Finding a new ride sucks.

[stoner01]

Yeah xterra is my main dream. Just finding one in our price range

[T-Giv]

I got a 99 two door Tahoe for my SUV. Got a great deal on it but it's the 5.7 motor and it gets 14-15 in town. If I drove it more I would look for something diesel or a v6. Those 4 runners are pretty sweet!

[crashdown]

Xterra all the way.
I'm on my second one, and love it.
Had a 2007, got rid of it and went through one of the new Jeeps and a Hummer with the adventure package.
Went back and got the Off-road Xterra at the end of 2010. It's as good on the trails as anything out there.
All the current ones since 2005 have the 265 hp engine, and will get up and move.
With the rear seats down, you can stuff 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back if you need to, so plenty of room.

[Great-Kazoo]

I got a 99 two door Tahoe for my SUV. Got a great deal on it but it's the 5.7 motor and it gets 14-15 in town. If I drove it more I would look for something diesel or a v6. Those 4 runners are pretty sweet!

My V6 gets 1 more mpg than our V8 does. Not much of a difference MPG wise to sacrifice the added power of a V8.

[hobowh]

Peak Kia in littleton has an Xterra for about 14 it was an 05 http://peakkia.com/inventory/details...leton-co/27540 was just there last night, and no I do not work there.

[blacklabel]

I hear ya on it sucking. I need to get my truck sold an then find a Cherokee in decent shape.

[hurley842002]

I will mirror the 4 runner recommendations, specifically late 90's early 2000 with the 3.4 motor. I'm only basing my opinion from my 02 Tacoma, but I consistently get at least 18mpg rather I'm crawling in 4 low on the trail or running around town, usually more on the highway. 4 runner is probably going to hold its value better than any other SUV out there.

ETA: finding one with lower mileage could prove to be difficult.

[tmleadr03]

X5 with straight 6, not v8 and you will see low 20s on freeway. E53 model is available for.that price range. Maintenance is more expensive then what your looking at.

No matter what you pick get a pre purchase inspection. Having the vehicle looked at after you already own it can make a grown man cry.

I have a trailblazer I am thinking about unloading as well. I hate it.

[streetglideok]

Some of the later Nissan SUVs and trucks, I would avoid with automatics. I can't remember the exact year range, so you'll have to do some research. They had issues with the transmission coolers inside the radiators leaking. It cross contaminates the cooling system and transmission. Destroys the transmissions in short order as a result of this. I've encountered a few of these at work just this year, so not a good sign. With any SUV, there tends to be higher repair costs, some more than others. Toyotas a pretty good, but tend to be pricey. When they do need repairs, it costs. Jeeps can run the range of cheap to pricey, and repairs run that range too. I bought my '05 Liberty in 2011 well under your budget with 44k miles on it, 4wd and a 6spd manual. The only repairs I've had to do is a battery(had the OE in it still) and a belt idler pulley. It would be smallish for you though. Cherokees are getting cheap but finding one not beat to hell is a challenge. Being what used to be a die hard ford guy, I would be reluctant to recommend any of their SUVs, or pickups. GMs with the 5.3L, early 2000's vintage should warrant close scrutiny as they have had plenty of cylinder head issues that required head replacements. Most of those have cycled thru but I'm still seeing a few.

[TheBelly]

SUV

Tiguan. It's a golf SUV.