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

This post is confusing. You are showing 2 different Tacoma's and 2 different 4-Runners. Which are the ones you are referencing?

 

I just went through this exact situation! Graduated last year!

So I only went to a technical institute and got a diploma for a 2yr course, so no fancy degree like some. BUT, what I can tell you is an excellent comparison between the Wrangler and the Tacoma.
A classmate had recently purchased a Wrangler before going into school, I think it was used w/ about 80,000 KM's (49709 Miles). I purchased my Taco a year or two prior to enrolling and had roughly the same mileage. As a money conscious student I tried to do as little maintenance to my vehicle in order to make my savings last. So primarily I did my own oil changes, filter changes, and bulb replacements...the other classmate attempted to do the same. I live outside of Calgary and had about a 30 minute commute to school, her drive was shorter with a commute of about 15-20 mins.

After two years and both starting our new occupations we took our vehicles in for service. I took mine to a local Toyota Dealership and got it looked over. After 2 years of MINIMAL maintenance I walked out with a bill of $550 which was new pads and I think an alignment. Their Jeep on the other hand when taken to the dealership racked up a total bill of $4,500, which included transmission problems, a CEL and a slew of other issues. Not trying to JEEP bash but this is what happened. My classmate ended up purchasing an entirely new Jeep a couple months later.

If there is one statement that always seems to stand true it is, you get what you pay for. I firmly believe that a few extra $$ up front can save you a lot later on. Food for thought. But I don't think you can go wrong with a Toyota.

 

4runner is 16 years old.... pass
Tacoma is too much loot for a kid in college.. pass
Jeep has too many reasons to list... pass

Keep looking

 

Jeep. People will wave at you.