Do not stop in the dry sand. Only stop where its packed and flat.

4/24/2013 6:53:18 PM

on core banks, guys drive 2wd bread trucks and old tool trucks on aired down implement tires that look like balloons and have no issues. balder the better for tires on the beach.

4/24/2013 7:43:35 PM

I'd say shoot for a 96-02 SR5 4runner with high miles and maintenance records/ good upkeep. I've seen them go for 3-4K. Some here might remember my 97, bought it for $2500 at 170K, all it had was some body damage, and I ragged the fuck out of it, held up great, an I'm really hard on vehicles.

I don't think I ever saw much better than 18 mpg's on any of the XJ's I've had, even in stock form.

I don't know why, but it seems like 1st gen 4runners in even semi-decent shape are getting really expensive and hard to find. As well as all used vehicles seem to be pretty pricey these days. Not sure why that is.

4/25/2013 1:03:14 AM

I'd like to pile on when it comes to the XJ's. I got one for my wife that had 115k miles on it and caught shit from a lot of people. We're now crossing 205k. They're awesome.

4.0L I6 + AW4 transmission is a bulletproof combo. Plus, the AW4's are a dime a dozen, cheap and easy to replace if you ever had to. Most of them will drip oil here and there a little, I'd say that's "normal."

The back seat legroom is really cramped, cargo room is OK, but they are a small SUV. That can be nice sometimes b/c they're easy to zip around downtown, park in tight spots, etc. I have a big, long F-150 and when I drive the XJ it's a nice change of pace.

If you find one in good shape, Blue book value doesn't mean much for these and many other "gem" older SUV's because most owners know their intrinsic value as rock-solid vehicles.

[Edited on April 25, 2013 at 8:27 AM. Reason : .]

4/25/2013 8:23:43 AM

Did you find anything yet? I'm looking for an XJ myself.

4/29/2013 12:27:17 PM

Quote :

"I'd say shoot for a 96-02 SR5 4runner with high miles and maintenance records/ good upkeep."

I have an '02 Limited with 162k on it. purchased with 150k 3.5 years ago. i dont drive it a ton, but i have had basically ZERO large maintenance problems with it in the almost four years ive owned it. it will need brakes soon, but that's to be expected. i will probably drive it for another year or two at most.

then again i only put like 5k miles on it a year...

[Edited on April 29, 2013 at 1:52 PM. Reason : .]

4/29/2013 1:51:13 PM

Quote :

"As well as all used vehicles seem to be pretty pricey these days. Not sure why that is."

Three things:

1) cash for clunkers took a LOT of used vehicles off the market. SUVs (with not so great gas mileage) even more.

2) with the economic downtown people are holding onto cars longer and are more likely to buy used instead of new

3) Automakers aren't making simple and reliable vehicles anymore. Even moreso true for body on frame SUVs.

4/29/2013 7:26:42 PM

Quote :

"1) cash for clunkers took a LOT of used vehicles off the market. SUVs (with not so great gas mileage) even more."

Sweet! Sounds like I might get paid twice from C4C. Once when I traded in a $1k bimmer that I rode hard for three years in exchange for a $4500 credit towards a new car and once when I sell my 4Runner later this year.

I sold the C4C Civic for what was essentially "break even" recently. Break even = What I paid + what my old Bimmer was worth when I traded it in for scrap. I lost a bit on the insurance I paid for over the years, but that was probably negated by the gas savings every time I drove it instead of my truck. Got a lot of good miles out of it in the meantime. On to bigger and (hopefully) better things.

4/29/2013 7:42:00 PM

I just sold my mother in laws 2000 RX 300 2wd (184k) for $5200 and Blue Book on it was only $4100.

Had multiple calls on it in like an hour, first guy that came bought it with no hassles, he tried to put a deposit on it because it was too late to get money. It was in ok shape, but the tires were worn out, the door locks did not work, and a bunch of other minor issues. People are fking nuts for Toyotas.

Maybe it was that cash for clunkers thing eating up all the inventory, certain used SUVs are REALLY hard to come by now, the guy that bought the Lexus had been looking for months.

5/5/2013 10:31:03 PM

all used car values are up because of the economy and tightened lending too

5/6/2013 8:02:22 AM

wtf
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/3797560497.html

5/11/2013 1:53:43 AM

how do you get the ATVs onto the trailer?

5/11/2013 8:37:02 AM

FYI: This one is crap. It's a dealer and check engine light and AC cut off on the test drive:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3777704810.html

The compressor is dead on this one:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3794375373.html

AC does not work for this one and there is an O2 sensor error:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3782632045.html

5/11/2013 8:38:37 AM

Hey y'all - thoughts on the 2003-2005 Honda Pilot? My neighbor is selling one for 5900 with 156k on the clock with all major maintenance done at 100k (tensioners, water pump, timing belt) and decent replaceables (60% tires and brakes). Thoughts on longevity? Better than an XJ or 4runner? For the price, the interior and exterior are so much more modern than those options, so I'm leaning this way.

8/11/2013 10:43:48 PM

Anything is better than a jeep

8/11/2013 11:51:17 PM

Lol probably right.

I joked with my wife when we bought the jk unlimited she was like how good is the engine? I said the Penta star seems to be pretty good, if its not we will just swap in an ls engine when it lets go lol.

8/12/2013 5:51:24 AM

Quote :

"Hey y'all - thoughts on the 2003-2005 Honda Pilot? My neighbor is selling one for 5900 with 156k on the clock with all major maintenance done at 100k (tensioners, water pump, timing belt) and decent replaceables (60% tires and brakes). Thoughts on longevity? Better than an XJ or 4runner? For the price, the interior and exterior are so much more modern than those options, so I'm leaning this way."

Better grocery getter & basic transportation; although get off the pavement and it's a different story

8/12/2013 7:30:26 AM

Quote :

"I joked with my wife when we bought the jk unlimited she was like how good is the engine? I said the Penta star seems to be pretty good, if its not we will just swap in an ls engine when it lets go lol."

The first model year of the JKs with the new penta engine in them are actually really problematic. Heads are being replaced on alot of them at around 20-25k miles.

I believe that the issue is fixed, and if you're after a certain build date you're fine. Can't remember what that date is, though...

8/12/2013 7:36:58 AM

It's one of the last 13s and the penta came out in 12 right ? So I should be good

8/12/2013 8:24:26 AM

Yeah I believe it was the 2012 model year with engine build days very late '11 and early '12.

Even if it happens they're good about covering warranty work, and you'll end up with the updated head.

8/12/2013 11:11:54 AM