I'm considering buying a new-to-me vehicle and would like to get some feedback from Toyota owners. There is a story here, so bear with me!
Currently my wife and I drive Mitsubishi Monteros - I have an '87, she has a '97. I like the vehicles, but the manual transmissions in the '87 are apparently weak (mine needs a rebuild at 135k miles), and the V6 used in the later versions have issues with valve guide seals, cam seals, breaking butterfly valves in the intake, etc. The V6 is also a serious PITA to work on, which is an issue since I do all of my own work.
Parts availability is an issue (the nearest dealer is an hour and a half away), as are the vehicles themselves (I'm in Oregon but well outside of the PDX area.) I'd like to replace the '87 with something from the late '90s to early '00s, but low-mileage Monteros of that vintage without major problems are quite rare in my neck of the woods.
So, I'm considering switching brands to one which is more common, easier to work on, and hopefully has fewer problems than the Mitsubishis. I'm considering the late-90s to early '00s Landcruisers, which seem to be the closest match to our Monteros. I have no experience with Toyota, but their resale values suggest that they have good long term durability.
Usage: daily driver, frequent expedition/recreational driving in spring/summer (unimproved or historical roads); inclement weather during fall/winter. We're not into rock climbing or mudding, so major mods will not be a concern. We buy used vehicles and keep them until they're just no longer serviceable, so models that will easily go past 200k without major work are what we're looking for (neither of our Mitsubishis has made that cut!) The biggest reason for even considering Toyota is their reputation for longevity, but sometimes reputations aren't based on reality!
I might consider an earlier (early '90s) model if they are better/more reliable vehicles.
The questions I have:
1) What is the best engine option in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance?
2) What are the major problems with mid-90s to mid-00 examples? Engines, transmissions, transfer cases, differentials, electrical — what issues requiring major replacements or rebuilds seem to happen with regularity? In other words, what's known for breaking?
3) How is maintenance/repair as the mileage gets past 150k? What problems can I expect?
Finally, in your mind what is the one major objective reason to pick a Toyota over a Nissan or Jeep (which are the only other brands I'm considering, and I'll be asking the same questions of their owners in those forums)?
Thanks!
Currently my wife and I drive Mitsubishi Monteros - I have an '87, she has a '97. I like the vehicles, but the manual transmissions in the '87 are apparently weak (mine needs a rebuild at 135k miles), and the V6 used in the later versions have issues with valve guide seals, cam seals, breaking butterfly valves in the intake, etc. The V6 is also a serious PITA to work on, which is an issue since I do all of my own work.
Parts availability is an issue (the nearest dealer is an hour and a half away), as are the vehicles themselves (I'm in Oregon but well outside of the PDX area.) I'd like to replace the '87 with something from the late '90s to early '00s, but low-mileage Monteros of that vintage without major problems are quite rare in my neck of the woods.
So, I'm considering switching brands to one which is more common, easier to work on, and hopefully has fewer problems than the Mitsubishis. I'm considering the late-90s to early '00s Landcruisers, which seem to be the closest match to our Monteros. I have no experience with Toyota, but their resale values suggest that they have good long term durability.
Usage: daily driver, frequent expedition/recreational driving in spring/summer (unimproved or historical roads); inclement weather during fall/winter. We're not into rock climbing or mudding, so major mods will not be a concern. We buy used vehicles and keep them until they're just no longer serviceable, so models that will easily go past 200k without major work are what we're looking for (neither of our Mitsubishis has made that cut!) The biggest reason for even considering Toyota is their reputation for longevity, but sometimes reputations aren't based on reality!
I might consider an earlier (early '90s) model if they are better/more reliable vehicles.
The questions I have:
1) What is the best engine option in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance?
2) What are the major problems with mid-90s to mid-00 examples? Engines, transmissions, transfer cases, differentials, electrical — what issues requiring major replacements or rebuilds seem to happen with regularity? In other words, what's known for breaking?
3) How is maintenance/repair as the mileage gets past 150k? What problems can I expect?
Finally, in your mind what is the one major objective reason to pick a Toyota over a Nissan or Jeep (which are the only other brands I'm considering, and I'll be asking the same questions of their owners in those forums)?
Thanks!