Selecting a Potential "Forever" Vehicle

[CleanSump]

Checkers Cabs were made in Canada until all the Chevy body molds were too worn out.
John Lennon's driver said the Beetle bought a Mercedes Diesel Station Wagon becuase he never wanted to have to buy another vehicle. He was correct because after purchasing the Mercedes Diesel Station Wagon he never had to buy another vehicle.

 

[amateurbob]

I tend drive cars into the ground. I have had 5 cars in my 32 years of driving. Between my last cars, my Accord and my previous Regal l have had them for 24 years (and counting).

 

[JeffKeryk]

I tend drive cars into the ground. I have had 5 cars in my 32 years of driving. Between my last cars, my Accord and my previous Regal l have had them for 24 years (and counting).

Our '06 TSX with the mighty K24 hasa a measley 245K on the clock. Checking the oil level is a waste of time. It's had a steady diet if Mobil 1 at 4500 mile OCIs. I'd drive it anywhere as it sits right now.

 

[CKN]

I have been thinking about my next and ideally last vehicle.

My goals are longevity, ease/cost of repair, I do not want cylinder deactivation, comfort(soft ride and ease of entry), and utility (cargo space/seating capacity). I have always purchased used and l would plan to in this case as well. Purchase price and value is a big consideration.

My current list is:
Sienna
2012 or older Pathfinder
Nissan Armada
Sequoia
GX460

Are their any other vehicles that should be considered? I have only driven a Sienna so maybe the others do not fit my criteria.

Please share your thoughts

The GX 460 that doesn't have ultra high miles at a decent price that isn't beat up is hard to find. Good luck on that one. The Sequoia is a piece of garbage-yes even the older ones.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Funny you should mention that. I am in my late 40s. I did a rough guestimate on how many miles l have left given my family history. At my current annual mileage l have around 400k.

If you have to deal with rust, make sure you get a car with no rust, and that you rustproof it regularly. It doesn't matter how many miles the engine is capable of if the rest of the car rust to pieces

 

[PMT133]

I'm not sure theres too much out there that'll make it the several million I'd need before I kick the can.

 

[User_19876]

5th gen 4Runner or the 460. No question.

 

[ka9mnx]

Third Gen 4Runner (1998-2002). Was the best 4Runner made. After that they got cheapened up and ugly. Get the 3.4L and two wheel drive.

 

[Hohn]

2010-2019 4Runner.

He said ease of entry.

 

[Hohn]

5th gen 4Runner or the 460. No question.

My wife will say the 460 is the most comfortable vehicle we’ve ever had.

 

[Legs4Arms]

5th gen 4Runner or the 460. No question.

A good friend bought one of these (Runner) new. Said it drove like a brick, got atrocious fuel mileage, and was an absolute dog. Couldn't wait to get rid of it. Said it cost a fortune too, can't remember the number off hand.

They do seem very popular on here though

 

[CKN]

A good friend bought one of these (Runner) new. Said it drove like a brick, got atrocious fuel mileage, and was an absolute dog. Couldn't wait to get rid of it. Said it cost a fortune too, can't remember the number off hand.

They do seem very popular on here though

I have been saying that for years and got ostracized on here for it. They are one uncomfortable vehicle. A long time member on here rented one...he said the same thing.

 

[Legs4Arms]

I have been saying that for years and got ostracized on here for it. They are one uncomfortable vehicle. A long time member on here rented one...he said the same thing.

He genuinely hated his lol.

 

[User_19876]

A good friend bought one of these (Runner) new. Said it drove like a brick, got atrocious fuel mileage, and was an absolute dog. Couldn't wait to get rid of it. Said it cost a fortune too, can't remember the number off hand.

They do seem very popular on here though

The fuel mileage is pretty bad. 17 mpg with a good tailwind. My 2018 drives well to me, and plenty of power for my needs. I’m probably not very hard to please, though. My love for the vehicle is the reliability, ladder frame, and the general robustness. I also think it has good lines. There’s nothing I don’t like about it except for the ridiculous hanger tabs on the front of the skid plate. You have to remove the thing to get to the oil filter housing, and those tabs are annoying.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Nissan Xterra’s go 400k miles.

Lots of parts since they share with the frontier till 2019.

Buy 2011+ to avoid all known issues.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Gx460, Sequoia, Sienna. In that order If gas isnt a concern. I feel like part availability would be best in that order too.

 

[CKN]

Gx460, Sequoia, Sienna. In that order If gas isnt a concern. I feel like part availability would be best in that order too.

Nobody is mentioning ergonomics-it's funny how that works on here. This website has many "mature folks" on it. It sounds like the OP could be one. We are more concerned about how easy it is to replace a water pump-than to be comfortable/ingress/egress in a vehicle. Because with the exception of the Sienna-none of his choices are comfortable vehicles. JMHO. If I "had to buy" one of his body one frame choices-it would be the GX460. But reviews state that thing also lumbers along.

 

[Hohn]

A good friend bought one of these (Runner) new. Said it drove like a brick, got atrocious fuel mileage, and was an absolute dog. Couldn't wait to get rid of it. Said it cost a fortune too, can't remember the number off hand.

They do seem very popular on here though

The power of a 4cyl, but the economy of a v8!

 

[Hohn]

Checkers Cabs were made in Canada until all the Chevy body molds were too worn out.
John Lennon's driver said the Beetle bought a Mercedes Diesel Station Wagon becuase he never wanted to have to buy another vehicle. He was correct because after purchasing the Mercedes Diesel Station Wagon he never had to buy another vehicle.

A good illustration of that old saying: build a man a fire and warm him for a day, but set a man afire and warm him for the rest of his life.

 

[02SE]

I have been saying that for years and got ostracized on here for it. They are one uncomfortable vehicle. A long time member on here rented one...he said the same thing.

As has been said every time you mention how uncomfortable they are, it is pointed out that comfort is entirely subjective. There are actual owners here, including the wife and I, who don't agree.

As for power, it moves far better than the 3rd gen 4Runner I had, or the FZJ 80 Landcruiser, or the SR5 4wd Extra-cab pickup. We do have more comfortable vehicles, with far more power. But in the context of the question of this thread, I believe our 5th gen 4Runner would be the most trouble-free of our vehicles over the long haul. Next would be the RAM Dually. But the emissions system will very likely become problematic sooner.

One thing is for sure, it's a good thing there are a large variety of vehicles for people to choose from. It would be pretty boring if only one vehicle were made.