View Full Version : Help Me Choose a New (Used) Car
The vehicle I've got now is on its last legs and I never really liked it to begin with so I'm looking into getting a new used vehicle.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1) Must be a 4x4
2) I don't have a family so a large SUV is unnecessary
3) Must be able to pull a trailer (decent horsepower)
4) Reasonably fuel efficient
5) Not a piece of shit that falls apart for no reason like my current vehicle
6) Ideally under $10k so I don't have to finance, I have no debt and would prefer to keep it that way but for a good vehicle I'm willing to take on a little.
I'm not really a fan of Fords but beyond that I don't really have any brand preferences. I really like the look of the crew-cab Nissan Frontier (although its somewhat lacking in horsepower) and Chevy Colorado but they're both really difficult to find used.
So what type of vehicle fits my requirements?
Colorado Osprey
10-25-2010, 05:46
The vehicle I've got now is on its last legs and I never really liked it to begin with so I'm looking into getting a new used vehicle.
Here's what I'm looking for:
1) Must be a 4x4
2) I don't have a family so a large SUV is unnecessary
3) Must be able to pull a trailer (decent horsepower)
4) Reasonably fuel efficient
5) Not a piece of shit that falls apart for no reason like my current vehicle
6) Ideally under $10k so I don't have to finance, I have no debt and would prefer to keep it that way but for a good vehicle I'm willing to take on a little.
I'm not really a fan of Fords but beyond that I don't really have any brand preferences. I really like the look of the crew-cab Nissan Frontier (although its somewhat lacking in horsepower) and Chevy Colorado but they're both really difficult to find used.
So what type of vehicle fits my requirements?
Working in the trailer and truck industry, the Colorado and Frontier are very lacking in the towing department. Even the Nissan Titan is a poor choice with it's V8 for a towing platform due to it's small brakes.
Have you looked at the Cummin's Dodge trucks? It it pretty easy to find a 3/4 ton w/ the Cummins diesel in your price range although it will not be a 'new' truck as those are now close to $50-60k! I was gonna also point out the 7.3 diesel Ford Super Duty 99-02 because with 3.73 gears 20-24mpg is pretty easy to obtain, but you said you didn't want a Ford. They are in your price range too.
Working in the trailer and truck industry, the Colorado and Frontier are very lacking in the towing department. Even the Nissan Titan is a poor choice with it's V8 for a towing platform due to it's small brakes.
Have you looked at the Cummin's Dodge trucks? It it pretty easy to find a 3/4 ton w/ the Cummins diesel in your price range although it will not be a 'new' truck as those are now close to $50-60k! I was gonna also point out the 7.3 diesel Ford Super Duty 99-02 because with 3.73 gears 20-24mpg is pretty easy to obtain, but you said you didn't want a Ford. They are in your price range too.
I should have clarified a little. Its a fairly small tandem axle trailer. A typical use is hauling my brother and I's camping stuff (dirtbike, ATV, a toolbox, and a couple random containers of fishing stuff, food, etc.). Nothing heavy-duty really, a Cummins would probably be overkill. Thanks for your input though. [Beer]
Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 or 4.7) I have a 2007 that I've beat the living chit out of it for the past 48k and all it has to show for it is an exhaust leak which I plan to fix some time soon. I noticed the exhaust leak after I ripped through a small stream last spring, looked at it and found a bolt head on the exh. manifold broke (fairly common with the 4.7L) but other than that I love it. I can manage 22mpg and it feels nothing like your average SUV when it comes to some high(er) speed bends.
BTW, don't count the Cummins out, you'd be surprised when you compare it to the Triton or Vortec in terms of fuel economy; let's not forget the gobs of extra torque it has if you ever find the need to really pull something.
BTW, don't count the Cummins out, you'd be surprised when you compare it to the Triton or Vortec in terms of fuel economy; let's not forget the gobs of extra torque it has if you ever find the need to really pull something.
I'll definitely have to put the bigger trucks back on my list now that I think about it. A couple of my cousins have Cummins Rams and they're nice trucks.
