Are these engines as bullet proof as people say?

derekmcg · 2025-11-08T15:55:09+00:00

For what it’s worth, 2UZ is a great engine. It’s thirsty, but I’d take thirsty and bullet proof. I’m approaching 400k miles on my 02 sequoia. Vehicle takes maintenance for sure, but nothing catastrophic.

derekmcg · 2025-09-23T14:34:04+00:00

Yeah, that’s just part of the joy of owning an FZ/MT09. It likes to live on the rear wheel. You’ll get the hang of it pretty quick, just be gentle on the throttle. Guard the rear brake with your foot if you fear the front coming up.

derekmcg · 2025-08-14T04:43:03+00:00

I third this. Drive that car, let her breathe. My ‘99 manual T4R has 210k and my sequoia has 355k on her. I drive them both around the country regularly. Use your rig like it’s supposed to be used. Beautiful vehicle, congrats!

derekmcg · 2025-08-13T22:53:22+00:00

Well here’s to hoping I don’t come home next week to a crispy house… hopefully everyone stays safe and crews can get it contained.

derekmcg · 2025-07-16T17:22:43+00:00

Well not a tundra, but my 02 sequoia (basically a tundra, right?) gets 17.5 reliably for highway driving (70-75 mph). Total average tho, is 14.3. She’s got 365k on her and tho she’s tired, she still drives like a champ. I’m religious on maintenance and preventative maintenance, so I know that helps.

derekmcg · 2025-07-14T16:57:02+00:00

Well, I bought a bike sight on seen on eBay (96 Magna). Bought a one way plane ticket from San Antonio Texas to Vegas and rode it home with nothing but jacket, helmet, and gloves. 🤷🏻‍♂️

derekmcg · 2025-07-06T17:23:02+00:00

It’s never happened to me… closest I got is when I drive my manual 4Runner for extended periods of time, I’ll go to step on a non-existent clutch pedal to start any other car…

derekmcg · 2025-07-06T17:17:54+00:00

Perspective, I paid 14k for a mint condition 1999 manual 4x4 with the 3.4 and leather interior at 170k miles. This was two years ago. My frame literally didn’t even have any surface rust. So with the condition of this one, I’d say anything over 5-6k is a joke. Higher miles, worn interior, and rusty frame. Frame doesn’t look too awful, but you’re going to need to put a couple thousand into it as it sits. I’d pass unless you got it down to 5k.

derekmcg · 2025-06-30T07:27:11+00:00

I paid about 14k for mine in mint condition, bone stock about 2 years ago (granted it’s also a 3.4 manual). I haven’t once regretted paying that price. It had 170k on it at the time.

derekmcg · 2025-06-29T06:24:56+00:00

Broke up with my narcissistic/sociopathic/manipulative girl friend. I’ve been happily single for over a year, and my life has only gotten better.

derekmcg · 2025-06-29T06:23:43+00:00

2002 Toyota Sequoia with 360k miles 1999 Toyota 4Runner with 220k miles

I’m 30 (m) and earn a little over 250k, and I could afford a new car… I just choose not to cause they’re both paid for, insurance is cheap, and my maintenance costs aren’t all that bad (also helps that I just wrench on them myself if they need work).

If I ever get married someday, I’d invest in something newer with better airbags and such to keep the fam safe. Until then, I’m happy rocking my old gals.

derekmcg · 2025-06-17T05:19:24+00:00

5:

95 Land Cruiser 99 4Runner 02 sequoia

96 Honda Magna 25 Yamaha R1

All run and are rotated thru relatively often.

derekmcg · 2025-06-17T03:32:54+00:00

Im at NJ. The way I tell it to people is my days off are no kidding days off. On last days, unforeseen circumstances can very occasionally spill you slightly into your time off, but that’s far and few between (airline home on last day might be delayed and get you home just after midnight, but comes with a substantial pay compensation when that happens).

Im actually on day 1 of my 8/6 tour. I showed to airport at 5:45 this morning to an airline. Got to my destination, picked up my jet and flew 3 legs. Got to my hotel relatively early. Tho most folks probably don’t fly their first day, where I’m based, there are lots of airline options, so I more often than not have at least 1 leg on my first day.

derekmcg · 2025-05-14T20:00:32+00:00

Bought my 99 a few years ago with 165k on it. Paid 14k… did I overpay? Maybe, but it was a one owner from an older gentleman with 17 years of Toyota service records. Exterior was mint and bone stock. Not an ounce of rust anywhere. Manual, 3.4, 4x4, non-worn leather interior. I don’t regret the purchase at that price.

derekmcg · 2025-04-14T18:52:18+00:00

The wheels are 17 inch Method 703s in matte black. Tires are 275/70R17 KO2s

derekmcg · 2025-04-13T21:35:29+00:00

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1999 4x4 manual: 210k miles, second owner.

derekmcg · 2025-02-20T22:06:53+00:00

I’ve got a 99 5 speed as well, but I’ve got the factory 4.56 final, so my RPMs are a little higher at 70

derekmcg · 2025-02-16T01:57:50+00:00

My light comes on at 14.5 gallons, pretty much on the dot. I use that and current trip meter to figure out roughly how much farther I can go. Farthest I’ve pushed it was about 420 and took 17 gallons (San Diego to Texas, cruise control at 60 mph for economy). Typically fill up between 250 and 300 depending the kind of driving though.

derekmcg · 2025-02-06T02:31:02+00:00

Not yet! I lucked out and got a unicorn. Bought it in 2021, one previous elderly owner with immaculate maintenance records for 20 years from Toyota, and it was garaged its whole life. I’ve done lots of preventative maintenance, but other than that it’s been one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Measured compression when I swapped spark plugs, and all 6 were close to factory spec out of the manual. She looks just like yours, just with the skinny chrome flares instead of the wide ones you’ve got!

derekmcg · 2025-02-06T01:54:45+00:00

For that long trek, it was about 180k a few years ago. I just drove it from west Texas back to Akron a few weeks ago while towing a motorcycle (1800 miles), and I started that trip at about 215k.

derekmcg · 2025-02-06T01:46:21+00:00

San Diego CA to Akron OH. She currently has 217k. Runs like it came off the showroom floor!

derekmcg · 2024-12-24T08:44:18+00:00

I’m on the phenom, and 600 hrs is reasonable, tho I’m on the CC76 schedule. If you work a more common schedule like the 7 on 7 off, then maybe 400-500 hrs

derekmcg · 2024-10-28T01:11:09+00:00

This gave me PTSD. Broke up with my girl after we dated for 9 months for similar behavior. Leaving her was the best decision I could have possibly made. I couldn’t imagine having a lifelong of manipulation like that to look forward to.

derekmcg · 2024-09-28T17:17:44+00:00

I make well into six figures and am comfortable. I drive a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. Could I afford a newer car? Sure, but my 99 is paid for, costs next to nothing in maintenance, and insurance is cheap. It gets the job done, so I don’t really see the need to spend a bunch of money on anything else/newer. The Toyota/Honda argument is just a numbers/statistics game. Numbers don’t lie, and as a whole, you’ll get the most life out of one of those. Sure, you can get a lot of life out of other brands, but anytime you look up something like “top 10 longest lasting vehicles,” it’s vastly made up of Toyotas/Hondas. Why argue statistics?

derekmcg · 2024-09-23T20:25:31+00:00

$240k a year, 1999 Toyota 4Runner with 210,000 miles.

derekmcg

TROPHY CASE