Instead of selling the Maxima and getting another hot car (G35, etc.) I've decided to keep my Maxima (mainly because I can't get money back for it and it's so fun to drive). At any rate I want to get a nice SUV without spending $60K. At this point I don't know if I want to finance a new one ~35K, buy a slightly used one, or just buy a mule (old ~5k SUV). Anyways, I want it because I eventually want to use it to tow small boats or waverunners because here in Texas that's one of the only recreational things to do.

Anyways what are you opinions for SUVs?

Here's mine:
If I'm buying new I'd really love the Qx4, I love the looks and luxury.

My mom has a 98 4Runner Limited, it's nice but lacks the luxury and power, but I could grab one up used for probably 15-18k.

Or I could go get an old school Explorer or something for $5K.

What other cars are nice? It must be 4x4 and pretty decent power for towing, and it must be fairly competent offroad (e.g. real 4x4 low range)

 

I would go with the QX4, So far my family has had 2 and weve been pretty happy with them. no problems with them at all and they are an awesome SUV. I would go with the 2001 and up though, mainly because of the redesigned front. goodluck finding an SUV of your choice.

 

I would get a 98 Grand Cherokee Limited AWD with the 5.9 V8. How does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds sound. Mods are also plentiful for these beasts. I know a guy in Chicago that's running 14.6@92s in his with minimal mods. I know the Cherokees aren't extremely reliable, but I don't know of any SUVs that really are. Out of all the SUVs I've rented for work (Expedition, Blazer, Explorer 99-02, Tahoe, Grand Cherokee, Montero, Discovery, Jeep, Pathfinder), the Grand Cherokees are the best riding, best handling, and most effective in off-road situations.


Dave

 

I have an Explorer I can sell you.. it's even a 5 Speed... LOL...

 

If you want the QX4 but fear the payments, what about a mildly used VQ Pathfinder? Almost the same truck but far easier on the wallet.


















plus you could swap engine mods on a whim

 

Dont go domestic on this one, Jap all the way.. The QX4 is the shiznit

 

If you want competent offroad with power, go for either a 5.9 V8 Cherokee or a 90's 351 Fullsize Bronco. I'm pretty sure you'll regret getting less than a V8.

Both have plenty of mods. For actual hardcore offroading, don't expect to keep a nice looking truck nice looking.

Bronco is bigger inside, and has the removeable fiberglass roof. You can even get a soft-top (tonneau cover) or a convertable top. Cherokee looks more like a girls SUV - Bronco is more of a MANS truck.

OT: I'm installing the rear locker in my bronco this evening. I finished the lift yesterday - good thing, 'cos my 33" tires just arrived!!!! WOOHOO!

 

How about the GMC Envoy, Mercury Mountaineer, or Nissan Pathfinder?

 

Go with a GMC Tahoe. You can't beat what you get for the price. American truck a great now a days.

 

My family has owned a 5 speed xterra (got rid of it cause my mom couldn't change gears after knee surgery), an automatic xterra (got rid of it cause my mom went in for an oil change at Nissan and came back with something more luxury..), and an automatic pathfinder. All are great and I don't have a single complaint about them.

 

K5 Blazer or a RamCharger

 

If you have the money get a used Acura MDX or Honda Pilot. They are GREAT cars. But if you want something a little smaller and sportier get the QX4. Just look at gtr's pics.
-Cyrus

 

my buddy has a 01 pathfinder and I feel its a very powerful SUV and kinda favors the QX4. They are as quick as the 00-01 maxima autos so I find that fast for an SUV plus nissan reliable and saving a few pennies over a QX4 but just my $.02

 

Or wait for this fall, the nissan murano comes out.

 

Could you settle for your max being a 4x4? Put the stock suspension back on...best of both worlds.

Erik

 

They are not as quick as 00/01 autos.

 

depends what you want.
PF/QX4: good ride, small (rear seats), can tow, should be reliable.
highlander: comfy, cannot really tow or go offroad
pilot: cheap for a 8 passanger, VTEC rules the engine after 5k , very veyr nice interior, think its IRS so it should be good ride, but doens't look like it can go offroad.
grand cherokee: more truck like than most import suv, got plenty of towing power with V8, don't the V8 top out @ like mid 30k(just guessing I dunno) if it is then I think its overpriced. & its a lil small.
yukon: big!, powerful, prolly waste a lot of gas, interior quailty is so so, can tow & fit lots of stuff in there, not sure about the ride, driving it looks scary, sat on hte driver side its soooo high up.
envoy:275 hp but not faster than the rest of the V6. New design just like pilot prolly better build quailty than the other gm, another midsize suv taht can go offroad better than the pilot.

 

dude I'd go with a Grnad Cherokee or a Tahoe... QX4 is nice and all but its kinda week to be called a truck its more like a carlike SUV without the comfy ride- its a Pathfinder

without the new VQ35 its a dog

Yukon Denali?? new Envoy?

if you want a real truck go Domestic preferably GM hehe

everyone I know with Tahoes/Escalades/Yukons are in love with them and I've never seen any of them have a problem with the trucks

 

My next vehicle is going to be a Tahoe/Yukon.

 

How about a 1st gen Cadillac Escalade?

 

I guess I should of said it will smoke civics instead of keeping up with 00 max auto but they are in the mid 16's though

 

my dad has a highlander - picks up very quicky - not sluggish like a blazer or something like that..... if you want a lil more luxury look into the RX300, which uses the exact same chassis as the highlander.....you cant go wrong with the QX4 also

 

Wrangler, Cherokee, or Grand Cherokee.

Or maybe a Discovery or used Range Rover?

