Looking for an SUV

[Z06killinsbf]

For my brother in law. He has about a $3k budget to get a used SUV type vehicle. We've been looking at Blazers, Cherokees, Explorers (I've warned him) and Durangos. What are some recommendations from my DFWMIMANEXPERTABOUTEVERYTHING peeps? Things to look for, avoid, etc...

Grassy ass in advance!

[sc281]

Cherokee.

[KBScobravert]

Our Explorer is out of his price range (2002 with 80,000miles) by a few grand. But he may be able to find a more used one in his budget. I know our Explorer has been problem free besides 1 CEL an egr part under warranty/recall and a broken blend door (common in Explorers that year) which was fixed by Ford also.

[talisman]

Explorer. I've had 3 of them and they are great vehicles. Of course I'm busy not taking my own advice over in the 4x4 Forum.

[Captain Crawfish]

Used trail blazer easy to work on

[Baron Von Crowder]

Ive seen/driven some high mile pathfinders and passports that were still in great shape recently. The american made SUV's that ive seen in that range seem to be either falling apart on the inside or were loose as hell and about to fall apart on the suspension/drivetrain.

I'm a fan of the explorers, but they seem to be the worst on the inside.

[Sean88gt]

At $3000, it's a crap shoot. He's buying "the piece of shit" that someone else is getting rid of. At that price, I would say brand is the least of his worries.

[snacksnack]

What about expedition? They are cheap and good.

[Sean88gt]

What about expedition? They are cheap and good.

I'm curious why the Expi's drop so much in value. I was looking at 08-10 Suburbans and Expeditions XL's and you can pick up the ford with more options for less than the Chebbie, considerably so.

[talisman]

The Expeditions have always been dogshit ugly to me, that might something to do with it.

[snacksnack]

Yea but the sure are comfortable, cheap and affordable. Ive put 200k on 2 of them. Ok let me rephrase I have bought 2 different ones with around 100k and put another 100k on them without any major issues other then spark plugs shooting out twice on one of them.

[GeorgeG.]

Ive seen/driven some high mile pathfinders and passports that were still in great shape recently. The american made SUV's that ive seen in that range seem to be either falling apart on the inside or were loose as hell and about to fall apart on the suspension/drivetrain.

I'm a fan of the explorers, but they seem to be the worst on the inside.

be careful with the Honda Passports/Isuzu Rodeo's. Unless they can prove the transmission was serviced religiously, I'd pass. We had a 99 and I didn't service it like I should have...long story short we had to have it overhauled along with some hard parts replaced. Even then it never ran the same and I found out later that supposedly those tranny's do not like to be overhauled. Per Isuzu, they don't even overhaul them. They can only get a replacement from Isuzu.

[Baron Von Crowder]

be careful with the Honda Passports/Isuzu Rodeo's. Unless they can prove the transmission was serviced religiously, I'd pass. We had a 99 and I didn't service it like I should have...long story short we had to have it overhauled along with some hard parts replaced. Even then it never ran the same and I found out later that supposedly those tranny's do not like to be overhauled. Per Isuzu, they don't even overhaul them. They can only get a replacement from Isuzu.

They dont have dipsticks, so that tends to be a common problem with them. We bought two, one that only has first gear (hard to tell if it has more at he auction, got burned) and the other with a slow engagement. We ran a flush and new filter on the second one and it is fine, the first one didnt improve any, IIRC.

[talisman]

Should stay away from anything with an Isuzu badge period.

[Captain Crawfish]

he needs to add about 1500 to that you cannot get anything for 3K worth a crap. even 4-5k is borderline pos. high mileage shit with more than 1 timing chain isnt a good idea