15k Midsize SUV

[Super Scout]

If you had 15 grand and wanted a midsized SUV what would you get ?
Need to replace Libs WJ, its a pile of trash. I like 4 runners, but they are pricey as hell. What else is decent and reliable. Minimum V6, selectable transfer case, and well built enough for mild offroading. Id like to get a Tahoe but she insists their too big. Any suggestions ?

[condortaco01]

Xterra, wife has an OR model. Fun to drive and rear e-locker.

[The_War_Wagon]

XK :112:


/thread

[highlandercj-7]

The best bet is a Tahoe. They are the most dependable. And you can buy a hellofva nice one for that $. They are not that much bigger than a Grand. Get her to test drive one.

[Super Scout]

Thats the plan.

And no Chryslers.

[The_War_Wagon]

Thats the plan.

And no Chryslers.


Mercury Mountaineer then (https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/6007648381.html)?

PERFECT for a 460 swap, and a SAS 1 tons! :icon_super:

[2002wranglerX]

http://www.blueknobauto.com/used/Kia/2015-Kia-Sorento-duncansville+pa-cded43160a0e08bb4b3170775c89388d.htm

http://www.blueknobauto.com/used/Mitsubishi/2016-Mitsubishi-Outlander+Sport-duncansville+pa-1e8e15650a0e08ba4c1a5e835eb628eb.htm

http://www.blueknobauto.com/used/Jeep/2016-Jeep-Patriot-duncansville+pa-3d6e16530a0e08bb5e0556739cec6605.htm

[2002wranglerX]

None of those fit your description. but it's for the woman. they're all new (ish), reliable, transportation around 15k.

i don't understand buying someone's 150k mile POS tahoe just because you shift the tcase and get stuck offroad when you try and wheel it...

But that's me.

[muddeprived]

Buy my 4runner.

[Super Scout]

All over those cars from Blue Knob would be dead afteone winter on the mountains. Not enough ground clearance or toughness. My wife isnt a typical girl. I can get a tahoe with under 100k for 10 grand their cheap.

[The_War_Wagon]

All over those cars from Blue Knob would be dead afteone winter on the mountains. Not enough ground clearance or toughness. My wife isnt a typical girl. I can get a tahoe with under 100k for 10 grand their cheap.

He sells a BUTTLOAD of them, though! I've seen cars around here in the South Hills - for YEARS - with a "Blue Knob Auto" license plate frame, and wondered, "Where in the FREEP IS that place?!" Saw one in a grocery store parking lot in Mt. Lebanon on Sunday! Can't believe how many people run out THERE to get a vehicle.

[Super Scout]

I don't have an issue with Blue Knob auto I have an issue with crap box SUVs that can't do anything.

[DMG]

The best bet is a Tahoe. They are the most dependable. And you can buy a hellofva nice one for that $. They are not that much bigger than a Grand. Get her to test drive one.

Don't buy one with the cylinder deactivation. That system goes bad and wipes out the motor pretty regularly on them. I have replaced a few motors for that. If you catch it in time you can elimate the system and tune the pcm but that is a big bill, too.

[DMG]

He sells a BUTTLOAD of them, though! I've seen cars around here in the South Hills - for YEARS - with a "Blue Knob Auto" license plate frame, and wondered, "Where in the FREEP IS that place?!" Saw one in a grocery store parking lot in Mt. Lebanon on Sunday! Can't believe how many people run out THERE to get a vehicle.

Blue Knob sells a lot of cars because they sell them cheap. They can sell them cheap because they don't recondition, detail, etc.

[joshs1ofakindxj]

Don't buy one with the cylinder deactivation. That system goes bad and wipes out the motor pretty regularly on them. I have replaced a few motors for that. If you catch it in time you can elimate the system and tune the pcm but that is a big bill, too.

That started in 2007 models didn't it? My 07 Avalanche had issues with that. I sent the ECM out to have the variable displacement shut off and it quit burning excessive amounts of oil.

[DMG]

That started in 2007 models didn't it? My 07 Avalanche had issues with that. I sent the ECM out to have the variable displacement shut off and it quit burning excessive amounts of oil.

I think 05 in the Trailblazer/Envoy extended wheelbase. Then 06 or 07 for other vehicles. I have a customer's 2009 suburban that is getting a new motor because DOD or Active Fuel Mangement caused it to burn all its oil in a short time period, causing low oil pressure. Then when he added oil, some of the DOD lifters didn't pump back up.

[Super Scout]

Dave, are the newer DOD models any better ? Out of my price range but curious.

Also anyone have any input on 09 and back Pathfinders ? Not a big Nissan guy, but my G35 has been a great car so far and I beat the snot out of it.

[jackb1]

Buy my 4runner.

Don'tknowwhyreplywithquotewon'tletmeusemyspacebar. ....

[jackb1]

Regular reply works fine...

Anyway, don't know what that 4runner is worth, but they're a midsize truck SUV. Actual frame, Toyota reliability. A bit pricey used, but that only means it will hold its value for you too.

