What would you buy if you had $40,000 Canadian?

With the sale of our house, we will have some extra cash and my wife is encouraging me to retire the Æ88 4Runner. A JDM Landcruiser is out of the question, but I do have approval to take a NEW vehicle off-roading. . . . so, what I am currently looking at is:

1999 4Runner Limited- low mileage with rear locker û Close in size and style to my current truck - $15k-$20k

2006 4Runner Base modelû ôNewö but lower and wider û will last (8?) more years than the 99 - $40k

2007 FJ Cruiser ôBö Packageû ôNewö but lower and wider û rear locker -$35k

2007 4-door Jeep Wrangler Rubiconû Best off-roader out of the box front and rear lockers û but long-term reliability is a concern û only 3 year warranty $35k

I looked at the X-Terra, but it did not drive very well compared to the 4Runner/FJ

My requirements are commuting / vacations with off-roading a couple of times a year (once a month during the warm months). This will be *my* vehicle û She has the Subaru. WeÆre going to be starting a family soon, so it will also double as a back-up baby mover, and should not require much maintenance or modification. I am leaning towards the Æ99 4Runner, but it sure would be nice to have a brand-spanking new vehicle . . . I like keeping my vehicles until the wheels fall off so a 2006/2007 will probably be passed on to my kids.

What are your thoughts? Can you convince me a 2006 4Runner is ô4x4 enoughö for a weekend warrior (with appropriate bumpers, tires and a winch)? We will be pocketing a lot of money with the sale of our house, but anything not spent on the purchase of the vehicle will be rolled into the new house so no ô1999 4Runner with $20,000 in goodiesö

Thanks for your opinions! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Buy used and cheap, upgrade conservatively, put rest of $$ in some solid investments and enjoy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

id buy the '99 runner for sure. personal opinion only.

X2

Assuming the '88 isn't rusty, I'd keep it and upgrade it:

Rebuilt Motor $2000
F & R Lockers $2000
4-1 TC $1000
Suspension $1000
Tires $ 500

WooHoo!!

Buy the '99 Runner hands down. Save a little cash for unexpected expenses (timing belt, tires, etc), put the rest into your house. The limited should have leather seats and will be a wonderful vacation sized, comfy vehicle with decent offroading capability right out of the box.

One other consideration:
- FJ is only 2door, not so good for getting child seats in/out

Wow! This is quite the problem you have <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Congrats! I think I am also going to say the 99.

On second thought.. if I were going to spend that kind of coin I'd get a diesel of some sort... I would think a Toyota diesel would be easier to come by in the Great White North too. Alas I digress....

Please let us know what you do!

Personally, if I were in your situation, I'd buy the 99. Keep the rest of the money and put it into your house or something.

Thats just me though. If you can afford it, go with the 06 4Runner. I'd LOVE to have one, but I just cant afford it.

I know this is a Toyota site and I'm a toyota guy but I'd take the Jeep Rubicon over all three. Factory lockers, 4 to 1 low range. For all out 4 wheeling, the Jeep wins hands down.

x2 for the Rubicon. Of the choices its the only one I'd even consider taking down a steep trail and through a creek.

Resale value on Wranglers has always been high.

Driven the new FJ a couple times, the third speed is disappontment. Feels fine 0 to 60 but lacks any top end passing power.

Sorry to hear your ditching the pop-top,still miss mine sometimes. She did well for almost 300K.