliability, not to mention they hold their value better that a Jeep, which actually does ok in that department.

1. Tacoma 2nd gen
2. 4Runner
3. Tacoma 1st gen
4. Jeep Rubicon

 

At 55 I've been out of college for more years than I care to mention and I'm STILL having fun in my Tacoma!

 

I have a feeling this ain't for him but for his kid.. could be way off though..oh and that rtt gb you've been waiting for is kicking off soon

 

Jeeps are neat, but they are junk.

 

I had a Jeep for years. I loved it. I said I would never part with it. Then my kids decided they wanted to go on more errands with me. I gave up my Jeep for more utility of the Tacoma. I have not looked back.