What's your daily driver?

I daily drive the Tundra but have recently been eyeing different Toyota/Lexus models to try to keep the miles off of the truck. I did recently purchase an FJ Cruiser as I've always wanted one but the SO took hold of that as she found it better than her previous 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid. So, that left me in a conundrum of having to find a new DD. I keep arguing with myself because I don't want a sedan and I'm trying to buy a commuter that's fuel efficient but still feels unique on the road when I drive it. I feel I get the uniqueness when I drive the Tundra or FJC.

 

GR86?

 

Well i work from home now thanks to covid but I have 4 autos to choose from. Wife's large auto, 15 Sequoia, her convertible, 06 bmw330ci, a 13 kia optima turbo and my 01 4runner. They all have their +/- but day in day out, the 4runner is most fun to drive, super easy to see out of and the most flexible for both highway, city and genuine 4x4 off-roading, handles well and doesn't suck the gas too bad. Now to see about those 'new' electrics....

 

Looked at them as well as the Supra. I can't see myself in anything that I have to bend down to get in or out of. Honestly, an SUV is probably as far as I'm willing to compromise. I did consider the Tacoma but with the anemic transmission I hear people talk about, it has me worried.

 

I considered a 4Runner. I wanted the '09 V8 Limited version but those are unicorns apparently. So, that brought me to the GXs. Then took me down the path of why I was getting a commuter in the first place - MPGs and mileage. Honestly, I'll probably end up with either the 4Runner/GX or Land Cruiser if I can ever afford one when I'm ready to buy.

 

2nd Gen Taco with the 4 cylinder and 5 speed?

I don't see a lot of options that meet your needs. Fuel efficient and fun/unique SUVs or trucks seems to be mutually exclusive.

 

Yeah, that's been my struggle. I'm probably best stuck with just the Tundra/FJC and save up for a LC when I'm ready.

 

Sliding around on the Can-Am and Ski-Doo = fun

Being paid to slide around on the Can-Am and Ski-Doo = nirvana!

 

2017 Chevy SS unless the weather is crap. Small commute of less than 5 miles one way to work.

If weather is crap or I want a change of pace I use the Tundra.

 

I know I'll get flamed, but the 2018 Jeep Renegade with the 2.4L engine was a perfect DD. Handled shit weather admirably, got solid economy, enough power to get out of it's own way but not enough to get in trouble, and was the only thing with a Jeep badge that was rated/projected to be reliable.

 

Glad that is working out for you. The rest of my family owns 4 different Jeeps, relatively new ones. Only 1 hasn't been in the shop for known issues...

 

I traded it and my WRX when I got my Tundra.


I just enjoyed it as a good little rig. The reason it was supposed to be reliable was because "it's not a real jeep" I guess.

 

I purchased a Tundra to drive a Tundra, not park it and say how low the mileage is.

 

Definitely not my Tundra Pro. Working 7 days a week and don’t want to put all those miles on it. I have been using my 2003 Acura CL sport for years back and forth to work. Take the truck once and a while. And when I am able to get a day off I take the beast out C7Z06.

 

You know, they do look nice and I've never owned a Jeep. I know people who've owned them and never had issues. I just can't bring myself to owning one. I wouldn't profess myself to be a Toyota fanboy but it leans closer and closer that way the more I look at their engineering and history. That's probably one of the main reason why I want an LC before they get abused. Obviously, not a practical daily driver but I seem to have a penchant for dying models in the Toyota lineup.

 

Yep!

 

Acura RDX? My brother likes his 2013 except for the fuel economy when the boost kicks in.

 

Lol, I can understand this sentiment. Why buy something if you're not using it? I get it but my Tundra is my everything vehicle. I'm expecting it to last me 40+ years at this point. So, I just want to keep that expectation reasonable with another vehicle.

 

Part of why I got it was because I got a smoking deal on it, and they gave me a fair trade on a truck I didn't trust anymore. I wouldn't touch the new ones because they all went turbo trash, and sadly, any of the 2018s for sale are going for more than I paid when I got it brand new.

 

I love my Element but the Butter trailer does kill my MPG for sure!

They all have some trade offs.

 

My coworker had a 2017 Renegade with the 2.4L and the engine corked at 45,000 miles. I believe hers was consuming oil at high rates and it essentially ran itself dry. The car shut down on her going 65 MPH on the highway (no power steering, no power brakes, total shutdown) and it scared her to death. Jeep replaced the block under warranty and she sold it shortly after. Replaced it with a Tacoma! Certainly not a flame post, I think that they are good enough vehicles for the money. However, check your oil often, these engines are notorious for oil consumption, as I am sure you've read elsewhere.

 

Lol, you're hell bent on helping me find my commuter, aren't ya? I did look at the Acuras but to me they look similar to the Lexus, other than the grill. I just figured if I'm going to go that route, I might as well stick with what I know and just look at the Lexus. Of course, that's my issue with the Lexus lineup; they're boring. People talk about the spindle grill but both the positive and negatives of that grill is all it's got going for it as a luxury vehicle. The only standout to me is the GX. Sorry to deviate but I find the Acuras in the same boat; they're just too boring looking.

Edit: I thought about this some more and wanted to clarify myself on why I'm so picky. The reason I love my Tundra and the configuration I have it in is what I like to call Rugged Luxury®. Haven't seen that term used elsewhere so I'm coining it. I love the outside to appear aggressive/functional and still have all the luxury comforts, bells and whistles on the inside. Obviously, most luxury brands don't fit that and why the GX does i.e. the GXOR concept. And most everyday brands don't have enough bells and whistles to abstract it from the exterior look. Think something like a Raptor/Denali AT4. I think that's why the LC hits closest because of its heritage and build quality.

Edit 2: Well, poop. Did a search right after hitting save changes and apparently there's an article using the term Rugged Luxury. Funny enough, they hit exactly what I'm looking after. It's just that most of the brands other than Lexus they used are unreliable. I would love to have that G-Wagen though, if I had the funds.

 

I hadn't seen anything about oil consumption on them, and I didn't see it mentioned when the motor was in the Dodge Dart either. Good info to have!

 

No flame at all. My wife had a 2018 Jeep Patriot w/ the same motor as your's - I'll tell you what - that thing was super cheap to maintain, reliable and shockingly good in the snow with decent all season tires on it.

 

I’m not worried about saving it for the next guy. I don’t want to spend all that gas money on it driving it 7 days a week for work. I’m not getting a new design tundra. I can retire when ever I decide and have no payments on my Pro. So when that happens I will be driving it all the time. So the next guy won’t be getting my Pro. Lol.

 

Sounds like a solid plan. I just laughed my ass off the first time I saw that joke, so I share it whenever the opportunity arises... I'm a giver.

 

Rav4 prime for my daily 120 mile round-trip to work. So far I like it quite a bit. I was looking hard at the camry but I wanted the extra ground clearance and AWD. It's far better than what it replaced- 13 Nissan sentra that went through 3 transmissions.

 

In town, it’s usually my 2009 Yaris (4dr hatchback). Can park it in 1/4 of the space I would need for my truck.

I also sometimes drive it to work (130 or so miles from home). Depends on whether I’m assigned to main hospital or satellite clinics for the work week (another 25-40 miles each way). On those weeks, the 43mpg white egg car is worth its weight in gold (or gas, at current prices). But if I’m out rez rambling, it’s always the Tundra, no matter how far I’m going.

I’ll sometimes drive the Sienna around, especially if my wife is with me.

 

E350 7.3 LITER DIESEL SUPER DUTY VAN, FORD E150 CHATEAU VAN, or TOYOTA TACOMA.


O.S.T.