The "Upgrade"

I've always loved the tough, off-road SUVs. Small lift, beefy tires, roof rack that I would never use but it looks really cool. More importantly, coilover suspension. 

What better SUV for this than the 4Runner. In a sea of soccer mom inspired vehicles the 4Runner has stayed pretty true to its roots. 

So my thought process went something like this...

*search Toyota dealership*    *Find awesome 4Runner*    *$80k... immediately no*

Ok so used, no problem. I typically don't buy new anyway.

*Car search website, 4Runner, 2010-2018*    *why are these still $40k...with a ton of miles*

Ok, ok. Look. If I'm going back to 2010, why not just go a little earlier and get a V8

*Car search website, 4Runner, 2003-2009*    *Ok, now we are getting somewhere, but so many miles...clearly HARD miles*

You know, a few years earlier and I could get arguably the best 4Runner ever...

*Car search website, 4Runner, 1996-2002*    *WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOURE SUPPOSED TO BE UPGRADING, GO BACK TO 2010+*

And the process repeated for quite some time like this, all while continuing to research and learn about generations 3, 4 and 5 trying to narrow my search. I had many conversations where I said something like "I just want...a gen3, with 150k miles or less, 1 owner, and stock so I can do all the work." The response to this was quite literally "lol" or "Good luck, it will be $20k" or "Those are out in the world but they are the Unicorns"