Holy Cow, 4WD SUV's Are Expensive Out Here (Denver, Colorado Springs: 2014, to buy)

[leavingIL]

So... I just spent the better part of a month looking for a 4WD SUV. A Mitsubishi Montero Sport, to be exact. I finally found one in great shape for a decent price (out here), but not NEARLY as cheap as I could have bought one back in Illinois. Obviously there's more demand out here, since there are actually roads you can't drive without 4WD and high clearance... but still... WOW. I saw some that were like 02's and whatever with 140,000+ going for 6 or 7 BEFORE dealer fees and tax/title/license etc.

Anybody else want to complain about the cost of their 4x4?

[TrexDigit]

Originally Posted by leavingIL

So... I just spent the better part of a month looking for a 4WD SUV. A Mitsubishi Montero Sport, to be exact. I finally found one in great shape for a decent price (out here), but not NEARLY as cheap as I could have bought one back in Illinois. Obviously there's more demand out here, since there are actually roads you can't drive without 4WD and high clearance... but still... WOW. I saw some that were like 02's and whatever with 140,000+ going for 6 or 7 BEFORE dealer fees and tax/title/license etc.

Anybody else want to complain about the cost of their 4x4?

I hear you. I've flown elsewhere and driven 2 used SUV's back from other states. Definitely not cheap around here and another thing about used car pricing in Illinois might reflect the salt & rust. There's good inventory throughout the entire Southwest. And 4-wheel drive adds no value in Texas so there's not the mark-up you see here. Many times darker colors will get discounted, especially black. Just my experience - we've saved money.

And I'm sure someone who's actually IN Idaho could confirm or deny this but it seems that 'standard equipment' on a truck sold in Idaho would be nice (engine-block heater, high-altitude emissions, etc.). Haven't been back in a while but remember kicking tires in Boise and thinking, "What the? Standard?"

[Lugnuts]

Originally Posted by leavingIL

... and tax/title/license etc.

Just wait til the DMV gets done with you

[SkyDog77]

I bought my 4Runner in IL and drove it back to Denver. Saved about $5K. If someone were motivated they could probably make a decent living doing this.

[6.7traveler]

I have no sympathy for you.... I live in Alaska and talk about over priced 4x4s. Craigslist is full of 99 half ton's with 200k miles and only need a new clutch and tranny for $8500. Maybe that's exaggerating a little bit but not much. Colorado has much better deals. However my favorite place to buy cars is AZ, NM and Texas (although I have never actually bought a car in Texas). Rust free and priced right. If anyone wants to drive up a decent 4x4 to Alaska you should have no problems getting all your gas money paid for plus some extra cash. Everything used is a rusted of POS here and overpriced by at least $2000. :end rant:
Good luck with your search and consider yourself lucky!

(I'm looking for an old Suzuki samurai or Suzuki sidekick, someone pull or drive one up here!)

[jim9251]

I got a great deal on my Jeep Wrangler no complaints. The license runs about $175 a year. Gotta help pay for the POT holes ya know.

[Arrby]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Gotta help pay for the POT holes ya know.

Does Colorado Springs have a separate agency for installing potholes, or is that handled by the regular street department?

[reed303]

Originally Posted by Arrby

Does Colorado Springs have a separate agency for installing potholes, or is that handled by the regular street department?

They are contracted out to an outfit called "Mother Nature"

[Snikt]

On one hand they also hold value very well.

Bought new Jeep Wrangler in 2012 for 37k.

Sold in late 2014 with 50K miles for 30k (and that was trade-in to a dealer price).

You will never get that kind of re-sale with any other vehicle. 2-3 years old and 50K miles for only a 7K hit from brand-new, and traded in.

[alliern]

I 2010, bought my used 2005 Toyota Sequoia 4WD sight unseen from a Toyota dealer in Springfield, VA. He took video clips for me and emailed them to me and then I had arranged for a carrier to pick it up and deliver it to my driveway in Evergreen, CO. I saved thousands. It was easy and my SUV is still running strong today.

With SKYPE so easy to use, you could do the same today. No sense paying more than you should.