2nd SUV Options

[fenrisx]

So, the wife and I have been sharing my 4Runner since I moved up here. It's worked. She'd drop me off at work, and then pick me up at night when I got off work. Then we had our first child. It still worked fairly well, but was a bit of a hassle having to drag our daughter out at night to come get me. Now, we have our second child on the way, and it's time for my wife to get her own car.

Want: SUV, 4WD
Budget: $5,000-$7,000

She doesn't want a car. She wants and SUV because she likes being higher off the ground. We also want it to be a 4WD or AWD due to the winters up here. My first thought is another 3rd gen. I'm looking for other options, and input. Jeep? Nissan? Honda? It can't be a super small SUV.. need room to fit two car seats in the back, without having to hug the steering wheel up front.

[DHC6twinotter]

I vote for a 1st gen Highlander, 1st gen Honda Pilot, or maybe even a Subaru Forester.

[fenrisx]

Are Ford Escapes decently reliable? I did a quick search for a Highlander earlier with no luck in that price range. I'll give the Pilot a look.. I don't think she'll dig the Forester too much.

[YotaFun]

Honda Passports Are pretty good too.

[DHC6twinotter]

I don't know anything about Ford Escapes, but if you are willing to get something that small, I'd look at the 2ng gen Toyota Rav4 and Honda CRV. Not sure if the Rav4 would be in your price range though.

Other options may be the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe (same thing).

[slosurfer]

Old school 4wd tercel FTW!!!! :laugh:

[fenrisx]

Yeah.. The Escape is probably going to be too cramped actually. A friend of her moms has an older CRV, and my wife didn't like the size of it. The Matrix/Vibe is out just because she doesn't want a car. I personally think some of the Matrix cars are looks pretty decent though (not the newest body style they just came out with, but the previous gen)



I don't know anything about Ford Escapes, but if you are willing to get something that small, I'd look at the 2ng gen Toyota Rav4 and Honda CRV. Not sure if the Rav4 would be in your price range though.

Other options may be the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe (same thing).


Now, for the record. I used Craigslist just to do a quick search..
-No Toyota Highlanders in the area (in our price range).
-No Honda Pilot's in the area (in our price range).

Seeing what options ARE around.. So far it looks like the 4Runner is remaining the better option.

[gilby4runner]

A close friend of mine is a parts manager for Ford. His wife had an escape and he couldnt get rid of it fast enough. It may have just been a lemon but there were constant issues.

[fenrisx]

Found a clean '97 v6/4x4/SR5 4Runner with 147k we're gonna call about. I'm sure it'll be gone when we get the money (~8days from now), but it's worth a shot.

If I didn't like my 4Runner so much I'd let her just use it, and get a used Impreza for myself! I wouldn't mind an AWD sporty car... but alas, I do love my 4Runner.

[Scuba]

My vote is go with what you know. I'm sure your handy with a 3rd gen runner and could maintain yours and her vehicles well.

[Crinale]

i agree... if she wants a 4x4 suv, i would stick with another 4runner, that way you dont have to have 2 separate vehicles to learn. Personally i would probably drive some subaru if i lived in an area that got snow for a long period of time, but thats just me. (i used to have an Impreza, and my mom drives an Outback)

[DHC6twinotter]

What about a Lexus RX300? I think they've become fairly cheap over the years.

[Crinale]

those are nice... i have seen them as low as $7500 around here, but i dont think they were the awd ones..

another SUV to think about is the Mitsubishi Montero and Montero Sport.. you can get them dirt cheap and they are decent suv's.. a friend of mine had a sport.

[fenrisx]

Yeah, I was wondering if the Montero Sport's were any good. IMO, they're the closest thing that looks as good as a 3rd gen. The wife doesn't really like the Lexus, mainly because it's a Lexus. We live in around area with a lot of snooty people.. who drive Lexus'. So that's what she associates with the name.. I tried to explain it's just Toyota's luxury brand.

We're going to look at a '97 SR5 4x4 with 147k for $5,500 in about a week, if it's still there. 4Runner (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=291908374&dealer_id=64584051&car_year=1997&doors=&systime=&model=4RUN&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=SUV&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=used&distance=25&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1294368494380&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=70435&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&body_code=16&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=55410&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=7000&awsp=false&make=TOYOTA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=22&standard=false&rdpage=thumb)

If that falls through.. then we'll start looking at more than just a 4Runner again.

[Ric]

I think in this case, Id go for another 4Runner myself, like others said, you already know the 4Runner, how well does she like the 4Runner ?

[fenrisx]

She likes my 4Runner a lot. We were mainly entertaining the idea of other models if we couldn't find a good 4Runner for the right price within a decent period of time. We're looking to get one ASAP once we get the money next week.