Damn it, this thread was supposed to make it easier to pick something, not harder. [Rant2]
;)
I have a cummins and love it. I do tow about 95% of the time so it gets used very well. I just turned 162,000 on my '03 and haven't had any real problems. The first common rail cummins is in the '03 which gets the best fuel mileage since it doesn't have extra injection timing like the '04.5-'07 5.9 cummins. If you choose a cummins, there's several different engines in '03 to early '04. There's also a California legal engine in the '03 models....don't get this one but I'm sure they're hard to find here in CO.
Birddog1911
10-25-2010, 09:12
I just replaced my old '99 ZR2 Blazer with the FJ Cruiser. Love the FJ like there is no tommorrow. That said, the ZR2 was a hell of a tough little 4x4. 20mpg, could easily tow our camper, and pretty darned dependable. You could probably find an '03-05 for around or under 10K; the only problem is your mileage will be pretty high most likely.
If you don't mind financing, check out the FJ Cruiser. The best factory 4x4 made these days, IMO.
ThunderSquirrel
10-25-2010, 09:18
+1 on a Blazer. I have a '99 4Dr that is great. I use it to pull a trailer with a 4 wheeler and gear up to hunting camp every season.
I was lucky though, I bought mine 2 years ago and it only had 68k Miles on it. I still haven't turned it over the 100k mark.
Birddog1911
10-25-2010, 09:23
Funny story from last winter. I'm coming home after work, good snow on the hill to the house. Right in the middle of the road is a Suburban that has had a 4x4 transfer failure. I just got bumper to bumper with him, and pushed him right up the hill in 4Low without a care in the world. That ZR2 is a tough sumbitch; too bad they discontinued it for soccer mom crossover shit. One reason I didn't buy Chevy again.
+1 on a Blazer. I have a '99 4Dr that is great. I use it to pull a trailer with a 4 wheeler and gear up to hunting camp every season.
I was lucky though, I bought mine 2 years ago and it only had 68k Miles on it. I still haven't turned it over the 100k mark.
Its actually a '96 4dr Jimmy I'm looking to replace. That thing's got so many gremlins its mind boggling, I've probably replaced half the parts on the thing since I got it, and it only gets worse the more I drive it. Right now I've got to put gas in the intake manifold for it to start, I tried replacing the fuel pump (for the second time since I bought it) and that apparently wasn't the problem. Its also started losing oil pressure when idling after it warms up. Honestly, I'm just tired of screwing with it.
My first vehicle was an '86 Jimmy and I loved it. I'd prefer something a little more modern but maybe another K5 would be nice, too.
SouthPark
10-25-2010, 13:44
A very good pickup is a four door '06 Tundra; I've had mine for four years and it is a great all around truck, runs well, not a gas hog, and can pull moderate loads. I don't know if the used price is near your goal, but something to consider?
I have a honda ridgeline and I love it
front wheel drive with rear wheel drive that clicks on when you need it or want it.
5,000 lbs of towing capacity
250 horse power and 250 lb-ft in a 3.5 liter V6
I have taken it off road and kept up with a factory tacoma with bigger tires, and it is a beast in the snow. towed a couple of times with no trouble. In terms of safety and reliablity Honda is hard to beat.
Truth be told, I have sold a couple of American and Toyota owners on them for their next truck
Also, and most importantly, there is a lockable under bed box, that just so happens to double as a cooler.
As to price, I have seen them recently close to 15K around. I have owned a dodge and a chevy truck as well to give some context.
I honestly don't know if a person could be disappointed with this truck if they don't need a 8 foot bed.
theGinsue
10-25-2010, 18:12
I wish I could help. I'm currnetly trying to find something for my daughter to replace her (okay, MY) '02 Chevy S-10 Blazer. You folks might like the Blazers, but hers is a piece of chit. We've replaced oil and other fluid seals only to have them go out again right after the warranty for the replacement expired. I won't be spending any more money on another Chevy for a while.
