[berettafan]

Son just got learners permit. Likes the 4runners and also the outback.

Xc90 is tempting for price/miles/safety. $6k. Obvious concerns over maintenance costs.

Outback tempting for safety if we pony up for newer eyesight model. Seems like one hell of a feature. Very nervous about 2.5 head gasket issue so would look for the 6cyl version. Easy on fuel. $12k.

4Runner main concern is pre 07 head gasket issues. V8 would be preferred for long life and awd. Thinking awd would help avoid some rwd learning experiences in wet weather. Mildly concerned about the v8 power being too much. $10-12k.

Found an awesome gx470 but it was too old man for him. Almost bought it for myself.

Considered older Tahoe but parking at home is tough with a tundra and sequoia already taking up driveway space. $4-6k.

Late 2000s pilot an option as well. He likes the look (kinda Land Rover-ish) and while I don’t think Honda’s will do Toyota miles I do trust them more than some other brands. I like the size for safety. $9-11k.

He likes Tacoma’s but prices are crazy and I worry it’s a terrible first car for a boy. Just too little weight in the back. Kid I went to school with died on a back road in a small pickup. Not enough metal around him and terrible handling. Don’t want to go down that route.

Xterra- 2010 or newer due to transmission issues. Ugly interior. Unsure about road handling. 9-11k.

Thoughts on this? Safety is obviously important here. He doesn’t have fantasies of checkered flags....perhaps not growing up with Dukes of Hazard impacts that?

Edit: drove a lx470 which I’d love him to have but didn’t float his boat. A shame as it’s a vehicle I’d not mind putting wrench time in on. Relatively slow, heavy build, awd.....maybe I should push it more? Would be early 2000s model.