What would you get?

I'd buy a used Camry, unless I had a REAL reason for buying a 4x4, like off-road use or constant visits to ski areas where I'd run into trouble without traction. I'd never buy a 4x4 "just because".

Thanks Joe... You do realize that you responded to a post in a group called alt.autos.toyota.TRUCKS, right?

Anyway, I have plenty of reason to by a 4x4. I'm sorry you don't.

I own one because I tow a boat about 100 times a year. I know the disadvantages and the advantages. But, there are too many people in this country driving around in 4x4s "just because". So, I thought I'd raise the possibility.

I agree... There's too many people that get them because they're "in" or something. I can't disagree that they are cool, but that's because of what it allows me to do. I hate it when people get 50 inch lifts and the truck never even sees dirt. It's ridiculous.

$1-2K buys a lot of Toyota rust (unless you live in AZ). You'd be better off putting the $6k into a new rust free model.

Save up more $$$.

If you're not a mechanic or don't have a HIGH degree of mechanical ability, you're foolish for even considering doing gear mods yourself. Don't waste your money unless someone else is doing it for you.

I'd use the $6k on a down-payment on a new truck... or even a good used truck.

Thanks studio,

I appreciate all of your input. I'm now leaning more towards buying a better used truck. What would I be able to get in the 5,000 to 6,000 dollar price range?

Part of the problem is these silly Toyotas last forever, and their owners tend to be madly in love with them (as I am with mine). I tried to find a used one back in 2002. The dealer said "Maybe someone will die and you'll find one in an estate sale".

-I appreciate all of your input. =A0I'm now leaning more towards buying a

-better used truck. =A0What would I be able to get in the 5,000 to 6,000

-dollar price range?

I'd go along with what some of the other guys have said, and spend a little more money if at all possible. The reason being, $6k puts you right on the edge of being able to buy something pretty nice, like a good T-100 which are out there for $8000-$10000. $6k will most likely get you something with a ton of miles and just on the cusp of being a "beater", if it isn't already. For say $9k if you shopped carefully you could get a T-100 or Taco that had service records etc and had a solid 10 years left in it... so it seems to me that your choice is a pretty nice truck for $8k-10k or probably a bunch of someone else's problems for $6k.

Now, you certainly COULD get a good truck for $6k, and actually I should give you props for not wanting to borrow money. Payments really are slavery and the USA is full of people who have voluntarily borrowed to within an inch of their lives and have to do nothing but work all the time to service the debt. OTOH, a $3000 loan (to bring it up to $9000) would be under $100 a month. If you really can only afford $6k, which believe me "I've been there", or just don't want to spend more you might be able to do like my buddy did and find a T-100 with some cosmetic body damage and get a good deal on it. He paid $7500 for one with about 95,000 miles on it (would have been about $12k at the time otherwise) and it'd been layed in a ditch so the passenger side was a little wrinkly- it's been a good truck for him for the last couple years.

-jeff