Dwill,
Thanks for your reply!
In terms of budget, I am hoping to save as much $ as possible by buying used. That being said, I have some money saved up and am going to be using that + the funds from the sale of my current car to purchase a vehicle. I could potentially afford a newer model at max 20k, but that would prob limit any additions or mechanical work I need done.
I initially really wanted a cheap-o dirtbag van, but decided against it because it would be too impractical as a daily driver (especially if I were to get a 4wd conversion). The 4runner is another rig I considered briefly, but I discounted it cause I only had experience with the tiny interior of the 3rd gen. I guess I will have to check out a newer model! I still think a truck is the best (most realistic) option for me (despite my reservations), and will have to check out the 4 door long cause I didn't realize they could come with a 6 ft bed! Any idea how they handle? It looks like a boat! I'm checking for prices on those models as we speak.
Again, thanks for your advice! I do dig that last pic...
Ale
I would avoid the 4cyl powered older Toyota's people are suggesting. While they are extremely cool as a former owner they are impractically slow in the Colorado mountains especially if you are like me and like doing 14ers and getting up in the Mountains (people will argue this but they are not up to the task of comfortably doing steep highways at speed in modern day traffic).
The interstate speed limit is 75mph here and it it's nice to travel that fast without beating on the truck. I had a 2wd Toyota pickup with the 22re and it would have been fine but the 4wds are too slow for CO in my opinion (also owned a 1st gen 4runner with a built 22re). Now if you happen get a turbo model then that will work but you can get a much nicer truck for the price/mpg.
I would look hard at the 1st gen Tundra with the V8 and the T-100. Tacoma's are ridiculously overpriced especially, 1st gen's but the T100 and Tundra are reasonable.
I would also look outside of Toyota at the Mitsubishi Montero (especially the 03-06 with the 3.8l) These are really nice rigs for the money, get reasonable gas mileage, are cheap, great offroad, reliable, unique, comfortable on and off highway, quiet, and have tons of room and will be warmer to sleep in during the winter. You could easily be under half of your budget for a low mileage Montero + some mods.......
Where are you going to go to school? You can get around really well on a bicycle here so you might not have to daily drive.