 

 

if i had a lowered suspension, my car wouldnt have flipped over most likely

 

D@MN brian good to here you got up on your feet over there bro. hmmmmmm i would say pathfinder

 

If you get a '96-'02 Path/QX4, you have NO options for making it a real off-road vehicle because of the unibody design. Get an earlier model pathfinder and you can get a 4-3 inch body lift and easily a 4 inch suspension lift. The big problem here is a complete lack of power. The new Pathy will go back to a "truck" style flexing chasis that will also have a least the 240 HP... it should be nice if you can wait. Just giving you an idea of your pathfinder options as I had to trade the Max in a while ago for more cargo room, which I was suprised to gain so little of in the Pathfinder.

 

i guess it depends on how big of an SUV you really want. my dad just bought a 2002 Toyota Seqouia and its really nice and powerful but kinda huge. a friend of mine had a Yukon GT (vortec 350) and that thing was awesome! PLENTY of power and not totally huge (it was the 2-door) but big enough. i fit easily in the back seats (and im 6'1 230lbs) or you could go for something smaller like the QX4. your call!


Trevor

 

all though you cant lose with an infiniti id tell you to get an explorer. make sure you get one of the v8's though I had an explorer and I drove that thing into the ground, well over 200k miles. its the only suv I would ever own realisticly because I could never afford an escalade at this point in my life

 

How about something really old and cool? ****** jeep or an old International w/ some big block V8? You should be able to get one a nice one for $5,000 or so. And it should be fairly easy to work on(given the tranaxles are okay) Old Ford 4x4 F100 w/ the 390, 4bbl Holley and Hooker headers. Or does the 4x4 make it a F250 or something?

 

Speaking of older SUVs, I've seen some mint condition mid-80s Landcruisers that are as solid as tanks and go for $5-6k.

 

Ok some of us have gotten a little carried away, haha.

I don't need it to be this superior offroad vehicle. I will not put a lift-kit on it, etc. I just want it to be able to do it's rare 4x4 encounters. My Mom's 4Runner is more then competent for what I need. I do need one that can tow ~5,000 LBS so that takes the FWD econo-luxo suv's out (highlander, etc.).

It's a set decision in my head that if I'm buying a NEW SUV it's going to be a Qx4 (~35-38K with options). However, at this point I don't think I'll do that, I'd prefer something used that is still nice, reliable, and has some power.

I do not feel the need for a V8 necessarily, a H.O. V6 will do the job. The car isn't going to be towing excessively and the tow loads will actually be far lighter initially (I just want the capability to tow up to 5,000 LBS). I know the 4Runner and Explorer's have a tow capacity of 5,000 but they recommend 3,500 as the max (mainly for long hauls).

I don't want to get a old school Bronco because my friend has one and it gets 8 MPG.

So far I've found 96-99 4Runner Limited 4x4's with 60-100K miles for 15-17K (I think this is not a shabby deal). My mom has one, the car is bulletproof, but lacks power and luxuries that other v6 suv's have (i.e. qx4, ml320, etc.). however, I've got the 4runner deep into the snow and my friend's 97 explorer 4x4 with the 190HP SOHC V6 couldn't make it up the icy driveways while the 4runner just steam-rolled the driveways with ease. Gotta love 50/50 torque converter, and real locking rear diff. The 4runner is a very capable truck for what it is. It's one of the only ones in that class that can really do something (other then jeeps). The ML320 is crap offroad and I'm not too fond of the looks. Finally, to the guys who recommend jeeps, we owned one before and I've had friends who have had them. Their reliablilty record isn't high with me. However, the 5.9L one really cooks but it also suffers from like a 11-13MPG around town. I already have a boosted Maxima I don't need this truck to be a race car. It's just an all-around recreational vehicle / backup vehicle.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

If you have to have an SUV, you may as well get the 4Runner. We bought ours new in 2000 and it has held up pretty good. We live in Germany now and have to drive on a dirt back road to get to work(until the main road is fixed) and that thing is great to blast through. My Maxima & Integra hate it while I can almost do jumps and WRC style power slides with the Toyota, very cool. I've never towed anything with it and honestly hate to drive it, but if you 'have' to have an suv...

Also, 2003 4Runner brings a redesign. Supposed to be a back to basics remake of the 4Runner. I'd wait for that and then you can decide after the 96-02 lose more resale value. Plus the TRD s/c will give you V8 power for $3000. Your experience with s/cs would probably be benificial here too.

I wouldn't buy a new QX4 or Pathfinder because of resale. Pick either up 1 or 2 years old.

Hope this helps,
Zam

 

honda passport

 

if you can afford it. i'd go with an MDX or the Aziom.
kick *** suvs.

i love the MDX..

 

I'd say go with 99 1/2 or newer Nissan Pathfinder. not too expensive and they were available with a 5spd transmission for that extra punch.

 

I go for a used ml320 or ml430 if you got the $..

 

If I was to buy a new SUV, I would get a Tahoe or Envoy, depending on size I was looking for.

I have driven mosrt of the current SUVs on the market right now for work (including QX4s, Xterras, Explorers, ect.) and by far the Envoy is the best overall vehicle from my own standpoint. Only thing is they are a little on the expensive side, but consider the fact that we get QX4's for $23K (fleet price) and you realize what the mark up is on SUVs these days.

 

Thats what i did. Picked up a fully loaded 99 gmc yukon, leather, heated seats etc.. for 28,000 canadian.

 

I second that. My dad has one, and I've taken it off-roading before ... not a creak out of it! Even though it's made in the USA, it is a truely solid Benz. They are a little low though... so it depends on what offroading is. It can take a path no problem but I don't think it's got enough GC in the rough. That thing has so much highway power too
-Cyrus