Buying a Vehicle part 2

[Doc Holiday]

So, my current beater that I have been driving almost died on me last week, and I am coming closer to the realization that I need to buy something and soon, before I need spend anymore money on a lost cause.

So I've been looking at Nissan Xterras, but the only thing that I've been trying to do is get one within the 6 year mark.  And So far, all I have been able to find is 2009's that fit within the criteria that I'm looking for, which is: must be 4x4 under 100K on miles and cost $15-10k, with it preferred to be within the last 6 years.

anyone have any suggestions for Vehicles that I should consider? I'm a fairly active person and do a fair amount of Hiking/Camping/biking/rafting/kayaking. so I need a vehicle that has space to store stuff, and the ability to go off road if need be. and can be a "Adventure/trip Vehicle" the Xterra fits most of the requirements and that's why I'm very strongly looking at one. but want to make sure I've considered all options before I buy.

Looking to buy by January 15th, so this is more of a last minute check.

[ZeroZeroSeven]

Did you mean $15-$20k? 

Toyota FJ Cruisers are similar to Nissan Xterras, but those hold their value so well I don't know if they would be in a range you would consider.  A Toyota 4Runner could be an option as well if you need easier access to the 2nd row vs the FJ Cruiser.  You could also look at something like a Jeep Wrangler, but some would tell you to be weary of reliability on Jeep's.

[PandaPancake]

^ that only applies to V8 jeeps. Straight sixes are bomber

[davos]

I'm doing a trade in in January and am looking at the best 4x4 options right in your same range.  Coming across a lot of Explorers, Jeeps, and Subarus that seem like decent options.  Open to hearing what peeps think as well. 

[fitty76]

I liked my Xterra.  They used to have bare-bones technology (AM/FM radio and a CD player) because it was made for "outdoorsy people who didn't care about that kind of stuff."  But it looks like the newer versions have modern technology in them.  

[Doc Holiday]

On 12/27/2015 at 0:37 PM, ZeroZeroSeven said:

Did you mean $15-$20k? 

Toyota FJ Cruisers are similar to Nissan Xterras, but those hold their value so well I don't know if they would be in a range you would consider.  A Toyota 4Runner could be an option as well if you need easier access to the 2nd row vs the FJ Cruiser.  You could also look at something like a Jeep Wrangler, but some would tell you to be weary of reliability on Jeep's.

see that's me though, i was literally on the phone with a dealer asked if he knew if it had a audio port or blue tooth because it was all i was going to care about. 

[lightsout]

10 hours ago, thebigcat said:

Subaru Outback.... They are great vehicles

Bought (well, leased, but I'm buying out the lease in a few years) a 2015 Subaru Impreza last month. Love it. Loved the test drive on the Outback, just couldn't afford it currently. Anything Subaru is good.


An aside, I asked the dealer during the test drive, "so, what makes a Subaru...a Subaru?" He gave me a very serious answer as well. Never laughed internally so hard.

[thefuzz]

If you are looking into the midsize in that price range, you are going to be able to find newer explorers, rather than Grand Cherokee's, but I prefer the Jeep over the newer explorers.

They are now on a crossover frame, and feel that way to me, just doesn't feel like an SUV/Truck.

[cookinwithgas]

still driving the 99 Grand Cherokee with the straight 6, its ancient and I'm starting to have to put a bit more money into it than I want, but that motor just keeps chugging along. Not very good gas mileage or fast but its a tank.

[cookinwithgas]

I had a Jeep Compass as a rental when the Cherokee was getting a new O2 sensor and head gasket and I feel bad for anyone suckered into buying one.

[thefuzz]

2 minutes ago, cookinwithgas said:

I had a Jeep Compass as a rental when the Cherokee was getting a new O2 sensor and head gasket and I feel bad for anyone suckered into buying one.

Yea, those things are crap.

I'm looking at a Grand Cherokee Overland edition, bad ass, but so expensive.

[Crixtala]

i think an xterra might be your best bet... I love those things.  my good buddy had one for several years and any time they would come down from Ohio, i'd get to drive it through the mountains.  for the size, it handles great and has a really good ride.  plus, full 4x4 capabilities and tons of space and abilities for racks, boxes, bikes, kayaks, etc.  he started with a pro-4x frontier, then went to the pro-4x xterra and then had a pro-4x titan.  he's driving a very nice Mercedes wagon now, but misses the xterra the most out of everything he's had over the past few years.  when I sell my car in the next year or so, i'll probably be looking at xterras and 4runners/sequoia's

i'll also chime in on the outback as my wife bought one last year (it was a 2011 with 30k miles and we got it for $20k - premium, all the bells and whistles minus nav and leather seats).  this is probably my favorite car that we've ever owned and I've sung the praises of my Honda fit on here many times (obviously in two different classes, but I love that little car a LOT and it takes a lot for me to say the outback is better).  while it won't have the handling capabilities offroad or in 4x4/awd that the xterra will have, it's still mightily impressive.  it seats the same amount of people and still has a ton of room for storage.  plus, with the newer models that have the continually shifting transmission, it's an incredibly smooth ride from a transmission standpoint.  I was leery of the idea when we first test drove it and have always hated automatic transmissions, but it's made me a believer.  one of my other favorite perks is that it comes standard with the hidden crossbars.  we just recently bought a thule box for the roof so that our dogs can have all the room in the back when we're traveling (they're spoiled) and it's very nice.  bottom line, the outback can handle everything the xterra can as far as transporting bikes, yaks, gear and can hold it's own out on the dirt roads on the way to hiking or even in the snow.

[Anybodyhome]

1972-1990 K5 Blazer such as this 1989 for $13995.

I'm selling my 2009 Tahoe LTZ and going to get one of these or a similar time frame full size Bronco. 

[Khyber53]

Seriously, pass on the Xterra. Try for a Subaru first, then move to Toyota for a four-wheel drive as your next step. Avoid Chevy, Ford and definitely Jeeps -- Jeeps are some of the worst built vehicles in America and you'll lose your shirt trying to get them fixed.

I've loved Mitsubishi's Monteros for decades, they just run and run, and climb over anything in their path if you stick with the full-sized ones. Sadly, they discontinued them in 2008 but the full-sized Motero LTDs were fantastic. I've still got a 2001 LTD bought off the lot new and I love the thing. New Mitsubishis... avoid them like the plague. They gave up any pretense to quality.