I still drive a '97 4runner that I bought for 5k around 2020. I've probably put 5k into repairs. I've spent less on it than anything I could buy new, and it will probably outlast us all. Nearing 300k miles on it now.

Very smart to go with a Toyota! I did the opposite and learned the hard way that the 'discount' for buying American will be paid for in $3k increments whenever it wants over the next few years until your finally give up and just buy the Toyota you should have bought to begin with.