Looking to buy an SUV, need recommendations

So, my loaner car, which is a 2000 4 cyl grand am with 170K, knocking bad, about to die. Time to get another car! The only SUV I have owned was a 99 Isuzu trooper and it was nice and roomy but I am scared of getting a car that no longer is sold in the US (or the manufacturer has taken wings from the US)

Looking finance up to 5K, 3K down. Total budget: 8K

Looking at the following SUV's:

[b]Nissan XTerra:[/b] I do not know anyone who owns one, so I do not know anything about it: reliable? would it be good to get one with 100K miles? common issues?

[b]4Runner:[/b] My dad owned a 99 and the car is damn small but it is reliable. Not scared to get one with high miles at all... btu again, damn small for kids.

[b]Highlander:[/b] Drove a couple of them when I was working at Precision Toyota and they are roomy and nice, yet the only ones i can find under 9K are high mileage...

[b]Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute:[/b] I know no one who owns such vehicles and I am scared to buy a Ford... unless proven otherwise.

I also like the Honda Element, Subie Outback and would consider a 4-door truck as well but I don't seem to find any under 10K. 

I like XTerras but i don't know what to expect if it is high mileage...

I need to make a decision before the end of this month since the grand am is refusing to accelerate past 55 mph :(

Thanks fellas.

Dang if it was in your budget I'd say this all day
[URL]http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=370658#post370658[/URL]
 
I've been considering it lately.
 
My dream SUV is a 07-new Tahoe :shrug:

[QUOTE=PANCAKES!;370764]My dream SUV is a 07-new Tahoe :shrug:[/QUOTE]

those are surprisingly awesome to drive. feels exactly like a car, but a little bit taller. i drove from detroit to nyc once in one and i really enjoyed it haha

So here is my 2 cents .. which is 2.3 in american btw ..
 
I have owned a few Nissan .. and the X terra is great except for 
 
X TERROR << LOL 
 
1/ Fuel consumption Vs its compettion .. ITS SUCKS GAS !! 
2/ Rust problem .. here is canada the metal if crappy ..i am sure the US is the same . 
3/ All round 5.5 out of 10 .. 
 
 
4 runner 
I have owned 2 4 runners in my time , one was an 89 and the other was a 99 both trucks were driven daily and they had over 250k in miles when i sold them for over market value . the gas consumption was high like  any other  car once its driven over  110 KM per hr ,  it move to 20 + at 97 km .. . I would buy another one in a hear beat .. I say its a 9.5 out of 10 . you will get your money worth .. trust me i am a cheap ass .. lol Those engines go for 600K easy .. just do the maint and oil changes .. and you are golden 
 
Highlander 
 
Not as strong as the 4 runner for off roading , better on gas and offers about the same room comes in a 4 banger .. Good all round Truck for moving the family and getting the job done .. taking out the trash , moving stuff Etc .. but its sorta like a ride for your wifee and you don't look soo gay driving it .. 
 
 
 
 
 
I would look at the RX 330 and the 350 ..  i know its a bit more but they come with Toyota back name and they are great family/ all round trucks that you can look decent taking the kids to school and or picking up some one from jail .. :shrug: .. its a bit more expensive but it comes with all the stuff to keep the kids quite on a long trip .. 
 
 
Food for thought .. Hope this helps

Highlanders are dope, Xterras are dope.
Easy to fix and find parts and aftermarket support if you feel like ever modify'n.
I doubt those lil SUV's eat as much gas as my Avalanche....:pat:

[QUOTE=cheez80;370765]those are surprisingly awesome to drive. feels exactly like a car, but a little bit taller. i drove from detroit to nyc once in one and i really enjoyed it haha[/QUOTE]

Don't tell me that :pat:

[QUOTE=PANCAKES!;370799]Don't tell me that :pat:[/QUOTE]

hahaha time to sell the Q? :P

[QUOTE=cheez80;370800]hahaha time to sell the Q? :P[/QUOTE]

Mayne I've considered that thought numerous times a week
I would love to own this................I love my Q though :(

Out of your choices? 4runner or Land Cruiser. You might not want the LC, but just throwing that in there....
 
Xterra really isn't all that great, and I wouldn't drive a Ford unless it was a 250+ with a 7.3 Powerstroke.

mercedes-benz...what kinda question is that?!?
 mercedes-benz is my answer to your question. all day...unless you have Porsche money of course. old ass lexus rx are smoothe too though...

xterra.

I saw a couple Highlanders selling at 8, one of them for 9k, silver limited 03 i believe and 87k mi. Im def gonna go check that out. I was a toyota tech 5 years ago and that makes me not being scared of buying high mileage yotas... but when it comes to other brands :shudder:

I think i have decided on a highlander or if i get lucky and find one, a 99+ RX. i did considered an M from mercedes but damn, they are expensive to fix and insurance is higher than if i had a hlander.

So a highlander it is. Thanx for all your input guys, it really help me decide! 

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

I love the FX45 but it's more than 8k, sorry. If I had to pick from those I would say 4runner.

4runner without a doubt. or if you dont mind something slightly older with a little less mpg, get an fj80 land cruiser/lx450. these things are tanks that last forever.

Problem with Land Cruiser is that NONE ARE FOR SALE! I would get one in a heart beat, I love those cars. I did come across a sequoia for 9K with 118K... black SR5 and 4x4... I'm going to check that out as well.

have you concidered a range rover?

Yes I have. I wouldn't own anything older than 2007. I do have friends with those cars and they're great until they break; then you gotta get rid of ti since parts are uber expensive... which is logical since it is supposed to be a luxury  suv.

ah yeah 07s aint gonna tht cheap lol

[QUOTE=PANCAKES!;370764]Dang if it was in your budget I'd say this all day
[URL]http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=370658#post370658[/URL]
 
I've been considering it lately.
 
My dream SUV is a 07-new Tahoe :shrug:[/QUOTE]


yup. give up the whole modifying ish and just keep it clean. haha. one day.... but probably not in this lifetime. :shrug:

not to be a douche but seems like gas would be a big issue for you.  Therefore I would choose a 4cyl SUV.   and out of those that were mentioned I would go with a highlander.  You have the Toyota Quality and decent gas mileage with good space for kids and equipment.   

Also by 2012 gas will be $4.00+

I would try and buy a high mileage ONLY from a older person.   Less likely they deglected maintenance and less likely they drove it hard.

[QUOTE=Blitz;371026]Also by 2012 gas will be $4.00+[/QUOTE]
 
sh*t its goin on now... this summer is goin to be I can feel it! 
My truck took close to $80 to fill to the top and thats 89octane :pat:

Bought a 2000 rx300, 1 owner, 93k in awesome condition for 8k...
So, took the wife to the lot and said 'pick' knowing she would pick the lex... she did :) doubled as a valentines gift. :D hell yes!



Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

2001+ Pathfinder (cheaper than the QX4 same chassis/engine, the older 1996-2000 are reliable but the VG33 engine struggles a bit)

My 2001 Infiniti QX4 has been bulletproof 170k+ miles

4runners are great, Xterras are great (ones with the old VG33 are slow as hell but reliable)

Honestly, if you need room in an SUV, stick to a car based SUV like the Highlander

Anything from Benz/Range/BMW won't be in your price range and if they are they are junk...