Hey, how are you today. I am looking to buy a car and I’m torn between a 99 4runner limited with 269k miles or a 06 honda crv with 152k miles or a Honda pilot with 189k miles
I want something good on gas yet super reliable and that will get me out of sticky situation if I go into the mud or dirt. I definitely want to do a mini lift and good tires but nothing crazy as I don’t off road. I also want to be able to work on it but again just want what’s most reliable. Please help.
thank you.
First off, you are asking a lot from one vehicle. If all things were equal, and you were asking about a 2006 CRV, 4Runner, or Pilot, all with 150k miles, that is one thing.
You also ask about getting good MPG, that eliminates the 4Runner and pilot. Though, CRV's can sometimes don't get great gas mileage either, especially with awd.
You also ask about reliability, of the pack I would pick the 4Runner, but that one is older with higher miles. Though a pilot at 190k is likely close to end of life too, unless really taken care of.
You also ask about being able to get through some light off road , any of them could do it, but again the 4Runner would be the best, if it is at least 4wd, with locking rear differential would be even better. If the pilot or CRV were awd, with proper tires could do well also.
I think I would have to ask, is this for you as a daily driver, or play vehicle?
My thoughts
The 4Runner is best off road, and if it was taken really good care of, could have a lot of miles left in it, but at the age you could see a lot of parts wearing out like hoses, seals, and lots of little things. Great aftermarket parts as there are still tons on the road.
I would not touch the pilot over the 4Runner if it was me, I would fear the transmission at that age is ready to go. If it was taken really good care of, maybe.
If the CRV was taken good care of, could last a good while longer, and would be my best guess to daily driver. If you still wanted it for offroading, and it had AWD, your mpg is likely to be not so good.
What is the price difference in these, that also must be factored in?
Thanks for the response. The pilot is definitely out. The 4runner is well taken care of but has rust and they want 4K and it has been patched I believe. The crv is AWD and super clean no rust and only one owner. They want 5k for it. I want it for me as a daily but still want to go camping with it and just don’t want to get stuck anywhere.
That price for a rusty 3rd Gen 4runner is too much. If you really wanted one, you can travel and get a better one for about the same price, for a bit more a pretty nice one.
The CRV sounds like a winner, but if it were me I would not put a lift kit on it, at most I would put a bit bigger tires, but your mpg will suffer, as will your acceleration.
Yea I think I’ll hold off and get the crv but I really want a runner.
I personally probably get the CRV and get a cheap set of all terrain tires
