Guess I should have done this first
Really happy to have found this site. Hope to learn quite a bite while here that may help with my decision.
I'm 51 and am in the market for a work car/daily driver.
I've had a plethora of Toyotas over my lifetime to include
-83 4x4 (new-lifted yada yada you know the routine)
-85 4-runner (custom)
-74 FJ40 Landcruiser-also lifted
-80's model (don't recall the year) corolla hatchback
-70's model corolla 2 door
(currently)-89 FJ62Landcruiser, aka: the elephant chaser.
The problem is the 89 Landcruiser is my DD and at 9.5 mpg, it's gotta go
It's wonderful when the weather goes to crap (as it's doing right now) and the roads fill with water, or when I need to get into the back woods for work, but other than that, it's just not suitable as a DD with rising fuel cost
I also own an 87 Vette that will be getting some MAJOR mods over the next year or so and will be off the street for a while; however, for the time being, it's being used as a semi-daily driver because it gets 17+city and 22-28 highway (if I keep the old foot out of it).
There are several problems associated with using a vette as a DD in my business.
1-Doesn't blend in well.
2-Difficult to enter/exit (in/out 10-40 times a day!)
3-Low ground clearance. Don't need a 4-wheeler, but this thing is so low I scrape getting out of my driveway
.
4-Vettes are just not made to be work cars. After a 100k + on the clock and probably a couple hundred thousand entry/exits, well, the fiberglass just doesn't like it. This will piss off the vette folks, but the cars are really not that tough or that well made!
Don't get me wrong. I love my vette, but I need a DD.
When I have to make long trips, I usually rent. I rented and was impressed with the Prius and was planning on a purchase....then I saw the prices!!
I refuse to grab my ankles for a car so UGLY they couldn't give it away a couple years back
That said, I've been reading and researching the XD and XB model Scions and took a test drive in an 08 XB the other day....all I can say is WOW!!!!
I loved it!
My issue? Fuel mileage.
The XD seems to do so much better based upon EPA and actual driver reviews I've read.
Fuel economy is a BIG deal for me as it's a major expense for my business each month.
Any real life figures would help. Please feel free to share.
I'm also thrilled to see so many older people like myself getting into the XB's and XD's
Hope you don't mind me hanging out here and seeing what everyone has to say?
Thanks,
Gordon
Tampa
