As a daily driver get around car, a 4AC sprinter is really good. The first thing to change is the 20 yr old saggy suspension. The 4AC holds its own OK. It just gets shit heaped on it because there are lots of other similar yet far better engines. Price of 2-3000 for a reasonable stock sprinter is achievable. Just keep an eagle eye on the trading post
Sprinters are also very practical (three bikes or 2m lengths of steel fit in the back) but are over priced. For a transport car get a KE70 or even AE71 (most people selling them probably don't understand the difference), heaps cheaper but you lose the hatchback space.