Real world mpg's

[Mountainhound]

Thanks again everyone!!!

There are some excellent vehicles that span the gap between a 12mpg 'cruiser and a 50mpg Jetta, that will get you and your family out and enjoying this country.

The way I see it, you'd be trading a vehicle that is poorly suited for what you want to do due to size/ground clearance, etc, for another vehicle that is poorly suited, due to extreme fuel thirst and the propensity to luring you into spending more time slapping on accessories than actually driving it overland...(If this is what you REALLY want to do, be honest, accept it and realize that you'll simply enjoy driving a classy 4x4 wagon around town and on short camping trips.

Nothing wrong with that

To me, the middle ground is something like a subaru forester(25mpgs or more), Diesel jeep(20-22ish mpgs), diesel or subaru powered westfalia (AWD, or RWD, about 20-25mpgs), or maybe a nice example of a trooper, Cherokee or Montero (all of which get around 17-19 mpgs while travelling, usually)

None of these is a cruiser, but then again, ALL of them will take you further on a $4.00 gallon of gas, in comfort and style, than the cruiser will, and honestly, if actually getting out is the goal, is a point that might be worth your consideration.

Now lets see wife has a forseter (she loves it) and it's a fine car for her, but your not taking that very far offroad around here, and I find it uncomfortable. I have thought about a trooper and the montero, but honestly they just don't hold the same allure for me. Also I do look forward to accessorizing (sp). I should also point out that I am used to driving trucks that don't get great mileage and I still have the jetta till I sell it. Will be keeping the tacoma (18mpg) till the frame falls apart completly and just can't be patched anymore. Funny thing is I have just as of late been thinking about a 4runner (but damn those things hold there value) because I have been wondering if I really need a cruiser, I could probably get to most places with a ifs 4runner lifted and with bigger tires and locker. But honestly I can get a cruiser cheaper. The 4runners I have seen for sale at the same price as the cruiser is in far worse shape. Also I am a toyota convert since I have had this tacoma. Thing has 265k miles and purrs like a kitten and I love it. But I am not going to spend any more money on it with the mileage and frame issues. Having said all that my mind is still open and I am keeping my eyes open for a good deal whatever that may be.

[BIGdaddy]

Thanks again everyone!!!

Now lets see wife has a forseter (she loves it) and it's a fine car for her, but your not taking that very far offroad around here, and I find it uncomfortable. Well, that's an easy removal from the condenders list.

I have thought about a trooper and the montero, but honestly they just don't hold the same allure for me. Also I do look forward to accessorizing (sp).Yup, fj40's/60's/80's are simply iconic. And as far as accessorizing, there's nothing like the aftermarket for cruisers and jeeps.

I should also point out that I am used to driving trucks that don't get great mileage and I still have the jetta till I sell it. Will be keeping the tacoma (18mpg) till the frame falls apart completly and just can't be patched anymore. Funny thing is I have just as of late been thinking about a 4runner (but damn those things hold there value) because I have been wondering if I really need a cruiser, I could probably get to most places with a ifs 4runner lifted and with bigger tires and locker.I don't think toyota IFS is a limiting factor for all but the stupid-toughest terrain...I've had a few 4runners. Never an issue

But honestly I can get a cruiser cheaper. Strange but true, same where I live, too


The 4runners I have seen for sale at the same price as the cruiser is in far worse shape. Also I am a toyota convert since I have had this tacoma. Thing has 265k miles and purrs like a kitten and I love it. But I am not going to spend any more money on it with the mileage and frame issues. Having said all that my mind is still open and I am keeping my eyes open for a good deal whatever that may be.

[Mountainhound]

I thought I would also point out that the cruiser or whatever will pretty much be the activity, not so much a means of getting somewhere to hike or bike or something like that because my wife has muscular dystrophy (sp) so her balance is horrible (her shadow can trip her) There are so many beautiful places around here and elsewhere that she'll never see unless can I get her out there. I know I know there are plenty of beautiful place that can be seen from your average road but where's the fun in that? If I was going to do that I would buy a harley but she hates bikes so it would just be me.

[RMP&O]

Thanks again everyone!!!

Now lets see wife has a forseter (she loves it) and it's a fine car for her, but your not taking that very far offroad around here, and I find it uncomfortable. Well, that's an easy removal from the condenders list.

You might be surprised what a Subaru will do. I have got video of one in Australia fording a solid 12-18" of water plus tearing up the dunes and this was with a 1st time off-road driver. Not saying that is what you should do with yours, it is the wife's car and all.

I can't agree more about the aftermarket parts for the Cruisers. That has definitely been a high point since I got mine. The 4-Runners is a little less but not much, especially if you get an 84-85 with the SFA. Marlin has just about anything you could want for that version of 4Runner, besides motor and LC Engineering has all those goodies. If you need more room go Cruiser, if you need less room and want the cool factor of a removable hardtop go 4Runner. Or you want the better mileage of the 4Runner. In either truck check the frames for rust as well as the bodies. Common areas are rear leaf hangers in frame and bottom of doors, tailgate, fenders or wheel wells and rear seat mounts. Pretty much for both trucks.

If you are willing to travel a bit or ship the truck you can find a better deal.

[Mountainhound]

Thanks for the info on where to look for rust. As for the subaru I know there capable just not around here offroad. There are no dunes here but there are plenty of ledge and big rocks and ditches and mud holes. I live in the granite state and if there is one thing besides trees (84% forest) we have and in abundance of is rock. Funny you mention the older 4runners there the reason I at first wasn't even considering them they remind me of the old toyota trucks which are great don't get me wrong just were always to small inside for me. But the other day I saw a 4runner for sale and was looking at it and thought hey there not bad in there now. Now as for buying without seeing in person it scares me, not that I am that great at looking something over (my tacoma is a perfect exampe) I looked it over or so I thought and missed a crack in the frame. It was small and hidden but still missed it.

