60 series reliability/Teenager's First Car

[zcruiser]

Hey man, just want to say I'm impressed with your willingness to listen to advice of a bunch of old farts and not take an attitude or get offended by anything said. Sad to say, it's a rare thing these days, esp in a teenager.

 

[Elbert]

you can get a 4runner fixed about anywhere....but not the same on the old school FJ60s or FJ62's.. Same goes for parts. 4 runner is an all around better choice, of course if reality is in play. I would suspect there are better buys on 4runners and you could get a newer model for not too much $$.... and Its fuel injected....it will start no matter the temps....

 

[zcruiser]

4Runners are actually easy to work on and ECUs are rarely a problem. I know ih8mud has a 4Runner thread but the best resource I found is http://www.toyota-4runner.org. All the tutorials on fixing a 3rd gen are here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-3rd-gen-faq-tutorials-documentation-reference.html

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Hey man, just want to say I'm impressed with your willingness to listen to advice of a bunch of old farts and not take an attitude or get offended by anything said. Sad to say, it's a rare thing these days, esp in a teenager.

Thank you so much. That is why I love iH8MUD. We are all a great big community who chat, have fun, and learn from each other. !

you can get a 4runner fixed about anywhere....but not the same on the old school FJ60s or FJ62's.. Same goes for parts. 4 runner is an all around better choice, of course if reality is in play. I would suspect there are better buys on 4runners and you could get a newer model for not too much $$.... and Its fuel injected....it will start no matter the temps....

Thanks for the heads up. I'll do some investigation and see what I can come up with. (I can even negotiate a fair price [biased on KBB and small minor wear and tear])

 

[stayalert]

My first car was '78FJ40….I bought it off my brother in 1986...I've had a landcruiser of some type ever since….Whoa! I didn't realize I was that old!!!….If jumping and ramps are things you want to pursue get a jeep.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

My first car was '78FJ40….I bought it off my brother in 1986...I've had a landcruiser of some type ever since….Whoa! I didn't realize I was that old!!!….If jumping and ramps are things you want to pursue get a jeep.

Cool, I'm going to get the 4Runner but, not take it off ramps and stuff. I'm going to take good care of it and, have it last. Jeeps are out of the question.

Thanks for the insight though!

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Hi guys I have a update. As fun as having a manual transmission as my first car, I personally feel it is better to enjoy a automatic until, I graduate from High School next year or my insurance rates go down around 24?. Thus, the manual 60 series/4Runner will have to wait.

(Once my insurance rates go down, I'll buy a rig for those perfect summer days)

right now, my first car is going to be the legendary 80 series!

thanks for all of your support everyone and, helping me choose a reasonable first ride!

 

[Slow Left]

Awesome! Congrats! Welcome to the LC family...!

 

[SteveH]

You must post some pix of this 80 series (even in the 60 forum)... congrats.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Ok I will

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Hi guys just wanted to give you a quick update! Everything is crazy now and, I'm going to be going for my road test next month for my license and, in spring next year I'm going to buy my car! I'm unsure if my parents will help me pay at least half of the price or not but, we will see!

So far, before I get my next car, I'll borrow the parents 100 series

If I buy my own car on my own, It would be a 3rd gen 4Runner or a late model 80 series?

If my parents help me 50% to pay for a car, (they aren't crazy about me getting a older one,) I'll ask them about a FJ, a 200 series (early 200 series US spec [2007ish]) or a 105 series? (Last years of the 100 series?)

I realize I am extremely lucky! I have a part time job a roof over my head, food to eat, a little bit of money and, the nicest parents in the world who have raised me exceptionally!

I am motivated to working hard in School and, in the real world! I can admit this journey has been hard but, I'm motivated to succeed!

Like they always say, senior year will be a year to remember!

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Hi guys another update, I finally got my Licence! Car Shopping will be happening soon and, my parents are telling me that they will help me pay for a car (They told me that it will definitely be a newer Toyota SUV)! In that case, my most likely option will be the late FJ Cruiser! (I have a great feeling that we would buy a Voodoo Blue one!)

On other related news, our 100 series just recently hit 300K miles! it's at the point now where, we are kinda skeptical to use it everyday. Now , it now only is used for just cruising around town, driving in bad weather, or the work vehicle (hauling furnature around)!

Once I get that FJ, I'll post a pic here! I'll try to keep the mods down to a low of just Lowjack, HID headlights, and if I have more money to spend, a grill guard and Rally Headlights for the roof!

