Good, reliable used SUV (vehicle, fuel, best, mileage)

[mongoslade223]

What would be a good reliable used SUV in the $5000 to $8000 price range? Thanks in advance.

[GTOlover]

Best Used Small SUV: Subaru Forester
Best Used Mid-Size SUV (Traditional): Ford Explorer
Best Used Full-Size SUV: GMC Yukon

It all come down to how big or small of suv you are looking for the one listed here are the one edmunds recommends based on reliability and I love the looks of the ford explorer and yukon

[mongoslade223]

Originally Posted by GTOlover

Best Used Small SUV: Subaru Forester
Best Used Mid-Size SUV (Traditional): Ford Explorer
Best Used Full-Size SUV: GMC Yukon

It all come down to how big or small of suv you are looking for the one listed here are the one edmunds recommends based on reliability and I love the looks of the ford explorer and yukon

I like the Explorer also and I have seen them going for the price I'm looking for but I was worried about reliability issues.

I am looking for something in the Explorer size range.

Thanks

[Bigg Mann]

am still looking for the sam and found that the 05 Honda Pilot was roomy yet not cumbersom. I am a large guy, 6'4" and bigg,lol, an I liked the comfort beter than Expedition. The trick is the center armrest is narrow and not extra wide like in larger vehicles and they make great fuel mpg.

Only problem is they hold their value and cost more tan 6 to 8000, unless you get a high milage one.

[hoffdano]

The Explorer is a VERY mediocre mid-sized SUV. It is thirsty, relatively poor quality, and doesn't excel at anything except towing.

The 4.0L 6 cylinder is underpowered yet gets poor mileage. The V8 has much better power but even worse mileage.

I think a used Pilot, Pathfinder, Highlander (past models are a bit small) are far better choices.

[budsvtec]

I just picked up a 2001 Ford Escape V6 4wd with 66k miles. It is mint inside and out and drives like new. It is great on gas, comfortable, has plenty of cargo room and leg room and has a lot of power from the V6 engine. I recommend getting one

[Davachka]

Sorry, you will have to research the price depending on the year....

But the best SUV I ever had was a Toyota 4Runner. I drove it until it reached 100,000 miles, and nothing ever broke down. I traded it in b/c I wanted a new car, but I probably could have driven it another 100,000 miles. All those years just regular maintenance, and the only thing I recall replacing was a belt (maybe timing) which only cost a few hundred dollars, and refilling the AC. Definitely the best and most quality SUV I ever had.

[hoffdano]

A 4Runner is a good one to consider if you want a truck-based SUV. Much better choice than an Explorer, though more costly used because of the higher resale value.

[mongoslade223]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I had to pony up a couple extra grand to get something of quality, I sure don't mind doing so!

[hoffdano]

From another thread here - the top 10 vehicle traded in under "cash for clunkers:"

1. 1998 Ford Explorer

2. 1997 Ford Explorer

3. 1996 Ford Explorer

4. 1999 Ford Explorer

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

6. Jeep Cherokee

7. 1995 Ford Explorer

8. 1994 Ford Explorer

9. 1997 Ford Windstar

10. 1999 Dodge Caravan

Although most are older - notice that 6 of the top 10 are Ford Explorers?