4WD SUV options

[Richard T]

A little over a month ago (before all this snow) my wife decided she needs/wants to have a 4WD SUV of some sort. This is actually great news as I now have a fantastic excuse to replace my old S-10 Blazer with something newer and nicer for her and I can buy a car of some sort.

This is what we have been thinking, but want to note a few requirements. It must have leather, heated seats, a low range transfer case, less than 50k miles and cost less than $20k. Auto climate control is a plus.

We have sort of settled on three options:

-Jeep Liberty Limited ('05 or '06)
-Nissan Pathfinder LE (probably '03)
-Ford Explorer Limited or Eddie Bauer (haven't researched enough to narrow down years yet)

Any first hand experience/comments would be fantastic. Oh, and we would love a 4Runner but don't think we can get what we want for the price we are willing to pay.
:Beer:

[Dave_L]

The Jeep libertys seem really top heavy. They kinda scare me when I have to ride in them. However, they seem to do decent in the snow. My parents have a '93 explorer they use for the snow and it's been running good for them. It's got high mileage and still runs fine. I dont have any experience with the pathfinders but as far as looks go, I like the pathfinder the best out of those choices.

[kio]

look into the 4runner

[Skaterkid]

I'd get the Pathfinder. I think they look the best, they've got the VQ35, and I've driven a QX4 and it drove really nicely.

[Richard T]

So far we've driven a Liberty. The powertrain was a bit more crude than I was expecting, but it didn't bother my wife who would be driving it daily. And I totally see your point on feeling top-heavy, Dave.

Our schedules have gone to crap since we started looking for vehicles, but I found a Pathfinder I want to test drive. Too bad Saturday is going to be sooo damn cold.

[i drive crap]

I vote for this one
http://www.diyautotune.com/cars/customer/parish_turbo_truck.htm
it's a pickup but the same engine set up will work in a tahoe/suburban

[Richard T]

My wife and I drove this Montero Limited (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_34_%7CD-_314_%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-80015&aff=national&paId=133858305&recnum=4&leadExists=true)today. Surprisingly, we are seriously considering it. I know it's a bit under powered and top heavy, but it off roads like mountain goat, has a nice color combination, and meets all of my wife's criteria.

Thoughts?

[forum]

Not sure if the Montero Limited shares the same motor/transmission as the Sport and the other smaller ones, but I've seen quite a few of the smaller ones with bad transmissions.

Out of the options I would personally go with the Explorer or the Liberty. I was never too impressed with the pathfinder's performance in the snow. I've got a 2002 Explorer Sport Trac and it has been great in the snow and everywhere else I've driven it.

[Richard T]

The Liberty build quality is definitely short of what the Japanese are building. We haven't found an Explorer yet that we've loved.

This Montero has a 5 speed manu-matic and is really starting to grow on me...

[forum]

I would agree with the build quality on the Jheep. I don't think I've ever driven a Montero with anything like that, but they do seem pretty well built and are pretty comfortable.

[V8SpankR]

Look for an early 4th gen Runner and go with Toyota reliabilty which will put Ford's to shame. The Liberty is too small and has no room in the back when the seats are up. Also with the Runner you do have the option of hitting rough trails with minimal issues if you come to the end of a road. ;)

[Bottoz]

Isuzu Rodeo/Amigo, Honda Passport. 3.2 V6, 4500lb towing. Push button 4WD. Dana 44 Rear w/LSD. Under $6000. Case Closed.

[V8SpankR]

Rodeos aren't bad but compared with the 4Runner they don't even come close to crash test safety ratings according to the NHTSA and it's quite a diff and you don't have to stop to engage 4wd and stop and backup to disengage it with a 4Runner. Of course the 4Runner will cost a bit closer to $20k.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=202394850&dealer_id=57892539&car_year=2004&search_type=both&num_records=&keywordsfyc=&make=TOYOTA&transmission=&model=4RUN&distance=200&make2=&address=80128&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=20000&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2004&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=2003&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=56


This one's a bit high in miles but Toyotas rarely have issues through 250k if you maintain it well and this one's under $16k.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=212705558&dealer_id=86987&car_year=2003&search_type=both&num_records=&keywordsfyc=&make=TOYOTA&transmission=&model=4RUN&distance=200&make2=&address=80128&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=20000&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2004&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=2003&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=6


I know I'm very pro Toy when it comes to SUVs but with what I've experienced and seen Toyotas do hold up quite well with age.
I've got almost 125k on my '99 Runner and the only issue outside normal maintenance was rear axle seals replaced at 110k.

