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Car delema... need advice!

#21
Jake Saint said:
It all depends on the condition of the Dodge. is it a stick? if not, how many miles are on it? which engine is in it? etc. etc. without more information, i can't help you too much.
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It's an automatic. Not sure exactly how many miles are on it but if I remember right its around 60-80k. I'll have to talk to the guy about it again when I see him tomorrow.

EBodious said:
wow, can i be your dad's friend too?

i would assume the other friends didn't change the oil. and that will kill a car. also, depending on where exactly you move, a dodge may be easier to get parts and repaired (and be better accepted) than in an import.
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lol no. :p yeah when I got it back I was surprised the thing was still running, the oil was so low! Even the transmision fluid was below minimum. We're moving to Texas and I'm sure they'll have parts for dodge. ;)

Pilgrim said:
The Ram will get slightly poorer gas mileage, but the Toyota is a service nightmare waiting to happen. The only way that I'd recommend keeping the Toyota is if you have no money and know how to work on cars. In that case, you can probably keep it going for a couple more years.

Otherwise, the smart choice is the Ram all the way.
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Yeah I don't like the prospect of getting only a few more years out of the toyota. The way I figure it is what I'll spent in gas for the dodge would end up amounting to what I'd have to keep payng to get the yota fixed. And gas prices go down and it's cheaper in Texas than here anyways. The mechanic prices won't be so flexible.

Thanks guys for all the advice! I'll take another good look and test drive with the Dodge but I think thats what I'm gonna go with.
 
#22
~Ethan~ said:
It's got over 160,000 miles on it and I've heard that toyota's are just getting started after 100k so it should run for a long time still
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Toyotas that get regular oil and oil filter changes (and by regular, I mean every 5000 miles max) plus prompt attention to fluid levels, tire pressures, and all of the other assorted regular maintenance items can go well past 200k miles. If it has an automatic transmission, add in at least two complete trans fluid and filter changes to that 'basic maintenance' list - from memory, this should be done at roughly 60k mile intervals

That's not what you have :hmm:

None of them took care of or did any upkeep on the car
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Very Bad Sign

when I got it back I was surprised the thing was still running, the oil was so low! Even the transmision fluid was below minimum
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Very Very Bad Sign

Change the oil (and oil filter!), top up the trans fluid, and immediately sell it for whatever you can get. Right. Now.

As another poster so eloquently put it, this vehicle is now a ticking time bomb. You can't undo years worth of that kind of neglect on the cheap, and as-is I wouldn't consider it reliable either

No comment on the Ram......
 
#24
Bard2dbone said:
If it had been well cared for, I'd say keep the Toyota. If it had been well cared for and was still pretty new, I'd say go with the Ram.

In THIS situation? I'd say run away screaming.
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^^This.
OR...since your dad let a perfectly good vehicle get used and abused, I suggest that he pay for repairs. By letting others use the vehicle that you were supposed to get, IMO, he really messed up.
 
#25
~Ethan~ said:
Need some advice on whether or not to sell my vehicle for another.

My dad bought a used '97 toyota 4runner about 14 years ago, we lent it out to some "friends" who ended up keeping it for around 4-5 years, then we lent it stupidly to another "friend" who kept it for around a 1 1/2 - 2 years. None of them took care of or did any upkeep on the car. I've replaced the alternator which was giving me problems and after thats done it should be running fine again. It's got over 160,000 miles on it and I've heard that toyota's are just getting started after 100k so it should run for a long time still.
The only issues with it really is cosmetic and some minor functionality. The paint is rather worn on the hood and such, the driver seatbelt was chewed by our dog so it's just the chest piece, the driverside door only opens from the outside, and the carpeting in the front is wearing away.

Overall it's still a good car, it runs fine, and it's got a brand new windshield. But the guy thats helping me fix it up has a really nice '99 dodge ram with under 100k miles, a nice stereo/subwoofer, completely redone front (insides), new tires, etc. for really cheap. I got to test drive it a little and I love it.

So my question is, for you car gurus, whats the better option? Keep the 4runner, which I love and am fine with it just getting me from A to B, or the truck? Though I have no real knowledge of cars, the truck really seems to be the better deal.
As a side note: We are moving to Texas sometime the end of the year and I will have to be driving all the way from California. I don't know if I trust the 4runner to get the job done and keep going after the fact.

Thank you for reading and any help is much appreciated!
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Unlike Toyotas, Dodges are not "just getting started" at 100,000 miles ... well, maybe just getting started to die. There is no comparison between the reliability of the two brands.

I sold my 1993 Land Cruiser to a friend when it had 184,000 miles on it. It now has over 350,000 miles on it and he still drives it to work every day.

And it's "dilemma."
 
