Decisions. What car should I keep?

[Mercedes-Benz]

Today I bought a 1992 Toyota 4Runner with 120,000 miles for $2,500. Truck is absolutely mint. It looks like its brand new. I bought it from the original owner. It has 4 brand new $250 each Michelin tires. Brand new shocks all around, new exhaust. Factory CD, ice cold A/C, moonroof. A really nice truck. Ill take pics when I get my camera.

 

I live in NYC where is snows. Its a bitch to drive around 2WD cars. I have my 4Matic Wagon, but I doubt that will be good in 2 feet of snow. I like to buy 4Runners in the winter. Last year I had a loaded 1998 4Runner Limited. That was a really good truck. I never got stuck with in once. Heres a pic of the 98.

 

 

I really like my 300SE, but I can only keep one. I just put new Mercedes brakes in it. Cost me around $250 for pads and a front left caliper. The car has some rust, and a tear in the drivers seat. Other then that the car is mint. It runs great.

 

Now, the 92 4Runner is slow as sh*t. It cant get out of its own way. I mean, really slow. It gets sh*t gas mileage, and its not a Benz. I need to slow down around turns, cant really open it up on the highways. Not safe at high speeds.

 

The 300SE is quick, gets O.K. gas mileage, handles great, but sucks in the snow. I can probably sell my 300SE for around $3,000-$3,500. The 4Runner I can get $4,500 in a second. Even more.

 

I just dont know which one to keep. Should I keep the slow, gas eating, truck thats good in the snow? Or the 300SE thats quick, comfortable, but sucks in the snow. I mean, I have my 4Matic, but I dont know. Ill post pics of both cars later. I need your opinions!

[quackaddict]

okay. Don't get attached to either one. Sell both, eventually. I would have to say that you are gifted when it comes to finding good deals. I wouldn't stop buying/selling cars until I was driving a '92 E500 and had a Range Rover for the snowy season. Try buying in NY and selling in Philadelphia.

[meth.]

Being in ney york with winter coming sooner then later I'd chuck the SE and stick with the 4Runner. Could you keep the SE for a few more months and then sell it? Best of both worlds.

[Forfit]

I live far from where it snows, but could you put tire chains on the 300SE? you never mentioned anything about those to help you get through the snow so i thought i would give it a try by asking, i would keep the 300SE in that case myself.

[xxnofear617xx]

I'd ditch the 4Runner especially with gas like this too and in NY it must be over 3 dollars

[Cojawfee]

Get a moutain bike.

[millermagic]

I live far from where it snows, but could you put tire chains on the 300SE? you never mentioned anything about those to help you get through the snow so i thought i would give it a try by asking, i would keep the 300SE in that case myself.

If the snow is above the bumper, tire chains really arn't going to help that mcuh. You'll probably bury yourself quicker. RWD vehicles arn't much good in the winter either. I'm not much of a fan of Toyota, but I'd take the SUV over the benz any day. Also, alot of people think that SUV's are go anywhere and do anything. I feel safer driving my taurus with $500 snow tires than both of my parents' 4x4 vehicles and the car got stuck less than my dad's truck last winter.

[Mercedes-Benz]

Ive made a decision. Im gonna sell both of them and buy a Infiniti G20. 4 cylinder, good on gas, and its FWD so it shouldn't be bad in snow. Anyways, all the major streets are be plowed. Thanks for your help guys.

[I<love>AMG]

I think you should sell both and buy 1999 or 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Yeah I know its American, not well built etc etc...but hey, my father has been having one for like 4 years and he never got any serious problems! Really! Its very fast for SUV in this price range (our does 0-60 in 7.5seconds and max. speed is limited at 215km/h), it turns pretty well and we are able to outrun many hot hatches....just very nice SUV.

Sure, its not a Porsche Cayenne or RR Sport, but its very nice and I like every part of it.

If you wan't I can send you some speedo videos I took so you will believe me and I also have some photos of it. But I guess you can find it on the internet.

It's better car than both you have and I think you will be very happy with it. Don't be lazy, just go to eBay and take a look, 10mintues is not a waste of time....

[quackaddict]

MB - G20?? noooooooooooooo!

 

lol. You should rename yourself to Infinite Rides.

 

I am sure you are getting a good deal on it, though.

[Mercedes-Benz]

I still got my Wagon. Ill be back. Going to the car wash to clean the 4Runner, take pics, and throw it on eBay. With the money I make Ill buy a G20.

[dominguero]

Ive made a decision. Im gonna sell both of them and buy a Infiniti G20. 4 cylinder, good on gas, and its FWD so it shouldn't be bad in snow. Anyways, all the major streets are be plowed. Thanks for your help guys.

