I might be buying an evil SUV

[coriolis]

Yep, my trusty '93 Plymouth Sundance has reached the end of it's useful life. The final blow: a blown head gasket. That would normally be a repair item, but the tranny has been slipping, the exhaust pipe just fell off, the air conditioning hasn't worked for 3 summers, there's been no heat for the last 2 winters, it has extensive rust on the underside, and to top it off, one rear turn signal light bulb just burned out. Other than that, it runs good.

It was given to me with 120,000 miles, and I kept it going to 188,000 miles. If it makes it to the auto recycler under it's own power, I'll get $150 for it and turn a profit!

We need something to get 4 adult sized people, and two smaller kids. We've had mini-vans, but they didn't seem to hold up to our family too well, and seemed to struggle when packed full.

We're looking in the ballpark of a 7-year-old small SUV, with a jump seat. The one's I'm seeing have about 90-100k+/- miles, and are running about $4000, which we will pay in cash. There's a car lot down the street with a Toyota, some Fords, GMC's and Chevy's - in other words a good variety, and they all look pretty clean. The Toyota looks pretty good. I guess one of the basic questions is 4x4 or 4x2. We really don't need 4x4. Standard is ok, but my wife is hard on clutches.

I'm committed to riding the bus to work and biking in good weather. The SUV will stay around home for the most part, driving the kids to school, shopping, etc., so we're not going to burn barrels of gasoline.

Can anyone offer any personal experience (good or bad) with a vehicle of this description? Any factual or amusing anecdotes anyone?

[Yankeegirl]

In my expirence, the 4x4's are not too good on the gas milage... Like for me living in Houston I have no need for a 4x4 vehicle... As far as my past vehicles, I have always trusted a Chevy.. I had a 2000 Blazer, and I loved it! But from what I heard, Toyota's nad Hondas last forever! GOod luck and Im sure what ever you decide to get, it will be the right decision!!!

[BUD]

When time is really to buy a SUV make sure you get a CarFax done on it.Yes it does cost money,but there are alot of cars that are flooded from floods,hurricanes ect.Get that CarFax.A friend told me that the Auto loans have repo alot of cars from N.o and are selling theses cars at auctions dirt cheap.He went to one auction and he told me they sold a Ford F-150 a 2003 for only $700!!!!!!!!!!
Just beware of what you buy.Dealers know thats it in-come tax time and will get anything that will run on there lots but will it run next week???

[coriolis]

I just signed up with carfax and ran my car that is dying and another car that I used to own (that was wrecked)

I was impressed with the accuracy and completeness!

Thanks BUD.

[angelwing]

I just had to stop driving my 1990 Dodge Caravan, it has 157,000+ miles on it because it needs a new engine, exhaust system, wheel cylinders, etc and just got a 1995 Nissan Quest with 87,000 miles on it, It purrs like a kitten and is very clean and paid $4300 for it...ran carfax and NOTHING was wrong with it. CarFax is great and I was very lucky to find this...had to use the money I was saving to buy a house, but you can't go to work to make money to get a house unless you have a vehicle so whatcha gonna do.

Good Luck!!!

[nholley]

I have a 1999 Grand Cherokee and love it. Gas mileage isn't the best (I average 15mpg) but I will live with that for the practacality it affords me.

If you want reliability then as was already said look at a Honda or Toyota. If you are getting a vehicle with under 100K on the clock then a warranty is a very very good idea.

[Tstormwatcher]

First of all, I doubt that you will find a three seat suv that old. Most suv's didn't come out with three seats until after 2000. If you are looking for a small suv then I would look at the Toyota Rav4 or Honda CRV. Both have held up well in the years and are 4 bangers which mean good gas milage. Expect between 22 and 28mpg. If you are looking for a midsize suv expect to get 15 to 20 mpg. I am partial to the Toyota 4Runner since I have one and have had it for almost 12 years now. The key to buying one is to run a carfax, like previously mentioned, and see if there is a paper trail of maintainance. Have it inspected by a mechanic or a friend who knows about vehicles. Look under the vehicle and pull up the carpet to check for water damage. Check the spare and see what kind of shape it is in.
One more thing, don't get a 4X4 if you don't need it. The cost between $2000 and $4000 extra over a 2wd. A watse if you never use it.

[coriolis]

Uh, oh. Gotta have the third seat. May end up going back to a minivan.

[feederband]

Get 4x2 much cheaper......I've had plenty of suv/trucks that were 4x2..Pulled boats/ trailers no problem.....And yes just a big waste if you get a 4x4 and never take it off road ....

[Lindaloo]

While you are buying that SUV, be sure you have GOOD stock in a gas station.

[breeze]

Good luck, Ed! The only SUV I ever owned isn't made, anymore - remember
the Mazda Navajo? I had a brand new '92 - Mazda body, Ford Explorer motor -
4x4 - I did Home Health nursing. I climbed muddy hills after rains/snows,
drove through creeks to get to houses in the backwoods - and, had to slide
home in 4x4 some evenings with snow belting down like crazy! BOY! That was
an exhilerating and fun memory! *sigh...

But, back to reality - my boss has a Honda Pilot that he really likes. It HAS to
be one of the better SUVs for gas mileage, or, he wouldn't have even considered
it - trust me!

My '92 "Luminator" is still going strong, minus the every 6 month fixes for
antifreeze, oil, and transmission fluid leaks - they take time about!

[wx247]

I have an SUV and absolutely love it!!! It gets about 25-27 miles per gallon... not great, but no worse than a minivan.

[Stephanie]

My first SUV and current automobile is a 2004 Honda CRV. I get an average 25 miles to the gallon (lots of highway driving). I have over 43,000 miles on her. She's fun to drive, has automatic all-wheel drive but doesn't have that 3rd row of seats. She'd be small for what you need. I don't think of her as a car but a truck because of the extra cargo space and I feel the road with her more than I did with my old Honda Accord.

I read that in 2007 Honda is redesigning the CRV and in 2008 they're rolling out a hybrid which I CAN'T WAIT FOR!!!

Look at what they have down at that car lot and see if any meet your needs. I don't think that you could really go wrong with one of them, especially if you are only going to use her for local driving, so the gasoline cost won't be too much of an issue.

[alicia-w]

i would jump on the Toyota. My husband has owned two and driven them each to about 200K miles. No repairs required other than normal maintenance and to replace the clutch that was toasted due to teaching a teenager how to drive...