Help me decide on a truck/suv

[wyvrn]

I want an SUV or truck for my business and eventually for a couple of kids. New or 1yr. used. Looking for reliability, power, and mileage, in that order. Prefer V6 or above. I am leaning away from American-made, because my Dodge Ram had problems after 2 years and so did my brother's. I think I can get about $4500 on the J30 trade-in, and have budget of about $15-17k after that. I can put down about $5k cash of that $15-17k also.

What comes to mind so far is Toyota Tacoma Xtra cab, Nissan Frontier King Cab, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Isuzu Rodeo, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forrester, and Mazda Tribute. What would you choose? What else should I consider?

 

[StageLeft]

Kia sportage

 

[wyvrn]

<< Kia sportage >>




Actually they aren't that bad, just underpowered

 

[Instagib]

The new OFFYUGO

 

[Vette73]

I am a mechanic and the best all round SUV is the new GMC Envoy or Chevy Trailblazer. They have a in-line six that makes more power than a lot of V-8s, very quiet, and has a very high reliability as of the last time I checked. The only thing I have ever done to one is test drive it for someone to tell them what I thought, I test drive a lot of cars and trucks for people I know, and customers.

It is big enough to tow or carry a lot of items, but small enough to where it will fit in a garage or parking space. Also the engine uses overhead cams so it is quiet but makes more power than my old truck that has a 350 V-8 Chevy. It is also not to high off the ground, but still offers good ground clearence.

I would at least test drive it, and don't get another dodge, they are haveing a lot of problems with their truck motors of late. A lot of them gunk up and tear the motor up from the inside out, so if you still have a dodge get the oil changed on time and ask the tech, if you don't do it yourself, if there are any oil chucks coming out or if it is really thick or black. If it is get it flushed and check your PCV system to make sure it is still working.

 

[wyvrn]

Thanks for your reply. After looking at one at Edmunds, still worried about overall build quality though. Edmunds mentions build quality as a drawback on their short online review. I need to do some more digging on consumer reports.



<< I am a mechanic and the best all round SUV is the new GMC Envoy or Chevy Trailblazer. They have a in-line six that makes more power than a lot of V-8s, very quiet, and has a very high reliability as of the last time I checked.... >>

 

[CPA]

Too bad you didn't have a couple of extra grand to spend on a Ford Explorer Sport Trak. I love mine. You may be able to get a used one, without a lot of options for that amount of cash, though.

 

[vi edit]

If you have a couple kids, then skip the extended cab trucks. They suck for hauling anymore than two people

For what you want, I'd look at the following:

- 2 year old Nissan pathfinder
- Year old Ford Sport Trac
- Year old Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
- Year or two old Isuzu Rodeo

The Rodeo will be the most bang for your buck. The pathfinder will probably be the best compromise of the two. The sport trac is just a wierd vehcile that may just suite your needs. And the Tribute/Escape are just very nice, functional, vehicles at a pretty decent price.

 

[Thegonagle]

Nissan Frontier 4 door extended bed, with the bed extender for even more L337n355.

They are good mini-trucks. Piss-poor mileage though.

 

[vi edit]

I test drove a trailblazer for a weekend. I was appauled at the fact that Chevrolet was trying to make me pay $28,000 for an vehicle that's fit and finish was outclassed by $11,000 hyundai. It was pathetic. Truely pathetic. I can not believe how utterly cheap and crappy the inside of that vehicle is. They must have dumped all of the money into the engine or something, because it sure wasn't put into the interior.

Oh - one other suggestion - Subaru Forester. Not the most powerful thing out there, but a great vehicle none the less.

 

[wyvrn]

<< I test drove a trailblazer for a weekend. I was appauled at the fact that Chevrolet was trying to make me pay $28,000 for an vehicle that's fit and finish was outclassed by $11,000 hyundai. It was pathetic. Truely pathetic. I can not believe how utterly cheap and crappy the inside of that vehicle is. They must have dumped all of the money into the engine or something, because it sure wasn't put into the interior.

Oh - one other suggestion - Subaru Forester. Not the most powerful thing out there, but a great vehicle none the less. >>



Yeah I was thinking of the Forrester too, but not sure how reliable Subaru's are. Anybody here actually own one?