[paddlenbike]

I see nothing wrong with owning two 4Runners. :) If I could afford it I would buy the cleanest, low mileage 01 or 02 SR5 4WD in thundercloud metallic, convert it to 5-speed, add a locker and lock it up in storage for when I need it in about 15 years.

[YotaFun]

I see nothing wrong with owning two 4Runners. :) If I could afford it I would buy the cleanest, low mileage 01 or 02 SR5 4WD in thundercloud metallic, convert it to 5-speed, add a locker and lock it up in storage for when I need it in about 15 years.


I was just thinking the same thing the other day!

[fenrisx]

If our budget allowed we'd definitely be looking for the lowest mileage 99-02 we could find. It looks like most of what falls into our price range is in the 140k miles & up club.

I'm not worried about that since I bought my 4Runner about 4 years ago with 144k, and now it's a few K short of 200k, with the only non-schedules maintenance thing I've had to do is the fan clutch, a/f sensor, and the rear o2 sensor blew or got knocked off.

[DHC6twinotter]

I would try to stay with the '99 or '00. I've read in a few places that the '01 and '02 transmissions weren't as good. IIRC,something about the 3rd gear planetary gear set cracking, but I'm not sure how wide spread that is.

[fenrisx]

I'd like to stick with those two years, but if need be I'll be looking at 96-98 as well.

[Seanz0rz]

i dont like the steering wheels of the 96/97 4runners, but that is just my preference.

i see no reason not to get a 96-98, especially if cost is an ultimate concern. the 99-00 are more coveted, and you will pay a higher price for that.

[Crinale]

i checked the minneapolis craigslist, and there are quite a few 3rd gen 4runners for relatively low prices.. you should be able to find a good one

[fenrisx]

Our budget has dropped from $7k to $5.5k due to me taking out the student loans instead of her (she could get more, but she decided to wait until after she has our 2nd baby before gong back to school).

So.. within that price there are a few 3G 4Runners in our area to look at. Most are pre-99 models with ~150-200k miles. There is one 97 Limited 4WD/AWD with 151k for $6,000. We're going to look at it first, and do our best to get it for $5.5k or less OTD. They also have another 97 Limited 4WD/AWD with 199k for $4,000, and it's a 1-owner.

Now, I don't have a double that my 4Runner is going to get me to where I need to go.. whether it be across the country or down the street (It has similar mileage at 197k). I do have a hard time justifying buying one that already has that many miles though.. but the fact it is a 1-owner & is at a good price that we might could get cheaper.

Hopefully one just pops up in the next few days that is in our price range with under 150k, but if not.. does anyone have a CarFax account where they can check multiple VIN's without having to pay anything? I don't know if they have unlimited VIN accounts or what.. but if anyone on here has one could they run two VINs for me? It would be greatly appreciated.

[fenrisx]

Thoughts/opinions on salvaged title? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/2180861416.html

[CJM]

Nothing wrong with one if you know why it has one. Sometimes it happens cause its stolen and recovered or it was a minor accident.

[fenrisx]

Yeah, I'll be sure to find out why the title is salvaged. If it was some major accident, I'll make sure there's paperwork from the shop that did the repairs. The only reason I'm considering that one is because the mileage is better than most of the other option we're finding in the price range.. and it's cheaper due to the salvage.

[fenrisx]

... about to go shopping for the wifes car. Wish me luck! Haha.


-edit-

... didn't go well. The salvaged in the link was sold. The two from the same car lot were so-so, and the guy wouldn't entertain my offer on one of them saying 'he has a guy coming at 6 that's paying full price' which he failed to mentioned before we drove about 35minutes to the place.

The search continues.

[fenrisx]

We ended up getting a little more in student money. So, we can for sure spend $6k now, and maybe push it to $6.5k.

We're actually going to start looking at some first gen Rav4's. She's trying to be more open as to hopefully find something sooner. There's one really nice 98 AWD with power everything/leather for about $6998.. so if they'd take $500 less that'd be nice.

I also showed her some Subi Impreza Sports, and she said she would consider that as well. There's one 2002 that we might look at that's nearby, and a slightly nicer 2003 we'd like to look at. The 2003 is in Wisconsin.. and the place isn't on MapQuest to see how far away it is. I'm going to e-mail the people to see if they even still have it.

I even threw Land Cruisers into the mix, but with their 13mpg city rating.. it's really not the best choice for us. I personally would like to have a LC, but since this is going to be her car.. better MPG is a must.

[Obi..]

