Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

jimbarrt

jimbarrt

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Jan 14, 2008
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I'va also been looking, and in the N.E., used Jeep GC's seem to pack alot of bang for the bux. Easy to come by, too.
And as for problems, ask 10 people, and get 10 different answers. The fact is, with used vehicles, maintentnce and upkeep can account for far more than "potential" problems of a specific brand.
 
J

jkust

Rear Admiral
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Aug 2, 2008
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I went through this same shopping scenario last June but without budget constraints. Instead I put on my common sense/fiscal hat to decide which used SUV to get. I quickly got the lay of the land and aimed toward the ones that depreciated the quickest and still met my suv needs. Didn't care why but some of the worst offenders are very capable and in my eyes just meant more vehicle for less money. It is actually amazing how much suv you can get for not much money.
Someone mentioned the Trailblazer. The issue there is that they only offered the V8 in the TB as a long wheel base model in the early years and only a few years back for the short wheel base meaning your price target will be challenging. The long wheel base model is rare to say the least and even more rare to find one with the V8 option. The long wheel base model also has some issues being long but narrow with regards to handling (versus the shorter version). The newer, short ones are much more than 8k and an older long wheel base version for 8k or under would likely mean very high miles. There are 5 different vehicles based on the same platform as the Trailblazer each with a different target market and price point. They are the TB, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender. If you could scoop one of those up they are all very capable tow rigs for midsized suv's. I ended up with a Buick Rainier that has everything you could get which for towing means 5.3 liter v8, AWD, 3.73 gear ratio, locking rear differential and a 6500lb tow capacity. There are zillions of this format out there and after owning one I can see why they sold so well.
 
bear_69cuda

bear_69cuda

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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Thanks Bruce for all the KBB data! I appreciate it! Maybe it would be wise to check out 2001 and newer. It seems I should be able to get one in good to excellent condition for ~ $8K Is it better to purchase through a private party vs. dealer? Dealer has more overhead = higher price. I was also hoping to possibly trade the wife's 2002 Blazer with 87k on it, hence going through a dealer.

Jkust, thanks also! A new bunch of SUV to look at and review that I never considered...
 
Lou C

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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13,030
Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

bear_69cuda said:
My buddy said to put a hitch on my 'Cuda...

This Mopar can pull anything! :D

jse_rear.jpg


jse_bear_340.jpg
Click to expand...

LOVE that 'Cuda and the Mopar 340...I'm old enough to remember when these were new and they kept up with big block muscle cars because of their good combination of power, weight and balance...my tow vehicle has one of these under the hood...worthy of the Mopar name...pulls the boat like it's not there....
 

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windsors03cobra

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Probably get twice as much money selling your Blazer yourself Vs. what a dealer will give you, sometimes the "corner dealies" (small time car sales) might work a trade with you on the bigger truck you want.
That Tahoe looks pretty sweet but IMO the money is all wrong, maybe its that winter premium.
Could also be the clean and low mile premium as it is not uncommon too see most these trucks around 2000 to have close to 200k miles on em now.
Them dang old Chevs hold their value pretty well, the nicer they are inside the more money they command.
They all got problems show me an $5000 or $8000 dollar late model used SUV and I'll show you $1000 worth of work it needs. Brake Jobs and Tires are 2 things dang near every used car is due for real soon.
Ben Franklins starting flying real fast on big truck tires and king size 4 wheel disc brakes parts.

To me Chevy trucks are made to go atleast 300k easily.
 
arks

arks

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Nov 7, 2002
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Was I the only one who got a laugh out of this typo?
windsors03cobra said:
I gave $5k for a 136k mile 99 Eddie Bauer 5.0 Exploder 3 years ago.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd buy a Ford Exploder....:D
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Dec 3, 2009
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

it wasn't a typo.... they have been called exploders for years as they had a history of fuel leak problems and fires earlier on and breakdowns more lately
 