[forum]

Heh The Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport is the last suv on earth I would ever buy. The motor and transmission they put in those is garbage.

[Richard T]

I have to agree with forum - not a fan of the Passport/Rodeo at all.

SpankR, we'd love a 4Runner and their reliability is undoubtedly second to none. We just can't quite make the price/options/mileage/year ratio work to our satisfaction.

The key here is that some things are non-negotiable for my wife and it will be her vehicle. She's taking one for the team getting a 4WD so I can get a car that I want.

Anybody know of a good reputable service that will do thorough on-sight vehicle inspections? I mean measuring HVAC temps, listening to the motor with a stethoscope type of thing. There was a company checking out an Integra to this degree when my father was buying his Deville DTS and I can't for the life of me remember the name of the firm.

[Terry]

You should open your mind up a little and thing about getting a Land Rover. For 20k you could even get an 03 or even an 04. They do great in the snow are look good.

[Richard T]

I have thought about Land Rovers very heavily because that's what she truly wants. The reliability/price of service issues are just too much to overcome.

[STIBungy]

Rovers are overrated.

[Terry]

hung is overrated

[V8SpankR]

I've had a couple of friends with Rovers and nothing but ticky tack issues and the cost for parts makes Toyotas look cheap.

How about maybe getting a last year ('02) 3rd gen Runner since the prices have come down on those now that the 4th gens have been out for a few years and you can get those with under 50k for solidly under $20k fully loaded and Limiteds. Those also have the AWD mutli-mode auto.

[Kwando]

if you can afford a little more you might want to consider a FJ cruiser...

[Terry]

I heard the new FJ's are suppose to be the new hotness when it comes to four wheelin.

[Richard T]

The new FJ is way more than we want to spend. We are going to be getting me a car late next month and I'd like to have as much wiggle room as possible. :D

[Bottoz]

Heh The Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport is the last suv on earth I would ever buy. The motor and transmission they put in those is garbage.

Care to back that up with some more info?

[forum]

Care to back that up with some more info?

Personal Experience, I work in the auto industry and see them quite regularly, in a non-mobile form. Granted a *really* well maintained one might run ok, but that's generally not the case.

[V8SpankR]

I did do some reasearch on the Rodeo/Passport and it's reliablity rankings were quite decent but it's safety ratings were on the other end of the spectrum and the fact that even by the 2000 model it still had a few dated systems like it's 4wd engagment/disengagment. My '99 Runner's 4wd can be engaged at 25mph (where I feel comfortable) and disengaged at pretty much any speed. (I slow to under 50mph)

[Bottoz]

Personal Experience, I work in the auto industry and see them quite regularly, in a non-mobile form. Granted a *really* well maintained one might run ok, but that's generally not the case.

What year/generation? The pre '97 SOHC or the 98+ DOHC? I've got 80k on mine, with no major work needed at all. Still get 19MPG city and 23 highway. Burns no oil, feels great.

V8Spankr - 4wd engagement? Mine's a push button/vacuum activated... available at any speed below 50.

[95GSRB18C]

Id vote for the 4 runner because of the toyota reliability. Definitley do NOT get an explorer. Those trannys are horrible and is the same one thats in my ranger.

[V8SpankR]

V8Spankr - 4wd engagement? Mine's a push button/vacuum activated... available at any speed below 50.


Hmmm,the website I saw stated at least for the disengagment you had to stop and go in reverse. Maybe that was for much earlier models. What's the tow rating on a Rodeo?

[Bottoz]

My owners guide says 4500lbs. And I know for a fact that you don't have to stop to get out of 4wd. I <3 Push Button 4x4. :)

[Richard T]

FWIW, I bought the Montero today. I'm rather happy with the deal and more happy that my wife is now content with her mode of transportation.

[Dave_L]

Sweet! I've always liked how the Monteros look.

[Richard T]

It's growing on me but my wife really digs it. Now maybe I can tag along on some of the HAI off road trips!

[smithz]

If she lets you that is... ;)

[Richard T]

Not terribly worried about it. Hell, she may even want to come along.

[smithz]

It's always better if you can get them hooked on it too.