Help Me Choose a New (Used) Car

[ThunderSquirrel]

+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]

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.

[SouthPark]

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?

[BigMat]

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]

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.

[Anton]

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]

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]

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.

[michael_aos]

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.

[BigMat]

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.