best mid-size suv for the money?

[NYGiants]

Im going to be in the market for a mid-sized suv within the next few months and will have about 5-6k to spend on it. i was just wondering everyones opinions? I'm looking for something with 4wd and within the 6k budget. probably 96 and newer. gas mileage has a concern too i realize its an suv and their mileage will be bad but is there one that thats any better then others or are they all about the same

 

[mscher]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

I have a 98' Nissan Pathfinder, for sure, the most bulletproof vehicle, I have ever owned (Had is since it was new).

Just make sure you get a Japanese-built model. The American made pathfinders are not as good. (forget what year they changed).

Gas miles is 16-17 MPG, nothing spectacular, probably average, for a mid-sized.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

I love me Jeep Cherokees and My Ford Explorers, I trashed my Pathfinder in about 18 months so that will not be on my shopping list again.

 

[roscoe]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

Oh how the used vehicle market has changed.

I never thought we would be discussing buying a 16 year old mid 90's vehicle for $6000.

I bought my '96 Blazer, in 2004, for $4200, ex-wife still has it on the road today.
Would I buy another one, no. It was good while it lasted, but the last couple years... its just wore out.


I bought my 2002 Trailblazer for $7800, back in '08, in pristine condition, now they are going for $10,000+.

Don't know what to suggest.

If a small pickup is an option, you might consider a Tacoma, Ranger, or Mazda.

I've got a few friends that have had good luck with Isuzu Rodeo's.


I'm faced with finding a small 4x4, that can tow my boat(s), that is made by one of the big 3.
All the import dealers are over 60 miles away, and service would be a pain.
Everything has gotten larger.
My only real choices are a short wheel-base Escape, a Ranger, or another Trailblazer..

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

I have had several of the S-10 Blazers. Good, capable SUV if equipped with the 4.3. The one vehicle I miss the most is the Jeep Cherokee I had. I LOVED that Jeep. Had it for several year and the only thing I had to replace (besides brakes, oil etc...) was a water pump and the headlight switch. The 4.0 in those things is a great engine. They should never have discontinued it. Don't know if this comment helps, just my 2 cents. Good luck, hope you find a good one.

 

[superbenk]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

I had an 03 Frontier which is pretty much the same as the Pathfinder drive-wise. I loved that truck and it pulled well. I got 16/20 fuel economy which was fair. Only reason we sold it was to go bigger for the room. Got a Titan and also love it for the most part (fuel economy stinks).

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

Very capable V-6 4Runner in my yard (19mpg local and 22 hwy with the automatic) which has been great and hold value.

My son has a Trailblazer and they are proving themselves fairly worth. I have been seeing many with 175K+ miles which is a good thing too.

I have also seen Jeep's with high miles too and I do know that the inline 6 that is used by jeep is also a great motor

 

[coreybv]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

I had a '98 GMC Jimmy that I absolutely loved. Only a V-6, but it towed anything and everything I hitched up behind it without complaint. (and I pushed that ol' girl HARD, including one 12 hour round trip in 100 degree heat with a boat that was almost 1500 lbs over her capacity.)

Also had a '98 Durango with the 5.9. That thing was a tank. If I had a long enough chain I swear I could have dropped it into 4-LO and pulled my house down the street.

Right now I have a '99 Durango with the 5.2. It has much less power than the 5.9 (bigger difference than you would expect), and oddly enough gets worse gas mileage than the big engine.

When the time comes to look for a new vehicle, I believe I have my sites set on a Durango in the 2000 to 2003 range. These are still the first generation body style that I still think looks the best, and in 2000 they got some upgrades in terms of creature comforts and dependability.

Just my $0.02 worth...

 

[NYGiants]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

i was thinking about the pre 98 grand cherokees and the 97-01 cherokees are they about the same reliability wise and gas mileage wise?

 

[bigdee]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

i was thinking about the pre 98 grand cherokees and the 97-01 cherokees are they about the same reliability wise and gas mileage wise?

The Blazer I had was a good inexpensive vehicle but after 100k it started to fall apart. I just acquired a Cherokee with close to 100k on it and I absolutely love it. Unlike the Blazer that had about the same mileage the Cherokee is still solid and rattle free and the inline six pulls like a diesel

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

Go with the regular Cherokee!! I had a 96 for years loved it, thought I would upgrade to a 04 Chevy diesel, love it to but not as much as the Jeep. http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/cars_that_wont_die/11.html That is a link to Top Ten Cars that refuse to die, the jeep made the list!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

Is there a "best" mid-sized SUV ???

Just a word on the newer Explorers . . . Ford 'downgraded' the towing capacity on the new model (to about 5,000 lbs), but those are probably out of your budget range. The older ones w/ V8 have good towing capacity.

 

[NYGiants]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

did the 02-05 generation have the same tranny issues the previous generation did? towing capacity is not an issue currently my boat combo is around 1000lbs and if i do/when i upgrade it'll be a 16' aluminum boat so nothing too heavy

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

One piece of advice if you decide on a Grand or regular Cherokee. The one glaring problem that sticks out on some of these vehicles is the driver's side door hinges. If you look into buying one, check the welds on the door and body where the hinges attatch. Many of the Grand Cherokees around here have a different colored driver's side door because the hinges have broken off. It happened to my wife's '99 Grand Cherokee. Just something to be aware of if you look at one.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

6K would get you a nice 05 trailblazer. Wife has the Rainier (from new) and other than consumables its still running strong with nothing more than routine maintenance. Good towing at 6200lb with I6 and I think 6500lb with V8. My only complaint with it is the (usual) gauges quit working, first speedo then fuel.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

do a search - I usually use searchtempest (searches multiple craigslist adds). the Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 liter is a nice vehicle. its just a bit smaller than the Durango.

There are some really nice trailblazers, etc.

I just sold a 2000 Durango for $1100. there are many mid-sized SUV's for sale, especially now that fuel is moving north of $4

 

[bigdee]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

This looks realy nice
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=b&num_records=25&cardist=22&standard=false

 

[JB]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

How much do you need to tow?

To 2,000# the Subaru Forester is bulletproof.

To 3,500# the Subaru Outback 6 cyl is also.

To 5,000# #3 daughter calls her Toyota the 4everRunner. 265,000 and counting.

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

One piece of advice if you decide on a Grand or regular Cherokee. The one glaring problem that sticks out on some of these vehicles is the driver's side door hinges. If you look into buying one, check the welds on the door and body where the hinges attatch. Many of the Grand Cherokees around here have a different colored driver's side door because the hinges have broken off. It happened to my wife's '99 Grand Cherokee. Just something to be aware of if you look at one.

Also, Sorry I didn't put it in my first post, the 97-01 Cherokees had an issue with the air conditioner compressor or condenser, i can not remember which, but one of which would go out and major $ to replace. they are also a UNI-BODY design so picking one up from down south would be a plus due to rust.

 

[NYGiants]

Re: best mid-size suv for the money?

very true. ill have to look into the subject some more. but right now like i said I'm leaning towards the 97 and earlier generation grand and the 97-01 cherokee