SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

[KaGee]

Want to upgrade my vehicle. Currently have a 2001 Ford Escape XLT. Great little SUV. No complaints except my boat is at or slightly exceeds the tow capacity and the truck is only 2WD (Front). I am limited to where I can launch. I also use the truck as my "mobile office".

In some research, I guess my possible choices are Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Chevy Trailblazer or possibly Jeep Cherokee.

The more I look, the more I'm confused as to which route to take.

What say you all?

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I have a 2003 Ranger Edge 4ltr stick rear wheel drive and it pulls my 2300lb load with no problem. Even on a sandy low slope ramp or steep paved ramp.It gets 20mpg.

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I should add I am towing between 3200-4000 lbs.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Well the Durango you could get the 8 cylinder but not very good on gas,same with the Jeep.
The trailblazer is a nice vehicle and has plenty of muscle with the inline 6,but i'm partial to GM..

 

[RubberDuckie]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

If you have ~$45K (mobile office = business expense?) Jeep has a nice little diesel they are putting in their Grand Cherokee. Wish I could afford one...

Otherwise ya might look at some used midsize or larger V8 SUVs or pickups.

 

[JB]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Look at some used Mercedes Benz ML320s.

AWD luxury truck/SUV. 19-21mpg(premium), tows to 5,000lb.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

being a tech with ford i am partial to ford the biggest thing i can tell you is to decide how big of an suv you want the explorer will tow what you want myself i think the explorer sport trac is a good all around suv plus has a small bed on the back that you can put the coolers and anything else u might need for your trip to the lake and not take up the passenger room

 

[boling]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Another vote for the Sport trac. Now you can get them with a V8. I had an '01 and now have an '05. V6's in both. Comfortable tow vehicles. Neither was a 4X4, never had any problems at the ramp. My boat with everything on it comes in at about 2800 lbs.

Chris

 

[i386]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Shop around a little. Ford had some really good rebates a couple months ago. Others may also as they want to get rid of the 07 models.

Nobody's talked much about trucks... Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are good little trucks. Also check out a Nissan Titan with the captains chair package (leather or cloth). I think that would make a good mobile office. The center console was even designed to hold hanging file folders. The passenger seat can lay flat to serve as a work surface.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4wd, and I tow my 4000 pounds of boat and fishing stuff to the river every weekend without a problem. I've never had any problems with it other than a passenger side window motor going out which cost me $70 and an afternoon fixing it. My other truck is a '98 Dodge Dakota 2wd and my little truck could tow that boat easily, but I just like the room in the Jeep. Anything built by Dodge/Chrysler/ Jeep will handle anything you throw at it. I also have an old '91 Dodge Dakota 2wd I use for hauling wood that has 220k miles on it with original everything. Never misses a lick other than the Wal-Mart battery I replaced 2 winters ago. Dodge trucks and Jeeps are worth the little extra you pay for them.

Some little advice, When you need to replace a part on a Ford you will pay twice what it costs to replace the same part on a Dodge or Chevrolet. No if, ands, or buts about it. Notice when I said 'When'.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

lucky i would argue that anytime this day and age would have agreed back 15 years ago i have my 98 f150 140,000 miles on it had to replace a maf sensor cost me 100 bucks now my brother with his 03 dakota has had 3 transmissions(factory replacements) in the last 19,000 miles when he gets it out it is going to be traded on a f-150
second story to it my dad had a 97 dakota 20,000 miles ball joint snapped rolled the truck he now has a f 150
just depends on the person what they want me personnally after working for a dodge dealer wouldn't take it if they were giving it away although always had work instead of sitting here at a ford dealer reading forums maybe i should go back and work on chryslers again probably make more money by staying busy

 

[Boomyal]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Some little advice, When you need to replace a part on a Ford you will pay twice what it costs to replace the same part on a Dodge or Chevrolet. No if, ands, or buts about it. Notice when I said 'When'.

Things must have changed. I was always under the impression that Chrysler parts were more expensive.


Kagee, I vote for the Ford Explorer or Sport Trac. I really like their new lower rear independant suspensions and I just like Fords in General.

 

[i386]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I had some problems with my Explorer but never anything mechanical. I think a lot of the problems I had have been worked out by now. I did seriously look at the Sport Track once. It's very practical and nice too if you get the higher end package. It's a little small for me as I'm 6'1" /210# and not getting any skinnier these days. You might consider something with a little more interior room for mobile office requirement otherwise it's a neat little vehicle.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I LOVE my Nissan Xterra - and it fits your described needs very well. Mine is a 2002 with the supercharger option. If those that you mentioned are suitable from a size perspective so is this one.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

So you're looking for e new SUV? I LOVED my 92 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with 4.0 I6 and auto tranny, my boat and gear was close to 3000 lbs, towed it easy AND while staying at 70 mph got 22.5 mpg w/ 175K on it. Only thing I replaced was upgraded to 3 row radiator, brakes, tires, and the usual maint. stuff. Awesome vehicle...

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Thanks for everyone's input. That's what's great about this place.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

In my defense the Standard Towing Capacity for a Standard Dodge Ram 3500 is 16350 lbs. the Ford F350 Standard is 13000 pounds. Also the MPG rating is much higher on the Hemi than the Triton.

 

[aspeck]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

So, what way ya gonna go, Kagee? My preference would be the GMC Envoy or the Cheby Trailblazer. Wife really wants an Envoy, but she refuses to get rid of her 1991 Pontiac Bonneville, she likes it too much and it just turned over to 40,000 miles (we got it used from a little old lady ... had 18,000 miles on it when it was 12 years old, and I put most of the miles on it picking it up to get it state inspected, change the oil, etc.).

Go with the GM product, you won't be sorry. Trust me ...

Now, about that Envoy, how would you like it equipped, I can even deliver it to ya ...

 

[MikDee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I like the Trailblazer, Envoy, twins myself. So, just how much will these tow safely?

 

[penst8grad]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

If you have ~$45K (mobile office = business expense?) Jeep has a nice little diesel they are putting in their Grand Cherokee. Wish I could afford one...

Otherwise ya might look at some used midsize or larger V8 SUVs or pickups.

I have a '99 F150 SCab and it is just fine with the 4.6 Gets the same mileage as wifes 6 cyl '03 Grand Cherokee. Rumor is the blue oval is doing a diesel F150 in '09. It will look nice in my driveway.