Older, reliable, 3rd vehicle?

[Lil-Rokslider]

Suggestions for an older reliable 3rd vehicle for our family. Something I can turn my own wrenches on, and with a reputation of longevity and reliability. I'm not afraid of something old and high mileage.

-4WD or AWD
- Seating for 5+

This won't be a primary vehicle for my wife or I. Mostly used for times when we're running kids in different directions, and my truck is hooked up to my work trailer. Will eventually be passed along to kids with drivers licenses (This is 6+ years away).

I've been looking at some early 2000's Ford Explorers. Can anyone speak to their longevity/ reputation?

 

[Weldor]

Toyota sequoia. Not Toyota fanboy, but that will fit your needs. Neighbor has the 4.7- 540,000 or so on it. Hard to beat that.

 

[brca005]

Seconded for Toyota, Sequoia would be on top of my list for what you’re looking for. Also, can attest to 4Runners and Highlanders, I know a guy who has a 4Runner with over 410K on his, my wife has a Highlander with 175K and we’ve done nothing but change the oil and it just keeps on ticking, it’s our road trip family vehicle as well.

 

[Smoke_Rutz]

Didn’t know what to suggest but man I have seen some sequoias go the distance. I happen to be a Toyota fanboy too. Absolutely love these machines.


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[Mojave]

A Sequoia is ok. I sold mine last year, it had 150,000 miles on it and would have gone another 150,000.

We moved overseas or I would have never sold it.

 

[displacedtexan]

Toyota.

4 Runner/Sequoia.

Or a Lexus GX 470.

And I'm not particularly a Toyota fan. They hit all your buttons.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Any of the Toyotas mentioned are great. 3rd gen Cummins are hard to beat. Power, amazing fuel economy, hual 6 people, tow 15k, super easy to work on, run for 500k. Pass em down to the kids for first truck.

 

[ericmcd]

I'm a Toyota fanboy, we have two 2023s right now. But for a third vehicle I would want to pay the "Toyota tax" id be looking at Mitsubishi Montero or xterra

 

[Skerhunter]

I don’t know anyone with an explorer, so can’t speak on that. But I will say I don’t see a ton of older ones on the road.

How small can you go? I see a ton of the RAV4, crvs, and escapes on the road every day (early mid 2000s with high miles).

Bigger size suv or truck the Yukons/toyotas/nissans would fit the bill.

We got a Nissan Titan for this exact purpose 5 years ago (cheap well maintained) It’s easy to work on/trouble shoot (engine bay is roomy) It’s not as solid as a Toyota/lexus and there is some stuff I don’t like about it, but it gets me around. At 240k I have redone brakes, rear axle seals, shocks and at some point will have to replace the steering rack (been leaking for over 2 years now).

Personally I would like a tundra for our next 3rd vehicle.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

For price, longevity, and ease of wrenching on I would be looking at late 90's or early 2000's Jeep Grand Cherokees. XJ's too but nice ones in good condition that haven't been cut up and modified are starting to fetch high dollar similar to the Toyota tax. I have also owned an old 4runner and loved it but it was not fun or easy to work on myself.

 

[CorbLand]

For longevity, any of the Toyota 4.7. A Sequoia would probably fit the bill. The 4.7 isn’t the easiest motor to wrench on but it’s not horrible. Especially compared to the newer stuff.

If you could swing it, early 2000s RAV4 are about the most simple thing I have ever seen. Might not fit what your looking for as far as space though.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Buddy of mine has a mid 2000’s explorer with 230k on it. Seems to be running well for him, his other vehicles are a sequoia and a 2013 tundra, from chatting seems like most things past 2010 have become very difficult to work on. He is far more of a gear head than I but his favorite vehicles to work on have been my 2004 wrangler and his 90’ F-250

 

[ALF]

Once I get my eyes on a model, I always google years to avoid, and/or the best years.

Pretty enlightening sometimes.

 

[TaperPin]

Suggestions for an older reliable 3rd vehicle for our family. Something I can turn my own wrenches on, and with a reputation of longevity and reliability. I'm not afraid of something old and high mileage.

