Poll: which used SUV would you get?

[bull]

I'm in the market for a used SUV because our Chrysler minivan has pretty much exceeded its useful life. Ford and GM are not options for me. I want kind of a mid-sized 4X4 SUV as you can tell from the choices I listed, not a Liberty or Kia Rio or anything little like that. I don't want to spend much either, in fact whatever I buy will probably run between $4k-$8k so it's probably going to have more than 100K miles on it. I don't believe there are many Durangos in that price range either, and I'm not all that convinced they are really worth owning anyway.

We are a family of four that often has to haul at least one extra kid around so we need it to be at least a five-passenger vehicle.

[Brock Samson]

personally i'd do the GC they come with the late v-8s too.. 
the De Rangos baised onna pick up truck... not so off road capable...
but that's just me.. imo.

[Charger_Fan]

I voted Durrango, but only if it's the previous body style.
For the money, it'll be hard to get a clean vehicle with under a 100 grand on the clock. The closer you get to the 8K range, the lower the mileage will be, of course. I'd also try to buy from an individual who's owned the car for quite a while & knows it's history, versus a dealer. You'll stand a better chance at getting a better vehicle for the money that way.

[Orange_Crush]

I'm in the market for a used SUV because our Chrysler minivan has pretty much exceeded its useful life. Ford and GM are not options for me. I want kind of a mid-sized 4X4 SUV as you can tell from the choices I listed, not a Liberty or Kia Rio or anything little like that. I don't want to spend much either, in fact whatever I buy will probably run between $4k-$8k so it's probably going to have more than 100K miles on it. I don't believe there are many Durangos in that price range either, and I'm not all that convinced they are really worth owning anyway.

We are a family of four that often has to haul at least one extra kid around so we need it to be at least a five-passenger vehicle.

If it was up to me, I'd get another Minivan...but I know you don't want that.

If you're looking for offroad capability, the Grand Cherokee is the way to go, followed by the 4Runner.

If you just want, in a nutshell, a big station wagon, I think you can get most of those in 2wd.

Definitely stay away from the Cherokee...it has NO backseat space...and honestly, the Grand Cherokee isn't much better.

[Mean 318]

When it comes to new trucks, I am a Toyota guy... Sorry guys! If I where going brand new that is, otherwise I would go for a Ram 01 and older!

[bull]

I'm in the market for a used SUV because our Chrysler minivan has pretty much exceeded its useful life. Ford and GM are not options for me. I want kind of a mid-sized 4X4 SUV as you can tell from the choices I listed, not a Liberty or Kia Rio or anything little like that. I don't want to spend much either, in fact whatever I buy will probably run between $4k-$8k so it's probably going to have more than 100K miles on it. I don't believe there are many Durangos in that price range either, and I'm not all that convinced they are really worth owning anyway.

We are a family of four that often has to haul at least one extra kid around so we need it to be at least a five-passenger vehicle.

If it was up to me, I'd get another Minivan...but I know you don't want that.

If you're looking for offroad capability, the Grand Cherokee is the way to go, followed by the 4Runner.

If you just want, in a nutshell, a big station wagon, I think you can get most of those in 2wd.

Definitely stay away from the Cherokee...it has NO backseat space...and honestly, the Grand Cherokee isn't much better.

It's not that I don't want a minivan per se, at least in concept, it's just that I've discovered FWD vehicles to be quite difficult to work on because everything is up front and there's no space to work. I love the Chrysler 3.8 engine but it's in there sideways so even trying to service the serpentine belt is a major ordeal. And I really dislike the CV joint concept. Servicing a rear wheel drive or four wheel drive auto is much easier. Aside from that I do want to do more off-road driving as well as driving in snow and while the FWD minivans do well on snowy highways they cannot be used in the mud and dirt. Same goes for most 2WD SUVs. At this point I'm torn between the 4Runner, Grand Cherokee and the Durango.

I will probably have to increase my spending limit to $10k also.

[Orange_Crush]

I'm in the market for a used SUV because our Chrysler minivan has pretty much exceeded its useful life. Ford and GM are not options for me. I want kind of a mid-sized 4X4 SUV as you can tell from the choices I listed, not a Liberty or Kia Rio or anything little like that. I don't want to spend much either, in fact whatever I buy will probably run between $4k-$8k so it's probably going to have more than 100K miles on it. I don't believe there are many Durangos in that price range either, and I'm not all that convinced they are really worth owning anyway.

