What 4x4 SUV? Daily, Highway & Beach use; $5-7k

I am getting totally out of my element but it looks like I might need a SUV in the future and I know embarrassingly little about 4 wheel drive systems and such.

I'm looking for something to fit 2 adults, 1 baby and enough room for toys / luggage but definitely not a fan of the extremely large vehicles. Most usage will be around town in the 'burbs with occasional 1-2 hour long highway trips and a fair amount of cruising on the beach. Deep, loose sand with distances of up to 10 miles with spotty opportunity for help if trouble arises. I am not a highly experienced off road driver but am eager to learn and will carefully outfit any vehicle with a proper kit of gear (probably another thread in the future).

Budget is somewhat flexible but I do not want to spend too much on something that will not be treated particularly well. Sand, mud and salt water exposure and probably some trips through wooded trails, possibly light towing too in its future. Basic transportation to run errands and get around needed so it cannot be a total penalty box and needs to be able to cruise at 75mph without being terrifying. I can push the budget up to $8-9k for something totally awesome but would love to find something $5-6k and have a cushion for deferred maintenance / minor upgrades. 2001+ preferred and under 200k miles preferred if at all possible.

I am rambling since I know nothing useful at all about this market and have ignored these vehicles completely. My first reaction is simple, common and reliable for cheap and easy parts plus commonly found accessories.

4runner? Explorer? GM? Help, please...

4Runner, Nicest XJ Cherokee In The World (I'll be selling a nice 2000 soon), Montero.

Montero probably not as easy to get parts for.

I think the Cherokee is where i would go for this, even though it wasn't made past 2001. Parts are dirt cheap and fall out of the sky. They're stupid easy to work on. Stupid simple. Stupid effective.

I have done Mitsu already and would probably pass on another...

I need to look into Cherokees, I somehow missed those in my thoughts. It seems like I thought that they made them longer than that, or is that a specific chassis that was superior to the newer stuff?

Important note: I will most likely not be doing most repair work myself anymore. I pretty much need to have someone do the big stuff for me at this point and I will just handle tune-ups and small, driveway friendly jobs. Price of farming out work is a factor...

Thanks

Tahoe

Seconding the 4Runner. Also take a look at Xterra's.

Astrovan?

I like the 2000-2006 Tahoes. Plenty of room and more upscale from the Cherokee. For beach sand you'll likely just want some wider tires. Just run in 2wd until you have problems then switch. Number one rule is don't dig a hole and bury yourself cause then it'll be real hard to free yourself without help.

In reply to tb:

The XJ Cherokee was like... 84-01 i think. I prefer that chassis personally because of how bulletproof it is, how simple it is, and how well-supported it is. Solid axles front and rear means tons of travel, and more anvil-reliability.

I don't know that i'd say they're superior than some of the later Grand Cherokees, but they have some advantages. Lots of them, in my opinion.

Doesn't someone have a Police Tahoe for sale in the classifieds? I'd seriously look at that.

Great info; I am learning a lot looking into all of this stuff.

The different types of transmissions / transfer cases can be a lot to take in at first. Mostly just need something reliable that will still last another 4-5 years without falling apart a few miles from assistance.

FWIW the wife wouldn't take well to a van and slightly prefers imports.

I am loving the suggestions and would love to hear why you think that one option is significantly better than the competition.

thanks

Another important note:

I am living at my place in Philly now but plan on moving to stay at my beach house in South Jersey very soon. This matters since I need to pick up something relatively local; probably no time for a fly and buy unless it is an easy and special circumstance.

Just so it is said...Land Rover / Range Rover is not the answer here.

Are you more concerned with on-road manners or off-road capability?

If you want on-road manners, buy something with independent front suspension. That would be a 2005 or later Grand Cherokee. It is almost as well supported as an XJ, is more confortable, etc. Go with a Laredo model.

JohnRW1621 wrote: Just so it is said...Land Rover / Range Rover is not the answer here.

Thanks... but that much I already know!

