General vehicle question

[BoldAdventure]

18 in town was pretty common before the 35's. Tow capacity is 4000-6500 depending on gear and engine.

Also, we had a Husky, I do believe the TB has more room than a 4Runner as it's a bit wider.

 

[Haggis]

Our 4th gen, 2004 AWD V8 4Runner averages 18 mpg throughout the year. V6 models do a little better (low 20s) but the V8 is sweet in this ride. At least five months of that driving is winter driving which this rig excels at. Great dependability, though they're known for rusting rear hatches in the snow belt. My wife really loved it but the girl is using it as her college ride presently. I'd buy another without any hesitation, just be sure to see that the timing chain has been R&R'd on the V8 models at around the 100,000 mile mark.

 

[Malamute]

Have an opportunity to buy a 98 4 Runner in so-so condition. It needs a little TLC (oil leak, noisy muffler), and has 220K. It wouldn't be a regular driver, but may be used primarily as a one way ride across the country to buy a vehicle in a better climate, then as a spare. Its from the Midwest, and has some rust in the rear bumper. Anything I should have checked for a longer trip? It would be worth a little in work, but I have no intention of making it perfect, just functional for now until I get a better vehicle as a primary.

What are the 2000's to about 2010-ish 4 Runners and Trailblazers doing for road fuel mileage?

Are the Rav 4's or Highlanders in the same class as 4 Runners or functional as soft roaders?

Several people IRL have mentioned Subarus. I also seem to keep hearing the word headgasket mentioned in relation to Subarus. Is this as common as it seems? It also sticks in my mind people mentioning Subarus were more expensive to have worked on, any basis for that?

 

[jscusmcvet]

Early 2000 subarus had head gasket issues.... somewhere between 100k and 150k or so and you will replace. It is not a hard job, you don't need to go to a dealer or an import specialist. On our 2002 Forester our local mechanic charged us $400 and also did the timing belt as part of regular maintenance. That car is now in the hands of my 21 year old and is closing in on 200K with that head gasket being the only problem it has ever had. Great little softroader, easy to drive, good visibility, 26-28 mpg. We have state owned gamelands close by. All sandy roads and trails. The little sub does great down there.