She's been looking for a 2005 or newer low milage (preferably under 70k) 4WD 4Dr SUV for under 13k. We've had no luck at all. I know we're asking for too much for the price, but I'm still praying that there is something out there for her that fits these guidelines.
Good luck on your hunt. It does seem to be a sellers market these days.
Good luck on your hunt. It does seem to be a sellers market these days.
Thanks. Yeah, I've been looking, and its tough to even find anything that is at bluebook. I really wish I could put off the purchase for another year but I don't think my car will make it for more than a few months. Having to pour gas in the intake manifold to start it when its cold is going to suck this winter, either way...
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm definitely considering a few vehicles I hadn't before.
jerrymrc
10-25-2010, 18:28
I will drop another vote for the Dodge. I have an older 98 12V and get 18 in town and 21 on the highway. I went from a 96 Dakota 5.2 that got 20 on the highway and 15 in town.
You may be towing a small trailer now but what happens if 3-5 years down the road you want a bigger one? I bought mine used in 2002. I did have to replace the Alt once and the normal front end work at 110,000 but it now has 180,000 and my total non maintenance work has been cheap.
I do know of guys with the 02-03 24V getting 25 on the highway. It is nothing to pull an 8000lb trailer (what I have now) or drop 4000lbs in the bed at the landscape place.
Do not even look at any of the gas versions. ;)
The Extractor
10-25-2010, 19:21
Big fullsize trucks are cool and all however you have to factor in the maintenance cost on them.
It will take twice as much oil, a much larger filter, parts are more expensive if/when it breaks down, everything, breaks, u joints, tires, ball joints etc etc. Ask me how I know.Or not.
I know you don't like Fords but my vote goes to the Ranger. For a smaller truck, there is nothing out there that will take the abuse a Ranger will (being the same classification). They have plenty of power, decent mileage, and Ford didn't take a bailout. Also you don't have to worry about the 4wd taking a crap right when you need it. I have 200,000 miles on mine and it is still running strong. No major problems so far.
The Extractor
10-25-2010, 20:45
I hate rangers...They suck. Tacoma for the win.
gnihcraes
10-25-2010, 21:12
FYI - I'm always looking on craigslist for doge cummins trucks - can get pretty decent ones it looks like for 10-20k. One of the dealers that seems to have the best clean looking trucks is Country Truck http://www.countrytruck.net/ so you might check them out. They post a lot of stuff on craigslist.
I haven't delt with them yet, but might if I ever can get any money for a newer truck.
Birddog1911
10-25-2010, 21:36
Okay, sorry. But I'd never buy a vehicle off of craigslist. Just too many shady folks out there.
michael_aos
10-25-2010, 21:45
I'm curious about the Ridgeline.
My wife drives a 2002 Accord and we love it. Eventually I think I'd lime to trade my '99 Discovery Series I for a pickup truck.
michael_aos
10-25-2010, 21:48
The only vehicle I've purchased off Craigslist was a 2004 Chevy Astro cargo van.
Had to replace the fuel-pump very shortly after I bought it. Pretty sure the previous owner suspected it was failing.
Been rock-solid otherwise.
I'm curious about the Ridgeline.
My wife drives a 2002 Accord and we love it. Eventually I think I'd lime to trade my '99 Discovery Series I for a pickup truck.
Get a Ridgeline, even my wife wants one now. Sorry tacoma owners, but they keep up off road and have front wheel drive, and cost a ton less! damn near a perfect truck in my opinion unless you need a serious full size truck, they just don't have the bed for it. I have no complaints and have had no issues.
I hate rangers...They suck. Tacoma for the win.
Likewise
michael_aos
10-26-2010, 17:01
Tacoma for the win.
Although I've never driven one, I've always thought the Tacoma was pretty awesome. Admired them from afar.
On paper though, they aren't that impressive. Gas mileage kinda sucks, and the motor is really dated.
I keep thinking if I were to buy a new pickup (which isn't realistic for me, but for arguments sake) I'd have to look at the all-new 2011 Ford F150.
theGinsue
10-26-2010, 17:27
I learned a very important lesson with a '90 4Runner. I will never buy another "All New" anything again.
