If i had a budget of 8500 i would buy a first gen 4runner or a 86-94 ex cab pickup. It would have to have the 22re and a 5spd. You could probably get one in pretty decent shape for anywhere from 2-4 grand. Then i'd take the leftover cash and fix anything and everything that needs fixin and drive it. I hate car payments

 

Well not all Taco's have the frame issue, and the OP said he didn't want a 4 cyl. So that basically leaves him with the options of 3.0 or 3.4. Just on the engine alone, the 3.4 beats the 3.0 hands down in the power department, as well as reliability due to the 3.0's head gasket issue.

Even if he did get another Taco with the frame issue, Toyota has been pretty generous with their payouts from what I've heard.