Another help me pick my next car thread

[ranchlandsselling]

My old 1990's SUV is on it's last legs. Well not really, but it's getting close and having some issues with a seat that's causing me great annoyances. I don't mind a few hundred here and there to keep a 300k car going for another year or two, but not when it's actually hurting me phyiscally to sit in it.

That said - I'm looking for an SUV. I want something interesting with room. I have dogs, hockey equipment, I do reno's here and there and treat things (or like to be able to) like a truck but I don't like pickups. That said, I'll likely have a trailer in the next 2 years.

Some SUV's I've looked at (oldest 1999, newest 2006).

Land Rover Discovery I / II
Land Rover LR3
GMC / Chev Suburban (I've always like these, seen a few 1999's that look fun)
Lincoln Aviator (stopped looking as it takes premium)
Yukon / Denali

I'm not a fan of jeeps (yj, tj, although the FJ Cruiser is neat, but not likely), don't like Escapes, Rav/CRV, the small Jimmy/Blazers were junk (except the full size blazer or old school convertable), not a fan of the Durango or...

Thoughts? Other suggestions? Comments on the vehicles I like (other than terrible on gas).

[TorqueDog]

Land Rovers are notorious for being unreliable, and this is coming from someone who loves Land Rovers and really wants a Range Rover Sport S/C one day. If that's changed recently, I don't know, but in the range of 1999 to 2006, it was still the case. That said, they're pretty cool cars.

Have you considered the Jeep Grand Cherokee? The 1999-2004 models were incredibly comfortable if you got a Limited or Overland edition.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Land Rovers are notorious for being unreliable, and this is coming from someone who loves Land Rovers and really wants a Range Rover Sport S/C one day. If that's changed recently, I don't know, but in the range of 1999 to 2006, it was still the case. That said, they're pretty cool cars.

Have you considered the Jeep Grand Cherokee? The 1999-2004 models were incredibly comfortable if you got a Limited or Overland edition.

Re: Land Rovers - yeah I know - just have always liked them... And I'm a limey.

Never been a fan of the Grand Cherokee, not sure why - seems like the family vehicle without that "interesting" factor that appeals to me (as someone might feel the complete other way). Don't know much about their towing abilities (but I'll look into them).

[TorqueDog]

Towing capacity with the 4.7L HO V8 found in the Limited and Overland is 6,500 lbs. Lowest of what you've listed above, for sure.

[saskflames69]

2003 Pontiac Aztek. Everybody will look at you with awe and respect as you drive that gorgeous plastic machine.

BONUS: Centre console acts as an ice cooler.

[burn_this_city]

Out of your list the Yukon is probably the best all around. Stay away from Land Rover, they are a money pit. The reliability is a huge issue, my co-worker finally dumped his Evoque after having it in the shop 1/4 of the time he owned it.

[Derek Sutton]

Yukon Denali XL, it's like getting two birds stoned at once as it is just a fancier Suburban.

[Table 5]

Honestly, what you need is a Dodge Grand Caravan. Great for shuttling people around, tons of space everywhere, and it turns into a cargo van, that's big enough to take sheets of drywall, when you fold the seats into the floor. Plus you'll be able to get one for half the price of an SUV.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Land Rovers are notorious for being unreliable, and this is coming from someone who loves Land Rovers and really wants a Range Rover Sport S/C one day. If that's changed recently, I don't know, but in the range of 1999 to 2006, it was still the case. That said, they're pretty cool cars.

Have you considered the Jeep Grand Cherokee? The 1999-2004 models were incredibly comfortable if you got a Limited or Overland edition.

I had a Disco 2 for about 4 years and loved it. I travelled long distance and on sketchy roads, so it was perfect... but yeah, when you buy a Land Rover, you pretty much have to accept that you are buying a high maintenance vehicle. I put a lot of money into it to keep it maintained and now that I live in the city and don't drive as much, I am glad that I sold it.

I really don't like the way the LR3s look either.

[Northendzone]

my recommendation is a Ford Explorer

/thread

[Kybosh]

I ended up with a pickup myself (got more vehicle for much less than any SUV I liked), but what about a 4Runner?

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Honestly, what you need is a Dodge Grand Caravan. Great for shuttling people around, tons of space everywhere, and it turns into a cargo van, that's big enough to take sheets of drywall, when you fold the seats into the floor. Plus you'll be able to get one for half the price of an SUV.

If you're going to do that, make sure to keep a spare transmission on a shelf in the garage.

[ranchlandsselling]

Thanks for the posts so far.

Leaning towards no for the Land Rovers. I'd have to get a awesome deal on one to justify potential problems down the line. That said, if it was a awesome deal I'd wonder why...

Ford Explorer was a thought. Reading some reviews on the 2004 XL, but so far they're not great. I thought those were the years the Explorer was awful?

Re: Van..... Anyway

Re: 4 Runner. Too expensive. Good cars, but they're priced like that and it's likely to be a vehicle I own for 4-6 years and don't mind trashing. Getting a 4 Runner of similar vintage will cost me much more.

re: Pickup - yeah,... something about it though. Just not a pickup person. Also don't want to be default family moving/dump/buying furniture/etc guy.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

If you're going to do that, make sure to keep a spare transmission on a shelf in the garage.

This is what the 5 year/100K warranty is for. Even without one, at half the price of an SUV, that's a lot of transmissions.

People hate on the van....but it's the most versatile vehicle out there, and a fantastic bang for the buck.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Here's some Land Rovers for cheap.... http://gcsurplus.ca/mn-eng.cfm?&snc=...1&&sr=1&rpp=25

[8sPOT]

Towing with a Grand Caravan would be tough though. I can't seem them being able to tow any more than 3500 lbs.

What about the VW Touareg? The one with V6 Diesel is pretty fuel efficient and can tow over 7500 lbs when needed. May be out of your price range though.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by Table 5

This is what the 5 year/100K warranty is for. Even without one, at half the price of an SUV, that's a lot of transmissions.

People hate on the van....but it's the most versatile vehicle out there, and a fantastic bang for the buck.

I agree with you - other than it being a van.

Other things
AWD? 4x4?
Also ignores the towing.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Here's some Land Rovers for cheap.... http://gcsurplus.ca/mn-eng.cfm?&snc=...1&&sr=1&rpp=25

Awesome!

If you were a handy mechanic and had access to parts / tools you could probably make a few decent bucks slowly fixing those up and selling them. The Defender is a pretty well liked vehicle and if it was road worthy and in good shape you could probably sell to some hardcore fans.
I want one!

[Table 5]

Yeah, if you need to tow a lot, it's not the best option (although you can probably still tow a lot of things outside of large trailers).

What's your budget for this?

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

2003 Pontiac Aztek. Everybody will look at you with awe and respect as you drive that gorgeous plastic machine.

BONUS: Centre console acts as an ice cooler.

Bitter about what your parents gave you as your first car?