early 90's Volvo wagon either 740 or 240 style. Bullet proof engine. Can carry almost anything inside. Put racks on top to carry everything else. And cheap. Just gave ours with 288k miles to our neighbor. Still like new. Couldn't get 1k for it on the market.
Go riding around and post a note on one you like.

doesnt the tacoma have a 4 door variety? get it, in 2wd and it will do it all, most of it. 4wd is more costly. i have sat in the back seat of a 4x4 four door tacoma, and the roominess in the back is surprising.

I would eliminate anything with a payment.

I don't know if it is just my credit union, but when I bought my truck in October, they were offering 1.5% on new or used vehicles.

We're not talking captive financing 1.5% either. You know when it's a ridiculous low rate OR something like $3,000 cash back from the manufacturer's finance company. Most people don't realize that that $3,000 is the interest on your loan, up front. So I could have taken the cash back and still gotten the ridiculous rate. At 1.5%, the cost of money is pretty close to free. I chose a 3 year loan only because that was what I expected the minimum useful life of the vehicle to be.

So the message is, if you belong to a credit union, look, into an auto loan from them.

I've become very anti-WRX wagon lately.

Compared to the sedan, the wagon I got is a POS. Rattles, squeaks, pings (as in pre-det that the dealer "can't reproduce") and it handles like poo.

A Honda sans warranty wouldn't worry me at all.

Paying interest on a depreciating asset is never an option, for me anyway.

The Volvo 240/740 wagon is great advice.

Tough to beat the Tacoma...I have a 2000 that has been absolutely trouble free. I have the TRD model that features a beefed-up suspension and a locking rear differential. I off-road quite a bit and have been very pleased.
Gas mileage is not great, however; even with the four cylinder version (approx 150 hp) I average only 21 mpg in mixed driving.
I don't mind dragging around the 4x4 parts because I live in a very rural area and, when I need the capability, it's important. The 4x2 may be a better option in SoCal.
The newer versions have four doors, but I've had no issues running my kids around in the expanded cab with just two doors. There is also an amazing after-market surrounding these trucks. The rack systems alone are fantastic.
They're not giving these things away, but in the long haul they deliver: I gave my Dad my 89 SR5 truck when I bought the current truck. Stills no problems at 250k and counting.
New or used I'm a fan.

What about a first gen 4runner (84-89)? You get a full size back seat, can take the top off in the summer and still haul things in the back like a truck. I love my 88!

The new 05 Tacos are also really nice, but might be out of your price range. Don't forget the new Nissan Frontiers too!

interesting thought about the old 4-runner. Another option might be a similar year extended cab Toyota truck. If I find one that has been well cared for, it should be cheap to buy, own, and drive. I remember my '85 p/u was pretty bombproof.

Anything to look for on those old 22R engines (or what were the V6 back then?)? I know water pump, but did they use timing chain or belt?

Traded my Toyota extended cab Prerunner for a Subaru Forrester about 3 weeks ago. Pretty happy so far.

22R has a timing chain. I believe this is the engine in my old 87 Toyota pickup. Change the old regularly, and they are good engines. The only other hassle is the carburetor. There are so many hoses. I would prefer a Toyota pickup with FI.

I think Dantilla has some wise advice in avoiding a payment.

I vote used Honda (cheap transportation) or a truck (great tow vehicle and parts getter). I happen to own both. :)

1986 Honda Prelude with over 165,000 miles. The speedo cable broke 3-4 years ago so it probably has another 15,000 miles or so. Good gas mileage, fair performance for a 4 banger, and great reliability. I took it to a local autocross before I could get some new tires for the 911. I wasn't last in H-stock and I was the only one not running R-compounds. It started missing and I figured it was old and would die. I just drove it harder. Turns out it just needed new plug wires. I replaced them for free under warranty from Advance Auto. Runs great now.
A Civic, Accord, or Prelude would be just fine. We've had several Hondas in my family over the years. Some were sold with as little as 150k miles and others went on past the 240k mark.

1993 Chevy Stepside 1/2 ton pickup with ~200,000 miles. Gets 16-19mpg. I've towed a 30 foot enclosed trailer and cars on an open trailer. It's been such a good truck that when the motor goes I'm considering getting a new motor or rebuilding the old one and keeping it another 200,000 miles. I did have to rebuild the tranny 20-30,000 miles ago. I'd recommend 1/2 ton or better for the truck so you can tow your 911 in a pinch or when you want to modify it more and you don't want to risk getting stranded.

Ask IROC about Forerunners. He's got one and really likes it.

Money is cheap these days. Use the cheap money to buy a low mileage vehicle (maybe something 2-3 years old). This is good debt, in my opinion. This assumes you don't spend the spare cash on beer and hookers.

much worse...mods and track time.

I'm looking at early 90's era 4x4 Toyota extended cabs. Seem to be around $5K plus or minus. I could plunk down cash and have no payment. If I get a good one it should be cheap. Next I'll check out ones that are a few years old and see what they are going for.

Todd,

You'll find the lil Toy' trucks don't lose value much. You'll spend nearly as much on a '94 as you will a '99-'00. Off roaders love em so they retained appeal.

good point len. the Subaru dealers initial trade offer was better than the bluebook for my 70k mile '00 truck that needed new tires, new windshield, new AC, and new brakes.

What about a Volvo 850 wagon? The 850 turbo has 222hp and drives great!

What do you guys mean the Mini is too small? Check this out, I have a whole Chevy truck in the back.......http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1108442195.jpg

Toyota started to put the 22RE (EFI) in trucks in 1985. I think they still offered the old carbureted 22r at that time too. Anyway, 85 was the last year for the solid axel and the first year for the EFI so they are really desirable and demand a premium. Toyota started to put the V6 in trucks in 88, They had 150hp and 180tq, but are still really slow and get crappy mileage. And they had HG problems, but most of them were covered by a recall. I have the V6 in my 88 4runner and I almost wish I had the 22re; the power advantage vs. MPG is not really worth it. However the power of the V6 is nice when climbing the mountains up to Tahoe. With some headers, cam and exhaust you can get the 22re very close to the V6. Plus the 22re is one best Toyota engines ever. Don’t forget the turbo they made in 86-88? I think that pushed out about 135hp or so, but they only came with an auto.

Pirate4x4.com and Yotatech.com are some good places for more info

I've owned and loved trucks from Datsun, Chevy, and Ford. I think you're on to a good idea with a truck. That said I think the Toyota trucks are overrated. People seem to think that a Toyota is the only truck that is capable of long life. My Datsun went well past 225K miles with only a water pump and alternator failure, my Chevy 170K miles. My F150 currently has 62K but runs like new (knock on wood), just had it's first plug change. Trucks are easy to work on and cheap to maintain. I think you would be making a mistake going for a older Toyota over a newer domestic. Unlike a 911 there's little nostalgia with trucks - each year they just get better. I like the extended-cab trucks over the super-crew style because my kids still get a decent rear seat, rear split doors for easy access, and the truck bed is still decent size - perfect for dirt bikes...

Oh and since you brought it up, a quality lift, rims, and tires is gonna set you back ~$3000. If at all possible buy the used truck with the lift and tires already on it. It's a popular upgrade with truck owners and is worth next to nothing come resale time - their loss your gain. If I could do it again I would have been more patient with my F150 and found one with the lift I want, maybe paid $500 over what I did pay for my non-lifted truck.