Toyota Manual SUV Alternatives: Late 90s Early 2000s

ratoloko on 20/01/2025 - 22:23
Last edited 20/01/2025 - 22:27

Hi all,

So I started looking into buying my first car over renting one.
There are so many things I have avoided doing just because I cannot bother with all the renting process, and Uber took down one of the best services we had: CarNextDoor.

You most likely will have 3 questions:

  1. Why precisely late 90s early 2000s???

Because late 90s early 2000s are the only real cars compared with today's.
To be fair, I did look into the new Suzuki Jimny XL ( online only) but the engine is just too weak for its price, otherwise, it is the perfect late 90s early 2000s vibe with physical buttons and a decent infotainment system. It appears to have the space I need but I have not seen a XL model in person to be sure.

I refuse to buy new cars that are nothing but a computer on wheels full of touch buttons and dramas.
Manufacturer pushing new firmware to the cars, zero system security in place. If you are in the IT field also, you know what I mean!!!

Just more things to break costing a kidney, it is not a matter of buying one but refusing to buy toys.
After 95s you get airbag which to me is the most important.
Good to have would be cruise control I guess, AC yes please, and ABS but not mandatory as ABS is a whole can of worms.
The infotainment system are usually the only negative side of this era, you can easily solve that with an Android unit for GPS and music.

  1. Why Toyota alternative??

I was looking into Toyota LandCruiser 80 series (91 to 96), in the worst case scenario 100 series ( I saw a 2000s model) which is the limite before things went south with electronics features breaking down.
Man, 80% of the ADs are neglected LandCruiser and since they all have been put to hell, it is just a mess. Very few are still considered "second hand" and not left over of a car.
I know what second hand means, but some ADs are just good lord.
I did find a beautiful 80 series but it is a mix of petrol and LPG, Why adapt the car to add more things to break???
And you have to inspect it more often coz of LPG or adios engine.
IIRC, the guy was asking 20k, it is beautiful until I read LPG and online research said mandatory LPG inspection.

  1. Why SUV??

Amateur astronomy!
I need space to take the equipment that aren't small or light. Small car will just create more problems. I am 1.88 also, so hitting my head and knees are a problem haha
I have missed events coz I cannot carry things on my motorcycle haha renting car for such events would cost a fortune.
And light travel over the weekends, I have a list of places I would love to go but is too tiring on a motorcycle.
I once rode my 700cc motorcycle with friends from NSW Eastern Suburbs to Thredbo/Jindabyne, 1000km total trip, 13h just to get there haha, I am never doing that again on a motorcycle lol

BONUS

It must be manual. I don't personally care if the traffic in NSW can get ugly. If that was a problem, I would have a scooter and not a manual motorcycle.
Manual just works, easy to maintenance it yourself ( I do my motorcycle maintenance myself and only pay for critical maintenance like replacing the brake disk)
I will not get into Manual vs Auto, Android vs iPhone sort of discussion.

BUDGET

From what I gathered, late 90s early 2000s is around 15k-21k, 25k tops depending on model and accessories.

Thank you so much for any help.

Automotive Car SUV Toyota

Comments

  • pegaxs on 20/01/2025 - 23:40
    +3

    Because late 90s early 2000s are the only real cars compared with today's.

    Oh, bullshit. This is just your “nostalgia bias” talking.

    • stephendt on 20/01/2025 - 23:56
      +2

      Yeah I stopped reading here too. What a load of BS. A well looked after mid-2010's wagon would be fine, but NOOO that's not a real car. eyeroll

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 14:56
      -2

      People have different point of view, if you don't agree is one thing and your right, getting all mad because you disagree with somebody else is another problem and half apart!!!

  • enzioFirenze on 20/01/2025 - 23:42
    +2

    95 series Prado is a pretty good pick, especially the diesel one with a 1kz engine. Early 120 series Prados are super reliable as well with the same engine.

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 14:57

      I'll look into it, thank you for the suggestion :)

  • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 06:30
    +1

    You think a jimmy xl would do, but looking at a landcruiser? Thats a nuts comparison.

    Why complicate a petrol landy with lpg? Coz those things drink like fish. Your fuel bill will be huge in a petrol land cruiser. Adding lpg helps keep the bill down.

    ABS doesnt complicate thing. Buying a car without it ust seems daft. IMO ABS and a couple of airbags are an absolute minimum when buying a car.

    I get you on buying a manual. I just prefer it too, but otherwise you seem … a little confused.

    Sounds like you need a forester.

  • JIMB0 on 21/01/2025 - 07:04
    +3

    How about a horse and cart.

    • pegaxs on 21/01/2025 - 09:23
      +5

      I only go for the late 1890’s early 1900’s carts. That’s when the made real carts. None of these pneumatic tyres and wheel bearings. None of that space age, light weight “steel” malarkey, just good old reliable wood. You could just fix it in your own barn and didn’t need to pay a “coach smith” to do all the work.

      They just don’t make them like they did in the 1890’s.

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 14:58

      That will do I reckon haha

  • shaybisc on 21/01/2025 - 09:28
    +2

    Too many electronics in late 90s cars. Got to go further back.

    • JIMB0 on 21/01/2025 - 09:43
      +1

      Get an engine with a carburettor and points ignition. At least you could rebuild it yourself on the side of the road when it goes wrong. None of this electronic ignition and fuel injection crap that requires a tow to a workshop on the extremely rare chance it fails.