I'm on my 2nd one and shopping now. My parents had a 2005 they just got rid of a few months ago with 170,000 on it and it ran flawless, looked flawless and very few major repairs. I highly recommend.

Tahoe seems like the type of vehicle you'll get for less and have more little shit break like buttons and the extra systems they pack on LTZ models, etc. But they do seem to run.

If you're buying a vehicle and keeping it for any period, then dollar for dollar 4Runner is my choice but if you're not keeping it too long, probably doesn't make much difference.

[Super Scout]

I run em til they die. Which in WJ terms is about 130k. 4runner is definitely on the list.

[DMG]

Dave, are the newer DOD models any better ? Out of my price range but curious.

Also anyone have any input on 09 and back Pathfinders ? Not a big Nissan guy, but my G35 has been a great car so far and I beat the snot out of it.
I don't know about the newer DOD models, I don't see it until it is out of warranty now. I have a customer with an 05 or 06 pathfinder. That 4.0 is strong but it always needs something. Cam and crank sensors, a transmission, wheel bearings, ball joints, catalytic converters, O2 sensors etc all before 100k. It is a nice size and I like the motor in it but it is generally not reliable and parts are expensive.

The Nissan 3.5 seems to be the best Nissan motor recently. I have replaced sensors and vvt parts on those but not often.

[DMG]

If you don't mind crappy gas mileage a 100 series land cruiser is an awesome SUV. We have over 200k on our 2002 now and it has had maintenance and a AC condenser. Which I think I killed at Johnson valley playing desert racer trying to follow a real desert racer. Find one without the factory nav if you can. If it is a 98-01 you can get a factory rear elocker.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/DMHG_bucket/2016-04/IMG_20160417_121905_zpskyhsj2eb.jpg

[Alley]

Don'tknowwhyreplywithquotewon'tletmeusemyspacebar. ....


Minedoesthesamething....itsannoying!!!

[condortaco01]

Our 4.0 in the xterra has 185k. We've had it since 25k back in '07. Replaced the fornt hub, cat converter, and the belt and tensioner a few times. All in all it's been pretty reliable.


And it's been to Westco.

[Powerguy37]

Our 4.0 in the xterra has 185k. We've had it since 25k back in '07. Replaced the fornt hub, cat converter, and the belt and tensioner a few times. All in all it's been pretty reliable.


And it's been to Westco.

Yeah I still have my Xterra as you know. It doesn't get much road times these days but it has been a solid vehicle. 177K on it so far. They are pretty cheap used right now too.

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/a-nissan-xterra-is-the-most-underrated-cheap-4x4-right-1793346709

[DMG]

Our 4.0 in the xterra has 185k. We've had it since 25k back in '07. Replaced the fornt hub, cat converter, and the belt and tensioner a few times. All in all it's been pretty reliable.


And it's been to Westco.

Did you do the trans cooler fix? I am guessing by that mileage you have.

[condortaco01]

Nope, 6 speed.

[DMG]

Nope, 6 speed.

Nice. They are surprisingly quick with the 6 speed.

[techno]

When I bought my 08 4Runner 18 months ago, my shopping criteria was $15-20k, strong offroad capability, 3rd row seating. I narrowed the list to
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota 4Runner
Land Rover LR3
Lexus GX460
Jeep Commander
After months and months of researching and test drives, the 4th gen 4Runner V6 won out easily, particularly in cost of ownership over time.

[The_War_Wagon]

When I bought my 08 4Runner 18 months ago, my shopping criteria was $15-20k, strong offroad capability, 3rd row seating. I narrowed the list to


Jeep Commander
After months and months of researching and test drives, the 4th gen 4Runner V6 won out easily, particularly in cost of ownership over time.

I've had my XK for 5 1/2 years - got it with 63k miles on it (it turned 99k on Tuesday). The most I've spent on it, was getting 265 Cooper ATP's, & having DMG put the Daystar lift under it.

[techno]

I liked the Commander, but liked the 4Runner more.

[Super Scout]

No Chryslers, not an option ever.

[The_War_Wagon]

No Chryslers, not an option ever.

Mine's an '07 - last of the Mercedes Commanders. :080:

[Super Scout]

Well, we ended up buying an 02 Tahoe. It was incredibly good shape, and we got it for 6k, just sold her Grand for 3k. So for 3 Grand she will be good for the foreseeable future, and we can keep our cash for the house we've been looking for.....for 3 years lol.

[The_War_Wagon]

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! (http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=437623991&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3FstartYear%3D1981%26so rtBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26incremental%3Dall%26firs tRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2018%26modelCodeList%3DRAM CGR%26makeCodeList%3DDODGE&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2018&modelCodeList=RAMCGR&makeCodeList=DODGE&makeCode1=DODGE&modelCode1=RAMCGR)

PLUS, you get to drive it back from Wyoming! :040:

https://images.autotrader.com/hn/c/0fee39dc70e945f4a6db23a9163110dd.jpg

[ridgerunner97]

Almost 19k for a shitty repaint that isn't correct in matching the interior, an aftermarket grille and wheels that should come with a side of aids....hell with that mess of crap.