In Aug '95 the main seal failed while it was sitting in my carport - huge pool of oil under the truck; two weeks later a power window acuator died. In Oct '95, a week after getting to CO, the Starter failed - a week later the parking break cable broke. In Dec '95 (two days before Christmas) the head gasket blew and although I pulled over and stopped the engine immediately, it fried the engine bad. Over the next 6 months I had another 5k+ worth of issues. Lucky for my I was "dumb" (according to my friends) enough to have bought an awesome extended warranty which covered everything except about $500 (even the rental and tows) - but NOT my time. All of this with less than 60k miles on the thing and well cared for.
I didn't find out (it was by accident) until '97 that Toyota had known since '92 about the weakness with the head gasket. They just refused to do anything about it. It was the first year of an "All New" Toyota 4Runner.
After that experience, I've had enough "All New" to last me a lifetime. If I ever buy another used car again, I'll wait until the major features on the vehicle are a couple of years old.
michael_aos
10-26-2010, 17:32
I"All New"
Definitely valid points.
The "all new" F150 motor was introduced in the F250 last-year, so it's had a little time to gel.
--
theGinsue
10-26-2010, 17:53
Ah, now that's a horse of a different color.
get it...horse..horse-power....get it?
I'm sorry BigMat, but I'm extremely skeptical about your claims that a Honda Ridgeline is the equal to any truck that is 4WD with a center locking diff off road. I believe that you were able to go there with the Ridgeline, but it must have been a pretty manageable trail. No hate from Honda either from me.
rockhound
10-26-2010, 19:13
generation 1 dodge durango,
i own two now, and a 05 dodge ram ctd, but the durangos are nice
lots of storage, but not too big,
my 98 is on a huge lift with 34s running 4.56s and still gets 17 mpg hauling ass through the mountains, hand calculated. 5.2 liter, no issue hauling trailers
we paid off the 05 ram and were going to get my wife a new rig, but she drove my durango for a few days and loved it.
just picked her up a 2000 (literally old man driven) just over 80k miles on it, absolutely dent and scratch free, 4.7 liter v8 gets 18-20 hand calculated
they handle well and are better than any of my jeeps on the ice and snow, the extra weight really helps.
we got the 2000, for $7250 i would rive it across the country tomorrow.
you may have to do a little looking to find a really well cared for durango, but i love both of mine.
Get a Ridgeline...
http://www.greaserlee.com/smilies/domspew.gif
I'm sorry BigMat, but I'm extremely skeptical about your claims that a Honda Ridgeline is the equal to any truck that is 4WD with a center locking diff off road. I believe that you were able to go there with the Ridgeline, but it must have been a pretty manageable trail. No hate from Honda either from me.
Not any 4x4! don't get me wrong, but I have kept up quite nicely with a nearly factory Tacoma. Put a Ridgeline up against a nice(read old) FJ or tricked out Tacoma and my jig is up in terms of crawling, but on some fairly tricky trails and/or decent snow pack, I have been far from disappointed.
I'll put it this way. I have gotten stuck twice in it. Once with a Tacoma, which then got stuck right next to me, then about a year later with a chevy (not familiar with this trucks specs, I was doing a lot of digging), which also got stuck right next to me. I should add, I still run on street tires, neither of the other trucks did. I find the focus on the front wheel drive, A. really works with how I learned to drive off road and B. seems to help get it up and over.
http://www.greaserlee.com/smilies/domspew.gif
I stand by it! get a ridgeline!
The Extractor
10-26-2010, 23:58
http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0605_desert_race__honda_ridgelin/index.html
That is the only Ridgeline you would ever catch me driving.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0605_desert_race__honda_ridgelin/index.html
That is the only Ridgeline you would ever catch me driving.
That is a fine looking truck!
ShooterJM
10-27-2010, 10:19
Any thoughts on an older land rover? I'm thinking a mid '90s discovery that I can pick up dirt cheap and just use as a snow car and for light towing.
