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Need help picking a truck/SUV

post #1 of 15
9/6/10 at 10:55pm
Thread Starter 
I currently have a 2004 Acura TL that I bought because I was living in Florida during the winter but was driving back and forth between FL and Colorado a few times a year. I just needed something reliable and good for long distance drives. Well, now I am living in Colorado permanently so I want something that can handle the winters plus be used to go up to the mountains for camping, skiing and light off roading.

I am only looking to spend about 15-20k. Right now I am leaning towards a 2004 Grand Cherokee because that is the last year they came with the solid front axle (a plus for off roading) and seems to be the most reliable of the solid axle Grands. I used to have a lifted 98 Grand Cherokee and loved it but wasn't practical for the cross country driving I was doing. I was also thinking about a 4runner or Tacoma but I feel like the interiors are so cheap feeling, plus they seem to be quite a bit more expensive than the GCs.

I plan on keeping this next truck as a dd until I can afford a second vehicle at which point I will designate this truck as a dedicated mountain/off roading vehicle. Sorry this is so long, but any other ideas on what I should look at?
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post #2 of 15
9/7/10 at 4:51pm
I'd stay away from the Grand Cherokee (used to sell those). For $15-$20K I'd look at a 2003-2005 Range Rover depending on how good you are/could be with a wrench. Always built on a truck frame and solid axles.
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post #3 of 15
9/7/10 at 7:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbris1 View Post
I'd stay away from the Grand Cherokee (used to sell those). For $15-$20K I'd look at a 2003-2005 Range Rover depending on how good you are/could be with a wrench. Always built on a truck frame and solid axles.

If you don't mind high mileage. Scanning eBay, it's hard to find one with <85,000 miles for under $20,000.
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post #4 of 15
9/7/10 at 8:20pm
I'd stay away from Range Rovers and Land Rovers unless you like expensive repairs.

I just bought a 2005 Trailblazer for $12K. It's not the greatest, but it's got the power I need, is cheap to repair, and is nice to drive. Other than that, when I was shopping, I liked Toyotas and Nissans...they run forever and are extremely durable.

jag
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post #5 of 15
9/7/10 at 8:25pm
For Christs sake, don't buy a Subaru.
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post #6 of 15
9/7/10 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ms244 View Post
For Christs sake, don't buy a Subaru.

What's wrong with an Outback for DD, camping and skiing?
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post #7 of 15
9/7/10 at 8:50pm
I'd buy an '05+ Tacoma and I'm not sure I'd consider anything else. They are excellent daily drivers and are great off road as well.
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post #8 of 15
9/8/10 at 2:43am
Everyone in this state drives a god foresaken subaru. Be different.

I have an F350 on the side, other then the gas milage its not too bad. Parking is a problem but its
8foot bed and crew cab (solid axles up front don't turn too tight either).

Based on that I would recommend a full size 3/4 ton truck, gas milage isn't much worse then any of the SUVS. You might be able to swing a diesel in your price range though check to see if you need emissions in your region.

They have to be done at a private shop and are tougher (I'm told) then regular car emissions.

Nice roomy, goes great over the unplowed roads and you can carry a lot of stuff, like say a snowmobile in the back.
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post #9 of 15
9/8/10 at 11:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexei View Post
If you don't mind high mileage. Scanning eBay, it's hard to find one with <85,000 miles for under $20,000.

Gotta find one that was a demo or leased. Also, mileage is subjective. Definitely get some sort of warranty.

I would have suggested something like an old school Land Cruiser or 4Runner but coming out of a TL he may not like the ruggedness of those. Then again, I'd buy a beater truck & still try for some lux coupe/sedan.
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post #10 of 15
9/8/10 at 12:50pm
If you live in Colorado, and aren't gonna buy a Subaru-- well that only leaves the Tacoma/4Runner. Seriously, remove every Subaru and Tacoma from Colorado and you wouldn't have many vehicles left.
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post #11 of 15
9/8/10 at 3:33pm
Nissan Xterra always gets rave reviews from car magazines and consumer reports -- for its good looks, good price, and fantastic off-road ability. It's probably about the same price as the GC but way more reliable
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post #12 of 15
9/8/10 at 6:07pm
Escalade!
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post #13 of 15
9/9/10 at 3:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by limester816 View Post
If you live in Colorado, and aren't gonna buy a Subaru-- well that only leaves the Tacoma/4Runner.

Seriously, remove every Subaru and Tacoma from Colorado and you wouldn't have many vehicles left.

I can wish, no?

Its not so much that they are bad cars, its just that they seem awfully smug and ubiquitous.
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post #14 of 15
9/9/10 at 4:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ms244 View Post
I can wish, no?

Its not so much that they are bad cars, its just that they seem awfully smug and ubiquitous.

I've been driving a 2000 Tundra for about 5 years and it's been great. Has more than 200,000 miles too.
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post #15 of 15
9/13/10 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbris1 View Post
I'd stay away from the Grand Cherokee (used to sell those).

Agreed. Grand Cherokees are pretty much crap.
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