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May, 2025

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Do I buy a Tacoma?!

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WoFlowz
Posts: 8110 - Karma: 64,509
So fellas ur gonna love this one!

Parents New Years gift was telling me they’re either selling the car to buy my sister a crosstrek or keeping it as a beater for her to learn to drive in them buying her something smaller! This means i’m carless this semester and summer. Unfortunate I know, but Tuition is payed. Well the portion I cover, along with my dues, yet I have money left over. I know a guy selling his 02 Single Cab 4x4, it’s quite nice and has a topper, Body is in great shape.

Unfortunately, it overheated about 3 weeks ago and he threw in a new cooling system was installed. He’s continued to drive it and it appears the head gasket had blown! Shop confirmed with a compression test and is doubtful of the heads cracking. He’s offering it at 2 grand since he’s pissed he’d need to sink about another $1500 into it. It’s also only got 180k miles. Thoughts? Concerns? Go buy a civic or camry comments? Insurance isn’t a issue my parents will cover it but the purchase, maintenance will be on me. Gas will be whatever depends on if there’s a delta sonic around and I can use a gas card. Any other suggestions would be cool too!

Other cars in the 2-6k range i’ve considered
- 05-09 5spd outbacks
- xc70s
- s60 2.5 T‘s
- 1st gen Tundra
- Impreza or Impreza sport
- Accords
- Manual Foresters
- 400k mile land cruiser

WoFlowz car search is never ending!

xoxo
5 months ago
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,913
Oh god here we go again…
5 months ago
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8110 - Karma: 64,509
mikemOh god here we go again…


i’m tryna be a little more realistic with cars a mechanically inclined person can work on and with semi affordable parts. Tbh a rover isn’t that difficult to work on just expensive and costly to maintain unless pampered its entire lifespan.
5 months ago
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7462 - Karma: 79,932
You're not gonna listen to a damn thing anyone tells you anyways so this shit sammich is yours to bite yourself brotha. Put on the big boy pants and start figuring it out
5 months ago
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Rock_Inhabitant
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 16,820
“Insurance isn’t an issue my parents will cover it” so you truly dgaf if your parents have to pay extra to cover a shitty car??
5 months ago
10 1
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8110 - Karma: 64,509
Rock_Inhabitant“Insurance isn’t an issue my parents will cover it” so you truly dgaf if your parents have to pay extra to cover a shitty car??


they’ve offered to pay since they’re the ones who bought a car for me to drive the past two years. They’ve also decided to not let me take it to school, and most likely sell it for something smaller. A car my sister would be more comfortable learning to drive in, she’s been begging for a crosstrek. That’s completely their right esp since they’re purchase the car, but they’ve been nice enough to offer to pay for insurance and some gas if i purchase my own
5 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3719 - Karma: 16,864
I hate you
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
Wofloz thread? Wo flows thread. Oh fuck it, whatever.

If you do the head gasket prolly worth getting the head machined just in case.

Also of getting somrthing old and used prolly wprth having a mechanic friemd check it out also if you have somebody that can do the work. Shit takes time so is $$$.


No more land rovers?
5 months ago
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8110 - Karma: 64,509
theabortionatorWofloz thread? Wo flows thread. Oh fuck it, whatever.

If you do the head gasket prolly worth getting the head machined just in case.

Also of getting somrthing old and used prolly wprth having a mechanic friemd check it out also if you have somebody that can do the work. Shit takes time so is $$$.


No more land rovers?


i’m gonna save that purchase for when i have my own secure source of income!
5 months ago
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
Just start a GoFundMe so you can afford a land Rover your friends on NS got your back and will chip in.
5 months ago
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Sivvy
Posts: 913 - Karma: 9,256
I love when @WoFlowz does cars
5 months ago
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Jems
Posts: 7749 - Karma: 101,326
SivvyI love when @WoFlowz does cars

consistently making out of touch posts about cars since before he was 16
5 months ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7763 - Karma: 39,859
I think you should buy a Land Rover, it would be stupid not to
5 months ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10086 - Karma: 76,519
In 2019 the crosstrek had the most at fault crash rate of any car make or model...but you'll live. Parent suggestion checks out.
5 months ago
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MichiganCatFart
Posts: 1559 - Karma: 24,235
WoFlowzBody is in great shape.