-4WD or AWD
- Seating for 5+

This won't be a primary vehicle for my wife or I. Mostly used for times when we're running kids in different directions, and my truck is hooked up to my work trailer. Will eventually be passed along to kids with drivers licenses (This is 6+ years away).

I've been looking at some early 2000's Ford Explorers. Can anyone speak to their longevity/ reputation?

I love the early 2000 Ford Explorers. They are getting long in the tooth, but if you hold out for a garage queen, they are out there still. Once a year I see one that belonged to some small state or local government agency and barely has any miles on it.

The one we picked up belonged to a little old couple and only saw the light of day to go to the grocery store or church.

The transmissions aren’t known for longevity, but that’s easy enough to replace.

The main downside is the engine is in there tight and it’s not easy to work in, but parts are cheap - like really cheap. They are old enough factory ford parts aren’t an option. I highly recommend getting a used factory service manual off eBay - $50 to $100 and it is packed full of how to troubleshoot and repair everything. The factory electrical info alone is worth it.

Four Runners are nice as well, but cost per mile will be higher. Used prices are higher and parts, even rebuilt parts, are more. If rust is a thing near you, definitely buy one from a warm state and have the underside wax coated regularly.

 

[AK Troutbum]

This.

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[Uncle Goonie]

1st gen Sequoia or a 4th gen 4runner would top my list. I have a 2003 4runner with the 4.7 V8 that has been a great vehicle, 285k miles and it's been on the tow truck one time (master cylinder). The 4.0 V6 is a great motor as well. My wife has a newer 4runner with that motor and it hasn't changed much since it was introduced 20ish years ago.
MPG for the 4.7 is 13-15, 4.0 is 18-20.

 

[JMundy84]

3rd gen 4runners with the 3.4 V6 are pretty hard to beat for longevity. I have 2 with right around 300k on them and a friend of mine has one with a little over 400.

 

[ArchMT]

I have a 3rd gen 4runner which I love. Trust it more than my newer truck. I’m not a good mechanic, but told myself if I was buying a second rig I would do all the work. Lots of good video resources out there, but OEM parts can be pricey. OEM parts last forever though. Only issue is they are small. Fitting 5 people would be tight. They are pretty tough rigs so good for a new driver that may bump a few things.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Serious question here since Rokslide doubles as the Toyota fan club. Btw I have owned - and currently do own a Toyota, so I don't hate them.

How many people actually work on their Toyotas themselves though? Not talking about changing the battery or bolting accessories to the roof but real actual mechanic work like replacing head gasket, fuel pump, fuel injectors, cooling system, front end components etc. My old 94 4runner went to over 300k but I hated working on it. Hands always bleeding from reaching into the cramped engine bay and hard or nearly impossible bolts to access. Parts were expensive or hard to find at junkyards. Then there were things like the fuel pump being located on top of the gas tank and many more quirks that made life difficult for the shade tree mechanic. OP said he wants an old vehicle he can work on at home, to me that's not Toyota unless you've got mechanic experience or really enjoy that work. Especially getting an older one that will probably require more maintenance along the way.

 

[JMundy84]

Serious question here since Rokslide doubles as the Toyota fan club. Btw I have owned - and currently do own a Toyota, so I don't hate them.

How many people actually work on their Toyotas themselves though? Not talking about changing the battery or bolting accessories to the roof but real actual mechanic work like replacing head gasket, fuel pump, fuel injectors, cooling system, front end components etc. My old 94 4runner went to over 300k but I hated working on it. Hands always bleeding from reaching into the cramped engine bay and hard or nearly impossible bolts to access. Parts were expensive or hard to find at junkyards. Then there were things like the fuel pump being located on top of the gas tank and many more quirks that made life difficult for the shade tree mechanic. OP said he wants an old vehicle he can work on at home, to me that's not Toyota unless you've got mechanic experience or really enjoy that work. Especially getting an older one that will probably require more maintenance along the way.

I do everything on mine myself but I have the advantage of having a friend with a well equipped shop with a lift in it.