SUV

[SVT666]

As most of you know, the lease on our 2007 Freestyle is up in January.  We had settled on a minivan to replace it with, however over the weekend we found that if it weren't for the fact that we had a friend with us who had a 4x4, we would have never been able to go where we went.  We would also like to keep doing day trips that require the use of four wheel drive.  My wife has finally come around to my way of thinking.

So, here is what we need:

- 4x4
- Low Range
- Adequate ground clearance
- Reliable
- Ability to seat up to 7 people
- No full sizers
- Decent amount of luxury (that one is my wife's)
- Less then 60,000 miles
- Can be had for about $15,000 USD.

[SVT666]

So far, I've only come up with:

- 2006 Ford Explorer
- 2006 Jeep Commander

[the Teuton]

The LWB GM trucks might fit the bill, too.  TrailBlazer EXT, Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, etc.

[Submariner]

+1 for the Jeep Commander.

[2o6]

Kia Borgerro?

[Atomic]

Jeep Commander

[SVT666]

The LWB GM trucks might fit the bill, too.  TrailBlazer EXT, Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, etc.

This might sound stupid, but my sister has an Envoy and my parents have a Trailblazer.  I don't really want to make it a trio.

[2o6]

Oops, the Borgerro is too expensive.





4 runner?

[SVT666]

Kia Borgerro?

Isn't is a 2009 and up model?

[the Teuton]

This might sound stupid, but my sister has an Envoy and my parents have a Trailblazer.  I don't really want to make it a trio.

That's cool.  That chassis flex issue isn't really that big unless you're throwing the thing into a corner at 50 mph.  When I've ridden in them, I've always found them to be fairly comfortable.

But at least you know what it is and why you don't want one.

[CALL_911]

Pathfinder or 4Runner?

You wouldn't happen to be able to find 04ish Touaregs for that price, would you?

[CJ]

Touareg doesn't have seating for 7. 



I'd just go for the Explorer or Commander.

[CALL_911]

Good call, CJ.

I've always liked 4.7 4Runners, I'm sure you could find one in your range and whatnot.

Thing is, do they seat 7?

[SVT666]

Good call, CJ.

I've always liked 4.7 4Runners, I'm sure you could find one in your range and whatnot.

Thing is, do they seat 7?

It's tough.  The 4Runner only seats 7 as an option after 2004 and it's very difficult to find one at that price point.

[SVT666]

4Runner is out.  I just saw what the third row seating is.  It's two jump seats with no legroom.

[Cookie Monster]

The correct answer is Range Rover.

[the Teuton]

Are Land Rover Discos too expensive to maintain?

[the Teuton]

For reference:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=265527568&dealer_id=100022620&car_year=2003&rdm=1252386553217&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=ROV&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=15213&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=15000&cardist=188&standard=false

You should be able to get an '04 or '05 if you search hard enough.

[Xer0]

I don't know about how well it would handle a beaten path, but otherwise an older Pilot seems like it would be ideal.

[nickdrinkwater]

Buy the Ford?

[S204STi]

SVT Raptor with a couple bench seats bolted to the bed.  (Yeah yeah, just noticed your price point, but a guy can dream can't he?)

4Runner is out.  I just saw what the third row seating is.  It's two jump seats with no legroom.

Even the current one is tight as all get out for anything more than one passenger.

Maybe a used Expedition or Tahoe would work?  Nissan Pathfinder?

Oh, no full sizers... hmm.  I guess the only good option that isn't full-size might be the Commander.  Exploder might be good too.

[SVT666]

SVT Raptor with a couple bench seats bolted to the bed.  (Yeah yeah, just noticed your price point, but a guy can dream can't he?)

Even the current one is tight as all get out for anything more than one passenger.

Maybe a used Expedition or Tahoe would work?  Nissan Pathfinder?

Oh, no full sizers... hmm.  I guess the only good option that isn't full-size might be the Commander.  Exploder might be good too.

We're going to look at the Pathfinder.  My wife really doesn't want the full sizer since it's her that will be driving it 80% of the time. 

[S204STi]

We're going to look at the Pathfinder.  My wife really doesn't want the full sizer since it's her that will be driving it 80% of the time. 

I find that women tend not to like the Pathfinder.  Kinda like a cavern in there, with all the dark plastics.  But she may surprise me and actually like it.  Plus that 4.0L V6 is a great motor.

[2o6]

Mitsubishi Montero?

[Lebowski]

Comfortable seating for 7 but no full sizers?

If I was looking for something to comfortably seat 7, I'd be looking mostly at full sized but that's just me.

[CALL_911]

Land Rovers depreciate like used underwear.

LR3?

[2o6]

The Montero seats seven. (I think)

[J86]

Don't feel like the AWD minivan route?  Don't some Toyotas come with AWD?

[Raza]

- 2006 Jeep Commander

Then why are you still looking?

[Raza]

Don't feel like the AWD minivan route?  Don't some Toyotas come with AWD?

AWD minivan with a low range?