Not if you get ahold of it
5 months ago
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3170 - Karma: 28,768
just get a camry/corolla. Old toyotas are fucking sick and bulletproof but they still need regular work, and it sounds like you've got too much shit on your plate already.
5 months ago
10 0
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8854 - Karma: 6,725
import a hilux from japan, 15 years or older legal in canada and 25yr or older in the states. can get low mileage, clean frame, and diesel if you want it instead of buying an overpriced clapped out taco in north america. i imported a diesel hilux surf (4runner) in canada its awesome.
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
TOAST.I think you should buy a Land Rover, it would be stupid not to


Pretty much an investment property
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
VT_scratchimport a hilux from japan, 15 years or older legal in canada and 25yr or older in the states. can get low mileage, clean frame, and diesel if you want it instead of buying an overpriced clapped out taco in north america. i imported a diesel hilux surf (4runner) in canada its awesome.


We ran all hilux work trucks in NZ. Right side drive manual trans. Dirt access road. Love
5 months ago
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Azier123
Posts: 132 - Karma: 536
like you mentioned I think an old forester could be the move, maybe also see if you can find a deal on a 2000-2007 sequoia or you could always take the risk and go for the tacoma, in the grand scheme of things a tacoma with 180k miles for only 3.5k is a great deal if you want the headache of having to repair it.
5 months ago
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oldmanski
Posts: 3627 - Karma: 27,138
It isn't even Wednesday and we are graced with this!

Buy a running car such as the Camary and keep it simple for yourself and your parents.
5 months ago
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2672 - Karma: 34,318
VT_scratchimport a hilux from japan, 15 years or older legal in canada and 25yr or older in the states. can get low mileage, clean frame, and diesel if you want it instead of buying an overpriced clapped out taco in north america. i imported a diesel hilux surf (4runner) in canada its awesome.

“Just buy a niche 25yr old JDM truck that’s 25k after being imported”

Great suggestion!!!
5 months ago
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ModMommy
Posts: 10877 - Karma: 58,291
Get an older Camry. They go forever, or even an older Outback if you’re mechanically inclined.
5 months ago
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skimidwest016
Posts: 26 - Karma: 143
Definitely slide in on something manual, you won't regret it. Depends on what you're looking for and if you need the bed of a truck or not.
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
Honestly I feel like theres still honda civics on the road that were built in the days we walkes with dinosaurs
5 months ago
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,350
CR-V or Rav4
5 months ago
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GrandThings
Posts: 3308 - Karma: 34,212
I sold my 2005 Rav4 last year so I could upgrade to something nicer. Had ~175k miles but still ran/started up like a dream.

Still kinda regret letting it go and am wondering if I should have just driven it till death. Miss that little car, had the perfect trunk for chilling in the parking lot after skiing.
5 months ago
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ope
Posts: 2 - Karma: 8
As someone who’s bought a shit box first gen before, don’t
5 months ago
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ope
Posts: 2 - Karma: 8
however if there’s no rust, buy it
5 months ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8854 - Karma: 6,725
armchair_skier“Just buy a niche 25yr old JDM truck that’s 25k after being imported”

Great suggestion!!!


You can get them pretty cheap here in BC. Friend of a friend imports from japan as a side business and brought mine in. I guess being at a port city like Vancouver we have them cheaper? not sure where you're based but you don't need 25k for a hilux here bud 😂
5 months ago
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2672 - Karma: 34,318
VT_scratchYou can get them pretty cheap here in BC. Friend of a friend imports from japan as a side business and brought mine in. I guess being at a port city like Vancouver we have them cheaper? not sure where you're based but you don't need 25k for a hilux here bud 😂


I'm glad BC has cheap vintage Japanese pickups because you are going to be living out of them based on how your housing market is doing

cheers to u Bud
5 months ago
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Brule.
Posts: 3988 - Karma: 6,719
1st gen or 2nd gen CR-V. Make sure it includes the OEM table.
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
opehowever if there’s no rust, buy it


It's in NY. Prolly connected by bondo and good vibes
5 months ago
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 5,781
Which engine is in it?

If it's the 2.7 4x4 I'd say go for it.
5 months ago
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ilyshorty13
Posts: 83 - Karma: 61
i’m thinking you go for a land rover audi or jag. seems to suit your style
5 months ago
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Casey
Posts: 8020 - Karma: 26,930
single cab will make you want to put a shotgun in your mouth after awhile. But it might keep your mind off the blown head gasket I say go for it
5 months ago
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jimbobs
Posts: 459 - Karma: 4,653
Buy the basketcase tundra. Dumping money into questionable vehicles has never ended poorly for anybody ever, it's always a financially savvy maneuver. There will never be any more surprise issues once you fix that one thing.
5 months ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52634 - Karma: 174,735
Kinda on second thought woth this thread. Not always the best idea to biy old things that need work if you can't do the work or have a friend that can on the cheap

I'm not amazingly mechanical and really just do pretty normal shit and have had friend help me with the bigger jobs that are out of my wheelhouse.


