In this crazy world we live I'm looking to get rid of our current car payment. So I'm looking to sell my wife's Lexus GX460 and replace it with something I can pay cash for. I'm not against trucks or SUVs, neither of us want a minivan. The larger vehicles we've owned are the GX, an old 100 series LandCruiser, Jeep JKU, and a F150 supercrew. Here is what we want/need:
Under $8k
Seats 4 comfortably (my kids are growing fast)
4wd. We go in the mtns of NC during winter and the side roads don't get plowed.
Reliable/cheap parts/all other GRM stuff.
Needs to two a Uhaul trailer and old 911 with ease from time to time. (Car is under 2500lbs but idk what those trailers weigh)
thanks
What started all this is I have a buddy selling a well maintained older Sequioa for $3800. It's an 02 4wd with 240k miles. All maintenance and work done at a local shop.
Toyota Sequoia.
Oddball one that I like to throw out in these threads, just because I want to see someone do it: Kia Borrego. Still never seen one in real life.
EDIT: I did not see your second post when I first posted this.
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade. Chevy HD drivetrain (6.0L and tranny), comfy arse seats for road trips, low maintenance, low cost of entry, tows awesome, etc.
Downside is fuel mileage of 14 empty and 11 towing.
To give you an idea of price, I will be selling my 04 with 160k miles for $5.5k pretty soon. Have a 2002 as well so need to get rid of one.
Tahoe gets my vote. Probably the best all-around daily I've had. I changed the oil a couple times in 4 years and other than that never popped the hood. Basically the same as an Escalade but you could probably get a nicer Tahoe than Escalade for the same money. I also wouldn't want the airbag suspension on the Escalade.
Sequoia is a good answer.
In my driveway, the answer is Gen3 Montero. Just a V6 and rated to tow 5,000lbs. I towed 4,000 lb with mine and it required forcing the 5 speed auto trans into 4th. If not, it had to downshift at anytime you wanted to apply throttle, even on flat ground. The Sumo Wrestler.
Bonus points for generally looking like a Lexus GX for A LOT less purchase price. Sold from '01-'06.
Real sample: '03 w/ 110k asking $3,300
Speaking of fuel, GX takes premium and gets 16 MPG no matter how we drive. So we are used to that kind of mileage. I realize in our cash price we aren't looking at the new SUVs that get 30mpg.
@john-welsh what's the 4wd system on the Montero like?
Also my last 3 cars came out of the ATL and I can run down there for a new ride.
In reply to octavious :
It's a stout 4wd system. The Limited trim (leather seats) gets a locking center differential. Mitsubishi calls it Super Select.
In Australia they get a diesel but otherwise same.
I've been down this road. The best bet is a Ford Expedition EL from 2007 and up.
Tow rating is 9k lbs. Very reliable. Tons of space. Just bad on fuel, but you can't have it all.
Strizzo
PowerDork
7/21/20 3:57 a.m.
The easy answer is a gx470. One just popped up and sold pretty quickly here in Houston for 7,500 with 150k on it having just had the timing belt done and air suspension gone through. You could also look for a 4th gen 4Runner v8 with the same powerplant or the trusty 4.0 v6
you'd be waaay up in miles for a 100 series at that price.
I'd be on the look out for variable displacement lifter issues on Tahoes/suburban/Escalades at that price point and higher miles. Also 3 valve cam phaser problems on the expeditions.
With just 2 kids, 4th gen 4runner with the V8. Same powertrain as the GX, but a decent tailgate that doesn't swing to the side and tons of aftermarket options to make it look and perform how you want.
Why don't you just buy your friend's Sequoia?
In reply to octavious :
Asked back in the first post....
A Uhal car trailer weighs 2210 lbs. The Uhaul tow dolly weighs 750 lbs.
Uhaul only allows up to 80% of your vehicle stated capacities.
Suburban, Expedition, Sequoia. Just go big and be done with it. Two kids might want friends along, tow capacity wants to be overkill, luggage always grows.
Everyone I know who buys a Suburban just keeps them forever, even when they aren't daily drivers, it's just handy to have all that extra capacity when you need it.
Dave M (Forum Supporter) said:
Why don't you just buy your friend's Sequoia?
That's where I'm leaning. I just wasn't sure if there was a GRM "run for your life" away from the Sequioa, or if there was a better option. I don't know if I'd trust a CL/FB Sequioa of that age and unknown previous owner, but I trust him. I also know he has paid good money to have this one maintained. This one was his wife's DD. He wants to have it detailed before I take my wife to look at it. He and his wife replaced this one with a lightly used 2019 Sequioa
My other thoughts were the 470 and 4Runner. Although the used Lexus seem to be cheaper around here. I wasn't sure if there was some stupidly expensive part that often failed on either of those. For instance the brake booster, and assembly of my old LC was crazy expensive even on the used market.
We have 2011-12 Expediton at work. It's uncomfortable and noisy on the interstate. Wind noise is awful. I don't like it. We have a 2018 Tahoe too which is a little more comfortable. The storage space on the Tahoe is HUGE.
4wd SUV that seats 4 comfortably?
Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL. Hands down the best on the planet for doing SUV things. Since they are common as dirt, $8k will buy a very nice one.
Strizzo
PowerDork
7/21/20 12:17 p.m.
octavious said:
My other thoughts were the 470 and 4Runner. Although the used Lexus seem to be cheaper around here. I wasn't sure if there was some stupidly expensive part that often failed on either of those. For instance the brake booster, and assembly of my old LC was crazy expensive even on the used market.
We have 2011-12 Expediton at work. It's uncomfortable and noisy on the interstate. Wind noise is awful. I don't like it. We have a 2018 Tahoe too which is a little more comfortable. The storage space on the Tahoe is HUGE.
The 4.7L v8 in the 4th gen v8 4runner and gx470 use a timing belt, which is around a 700-1000 dollar service iirc. people selling them now are likely looking at either a way overdue replacement or staring down the barrel of their second timing belt job.
Strizzo said:
octavious said:
My other thoughts were the 470 and 4Runner. Although the used Lexus seem to be cheaper around here. I wasn't sure if there was some stupidly expensive part that often failed on either of those. For instance the brake booster, and assembly of my old LC was crazy expensive even on the used market.
We have 2011-12 Expediton at work. It's uncomfortable and noisy on the interstate. Wind noise is awful. I don't like it. We have a 2018 Tahoe too which is a little more comfortable. The storage space on the Tahoe is HUGE.
The 4.7L v8 in the 4th gen v8 4runner and gx470 use a timing belt, which is around a 700-1000 dollar service iirc. people selling them now are likely looking at either a way overdue replacement or staring down the barrel of their second timing belt job.
Is that the same 4.7 in the Sequioa?