*Considered waiting just a little bit more and throwing that $ into a saving's account? Like say if you have any $$$ coming back in taxes (I know both of us did w/ me being a working student and us having the baby) you can throw that into the purchase. IMHO here, run away from the RAV's..I've seen just too many stupid little and big problems with them in the past few years.

Use this logic (you already likely have like I'm trying on my wife), it makes sense to have two vehicles you're absolutely familiar with from the same model family.

Mine want's an AE-86 Corolla or AE-92 Camry..automatic only. She got mad when I fell over laughing saying I'd keep the Corolla for myself and if we were gonna spend like that we're only getting something I'd be willing to work on every so often, not once a month. A 4Runner or Lexus only. (That or she has to pay for whatever I refuse to fix herself at my friend's shop.) My drifter AE-86 budget was shot, ending around $30k before I sold it. For us to keep something I would spend easily $12-15k building it and restoring it.

**Good luck with that last part, try to come out ahead and not sleeping on the couch like I did. ;)

[fenrisx]

Trust me when I say waiting is not an option. If I pitch that.. I'll be sleeping on the couch.

We did get a lot back in taxes, for the same reason as you... only one working / full time student / + child. We had a lot of things to do with that money though, and most of it's gone already.

[fenrisx]

We picked up a 2002 Subaru Impreza Sport today.. nice & clean. Wife is happy. I am happy.

[Obi..]

Waggy or standard? Don't do anything other than baseline the thing if the services aren't up to speed.

Oh, and of course..
http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss88/SilentWolf8979/Humor/pics_or_it_didnt_happen_retro_poste.jpg

[fenrisx]

It's the wagon. I'm not sure what services are due. In a few days I plan on looking for a good Subi forum to read up on things.. I'll try to post up a picture in the next day or so. Tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy day, but I should have time on Thursday.

[fenrisx]

Just found/registered on NASIOC. Should be a good it of info there!

I feel dumb for not noticing this on the test drive, but there's a heavy smell of fuel in the cabin when the vents are on. It appears to be a pretty wide spread problem (I just spent all of 15 seconds scrolling through a thread on NASIOC). I need to do some more reading, but I think there is a TSB on it that Subaru has extended through 2013. I'm going to call a dealer tomorrow to run our VIN number, as well as check some places under the hood that people mentioned in the thread.

Pictures tomorrow.

[Crinale]

nasioc has some good info, but its kinda like yotatech in that you have to search through piles of crap..

the 02 Outback Sport is a nice car, I almost bought one several years back. I ended up getting an 04 TS instead. I sold that car when i bought my 4runner. I kinda miss it. I know a decent bit about subie maintenance tho, so if u have any questions u can PM me and ill do my best

[fenrisx]

nasioc has some good info, but its kinda like yotatech in that you have to search through piles of crap..

the 02 Outback Sport is a nice car, I almost bought one several years back. I ended up getting an 04 TS instead. I sold that car when i bought my 4runner. I kinda miss it. I know a decent bit about subie maintenance tho, so if u have any questions u can PM me and ill do my best


Good to know...I might have to take you up on the offer if I run into anything.

[fenrisx]

Long story short... head gasket leak + needs new tires + bad CV joint on passenger side == ~$4.5k in repairs for a car that is probably only work that much.

Plus we spent almost $1k last year having water pump, timing belt, acc. belts, and thermostat changed.

That's almost what we paid for the car 2 years ago! Former SO can't afford to get it fixed... and not sure she wants to since it's bound to happen again and the car already has 160k on it. What's next?

..should have got a Yota' after all. Sad day. Also 2 days after finding out the bad new, she breaks her foot in the worst possible spot. The doc said it'll be 6-8weeks recovery time... if she'd broke the bone an inch further in either direction it would have only been a 3 week recovery.

[Seanz0rz]

bummer man!

Is it a manual? I'll take the engine and trans off your hand for the price of shipping!

[fenrisx]

It's auto.

He said in the condition it was in he'd give us about $800... and I've found a similar thing on NASIOC where the owner said the mechanic offered him $800. I figured at that low of a price.. might as well drive it until it completely bombs... could always part it out after than and maybe still get $800.

I'd rather get a few more months of use out of it. $800 aint gettin' her anything.

The real plan at this point is just to keep filling the coolant, and hope it doesn't start leaking into the oil. Then if I can get my home loan relatively quickly, and IF I can have my student loans deferred I could help pay for something until she either gets a student loan to cover the cost of another vehicle(or get hers fixed), or she finds a part time job to take over payments.

[Crinale]

that sucks... head gaskets on subies suck! You have to pull the engine to change one. That's why my mom sold her Outback last year, headgasket blew. Her mechanic gave her $1200 I think for it. Hers was in the same mileage neighborhood too.