  • plmko on 21/01/2025 - 09:50
    +2

    I knew a guy who did mining prospecting (and thus camping) in an original 1996 Subaru Outback. Had like 500,000+kms. So I'm not sure if you need to be so adamant that a car must to have zero electronics assists to be reliable or driveable.

    • Mechz on 21/01/2025 - 11:11
      -1

      How do you start a car with zero electronics? Hand crank?

      • plmko on 21/01/2025 - 12:21

        I know you're being sarcastic but I was referring to the point about computer components and needing IT field expertise.

      • JIMB0 on 21/01/2025 - 15:15

        Or a shotgun shell starter.

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 15:00

      Hmm this is a car that two mechanics suggested to me.
      But it must be manual because that CVT auto transmission is just a Pandora's box.

      I'll look into it, thank you.

      • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 17:38

        Its only recent models that are CVT. They had a regular auto for ages.

  • saltypete on 21/01/2025 - 10:02
    +1

    I dont know about 'real' cars, but Toyotas offerings from around that time were very well engineered and far simpler than more recent offerings.
    To misquote G&S 'There are the remains of a fine car company about Toyota'.
    Perhaps consider getting the LPG one and removing the gas kit and tank. They did have a raging thirst though….

    Could be worth also looking at Nissan Patrols. They still made the Y61 until 2016. Its simple, engine is very good, body is aguably even stronger that the Toyota and they are well priced. Add to that most mechs remember how to work on them and there are parts aplenty.

  • JDMcarfan on 21/01/2025 - 11:14
    +1

    Hey mate if you in Sydney, you're welcome to test drive my XL and check out dimensions.
    Look its underpowered sure but ive never struggled to maintain speeds esp if i drop it down a year.
    If its an auto then id defs say its insufficient, but as a manual they're perfectly fine.

    But same logic as yourself, wanted a new (newish) 4x4 but that was simple in stature (e.g. manual low range) not many buttons manual HVAC controls but ideally came with carplay. So this hit the boxes.

    Unfortunately the XL is yet to have a GVM upgrade (coming soon) and the stock suspension (incl the 3 doors) is shit. However if you dont need a GVM upgrade, installed kits are $1800 fitted and suspension is sorted. Likewise, tyres are the same shit. $800-$1000 for a quality set.

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 15:08
      +1

      Sweet, if I could just see it and look the space, that would be awesome.
      I didn't think about going to a Suzuki dealer to avoid the seller trying to get you to sign anything.
      I'll DM you later.

      Thank you very much.

      • JDMcarfan on 21/01/2025 - 16:12

        no probs theres a flat floor mod from NZ that just got released that makes the boot and rear seats fold flat and includes tie down points.
        Currently on the wish list but if you also wanted to see one with that done, you might have a small chance of finding someone on the FB forums, as it was just released and instantly sold out

  • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 15:15

    Some comments didn't disappointed haha

    I reckon they are those folks with Tesla managing the entire car via a touchscreen display, if it stops working like videos you can find for yourself on YT, you can just barely drive it.

    The same applies to late 2000s cars, many have AC managed via a touch button. WTF!!!
    Others you can barely operate basic functions because there are no physical buttons. That is where the "least" electronics term comes from.

    The least electronics, the least things to break there's. It also makes easier and cheaper for you to maintain your car without spending a kidney with mechanics trying to f you up.

    Anyway, thank you so much for those who understood the questions. I really appreciate your help.

    Thanks very much.

    • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 17:44

      The same applies to late 2000s cars, many have AC managed via a touch button.

      Theres not many air vent units operated by the cable system of old. Its been electronic and air actuated since the 90s.

      Its reliable enough, and if it does fail, you can often pick up a control unit at wreckers. The ones at the wreckers are all fine because they just keep working after the car has been crashed.

      • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 17:50

        Theres not many air vent units operated by the cable system of old

        I said physical button instead of touchscreen.
        Perhaps I need to work on my explanations haha

        • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 17:52

          Virtually all cars still have buttons and knobs, even today.

          I do agree that touchscreen controls for everything is just daft.

          • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 18:00

            @Euphemistic: So I am looking at the wrong cars hahaha
            Today's cars have gone all touch, I mean, just look at them.
            For the infotainment, hell yeah, but basic features of the car?? I personally find it silly and unnecessary.

            From a maintenance pov, it will be more expensive if things stop working.
            "Wreckers" place is another thing I need to look into.
            I had to buy parts for my 2013 Honda motorcycle, the parts arrived from UK, India, TW, and it took bloody 2 months lol

            • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 20:03

              @ratoloko: Weve got a 2024 model car. Only infotainment is on touchscreen. Everything else is buttons. MOST cars dont control everything through touchacreen, thats a tesla thing.

              Most manufacturers that decided everything on touchscreen, pther than tesla, have moved back to buttons for basic controls. Customers have spoken.

  • Ozbar Gain on 21/01/2025 - 15:39
    +1

    You watch too much Scotty Kilmer

    • ratoloko on 21/01/2025 - 17:51

      I will need to check who that is…..

      I have seen some of his videos haha
      But nah, it is pure personal preference.

  • Gunnar on 21/01/2025 - 20:23

    Get a Captiva mate, they run on beers, babes and bungas.

    Nothing goes wrong if you do these basics!

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