We are a family of four that often has to haul at least one extra kid around so we need it to be at least a five-passenger vehicle.

If it was up to me, I'd get another Minivan...but I know you don't want that.

If you're looking for offroad capability, the Grand Cherokee is the way to go, followed by the 4Runner.

If you just want, in a nutshell, a big station wagon, I think you can get most of those in 2wd.

Definitely stay away from the Cherokee...it has NO backseat space...and honestly, the Grand Cherokee isn't much better.

It's not that I don't want a minivan per se, at least in concept, it's just that I've discovered FWD vehicles to be quite difficult to work on because everything is up front and there's no space to work. I love the Chrysler 3.8 engine but it's in there sideways so even trying to service the serpentine belt is a major ordeal. And I really dislike the CV joint concept. Servicing a rear wheel drive or four wheel drive auto is much easier. Aside from that I do want to do more off-road driving as well as driving in snow and while the FWD minivans do well on snowy highways they cannot be used in the mud and dirt. Same goes for most 2WD SUVs. At this point I'm torn between the 4Runner, Grand Cherokee and the Durango.

I will probably have to increase my spending limit to $10k also.

Well...if you want a backseat you can actually USE, I'd recommend the Durango or the 4Runner.

[SnoPro440]

 I would go with the Grand Cherokee, but watch out for the Limited's and Overland's between 99-04 that have the dual climate control.  Seems like a lot of them have problems with the blower motors and switch control for heat.   just my    

[bull]

By the way, if I get a Grand Cherokee what's the best V8 engine? Is the 4.7 better than the 5.9?

[bull]

Well...if you want a backseat you can actually USE, I'd recommend the Durango or the 4Runner.

Because they fold down or what?

[Orange_Crush]

By the way, if I get a Grand Cherokee what's the best V8 engine? Is the 4.7 better than the 5.9?

Allright.

First off, the 4.7 is probably Chrysler's most underrated engine EVER.  Its rock-solid reliable and  runs very nicely in the GC.  Believe me, my parents have WELL over 120,000 miles on theyr Y2K beater GC with absolutely no complaints.  Its an excellent engine, if a little thirsty.

As far as the seats go, the grand cherokee just doesn't have much leg room.  Three can fit across OK, but don't subject them to long trips.  Since it is kids you're talking about, they might fare a little better.  Granted, I'm an unusually large guy so I may be biased.

Thinking about it now, the 4Runner really isn't all that much better because the seats sit really low to the floor.

In any case, if you're gonna go for a GC, there really isn't a bad engine in the lot, but for power and reliability, I'd choose the 4.7.

[bull]

Now you've got me looking at Durangos. I didn't realize that they are in with the Cherokees in price and I also just discovered that they have the third-row seating, which my wife would like because you can haul something like 9 people. How does that third-row seating work anyway?

I've got my eye on this one: http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/243451663.html

[PocketThunder]

I'm in the same as you right now.  Our second kid just arrived and suddenly the Maxima is getting cramped.  Have you thought about the Nissan Pathfinder or the Honda Passport?  We are leaning towards the pathfinder or the Grand Cherokee..  Although i'd like to get my spouse into a Commander but she likes her Nissans.  So we'll see what kind of bonus i get at the end of the year and see what we can afford.   

[old man]

Now you've got me looking at Durangos. I didn't realize that they are in with the Cherokees in price and I also just discovered that they have the third-row seating, which my wife would like because you can haul something like 9 people. How does that third-row seating work anyway?

I've got my eye on this one: http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/243451663.html

Bull I've got a 2000 Durango with a 4.7 and third row seating. The third row seat is great and easy to use. It's alittle tight for headroom for someone tall to get into third seating. But I've fallen in love with it again this weekend. With over 14 inches of snow it got around everywhere i needed to go. Gas mileage with the 4.7 is not bad at all compared to a 5.7 or a 5.9. It has been a great truck and when needed I will buy another one.