Any thoughts on an older land rover? I'm thinking a mid '90s discovery that I can pick up dirt cheap and just use as a snow car and for light towing.
I hear parts and repairs are expensive on land rovers, but as far as snow and offroad goes they are awesome.
Fentonite
10-27-2010, 10:48
PM Sent
Just my .02 worth. I work on vehicles for a living. The Dodge/Ford/Chevy diesels are over all a low cost vehicle. Keep the fluids changed and they will last a long time. All of the trucks have light front suspension componets and will need to be replaced in the 100,000 mile to 150,000 range. The Blazer falls apart a lot. Tahoes and Yukons are a little better than Blazers. The Ford versions are better than the Chevys. The Dakota/Durango with the 5.2 we see have the lowest cost of repairs with reasonble gas milage and good power. The v6 version doesn't have enough power for CO. The Honda Rigdgeline has a timing belt engine which will need to have the timing belt replaced at 105k, with water pump $1,300 +.
They are a little under powered towing up hill in CO. YMMV
Hope this helps, good luck.
Cman
If you want a Land Rover, I've got a nice sieve I'd be willing to part with for much cheaper.
How come noone Jason mentioned a 1997ish ford 7.3 diesel or ford diesel yet. There are a lot of good cars you just need to look atound. I drive a 97 dodge 1500 with the 5.9 and right now I want to to kill it but other than that a great truck.
ShooterJM
10-27-2010, 11:49
If you want a Land Rover, I've got a nice sieve I'd be willing to part with for much cheaper.
So you're saying you've not had good experiences... [Tooth]
I always used to want one, but every time I looked into them, they always had such a bad rap for leaking all kinds of fluids and nickle and dimeing you to death with things. No matter the year.
I want a Toyota Landcruiser, but the motor is a gas hog and under powered (the year I want anyway) and I wish I could put a diesel in one.
The British never could build a reliable vehicle. I've worked on them for over 39 years! Wow am a glutten for punishment or what?
jerrymrc
10-27-2010, 17:47
The British never could build a reliable vehicle. I've worked on them for over 39 years! Wow am a glutten for punishment or what?
Yes. I did my fair share of them 30+ years ago. I could not find the attraction then or now.
The Extractor
10-27-2010, 19:36
I have worked on them for about 3 days now and I wouldnt take one if it was given to me.
rockhound
10-27-2010, 19:46
Just my .02 worth. I work on vehicles for a living. The Dodge/Ford/Chevy diesels are over all a low cost vehicle. Keep the fluids changed and they will last a long time. All of the trucks have light front suspension componets and will need to be replaced in the 100,000 mile to 150,000 range. The Blazer falls apart a lot. Tahoes and Yukons are a little better than Blazers. The Ford versions are better than the Chevys. The Dakota/Durango with the 5.2 we see have the lowest cost of repairs with reasonble gas milage and good power. The v6 version doesn't have enough power for CO. The Honda Rigdgeline has a timing belt engine which will need to have the timing belt replaced at 105k, with water pump $1,300 +.
They are a little under powered towing up hill in CO. YMMV
Hope this helps, good luck.
Cman
can't recommend my durango enough. love both the 5.2 and the 4.7
of course i love my 05 ram turbo diesel more
can't recommend my durango enough. love both the 5.2 and the 4.7
of course i love my 05 ram turbo diesel more
That's another one I hadn't even considered yet. Hence the thread I guess. I'd forgotten Durangos even ever existed but from what I'm reading they're pretty nice.
I only have one experience with a mid-nineties Land Rover, and it was always busted and real expensive to fix. The windshield alone was brutal and the defroster is just a ton of tiny wires running in it. You could see them if you looked real close
ShooterJM
10-28-2010, 10:13
Scratch that then, I'll look into a durango or tahoe or something.
I think some of the 1990's, early 2000's Tahoes had factory locking rear diffs like the TRD Tacomas.
rockhound
10-28-2010, 19:04
family member that has had three tahoes from 87 to 99 2005
they have nickel and dimed her to death.
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