The Cruelty of the $15 Minimum Wage

We like older pickups and SUVs. Special faves (neither of which can be killed) are Toyota Hilux, and Subaru Brumby as per:

That's not my car/house/dog FTR, just a random google image. Needed a pic showing scale, and the dog does that nicely. They may not have been available in America (?), so wanted to highlight the small size.

 

I've bought 4 cars and a motorcycle in my life, all off ebay or craigslist.
First, an 85 Bronco for $1500, which I ruined learning how not to work on cars... turns out to have been valuable education!
Then an 83 AMC Eagle for $1000, which has been in 'project' mode for 10 years (it runs and drives, but now needs electrical and vacuum work)
Then a 79 Honda XR500 for $500, which I learned that I don't particularly enjoy motorcycles but for occasional novelty.
Then an 84(?) Bronco for ~$3000, which was my daily driver until work gave me personal use of a 2011 Tundra(great truck!) instead of a raise... now my stepdaughter drives my beloved Bronco until she graduates and I can reasonably force her to get a real job and buy her own car
Then a 2001 Kia Spectra for $700, for driving my stepson an hour to and from school 2 or 3 days a week (custody battle). Relative to gas mileage in the Bronco, it paid for itself in just a few months. Then I gave it to my stepdaughter, and she used it as a learning aid on how to respect the danger of driving too fast up in the hills I guess if you're gonna be intentionally reckless, thats a pretty good place to not endanger others... She was fine, the car was not. It scared her just the right amount, I think. Not too bad a price for a life lesson, I guess.

 

Looks like a Subaru Brat. I've always thought those were cool. See em occasionally in the US.

 

I don't have any complaint for Toyota's. My FJ should run 300K and I am at 160K now. The Prius should also go 300K but I might have to replace a battery cell or two along the way. I test drove a Subaru when I ended up buying the Mazda 3. I was not very impressed but I do remember owning a 3 cylinder Subaru Justy which was a blast to drive since it felt like you could just grab the doors to turn it.

 

Dang, I can't list all of the cars I have had but started with a 60s Pontiac Tempest slant four and next a 50's Triumph TR3 that appeared to run on a couple of cylinders successfully. First ride was a Kawasaki 125cc motorcycle in my teens that after I sold it I would dream it was still in the garage.

Latest ride is a 73 year old Ercoupe. Look it up.

 

Awesome little cars. Very light on fuel, and tough as nails. If you ever come across one for sale cheaply, buy it - assuming they're inexpensive in the States. They're highly prized here, and so fetch ridiculous prices

 

I've considered getting a used FJ. How are they?

Based purely on speculation, I assume it drives like a Bronco but with less squeaks, rattles and wind noise...?

 

Back in the 70's while in the service someone owned a Honda z600 two cylinder.

One of the guys in with us said, and say this in the strongest southern accent you can, "That car reminds me of baby shoes."

 

We have a Hilux up to 300k, and a straight LPG at 320k. Neither ever miss a beat. Their biggest issues are a little surface rust. Of course, their interiors are horrendous. Headliners long gone, seats worn to threads, nil carpet, never washed, etc. Off topic, but we love turning up to Open Homes in the beaters. Less experienced listing agents ignore us in favour of mortgaged to the hilt couples in shiny cars. Experienced agents can spot the money as soon as we open our mouths, however - no matter how bad the car is. Fun with sales people!

 

I would like to get a Suzuki Samurai and put a diesel rabbit motor in it, as my 'driving the apocalypse' car. It should get around 40-50 mpg, tuned to run on cooking oil, used tranny fluid, etc.

 

Think truck. The biggest complaint besides that is visibility. Very limited. I love it and will keep it until it dies. I would pass on the 2007 and even though I have a 2008 the later models reinforced the front inner fenders and even later replaced the frame with a stronger frame.

There is no problem with the frame but the earlier ones were more flexible and the inner fender steel can start cracking and splitting so if I were buying one used look for the late models.

I have not had any problems with mine other than usual things like a battery, replacing a front brake caliper, and a leaking steering hose. At 160K I can't complain.

 

Reminds me of my brother in law that sold cars. The salesmen ignored the ratty looking couple that came in and he sold them a Corvette for cash.

 

It's tremendous fun, and it tells you who to deal with in terms of sales people. Ignore the idiot who thinks you're poor because your car is old. He's either very low IQ, very insulated, or doesn't know many rich people. Either way, he's too stupid to trust on an important deal.