Also can get good step by step shot on youtube if its something you're capable of but unsure about.

Some mtns have rules about it but talk to the mechanics at your ski area. Many do sidework. Can be way cheaper than the shop in town.

I bought a car with 14" tires and a 15" spare. Blew a tire, changed it and blew my diff because of the difference. Couldn't really nptice on the side of the road in the dark.

This was 10 years ago but got a diff brought up from the pick n pull woth Vails order, and paid 40 an hour for dude at the shop to throw it in. Incredibly good deal in ski town USA.

Worth looking into regardless of what you buy. Also like ski shops, a case of beer goes a long way toward dropping the price and getting them hyped to fix your shit.

But yeah, be careful. You dont want a shitbox that ends up being a money pit if it needs work that you cant do.

Used car market has been kinda ass since covid. People selling trashed vehicles woth 300k miles for half the price of a new one. But they "know what they have. No lowballs" lol
5 months ago
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cool270out
Posts: 943 - Karma: 8,174
What do you need a truck bed for that isn’t a bike or ski?
5 months ago
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realassboat
Posts: 50 - Karma: 613
Im pretty late but consider an 90s Toyota T100. Pretty overlooked in terms of hype from people who just jump on the old yota hype train, so you can still find one for pretty decent prices and they are just as bombproof. 3.0L engine is no bueno and some of toyotas worst work but the 3.4L is fucking insanely tanky. Same frame as a hilux, basically just widened. Bigger than a Pickup and slightly smaller than a tundra (its basically a gen 0 tundra) which is pretty much perfect. Picked mine up with 180k on it for $3k, neighbor has one running currently on original engine at 640k. Fucking bomber.
5 months ago
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partyandBS
Posts: 5940 - Karma: 92,398
hear me out. what about a 2013 dodge dart?!
5 months ago
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6485 - Karma: 66,461
Jesus fuck I haven’t been on here in awhile and I come back and your still trying to get some trendy bullshit beat to fuck truck/car/suv. You’re gunna wreck it within the first month anyways.
5 months ago
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partyandBS
Posts: 5940 - Karma: 92,398
CatdickBojanglesJesus fuck I haven’t been on here in awhile and I come back and your still trying to get some trendy bullshit beat to fuck truck/car/suv. You’re gunna wreck it within the first month anyways.


hey! our man has been accident free since ‘23 (dont fact check that) however the speeding tickets that daddy has had to get him out of has increased
5 months ago
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6485 - Karma: 66,461
partyandBShey! our man has been accident free since ‘23 (dont fact check that) however the speeding tickets that daddy has had to get him out of has increased


Did he hit the cops with a “do you know who my father is?!”
5 months ago
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GrandThings
Posts: 3308 - Karma: 34,212
CatdickBojanglesDid he hit the cops with a “do you know who my father is?!”


"The seniors on my rowing team told me I'm allowed to go 20 over."
5 months ago
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3170 - Karma: 28,768
partyandBShear me out. what about a 2013 dodge dart?!


I can't think of a better vehicle to sacrifice
5 months ago
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exit32
Posts: 121 - Karma: 1,140
WoFlowzthey’ve offered to pay since they’re the ones who bought a car for me to drive the past two years. They’ve also decided to not let me take it to school, and most likely sell it for something smaller. A car my sister would be more comfortable learning to drive in, she’s been begging for a crosstrek. That’s completely their right esp since they’re purchase the car, but they’ve been nice enough to offer to pay for insurance and some gas if i purchase my own


why would she want a subaru? is she a lesbian?
5 months ago
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Celery
Posts: 2119 - Karma: 26,581
pontiac vibe
5 months ago
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Dani-B
Posts: 253 - Karma: 2,254
The CRV advocates need to explain themselves. Some of the worst drivers on the road in Ontario drive them
5 months ago
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3170 - Karma: 28,768
I take back everything I said, you should buy my 4runner.

https://www.newschoolers.com/bst/thread/7921/1997-Toyota-4runner--MANUAL-
4 months ago
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8110 - Karma: 64,509
SendyMcSendyfaceI take back everything I said, you should buy my 4runner.

https://www.newschoolers.com/bst/thread/7921/1997-Toyota-4runner--MANUAL-


plausible option. I’m waiting till the semesters over and gonna see where i’m at money wise. My parents sold the pilot and r buying my little sister a 18’ crosstrek. So i’ve gotta fire out a car, my grandpa said he’s willing to ship me his 335i coupe for the summer but that’s quite a temporary solution. Might be better off financially just doing that and paying insurance for the summer and give it another year or two before i purchase a car.
4 months ago
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