You might be surprised what a Subaru will do. I have got video of one in Australia fording a solid 12-18" of water plus tearing up the dunes and this was with a 1st time off-road driver. Not saying that is what you should do with yours, it is the wife's car and all.

I can't agree more about the aftermarket parts for the Cruisers. That has definitely been a high point since I got mine. The 4-Runners is a little less but not much, especially if you get an 84-85 with the SFA. Marlin has just about anything you could want for that version of 4Runner, besides motor and LC Engineering has all those goodies. If you need more room go Cruiser, if you need less room and want the cool factor of a removable hardtop go 4Runner. Or you want the better mileage of the 4Runner. In either truck check the frames for rust as well as the bodies. Common areas are rear leaf hangers in frame and bottom of doors, tailgate, fenders or wheel wells and rear seat mounts. Pretty much for both trucks.

If you are willing to travel a bit or ship the truck you can find a better deal.

[RMP&O]

3rd party inspection helps with buying sight unseen. Toyota dealerships be happy to do it, for a fee.

I was in my Buddy's 85 4Runner a few weeks back for a bunch of off-roading. Honestly, it really grew on me. Smaller than the Cruiser for sure but nearly as cool. He has stuff I don't have too like better stock seats, sun roof, power rear window, removable hard top, factory roll bar, split rear bench seat and a few other things. He just decked it out with bumpers and sliders and it looks really nice. He doesn't have the 22R though, he has a Supra engine in it which has 200hp. Still gets awesome mileage. He picked it up for $5,000 in Bozeman, Montana and is now in it $8-9k. 35s, ARB lockers f&r, fairly rust free body, clean frame, brand new IFS steering box, SFA and the Supra engine plus 4.7 gears in the t-case. It had a lot of issues he is working out but worth the $5k he paid for it. We wheeled with an 04 Rubicon and after a full day the Rubi was on 1/4 tank and the 4Runner had nearly 3/4s and that was with many revs to 5k rpms! Good truck, cheaper than the Cruiser IMHO, just as capable but less room.

[Mountainhound]

I have 3 dogs a wife and 2 teenage daughters and my fat *** so I do need room, not that all will be going at once very often. Oldest daughter is turning 18 at end of month. But it would be nice to have the room if/when we do. But I must admit I really like how nimble my tacoma is. I have always owned full size trucks except a 99 ranger and this tacoma. Even though stock has impressed me with it's ability to get through the woods. I have only had it out half dozon times or so, but it is far more capable than the ranger and I got to know this area with that ranger when we moved here in 99. I took that thing places I had no right going and if I was smarter I wouldn't have. I have never owned a modified rig just could never financially justify it, cant now either but am getting to old to just keep letting things I want to be able to do just go to the wayside because I can't financially justify it any longer. So daddy needs a couple toys too. So I got the 4 wheeler which is great but it would be nice to get out with the family too, hence a cruiser, 4runner, montero, trooper, and i have also thought of a full size double cab with a camper but just to big to get around out here and there not really into camping for campings sake. My oldest wants to do some 4 wheeling. My wife just wants to be able to spend some time together doing something I would enjoy doing, my youngest (16) who knows. Sorry for the ramble.

[BIGdaddy]

I have 3 dogs a wife and 2 teenage daughters and my fat *** so I do need room, not that all will be going at once very often. Oldest daughter is turning 18 at end of month. But it would be nice to have the room if/when we do. But I must admit I really like how nimble my tacoma is. I have always owned full size trucks except a 99 ranger and this tacoma. Even though stock has impressed me with it's ability to get through the woods. I have only had it out half dozon times or so, but it is far more capable than the ranger and I got to know this area with that ranger when we moved here in 99. I took that thing places I had no right going and if I was smarter I wouldn't have. I have never owned a modified rig just could never financially justify it, cant now either but am getting to old to just keep letting things I want to be able to do just go to the wayside because I can't financially justify it any longer. So daddy needs a couple toys too. So I got the 4 wheeler which is great but it would be nice to get out with the family too, hence a cruiser, 4runner, montero, trooper, and i have also thought of a full size double cab with a camper but just to big to get around out here and there not really into camping for campings sake. My oldest wants to do some 4 wheeling. My wife just wants to be able to spend some time together doing something I would enjoy doing, my youngest (16) who knows. Sorry for the ramble.

You seem to be decidedly smitten with the toyota product. Have you considered a double cab Tundra? Bit bigger than a double cab taco, better ergo's than cruiser for your family of 4 with seperate space for muddy dogs in the bed. Able to carry a RTT or two for camping, and/or tow a cargo trailer full of simple, rugged camp equipment(this is what we do, we have excellent gear that all fits in a cargo trailer.)

[MattL]

I've been paying close attention to my ScanGuageII the past few months and generally I'm averaging 17mpg 50:50 hwy:city in San Diego (somewhat hilly) and 20mpg strictly hwy (trip up to Sacramento via Hyw 49). This is all on a factory spec 80-series with 33" tires and front bull-bar.

[CA-RJ]

Are you sure your Scan Gauge is set up properly? 17/20 is awfully high for an 80 period, let alone one of 33's with a bull bar. Have you ever calculated it based on your trip meter/GPS?

I've been paying close attention to my ScanGuageII the past few months and generally I'm averaging 17mpg 50:50 hwy:city in San Diego (somewhat hilly) and 20mpg strictly hwy (trip up to Sacramento via Hyw 49). This is all on a factory spec 80-series with 33" tires and front bull-bar.