Rupert Got An XTerra!

[Rupert]

[11/14/15 edit: start at page 13]

Er, SUV. :P

Requirements are not much bigger than my current Explorer, high and low range real 4WD, tough suspension, clearance, good tire availability yadda yadda. Not super interested in trucks. I need a fold-flat back with 6'3"+ of room (for sleeping, but also that's about the size I want). Good record for reliability, under 90 kmiles, 2005 or newer, reasonable gas mileage (>15 mpg city). Obviously cruise and AC. I don't have the energy for a fixer-upper kind of thing. More than $6k will probably mean a loan, which I'm not enthusiastic about, though also not totally opposed given the other requirements.

Honestly, my current Explorer is about perfect but for its recent demonstration of its age and fragility (via two strandings in a couple thousand miles). It would also need a fair amount of work soon-- 1st gear syncro is about dead, oil leak is getting worse/smellier, eats coolant, CEL comes on for a misfire every few thousand miles, probably needs brakes soon, just barely passed emissions last year, not to mention the current disabling charge system problem.

My thoughts so far are a newer (much much nicer) Explorer like I've been recommending for a while to other folks, and maybe the Xterra if the back area fits my needs. IIRC the 4Runner doesn't have the back area I want, and I'm not coming up with anything else off the top of my head.

Other ideas? Especially specific links (Boise, ID area)?

[68_427]

GMT400 Tahoe

[GoCougs]

As a once-and-hopefully-never-again owner of a few beaters they can be attractive but their utility for the long haul is extremely limited, and really, in hindsight, a net negative in this day and age. That said...

With those requirements, you're looking at large mid size SUV which pretty comes down to a V6 Explorer or Grand Cherokee (maybe Durango and Commander if those came with V6s). Thing is none of these have very good track records once miles and years start piling on.

If it were me I'd adjust needs/expectations to a fit a 4th gen ('03 - '09) V6 4Runner or 2005+ Xterra w/MT.

[ifcar]

If the Xterra proves too small, maybe consider a Pathfinder from the same era. Otherwise it sounds like you've got a pretty complete list.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Mighty Max

[68_427]

Amigo

[Raza]

Xterra is the first truck that came to mind. 

What about a Grand Cherokee?  Is a Forester too small?  Also, stickshift X3s can be had for under $10K, if you want to gamble. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Vehicross.

[shp4man]

Your old Explorer has a bad head gasket. Dump it real soon. Find a clean about 2005 Escape 4wd. Get it inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy it. PM me the VIN and I'll run it for Ford service history.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Your old Explorer has a bad head gasket. Dump it real soon. Find a clean about 2005 Escape 4wd. Get it inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy it. PM me the VIN and I'll run it for Ford service history.

Escape is not SUV or truck.

[AutobahnSHO]

New motor and trans would be how much????

(of course it wouldn't solve the "I want a different vehicle" bug)

[MX793]

What about a Trailblazer/Envoy?

[Eye of the Tiger]

What about a Trailblazer/Envoy?

Barf

[12,000 RPM]

What about a Trailblazer/Envoy?

Remember that Animaniacs sketch called "Good Idea, Bad Idea"?

OK, seems like everyone is missing the obvious entry (well aside from the 6' 3" bed)... Wrangler?

Looking through Boise CL, all I'm seeing that I would consider are Tacomas. And they are expensive AF. It will be worth financing.

[CJ]

Get a Lexus GX470 and call it a day.

[Rupert]

Ha, a big hell no to the Wrangler and the Escape for opposite reasons (except that both are too small).

Otherwise mostly good confirmation of what I thought. I might check out a newer 4Runner just to see if I would fit. 6'3" requirement is going to take a lot of convincing to change my mind. Probably not looking at Tacos yet. I don't like the Tahoe, plus it's pretty wide.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It's reliable.

http://bringatrailer.com/2014/06/06/12000-miles-at-5-mpg-1989-lamborghini-lm002/

[BimmerM3]

Explorer V6 is probably your best bet. Grand Cherokees will be a bit cheaper, but come with reliability issues (mostly transmission, IIRC). 4Runners will probably be too expensive (especially for under 90k miles), though I'm pretty sure they're longer inside than Xterras. Do your research on the Xterra/Pathfinder automatic transmission issues before buying too. They had an issue where coolant was somehow leaking into the transmission, which can cause total transmission failure. There was a limited recall based on mileage, but IIRC, the mileage limit was pretty low. You can check to see if the root cause was fixed, but in my research, I couldn't find a definitive way to make sure the damage hadn't already been done, and the failure can happen awhile after the issue was fixed. In other words, it's definitely possible that someone found out their transmission got fucked up by coolant, fixed the root cause and flushed the transmission fluid, and then put it up for sale before the inevitable failure occurs.

[shp4man]

I'm thinking for 5-6 grand, an old gas guzzling Expedition would be your most trouble free option. Expect only about 12 MPG, though.

[MrH]

Outback!

[Rupert]

Explorer V6 is probably your best bet. Grand Cherokees will be a bit cheaper, but come with reliability issues (mostly transmission, IIRC). 4Runners will probably be too expensive (especially for under 90k miles), though I'm pretty sure they're longer inside than Xterras. Do your research on the Xterra/Pathfinder automatic transmission issues before buying too. They had an issue where coolant was somehow leaking into the transmission, which can cause total transmission failure. There was a limited recall based on mileage, but IIRC, the mileage limit was pretty low. You can check to see if the root cause was fixed, but in my research, I couldn't find a definitive way to make sure the damage hadn't already been done, and the failure can happen awhile after the issue was fixed. In other words, it's definitely possible that someone found out their transmission got fucked up by coolant, fixed the root cause and flushed the transmission fluid, and then put it up for sale before the inevitable failure occurs.

Didn't I just advise you buy an Explorer?

[Rupert]

I'm thinking for 5-6 grand, an old gas guzzling Expedition would be your most trouble free option. Expect only about 12 MPG, though.

Don't like 'em, see Tahoe.

[Rupert]

Outback!

Too much modification to get what I want out of it.

[Rupert]

I might stop by a dealer after work tomorrow and see what I can see WRT 4Runners and XTerras. Otherwise I'm looking at Explorers. I'm not in a hurry.

[sparkplug]

jeep wrangler. it's gone to through the rubicon. most aftermarket products of any jeep or possibly any other chysler product.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It's reliable.

http://bringatrailer.com/2014/06/06/12000-miles-at-5-mpg-1989-lamborghini-lm002/

I remember Mike Tyson driving one of those in white back in the day! Damn that thing was loud!!!

[Madman]

How about something like this?



https://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/5192390923.html


The V8 may be thirsty but its got 4WD and its dirt cheap.

[Galaxy]

I am guessing the Jeep Cammander, and Toyota FJ Cruiser are to expensive at the required mileage?

[Rupert]

How about something like this?



https://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/5192390923.html


The V8 may be thirsty but its got 4WD and its dirt cheap.

And old and small and ugly. That is almost a one to one trade beater for beater.

[Rupert]

I am guessing the Jeep Cammander, and Toyota FJ Cruiser are to expensive at the required mileage?

Most likely. Also don't like the Commander and the FJ is too small inside.