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windsors03cobra

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

@ 188k now and shes still all original save for some wear items like brakes, ball joints and tyres.
It runs, drives and looks like a dream, I plan to drive'r to atleast 250k, I advise against most V6 Exploders but you wont beat one with a V8 and the good V8 trans. IMO my Exploder lays Waste to S-Series Suvs and most Trailblazer based vehicles, I wont waste breath about Durango's I like many Jeeps buts thats mostly due to a Kenosha built 6 and a solid front axle which I'm a sucker for. Love that Ford V8 tho.
When I bought my SUV I had a few must haves for the cold WI climate the truck was going to be used in, heated seats and 4wd that would work when the snow flies which meant either a manual shift transfer case with an always locked front axle i.e. most Jeeps or the AWD Exploder and some S-Trucks. No push button or electric shift crap for me.
The Jeeps were to expensive and I found this sweet Eddie Bauer with all the options for a sweet price so I bought it. My wife actually drives it I ended up with a 99 Grand Cherokee with a lovely Kenosha built 6 and a locked and loaded manual shift transfer box. :cool:
Got the Jeep for $200 and needless to say it needed everything but cleaned up quite nice after dumping $1800 into it, 185k on her. :)
 
McGR

McGR

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Jun 19, 2004
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I too would recommend taking a look at a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was a little skeptical of Chryslers when I bought mine 9 years ago. However, since then I've driven (and towed) the heck out of it and now I'm up to 170K miles. I'm very happy with mine.

My GC is the 4.0 I-6 4x4 WJ type , but it works juse fine for towing my rig. I would think the V8 equipped models would serve your needs well. My Jeep has had its share of typical repairs over the years, but no more than any of the other cars I've owned. My 16 year old, who will soon have his license has his eye on it and I am due for a new ride. However, I like this vehicle so much, I'm not too sure I'm ready to relinquish it yet - regardless of its age or mileage.
 
truckermatt

truckermatt

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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

i find a tahoe... or yukon...


I have a 1998 chevy silverado 1500 and it has rear drum brakes and the stock front discs and it pulls and stops my boat just fine..


I like the chevy 350, but the 5.3L isnt bad either...

I wouldnt think twice about buying one from 96 up (vortec engine came out)
 
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piper_chuck

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Aug 30, 2007
Messages
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

If you haven't already done so, I suggest finding a copy of the April Consumer Reports magazine. That is their annual auto issue. While their reliability reports can't say exactly what will happen to every individual vehicle, the trends are based on the experiences of thousands of people and are pretty accurate.

Several of the vehicles that have been mentioned in this thread are on their list of "Vehicles to avoid".
 
J

jeeperman

Lieutenant Commander
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Aug 2, 2001
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1,513
Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I seen a 2001 or newer Tahoe in the parking lot that had rear drum brakes.
Were disc on back an option?
 
McGR

McGR

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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

piper_chuck said:
If you haven't already done so, I suggest finding a copy of the April Consumer Reports magazine. That is their annual auto issue. While their reliability reports can't say exactly what will happen to every individual vehicle, the trends are based on the experiences of thousands of people and are pretty accurate.

Several of the vehicles that have been mentioned in this thread are on their list of "Vehicles to avoid".
Click to expand...

You're saying CR didn't have good things to say about Fords, Chryslers and GMs? I'm so surprised.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

The Cherokee is a nice vehicle but not my first choice as a tow rig because of such a short wheel base.
I would not tow over a 19 footer with one because of the tail wagging the dog affect at higher speeds.
I followed a buddy to the lake one weekend,He was pulling a toon with the Cherokee and could not run over about 55 mph without it starting to sway really bad.
We had adjusted the trailer to get the correct tongue weight and it still would sway.
It was just the Cherokee being so short.

I towed his toon with my Tahoe just to see if it was a trailer issue....70 mph and no problem..:confused:
 
J

jeeperman

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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

When I first got our 21foot 4000lb (guessing) fiberglass deckboat, I pulled it with a 1990 Cherokee. 4.0L automatic 4-door the non-Grand, Classic Cherokee.
It pulled it okay at 70mph without sway which I only did once to see how it would pull.
Only trailered it at 45mph thereafter since that was the speed limit on our 10 mile route.
You definately knew it was there and was always a pucker producer.

So I upgraded to the 1999 Tahoe. Which needs the intake gasket upgrade as it leaks out the back of the intake/valley area.
 
superpop

superpop

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Mar 5, 2006
Messages
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Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Just yank the motor and tranny out of the Cuda, and shoehorn it into the Nissan. It should pull no problem after that.
 
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