looking for more options for a 'new' vehicle

[Zargon]

My Jeep is getting long in the tooth, its a 93 Grand Cherokee V8 4x4.

the ac is dead, the heat is weak, is has standard lucas electronics gremlins.

the suspension is on its way out, 175k miles.

I love its utility, its great in the snow and fun on gravel/mud roads around here

I can fit a fair amount of crap in it, but not as much as I would like.....and of course the gas mileage sucks, but I'm used to it, and when the weather permits and I dont have stuff to carry I ride one of my motorcycles

In a perfect world I would go thrown down a new super crew raptor, but it ain't gunna happen, cost way too damn much

with that as my ideal replacement, I have found some things I would mind replacing it.

I'm looking for some more shooping options and opinions/warnings on what I am looking it.

I can do 10k, *maybe* 15k

Currently shopping around for:
05ish Legacy GT Wagon
99ish 540i 6speed(worried about maintenance)
04 Mercury Marauder(kinda too much money)
g35x(too high miles where I want to spend mostly
g35 sport coupe(w brembos)
99-04 or so Jeeps
saab 95 aero or WRX wagons(kinda small though)
4 door 4x4 fullsize trucks
older caravan turbo 2.5s
galant vr4's


I guess what I am really looking for beyond hey this thing on your list blows heres why or watch out for this is
other things in the 5-10K range that are interesting and fit the bill.

I will probably not go sports car unless its AWD, but the right g35 coupe might sway me(unlikely though since they are so pricey)

Prefer manuals but I know with trucks its impossible

its likely I end up just driving my beater jeep for another year but it IS fun to shop, and I know some of you love shopping for others(as do I)

 

[punjabiplaya]

Forester or Legacy Outback looks like it would fit your requirements really well

 

[Zivic]

I'd go with a subie, or maybe an xterra... man I loved my X

 

[desy]

I just go to Autotrader or similar, punch in my price range and see what comes up when looking for inspiration

 

[kornphlake]

The Volvo XC70 or V70 might fit on your list as well, they may not be very reliable vehicles though, I found a lot of conflicting information when I was shopping. Since a Caravan somehow made the list how about a Chevy Astro with a V8 swap? If you can wait until the Transit Connect starts to show up used, a 5 passenger model might fit your needs, if you can find a 5 passenger model at all.

 

[Zargon]

Forester or Legacy Outback looks like it would fit your requirements really well

all subbie turbo models are being considered, I just find that they dont really have cost savings or the legacys which are generally a little nicer


the transits are cool, but I wish we got a larger version

didnt they SC a xterrra at one point in time?

 

[jlee]

Forester XT with STi turbo, intercooler, exhaust and a tune. :awe:

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Explorer Sport Trac

Nissan Frontier truck

Nissan Xterra - you can find S/C ones but the 4.0L V6 in the 2006+ models is a better choice.

 

[Malak]

Audi could fit your bill fine if you go for a b6 A4, 2002-2004.

 

[Throckmorton]

Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon crew cab

 

[Throckmorton]

Also a 199-2004 WJ Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8 should get much better gas mileage than your old pushrod V8. As in 17-20 instead of 12

 

[Zargon]

Audi could fit your bill fine if you go for a b6 A4, 2002-2004.

worried about electricals on those audi's, heard horrible horrible things.

Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon crew cab

I just can't do that. can't. but they do fit alot of my wants/needs yes

Also a 199-2004 WJ Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8 should get much better gas mileage than your old pushrod V8. As in 17-20 instead of 12

yeah they are def on the list, as are the hemi powered ones, but they would require me to finance some for sure


Syclones made it on to my list as well as lightnings......

 

[Imported]

Don't get a G35 Coupe if you're looking for cargo space.. I know from experience. lol

 

[Malak]

worried about electricals on those audi's, heard horrible horrible things.

Like what? I have had one for 2 years.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Like what? I have had one for 2 years.

And only 2 years?

 

[Zargon]

frist stike out, a guy I know was selling his 95 suburban 3/4ton 4x4 for 4k with 113k miles, and was obviously VERY well taken care of. looked almost as good as new

missed her by about 2 hours. had a sweet push bar too

so hard to find rust free shit in IL

 

[Zargon]

Like what? I have had one for 2 years.

will double check, I may be thinking of the next gen, but all the vw/audis of a few years had awful electrics. the only vw you could get for a while was wolfsburg or mexico made or it would be a nightmare

that reminds me, golf R32

 

[GoatMonkey]

In a perfect world I would go thrown down a new super crew raptor, but it ain't gunna happen, cost way too damn much

Why not look at a regular F150 then. I think they had an SVT version that might be in your price range at this point, but I've never checked actually because I'm not really a truck person.

 

[lurk3r]

Like what? I have had one for 2 years.

Hmm, lets see, on my 01 A6 I have a light always on because there is some kind of issue with the system that automatically levels the headlights, the check engine light keeps coming on with 'catalyst out of range on bank A' (left hand catalytic converter needs replacing), the powered rear window shade dosen't work, the whole cluster of switches in between the seats accomplish absolutely nothing, the phone and dvd nav are incomprehensible ... and thats just what I can think of off the top of my head., oh and the brake pad sensor keeps going off when you hit a bump.

All of which are just nuicances, but anyone that claims audis are not plagued with electrical issues is delusional.

 

[Doppel]

All of which are just nuicances, but anyone that claims audis are not plagued with electrical issues is delusional.

Typically audi owners living in denial.

 

[Zargon]

Why not look at a regular F150 then. I think they had an SVT version that might be in your price range at this point, but I've never checked actually because I'm not really a truck person.

heh, a new supercrew 4x4 is in the low to mid 30's already.

decent options but it in the low 40's


the SVT Lightning is what you are thinking of, and they are.

I found a really nice prospect in Vegas but I can't convince the wifey I should go to vegas for the weekend without her......and spend the 15k.

as we get into it shes starting to balk at paying 10-15k for another vehicle to replace a jeep I paid 1500 for

not that I can blame her

 

[Doppel]

heh, a new supercrew 4x4 is in the low to mid 30's already.

decent options but it in the low 40's


the SVT Lightning is what you are thinking of, and they are.

I found a really nice prospect in Vegas but I can't convince the wifey I should go to vegas for the weekend without her......and spend the 15k.

as we get into it shes starting to balk at paying 10-15k for another vehicle to replace a jeep I paid 1500 for

not that I can blame her

Tell your wife Doppel says she's a smart lady. And if you're thinking why should I do that I have no idea who this Doppel guy is, well, he just paid your wife a compliment, right, so he can't be that bad.