help me buy an SUV

[ScottyB]

i hate that i even have to create a thread called this, but i could use some tips/help from you rapscallions.

here is the situation. Jen and I own a 95 ford explorer, which has become a reliability time-bomb. the tranny has been dropped twice in the last year due to major failure and after the last failure occurred only 5000 miles after the rebuild, i have lost all faith. shame too, it's a real tank that has never let us down otherwise.

we use our truck. we love the outdoors and typically have to traverse poor roads, logging trails, mud, dunes, small creeks, and deep snow to get to our destinations. in a year or two we will most likely be either towing a canoe/kayak or have it carried on the roof. as such, having things like fat tires, 4WD and low range, a roof rack, and good ground clearance are required. as it will be strictly our second/recreational/beater vehicle i would actually prefer an automatic and fuel consumption doesn't matter. that said, i'd also like to keep things V6 or better because i live in atlanta and don't want to die.

i am asking for your opinions on used SUV's from any and all manufacture's you can think of that fit the class of the explorer. assuming we don't get pounded in the pooper too bad on trade in or private sale of the exploder, my budget is roughly 10 grand. i'd prefer not to buy something older than what i currently own, so lets cap the age at '96 or so. i am hoping for a vehicle with less than 85k on it and NO RUST.

trucks i have strongly considered
- Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
- Nissan Xterra
- Nissan Pathifinder
- Toyota 4Runner

i have already developed some opinions on these vehicles but i want to hear all i can. i know some of you even own a vehicle or two on the list so please chime in with experiences, knowledge, or warnings. Thanks!

[CaptainHenreh]

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve my Durango.

[BLINGMW]

Xterra was the first thing that came to mind for me, good to see it's on your list. I hear good things? Don't know first hand, but it seems like an SUV that's meant to be used, and is well built.

[ScottyB]

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve my Durango.

good to hear. Jen's parents have one, and its awesome. it's getting a little big though, but hey if the price is right....

[ScottyB]

Xterra was the first thing that came to mind for me, good to see it's on your list. I hear good things? Don't know first hand, but it seems like an SUV that's meant to be used, and is well built.

yeah the X is apparently the "truckiest" of the bunch next to the Jeep. they apparently have some really strong reliability and the resale of the 00's to 02's is very tantalizing. they're weak though, 170 horses and 4000 pounds = hock: . can't be worse than what i'm driving though.

[WRXtranceformed]

4Runner man, Toyotas completely own. You can get those very well-equipped too. I just rode in a rental Durango and it wasn't that great, but it handled well on the shitty roads. I personally wouldn't trust any Dodge, especially a truck, but if Rex likes his I'm sure it's fine.

[CaptainHenreh]

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve my Durango.

good to hear. Jen's parents have one, and its awesome. it's getting a little big though, but hey if the price is right....

It is a little big, but you really ought to consider one. They're very reasonably priced (Probably better than any of the Imports you listed) get halfway decent fuel economy (I get 18 combined) honest to god four wheel drive and two different V8's. Plus it can haul damn near anything. It's smaller than a "Full Size" SUV, but yeah, it's bigger than your Exploder. But I kind of like it. People move out of the way.

[ScottyB]

4Runner man, Toyotas completely own. You can get those very well-equipped too. I just rode in a rental Durango and it wasn't that great, but it handled well on the shitty roads. I personally wouldn't trust any Dodge, especially a truck, but if Rex likes his I'm sure it's fine.

4Runners were my first pick! unfortunately they are pretty hard to find without huge milage on them though (can't blame the owners for not wanting to get rid of them), and the 4x4's command a premium. i'm also wary of the V6's until after about 97 or so because of a big headgasket problem....anyone know much about this?

the last dodge my family owned was a grand caravan that was a grand disaster. i will give one thing though -- for all the malfunctions, it never actually stopped driving. it just kept dropping parts as it went along

[BLAIR]

cant go wrong with a TOYOTA.. but 10k is pushing it to find a 97 or newer 4 runner.. they hold their value

besides that.. you can get a cherrokee or grand cherrokee for an awesome deal. 10 k will buy you alot in a JEEP.. something even 2001 and newer.. for yout price and what you are looking for out of it i say Jeep

[lyltoy]

I'm partial to my toyota's, never had any problems with my truck ('97, V6), other than wear and tear stuff, and it has seen some wild trails. 4Runners are pretty pimp, i have actually thought about getting one myself. If you look you should be able to find one around you range, but it will most likely have 100K+ on it.

here's a couple i found up here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/car/266737004.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 37004.html</a><!-- m -->
-'99
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/car/266719644.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 19644.html</a><!-- m -->
-'98

here is good site for toyota trucks:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.yotatech.com/">http://www.yotatech.com/</a><!-- m -->

[.RJ]

Cherokee or Xterra, definately.

I'm impressed with the Titan, seems like Nissan is getting their shit together on the truck side.

Cherokee is a little slim on the interior appointments, but they're brick shithouses.

Although my real vote goes for an F150

[HAULN-SS]

If you get a cherokee, get an older one. The ones from say 2000+ have shitttyyyy transmissions in them. I know a couple people who've had problem out of those.

i know this is probably expected from me, but have you thought of full size blazers?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/car/266572657.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 72657.html</a><!-- m -->

cheap, unstoppable 4WD system from my personal experience.

Also, any of the S10 Blazers that have the Vortec motors will go forever..or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first, before you need to touch them

[ViPER1313]

I'm with Derek - those Blazers are tanks :thumbup:

[.RJ]

If you get a cherokee, get an older one. The ones from say 2000+ have shitttyyyy transmissions in them. I know a couple people who've had problem out of those.

Scotty - If you are really serious about buying a cherokee I can ask my dad for his opinions. He's a master tech with almost 20 years experience at a Jeep/Subaru dealer.

i know this is probably expected from me, but have you thought of full size blazers?

Oh god...

[HAULN-SS]

lol - I didnt mean that particular one..thats just what I found after 2 secs on craigslist.

[.RJ]

porno red interior ftw!

[HAULN-SS]

SEM Interior Dye for the win. Could have that shit black in an afternoon! PIMP

[Feersty]

Scotty what about a used Land Rover Discovery?

[HAULN-SS]

lol, thats another vehicle i have heard nothing but bad things about...

[Evan]

truck > suv

I really like the new frontier. Its built on a smaller version of the Titan frame, has a lot of great options (like utili-track which kicks ASS) and its cheaper than the Tacoma. The xterra/pathfinder is the suv version of it.

Next choice would be tacoma. I like them, and almost bought one actually.