Ideas for used SUV for the wifey (lease, vehicles, fuel)
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She currently drives a 2006 TrailBlazer SS (RWD). Was great in Las Vegas, but since we have moved to Colorado, it doesn't work for us (395hp/400lbft powering the rear wheels doesn't work on snow/ice in a mountain town). Thankfully the lease is up in 3 months, so I'm now starting to see what the best options are. She must have a SUV, loves being up high (she's only 4'11 lol) and needs to tow a light weight travel trailer (under 5000lbs). Need the 4x4 as she works on a ranch type property with dirt roads that have some steep inclines. Gets ugly in the winter.
Budget: $15,000
Here is what I have narrowed down, need opinions to pick a winner:
1. 2005/2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (5.7 preferred).
From my research, the Quadra-Drive II is one of the best and capable 4x4 systems out there. I love the full time AWD and the limited slip differentials. The HEMI version can tow 7200lbs. I can find them for under $15,000 with over 60k/70k miles. Not sure of reliability. Gas mileage sucks (15 combined it appears, but not big concern as she only works 5 miles from home.
2. 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71
Love the quad buckets and third row seat option, plenty of room for future kiddos and others to ride along. Love the looks, can tow over 7000lbs. 4x4 system and ground clearance is good.
3. 2004-2005 GMC Envoy SLT
Can get these fairly cheap and the 285hp v6 is pretty good in this class. Can tow 6200lbs. I would find one with the G80 rear locking differential and the 3.73 gears, might be hard. Already have an extra set of wheels that fit with Blizzaks mounted. Might consider a regular TrailBlazer, but wife prefers looks of Envoy.
Any other great SUV choices in the $15,000 range? Out of my list, what is the best for long term reliability?
the ford expedition with the 5.4 should fit the bill. it is direct competition for the tahoe so it is worht a look and it also comes with 3rd row seating standard.
Go with the Tahoe or Yukon. The Jeep would be my second choice. My wife and I went through the same thing when we moved to Alaska. She and an Eclipse and that was not cutting it up here. We did a lot of research and finally decided to go with a Tahoe.
Expedition is a good one, will put that on the list. 4 Runner is good to but the Limited models seem to hold their value very well, making it tough to find one under 70k miles in the $15,000 range.
I like the Jeep because she doesn't have to hit any buttons, unless of course she needs to go into 4 lo, which I highly doubt she would need! I'm also not certain the "Auto 4wd" on the Tahoe and Envoy is a great feature. Does it respond fast enough to keep the rear end from fish tailing?
I wouldn't knock on Jeep... they have come a very long way.
Yep, they are now back to being 1/2 the vehicles they were before Chrysler pansyfied them. I was a VERY loyal, diehard Jeep fan - you couldn't give me one of the new ones.
A friend manages a fleet with several mid-sized SUV's in it. They get used hard, including some backcountry work on some nasty roads and trails. They have had Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Durangos, Chevy Trailblazers, and Ford Explorers. The most hated model was the Grand Cherokee--abysmal reliability, mediocre fuel economy, and high parts and maintenance costs. They had "upgraded" from Jeep Cherokees, which everyone wished they had not done--the old Cherokees were legions better. He was not a whole lot more enthusiastic about the Trailblazers--he said they weren't especially economical or reliable. The Ford Explorers were generally pretty good, with good reliability and at least acceptable fuel economy (they were the 4.0 liter models). Surprisingly, my friend said they liked the Durangos the best--quite reliable, capable off-road, plenty of power. The only downside was the Durango's fuel economy--the worst of the bunch in the fleet. My friend said, though, that they were willing to pay for the poor fuel economy to have the better capability and reliability of the Durangos. He can drive his choice of vehicles in the fleet--he drives one of the Durangos.
Personally, though I have owned a lot of American-made vehicles over the years, I don't know whether I would buy one now--I certainly wouldn't be buying a new one. Of the American manufacturers, I think Ford probably has their act together better than the others. A good Toyota Tacoma or Tundra pickup would be my pick, but you probably won't find one with low mileage for $15,000. People also need to think real long and hard whether they will be able to stand the poor fuel economy of trucks and SUV's if they really don't need one for their purposes. I think the current lull in fuel prices is going to be short-lived, and we could be looking at fuel prices--in today's dollars--above $5/gallon within a 12-24 months. The nominal price per gallon with what I think will be massive inflation by then could be $6-$8. 13-18 mpg is going to look positively atrocious at those prices.
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