Its not going to be a very fun ride though, its not that powerful, its fwd... which btw if its really snowy/icy still doesnt get you very far either.

cant u just get an even cheaper 4x4 to just have for when you really need it, and either keep the merc which you seem to like alot or just get something alot more fun to drive?

[Mercedes-Benz]

I would get a cheap 4x4, but Im not really a truck guy. For some reason, I dont feel comfertable. Maybe its because me and my dad rolled over a Jeep Grand Cherokee when I was like 8.

 

Here is the auction to the 4Runner. I got a bid and its been on for 2 hours. Got a few questions about it too.

 

4Runner auction.

[Mega]

G20 is small.

[I<love>AMG]

G20 is small.

And very, very ugly......

[dominguero]

I would get a cheap 4x4, but Im not really a truck guy. For some reason, I dont feel comfertable. Maybe its because me and my dad rolled over a Jeep Grand Cherokee when I was like 8.

 

Here is the auction to the 4Runner. I got a bid and its been on for 2 hours. Got a few questions about it too.

 

4Runner auction.

you do like 4runners, however a jeep grand cherokee makes you uncomfortable?

Shouldnt the 4runner make you feel that way either then?

[quackaddict]

Sharp looking 4Runner. Toyota had a recall on the V6's during that model of 4Runners and Pickups with the V6. The head gasket was faulty, and if you went in to the dealer complaining of overheating problems they would rebuild the engine for you from the radiator to the firewall at no cost to you, and no matter how many miles the engine had. Nowadays Toyota isn't so easy to convince, but they still do it from time to time on a case-by-case basis.

[dominguero]

Sharp looking 4Runner. Toyota had a recall on the V6's during that model of 4Runners and Pickups with the V6. The head gasket was faulty, and if you went in to the dealer complaining of overheating problems they would rebuild the engine for you from the radiator to the firewall at no cost to you, and no matter how many miles the engine had. Nowadays Toyota isn't so easy to convince, but they still do it from time to time on a case-by-case basis.

toyotas are rock solid though gotta hand em that.

But 4runners i dont know... Id prefer an older landcruiser when they still had all solid axels.

[quackaddict]

toyotas are rock solid though gotta hand em that.

But 4runners i dont know... Id prefer an older landcruiser when they still had all solid axels.

x2. Solids rule. The only problem with the later model LandCruisers is with their full-time 4-wheel drive, the axles have to be serviced regularly. But yeah, solids are the way to go.

[dominguero]

toyotas are rock solid though gotta hand em that.

But 4runners i dont know... Id prefer an older landcruiser when they still had all solid axels.

x2. Solids rule. The only problem with the later model LandCruisers is with their full-time 4-wheel drive, the axles have to be serviced regularly. But yeah, solids are the way to go.

One of the best cars ive been was my mates Landcruiser Africa edition.

Solid axels, NO 4wd permanent. Double fuel tanks, NO electrics, nothing could ever go wrong on that car, that was one solid piece of machinery. It didnt even have the turbo. That car is almost unbreakable. Sometimes it could have used that extra power from the turbo though...

She looked way more impressive in real life must admit, she has now been replaced with this...(excuse the quality, camera phone...)

This one has Billstein suspension, shortened exhaust (exit to the side), the turbo has been opened a bit more for power. Brilliant car, makes a beauty of a noise aswell.

But yeh, its a shame this one is permanent 4x4. Still a very robust car though.

 

[quackaddict]

toyotas are rock solid though gotta hand em that.

But 4runners i dont know... Id prefer an older landcruiser when they still had all solid axels.

x2. Solids rule. The only problem with the later model LandCruisers is with their full-time 4-wheel drive, the axles have to be serviced regularly. But yeah, solids are the way to go.

One of the best cars ive been was my mates Landcruiser Africa edition.

Solid axels, NO 4wd permanent. Double fuel tanks, NO electrics, nothing could ever go wrong on that car, that was one solid piece of machinery. It didnt even have the turbo. That car is almost unbreakable. Sometimes it could have used that extra power from the turbo though...

She looked way more impressive in real life must admit, she has now been replaced with this...(excuse the quality, camera phone...)

This one has Billstein suspension, shortened exhaust (exit to the side), the turbo has been opened a bit more for power. Brilliant car, makes a beauty of a noise aswell.

But yeh, its a shame this one is permanent 4x4. Still a very robust car though.

That Africa edition sounds/looks awesome. I'm sure there isn't any here in the states, which is sad because for any 4x4 purist, it looks like the way to go. Double fuel tanks is killer. I am certain that no one here was offered that option, either.

 

I like the way the maroon one has the clear side markers on the front and the absence of the running boards. Makes it look wayyy better.

 

I'd drive either of these. You can be as brutal as you want in the middle of nowhere, and still make it to the local convenience store. Great pics, btw.