[TeeWJay426]

We have a '99 Durango with the 5.9 that is pushing 160K..... bought it brand new; it is thirsty, but it has served us very well as the main family vehicle since new. The only knock against it I have other than the gas mileage is the 3rd set of ball joints that are in it.... they cut off the recall at the 2000 model year. Water pump is the only engine repair I've done; it does use some oil, which I'm sure is due to the intake manifold gasket (which they are noted for). No other issues that I can recall.

[MichaelRW]

I bought a new Durango in 1998 with the 5.9 engine. Put about 50,000 miles on it before I sold it to buy an Aviator. The A/C is marginal in the '98 and '99 models because the same A/C hardware was used as was in the Dakota. Since the Durango has a huge inside area when compared to the Dakota it simply was way underpowered. The A/C units were all new in 2000. So if that is important to you don't but a Durango older than 2000. I never had any major issues with mine. Just minor stuff like power window switches going bad,

[Lowprofile]

I voted for the Durango. 



Or, you could always get yourself one of these to park next to the Charger........

[derailed]

I voted for the 4 runner only because of the range of vehicles you are looking at will most likely already have high miles on them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I voted other for a Nissan Pathfinder.    I just traded in my '96 Maxima for an '03 Pathfinder LE  fully loaded.  Electronic AWD or 4WD

Rides really nice and has the reliability of a Jap car....sorry to admit it but I wouldnt buy an American car/truck unless I wanted to get stuck somewhere...flame suit on but thats my opinion...like it or not
240HP but the gas mileage isnt that great....Im getting 15mpg

[Old Moparz]

I'll give a vote for the Pathfinder, but I don't think it'll be cheap. The latest bodystyle has a 3rd row seat, & I've had 2 Nissan vehicles before that were incredibly reliable. My pick up had over 155,000 on it when I sold it, & my Pathfinder had 165,000, both running great. The only repairs ever needed on the pick up were a starter relay, a fuel sensor, & a wiper arm pivot under the cowl. (That was easy, the cowl actually comes off the vehicle, imagine that.) The Pathfinder had a problem with the front hubs the last year I owned it due to corrosion. It was an inexpensive repair, & other than the above, it was only tires, brakes, batteries, & headlights that got replaced. Both ended up rusting, but they were 10 years old by then.

Another one to consider is what I replaced the Pathfinder with for my wife to drive, a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. Compared to the Pathfinder, one equipped the same, everything but leather, was about $10,000 less new. ($23,000 instead of $33,000) It's available in 2 or 4 WD & is more carlike in handling than a stiff SUV. It's supposed to be a cross between a SUV & a wagon. The vehicle is a blast to drive, handles good, is fast, & came with a 310 watt Infinity system with a subwoofer hidden somewhere I haven't seen yet. It's got 30,000 miles or so, & hasn't needed anything other than maintenance. There is no 3rd row seat, but the backseat folds flat & doesn't stick up. If it holds up as long as the Pathfinder did, I'd pick this one over the Pathfinder easily.

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MitsubishiEndeavor/

Here's what the Endeavor looks like in the same color we have.

[Silver R/T]

there's a lot of choices, of course 4Runner is pretty good. I personally don't care for SUV's at all. family of 5 can fit pretty well in a sedan or a minivan. Get a used Caravan, lots of room and save some bucks

[cwysong]

I've owned Ford vans or SUVs for about 20 years now, and the quality has been great. I currently have a 95 Aerostar 4wd and it's great. My next vehicle will be an Explorer. Look at the drop in prices for a one year old one with 16-20K miles on it. They can be had for $18-$20K. I rented one last summer for a week just to get a feel for them, and they are solid. I'm partial to the 4.0 6 cylinder. My van has one with 115K miles on it. My previous van had 134K miles on it when I traded it in. Great engines. No maintenance other than change the oil/filter, and change plugs/wires.

[Shakey]

I'd also vote for the Nissan Pathfinder if it is an SUV you need.  I drove an '88 Pathfinder from 1989 - 1995, then I drove a '92 from 1995 - 2002.  Never had any issues whatsoever.  Great vehicles!

Now, we have a Pacifica AWD which is also a great vehicle, so far!  It is a 2004 and seats the four of us comfortably with room for cargo or two other people, and is under warranty until 2010 or 2012, can't recall exactly.

[Silver R/T]

a 4 door truck would be nice choice

[hemihead]

None