 

[gregnash]

Have your parents double check with your insurance regarding the 2door vs. 4door vehicle thing. I know that when I was your age, two decades ago, there was a large price cut for a young male driving a 4door vehicle vs. a 2door vehicle (something about studies showing they are more apt to speed, etc. in a 2door or some BS like that). So that may be a factor as well. Also, since I am assuming that you will be paying for a portion of the insurance, the older the vehicle the less the yearly insurance and registration costs. E.G. my 85 Land Cruiser is $87/yr for registration and something like $240/yr for minimal (not minimum) coverage. Where our 2011 4Runner is close to $400/yr for registration and another $400+/yr for the coverage.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Have your parents double check with your insurance regarding the 2door vs. 4door vehicle thing. I know that when I was your age, two decades ago, there was a large price cut for a young male driving a 4door vehicle vs. a 2door vehicle (something about studies showing they are more apt to speed, etc. in a 2door or some BS like that). So that may be a factor as well. Also, since I am assuming that you will be paying for a portion of the insurance, the older the vehicle the less the yearly insurance and registration costs. E.G. my 85 Land Cruiser is $87/yr for registration and something like $240/yr for minimal (not minimum) coverage. Where our 2011 4Runner is close to $400/yr for registration and another $400+/yr for the coverage.

Yeah thanks for the feedback! I could completely understand your point of view (and i'll ask my parents about cost to insure the FJ for me [It'll be under there name for the time being and, i'd be a driver]!)!


With a older vehicle, you definetly have a point. I would love to get a older vehicle too but, since mother's LC is on it's way out, she would feel more comfortable having me drive something newer with more safety features and more reliable too (powertrain warranty, condition etc)! (They already said no to a 60 series and the 80 series and, aren't to crazy about a 3rd gen 4-Runner) [I'd have to get them as a second car once I build up my good driving record]

I feel we could be looking into the 2007-10 range at this point so, that should help keep costs down!

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Hi Guys.

It's been almost half a year since I last posted here. Since then, there's been some good news and some bad news.

Good: Became a Eagle Scout, Graduated High School, Maintained Clean Driving record (no tickets, no accidents, never been pulled over).
Bad: was laid off, Land Cruiser has been declared unsafe [buy my parents] and not worth the money to repair ($2-3k for replacing the Intake Manifold (rusted out to the point where CO2 enters the cabin when idle) replacing the rusted out steering column, lower control arms, wheel bearings, and the VSC off/Traction control light keeps flashing.) so it's being sold for scrap , lost almost all my saved money paying for gas to commute to school.

Right now, since we are down to 2 cars, I very rarely get to drive them around. Anyways, today, I've just been given my replacement for the Land Cruiser. It's my grandparent's low mileage 2006 Highlander Limited. It's been extremely well maintained with not even a single patch of rust! It also comes with a set of normal and snow tires which is extremely good! When I do get a job (applying everywhere that is hiring) I'm going off to college and, putting some money away so that after I graduate, I can buy that 80 series. I will have to pay for insurance myself once I get back on my own feet but, that should not be a problem. I'm a dedicated worker who will do anything to get the job done right.

Anyways, with the Highlander, I'm not putting much money into modifying it. I'm only putting on a aftermarket radio so that I can hook up and listen to either my iPod or my Android. Thus, this will be my "serious vehicle/DD". I want to make sure that when I do have enough money for my trail rig, I'll have both the time, money, and knowledge to fix it up into something that will always put a smile on my face!

Thanks guys for helping me out and, when I do get that off-road rig, I'll start another thread detailing my off-road build.

 

[CaptClose]

I wish I had this kids brains and maturity when I was his age...

You're going to do just fine in life kid. Don't worry about what you drive. There be plenty of time for toys later. Now go tell your parents thank you and let them know how much you love them. Much respect to you man.

 

[lel]

If you baseline the truck
I.e. (Cracked intake manifold,
Cracked head etc,vacuum lines)

I think it's incredibly reliable.
Also that power steering pump.
I taught my daughter and her friend to drive mine.
It's like a dance.
I would at do it. I drive my 60 every day.

 

[Heckraiser]

Highlander is a boring, reliable, grocery getter, but honestly, that's what a kid needs. Real snow tires are worth their weight in gold (well maybe not literally ). Have fun when you have a little more expendable income

Congrats on earning Eagle Scout

 

[doug720]

Have your parents double check with your insurance regarding the 2door vs. 4door vehicle thing. I know that when I was your age, two decades ago, there was a large price cut for a young male driving a 4door vehicle vs. a 2door vehicle (something about studies showing they are more apt to speed, etc. in a 2door or some BS like that). So that may be a factor as well. Also, since I am assuming that you will be paying for a portion of the insurance, the older the vehicle the less the yearly insurance and registration costs. E.G. my 85 Land Cruiser is $87/yr for registration and something like $240/yr for minimal (not minimum) coverage. Where our 2011 4Runner is close to $400/yr for registration and another $400+/yr for the coverage.

A little late comment on this...

We have a 16 year old daughter with a new drivers license. We are not car challenged, and we have a car for her. A nice late model with all safety and items a new driver needs.

When it came to insurance, all our cars are with State Farm, including my 60. Our agent suggested that the 60 be listed as our daughters primary vehicle. She can drive any of our cars and be fully insured, but using the 60 as her primary, adding her to our policy is under $500 a year.

It helps being a girl, good grades, drivers training, etc, but using the 60 is good option for a young drivers listed primary vehicle.

This kid...young man, has a solid foundation to build his future. He and parents should be proud! Carry on and enjoy college.

 

[morganism]

Rusted intake manifold? Not likely, its the thickest piece of metal on the truck !