 

[vi edit]

<< Yeah I was thinking of the Forrester too, but not sure how reliable Subaru's are. Anybody here actually own one? >>



Subaru CONSISTENTLY rates at the top of Consumer reports "best buys" and "top reliabilty" charts.

I would have bought one instead of my current station wagon, but they are not very accomidating for drivers with very long legs

If you are under 5'10" with anything shorter than a 32" inseam you'll be fine, but anything above that and it's a tough fight to get your legs under the steering wheel.

 

[wyvrn]

Hehe those are my exact specs. If that is true on reliability, it may be the first one I test drive.



<<

<< Yeah I was thinking of the Forrester too, but not sure how reliable Subaru's are. Anybody here actually own one? >>



Subaru CONSISTENTLY rates at the top of Consumer reports "best buys" and "top reliabilty" charts.

I would have bought one instead of my current station wagon, but they are not very accomidating for drivers with very long legs

If you are under 5'10" with anything shorter than a 32" inseam you'll be fine, but anything above that and it's a tough fight to get your legs under the steering wheel. >>

 

[Ameesh]

i have to agree suburus are for small people.

 

[mithrandir2001]

The forthcoming Honda Pilot will probably meet your requirements of reliability, power and mileage but it won't be cheap when it first comes out.

With your budget, I would get the Subaru Forester. Excellent crash ratings, very loyal customer base, economical but usuable boxer 4, above average reliability. Kids don't belong in pick-up trucks for safety reasons, so you would be looking at SUVs. For about $22K a sport utility wagon like the Forester would make a lot of sense.

 

[amdskip]

GMC Envoy or Chevy Trailblazer

 

[Alienwho]

<< i have to agree suburus are for small people. >>


My SVX has more then enough legroom for me. I'm 6'2". One of my buddies LOVES driving as a passenger in my car because it has so much legroom, he raves about it for the first 5 minutes everytime we get in. He's 6'3". Maybe because it's a coupe, and the rear seats have like 4 inches of legroom.

 

[fastz28]

You said you need it for your business, what for? Do you really need the towing and hauling capacity of a truck/suv? If so, most of the small ones mentioned won't work.

 

[wyvrn]

Not really. I fix computers, so it needs to have enough cargo space to haul around several systems with monitors and a box of components. My Accord doesn't have the trunk space, neither does our Infiniti which is a problem car anyway. Thats why I could live with a small SUV, truck, or sport wagon. I don't have kids yet either but anticipate some in near future

 

[vi edit]

The Forester would be a great choice, as would the Tribute/Escape for your needs. One more suggestion would be the new CR-V's too. Even though I detest honda and their dealerships, I can't ignore the bargain and quality of the CR-V.

 

[Doggiedog]

I used to have Subaru GL for 2 years but this was back in 93 when they all used to be air-cooled cars. I think they have since switched to water-cooled.

It was great in bad weather but otherwise non-descript. It didn't start in the winter and would stall if you didn't warm it up for 15 mins. Interior was cheap but functional. The 4WD was where it shined though. Absolutely great in snow.

Granted this was in 93 and I'm sure lots has changed but that is my experience with Subarus.

 

[wyvrn]

^

 

[Rob9874]

Tacoma. My friend has a Tacoma, and chastised me for buying a Durango. I was a Toyota-hater, but now I'm a believer. My next vehicle will be Toyota.

 

[wyvrn]

<< Tacoma. My friend has a Tacoma, and chastised me for buying a Durango. I was a Toyota-hater, but now I'm a believer. My next vehicle will be Toyota. >>



I really like the Tundra, but a bit outside my price range. Tacoma is a nice compromise though.

 

[LAUST]

I was appauled at the fact that Chevrolet was trying to make me pay $28,000 for an vehicle that's fit and finish was outclassed by $11,000 hyundai. It was pathetic

You can imagine my shock when ANYONE comes to me with a price like Audi/VW/Nissan cars and say they spent more than I spent on a FULLY FUNCTIONAL 4x4 truck ($28,000 after taxes) capable of 10X more then any lame ass car.


wyvrn:

The Forrester sounds like the perfect grocery getter you need

can haul plenty of monitors and systems in it and not have a rough ride, and can haul your kids around too