#26
Stumbo said:
^^This.
OR...since your dad let a perfectly good vehicle get used and abused, I suggest that he pay for repairs. By letting others use the vehicle that you were supposed to get, IMO, he really messed up.
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It was his car to do whatever he wanted with it. Would you really have the nerve to go to him suggesting he is responsible for repairs? When all he does is lend/give the car away?

Remind me never to give you anything! :lol:
 
#27
I worked at a couple new car dealerships in the 90's, and what I can remember of the mid 90's Toyota truck motors was common head gasket failuers, especially the V6.

I think it's 'pick your poison' here. You'll be putting money into either one.

I have owned 6 Dodge trucks (4 of them diesels) since 1996, and still own 3 of them: two Ram diesels and a Durango 5.9. Boy, that 5.9 in the "little" Durango sure is a thirsty mofo. Around town is typical 13mpg, and on the highway 17 is all it gets.
My 4wd Ram diesel gets 18 in town, and 21 hwy, and my 2wd Ram diesel gets 22 in town and 26 hwy. Huge difference!
It's true 4wd Ram front-ends are bad for worn items: the track bar is the most common failure. Moog makes a better than stock, but there are other specialty companies that make far better ones ($$$ cost more).

You're headed to Texas, so just make sure you got a new water pump and t-stat in whichever you choose!
 
#29
Stumbo said:
^^This.
OR...since your dad let a perfectly good vehicle get used and abused, I suggest that he pay for repairs. By letting others use the vehicle that you were supposed to get, IMO, he really messed up.
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lol thats true. In fact I refuse to pay for repairs, although I don't have a job so can't really anyways. :smug: But I put new oils and fluids in on my dime and thats it.

The dodge is a 2wd btw.

Got a new battery and the alternator in and turns out theres more problems. Surprise right! Theres a short in the electrical/alarm system somewhere. Thats what kept draining the battery. I can't even get it to start now, it must be shutting off the engine thinking I'm trying to steal it.

It was suggested to me to try seeing what I can get for it on craigslist to somebody who wants to tackle the mechanics for themselves. Might do that.
 
#33
~Ethan~ said:
this is really the only forum I go to, and that has a misc section. I figured my felow bass players had some good advice. :hmm:
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There are thousands of vehicle web sites and reviews out there. Limiting your research to the misc. section on a music forum makes no sense. I doubt anyone here goes to the misc. section of an automotive forum for help in choosing a new bass or amp...
 
#35
Keep the 4 runner. They are excellent vehicles and have extremely long life spans. All the problems you described are very minor.

The hood could be repainted at Maaco for next to nothing. The door not opening from the inside could be fixed by any mechanic or body man for very little too. These are the minor-ist of minor problems.

The seat belt should be replaced and will cost a bit more, but do it! The seat belt is there for a reason.

The dodge on the other hand gets TERRIBLE gas mileage and are not in the same league in durability and quality as the Toyota. No contest!!!! Don't buy a vehicle based on the stereo system! You wouldn't buy a bass because of the strings
 
#37
I disagree with duff beer.

I happen to think OT is full of people who are intelligent and knowledgeable on all kinds of subjects away from bass guitar and music. We have professors, teachers, scientists, medical professionals, engineers, mechanics, -ologists, attorneys, construction workers, business owners, counselors, law enforement, and more. I feel comfortable asking for advice on about anything from this crew.

-Mike
 
#38
MJ5150 said:
I disagree with duff beer.

I happen to think OT is full of people who are intelligent and knowledgeable on all kinds of subjects away from bass guitar and music. We have professors, teachers, scientists, medical professionals, engineers, mechanics, -ologists, attorneys, construction workers, business owners, counselors, law enforement, and more. I feel comfortable asking for advice on about anything from this crew.

-Mike
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Thanks I'm glad you see it that way.

I'm currently looking on craigslist for cheap chevys. Still keeping the dodge in mind though.
 
#39
Almost two decades in the automotive industry speaking here.

Not impressed with dodge or chevy. There's a reason the government had to bail both of them out. I wouldn't spend my own money on either, they are poorly built and engineered.
 
#40
prd004 said:
Almost two decades in the automotive industry speaking here.

Not impressed with dodge or chevy. There's a reason the government had to bail both of them out. I wouldn't spend my own money on either, they are poorly built and engineered.
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A HUGE PLUS 1 on this here.

Ford was the only one (between these) who voluntarily said no thanks and bailed themselves out.
I was not a Ford guy, I am now. I wanted a Vette, or the new Camaro. but when my tax dollars got hit (along with yours) and they still wanna hit you in the pocket at the highest possible premium for a mediocre at best car.

I bought my Mustang, and never looked back, well except occasionally to see how far back the Chevy was. Lol
 

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