92dxman wrote: Doesn't someone have a Police Tahoe for sale in the classifieds? I'd seriously look at that.

This. It's well under your price point so yay for that. It's also stupidly simple but will be better on road than the jeep and more capable of towing. And it's bigger which when hauling a kid, luggage, etc is an advantage.

Brett_Murphy wrote: Are you more concerned with on-road manners or off-road capability?

I am about 50/50 on this, something all around competent would be best.

I want off road reliable (not rock crawler trials stuff) so my wife doesn't bust it with her heavy foot. I also want on road to be livable so I don't hate it going to the grocery store and can still cruise at a decent clip on the highway (mostly short trips, like 1.2 hour). I don't even know if this is all possible and am prepared to make compromises.

Note: I will still have my e30 for when size and 4wd is not needed and then I can enjoy a nimble chassis w/ a well sorted fun car.

Your wants are VERY possible. With pretty much anything mentioned in this thread so far.

Trailblazers are cheap too.

Lots of little common problems but all relatively inexpensive even if you must pay someone else.

Fuel pumps and senders

Water pump

Secondary AIR injection motor and valve

Interior backlights

Intake manifold gaskets(just cause lean codes, no coolant mixing shenanigans)

MAF sensor and tubing after it can crack causing lean codes

Shift interlock solenoid

Unlikely one will have all that bad at once but they're very nice for the $ and reasonably efficient.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5189731354.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/5192277214.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5189492594.html

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5118212759.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5171511211.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5194461755.html

It seems you can probably get the "best" of multiple brands of SUVs in your price range, since your requirements are so general. All of the regular used car questions and due diligence would apply here, but as long as the SUV in question was true 4WD, your needs would probably be met.

XJ, 3" lift, 31" tires.

Can't get much simpler than that.

In reply to Brett_Murphy:

It looks like that is the case; I am loving all of this info and support because I just have so little first hand knowledge here.

The "true 4wd" aspect is key and I have a lot to learn about specifics but it seems that in general they all work pretty well and get the job done.

Thanks

In reply to 92dxman:

sweet, thanks!

It looks like there are plenty of options that are out there. I am not surprised that the Fords seem the cheapest and most plentiful... I guess they make a bunch of those cars that the normal consumers eat up and pass on regularly.

It takes a little investigation to sort out the option packages to look for the diamonds in the rough but I am learning. I can snap off tons of specific facts about different sports car packages but the range of different models for SUVs is impressive...

Thanks

ebonyandivory wrote: XJ, 3" lift, 31" tires. Can't get much simpler than that.

I am really not looking to modify suspension stuff beyond maintenance stuff; I do not think I will have to. Gonna try to keep everything simple with this car and just use the BMW for my wrenching fix...

I will, however, happily shop for a better wheel / tire package after I find the right vehicle. I know that tires are probably the most important factor on any vehicle for proper performance but that will probably be a separate topic to come later...

The cool thing about XJs is that a decent 3" lift doesn't really cost anymore than stock stuff. Nor is it any harder to install. Doesn't make them any worse to drive, either. At least not compared to old stock worn out stuff.

Rancho's Shocktober promotion is coming up. Shop smart like i did on our blue Cherokee and you could probably do the entire suspension and steering, 2.5" lift, and get new tires (30x9.5 15 fits pretty well on later stock wheels) for under $1500 all in. All the work can be done in an easy weekend.

Or pay a shop. It'll cost the same as just refreshing stock stuff.

In reply to Swank Force One:

Cool, very good to know. I plan on having to do some repair or smart upgrades that come with buying any vehicle of this age / mileage and it is nice to know a little about the community knowledge that is out there. XJs do sound nice to me because I like the reputation for being reliable and having a huge aftermarket; might not be as fancy as the wife wants but she will live with my decision.

I have somewhat mixed memories of the lifted Bronco II on 33"s that we had when I was a teenager. It was fun with a 5.0 and a 5 speed but not the kind of vehicle that was pleasant in every situation...